tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78478739957092280692024-02-29T01:25:48.327-06:00Army Blogger WifeI have been an army wife for 14 years and we have three children. We have just PCSed to Colorado, where I am trying to settle in and figure it all out....again...ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.comBlogger1202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-29230289862246153822014-07-28T13:22:00.001-06:002014-07-28T13:22:24.061-06:00New blog!Check me out over at <a href="http://hashtagonebighappyfamily.blogspot.com/">#onebighappyfamily!</a><div>
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I just started the new blog, so I don't have everything updated. If you want to be on my blogroll, follow me on the new blog, so I can add you!</div>
ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-29800775310993943942014-07-24T19:05:00.003-06:002014-07-25T18:29:00.713-06:00A new blog?I was talking to a friend tonight, and was considering starting a new blog. I should blog about our trip--the dead body, our train killing someone, the whole getting hacked fiasco, my 3 facebook pages because I am old and my memory is shot, the museum of prostitution.....the list goes on. If I had blogged all the facebook stuff, I wouldn't have lost it. <br />
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Someone made my blog stuff though, and I don't know how to change it. Anyone know how to do that?<br />
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I have missed blogging. I have so much to say....so much!<br />
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Change the name, or start a new one?ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-52147991790967820752014-07-14T18:37:00.002-06:002014-07-14T18:37:49.071-06:00I've been hackedand it really sucks.<br />
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I'll tell you about my trip later, because it was AMAZING, scary, and full of new experiences, but in Poland, my email account was hacked, and my facebook. Sigh. It's been miserable. Add on to that, that I reset my password in a foreign country, when I was tired, stressed out, and upset, and that equals a password that I don't know. Well an unknown password basically means you can't access anything. Sigh.<br />
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What led up to all of this? Gunner and I just returned from whirlwind vacation in Europe. <br />
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Two years ago, my mom took Em to a program in Spain, where she taught English to Spaniards (teens), for a week. Em thought it was an amazing program, and never stopped talking about it. They began a program in Germany, and so I signed up and was accepted last year. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but I was determined that in 2014 I was going to be there, so I reinitiated my application and was accepted. <br />
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The premise of the program is that you buy your ticket to Europe, and they put you up in a nice hotel, provide three meals a day, and you teach people to speak English. Easy enough, right? It was an amazing opportunity. Absolutely amazing. I learned so much, met amazing people, and honestly feel like I helped people wanting to excel in their lives and occupations. Most of all, I feel like the people I met in this program made my life better, enriched it, and opened my eyes to so much more of Europe than I could have ever imagined. <br />
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Over the next few days, I want to blog.....I've missed it.<br />
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<br />ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-45507705616984410452014-05-14T18:31:00.004-06:002014-05-14T18:31:38.103-06:00I'm a sucker….Em is constantly correcting everyone's grammar at the ripe age of 16. I always tell my children and my students, that if they can speak correctly, they will excel in life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCYpSvalZNt2oF9E97OyIa4KDVhVjcja4VFGabqSs6BRlx1mEr0M2bsEw7OLNBPgUvKAf9ayokj11jsbzYSUJnWDuU4rwLyhNVTEHDJG5yx7fAqIfwuulBy_5Jx09d2GZ2rVxLSPa6rI/s1600/Em+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCYpSvalZNt2oF9E97OyIa4KDVhVjcja4VFGabqSs6BRlx1mEr0M2bsEw7OLNBPgUvKAf9ayokj11jsbzYSUJnWDuU4rwLyhNVTEHDJG5yx7fAqIfwuulBy_5Jx09d2GZ2rVxLSPa6rI/s1600/Em+shirt.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Yes, little Em, is now 16 and half grown! <br />
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Junior needed the following shirt:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GGEeSqKBVErdoWhKvGspUCEHKHu5wlqg5c7gZ90OnIk8u09wjSyYQxBB1uxovRJvXqb3jgOt53mD5udnuqhd-w99VoePwe7lxp6-hGd7RYf3xb3p4rIFF-_6cwp0dc1QhNOWejvYIVw/s1600/Jr.+Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GGEeSqKBVErdoWhKvGspUCEHKHu5wlqg5c7gZ90OnIk8u09wjSyYQxBB1uxovRJvXqb3jgOt53mD5udnuqhd-w99VoePwe7lxp6-hGd7RYf3xb3p4rIFF-_6cwp0dc1QhNOWejvYIVw/s1600/Jr.+Shirt.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
These kids crack me up! <br />
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You can order clothes, shoes, and many other things for cheap, <a href="http://www.zulily.com/invite/khardt704">here.</a>ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-13055790567832566602014-05-14T06:29:00.000-06:002014-05-14T06:29:00.470-06:00Dear Abs<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">We've come a long way!!!! If anyone has read my blog, or knows Abs, she has been a firecracker since the day she was born. By the age of two, I could never be more than two feet away from her, or she dyed herself blue to be a smurf, flushed the cat (who survived and lives with Oma and Opa), covered herself with desitin which remained on her for a week. She's flooded the house, zipped herself </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;">in a suitcase and was "missing", ran into a car that almost ran over her, had a Code Adam put out on her in Walmart, the list goes on and on and on. For a long time I wondered if I would survive her childhood. Her second grade teacher used to send home hair when Abs "did not" cut her hair in class. The following event happened today, and makes me smile:</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 20px;"><br />We were sitting in the car, we are hot, the ac is on high, and I realize I did not pay parking.<br />Me: I need to go back in and pay for parking.<br />Abs: Okay<br />Me: (hesitating for a second and thinking about making Abbie go with me) Ummmmm.....<br />Abs: I can stay here.<br />Me: Well.........the car is on. Can I trust you?<br />Abs: It's not like I am going to drive a car, that would be illegal.<br />Me: There was a time where you would have tried.<br />Abs: Really?<br />Me: Yes, so I have to think about it. (I start thinking back to all of the events of her life)<br />Abs: Really, I will be okay.<br />Me: Okay, my expectations are--the car will remain on, you are not to touch the key, lock the door immediately after I get out, do not open the door for anyone, do not touch the gear shift, do not play with any electrical device.<br />Abs: No problem.<br />Me: (I rushed over to pay for parking, and rushed back.)<br /><br />The car was still there, still in park, still on, nothing touched or ruined.<br />Abs: Minus the whole cinnamon roll incident this morning, I've really matured.<br />Me: Abs, you have no idea, no idea at all.</span>ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-518474158866925572014-05-13T13:21:00.000-06:002014-05-13T13:21:10.771-06:00Batman Secret Solved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Junior: I never knew where Batman was from until now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Gunner: he's from Gotham City</span><br />
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Junior: I know that, but he is actually Chinese.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Me: Chinese?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Gunner: Gotham City is modeled after NYC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Junior: it's actually in China and Batman is Chinese.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Me: how do you come to that conclusion?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Junior: all my Batman stuff says Made in China, therefore Batman is Chinese.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><br /></span>ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-79006175021446134442014-05-07T17:33:00.002-06:002014-05-07T17:33:32.856-06:00MIlitary LocketsOkay, so I have become a lover of Origami Owl, and the story that these lockets tell. They have military charms! I am in love!!!<br />
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If you feel so inclined, please <a href="http://www.korinhardt.origamiowl.com/parties/KorinHardt319342/collections.ashx" target="_blank">click here and help support me</a>!<br />
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Check out some lockets below!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYQSKh_-4DdWg4rS5oWW392B86UWzrmJZtjBE8tIsY0M_0x7ADWtTU-Ba6x__henZChQ5XpvbJKcCw10MclR4BOmvvaJiPNpOoioPaxen1IMEA05JpSkdgA3aYcFvuf8kj2MU9uSwJ3E/s1600/6cb86eb64d24d5c57cdb30273ca95bde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYQSKh_-4DdWg4rS5oWW392B86UWzrmJZtjBE8tIsY0M_0x7ADWtTU-Ba6x__henZChQ5XpvbJKcCw10MclR4BOmvvaJiPNpOoioPaxen1IMEA05JpSkdgA3aYcFvuf8kj2MU9uSwJ3E/s1600/6cb86eb64d24d5c57cdb30273ca95bde.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJb3m_tJfCjmMUYyCnnG-ALz79ERv_LEsdWI-6N4R_vbd0RooJ6ADnmx1gpMb_evMkK7OXIx9nobzrfKf_yN7ttbQxRMLFLWQ74CmqaTqZnXCkby-3whTgIVg5t60DDk9jbvGN-z_I6U/s1600/military+locket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJb3m_tJfCjmMUYyCnnG-ALz79ERv_LEsdWI-6N4R_vbd0RooJ6ADnmx1gpMb_evMkK7OXIx9nobzrfKf_yN7ttbQxRMLFLWQ74CmqaTqZnXCkby-3whTgIVg5t60DDk9jbvGN-z_I6U/s1600/military+locket.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
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You know you want to order them!!! I'll even host an online party for you and all your military friends!</div>
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Please share! I promise to post more updates soon about the crazy things my kids have been up to!</div>
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<br />ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-30490313857436088892014-04-10T20:28:00.000-06:002014-04-10T20:28:02.001-06:00Changes!!!!So when I last posted in January, I was a 4th grade teacher.<br />
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After what happened with Andrew, I decided a change was in order. I applied for a job as a campus tech, and got it! I know oversee all the technology at an elementary school on Hood.<br />
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Yes, that would be the same Hood that has been all over the news lately.<br />
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It's been just over a week and everyone appreciates the security that the schools are providing.<br />
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I was talking to a young Soldier today, and his platoon sgt was killed last Wednesday. He thanked us for keeping his daughter safe. That's hard. <br />
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I love being back with military kids. Love it. Having spent so long as a military spouse, they hold a special place in my heart!<br />
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I hope everyone is safe tonight. More coming in the near future. I've got a lot to say!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-36975369933997105892014-01-21T10:00:00.000-06:002014-01-21T10:00:07.037-06:00Trying to be healthy...Growing up, we had cattle. I don't remember much about it other than they were in OK, the bull was named Horny (because he had horns), and there was another one named Boomerang ( I vaguely remember he ran away and always came back?). We had returned from Australia, and my sister named them.<br />
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I do have fond memories of the ranch and visiting my grandparents. One time we went fishing in a pond there, someone caught a fish, and I was having a meltdown (I was little), and the fish jumped back in the pond. My grandfather said it was because of me. Oh well. I remember drinking goat milk, feeding chickens, collecting eggs (my grandmother would tell me I wasn't fast enough, and to quit being scared and grab those eggs!), and a visit to their auction barn (where I once made a fake leather wallet from some kit my mom gave me, and my grandfather taught me how to count money quickly while he was counting money in the snack bar they ran too). I had an interesting childhood.<br />
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Anyway, we used to have tons of beef, wrapped in white paper, and stored in our garage freezer. Fast forward, and I have been trying to go with organic and grass-fed beef, in order to keep the kids happy, and healthy. We bought 1/4 of a cow, and our freezer is full of amazing meat, which is tasty. My out-laws keep us supplied with duck eggs and chicken eggs from their brood. <br />
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During this time:<br />
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1. Em decided she was going to be a vegetarian. <br />
2. Abs declared she only likes ground beef and ribs.<br />
3. Andrew NEVER eats meat.<br />
4. Gunner has decided that since we are eating healthier, it is beef that causes him to feel gross.<br />
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This leaves me. I'm eating steaks, fajitas, and more steaks. <br />
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These children (and Gunner) are going to be the death of me!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-91927117780381301352014-01-20T21:27:00.000-06:002014-01-20T21:27:36.688-06:00Have we lost our minds???We were planning to take the kids to Europe this summer. I will be over there anyway, and so will Emily, so we figured it would be a great family trip. <br />
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Then my sister mentioned the road trip that she took last summer with her boys, and Gunner was on a mission. Junior and Abs were on board, and apparently we are now taking a road trip......<br />
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Gunner wants to eat a lobster in Maine.<br />
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Abs wants to go to the most Eastern part of the US and see the sun rise.<br />
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Junior wants to go to NYC.<br />
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Em wants to stick with Europe, but agreed that she wants to visit all the ghost towns, etc.<br />
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I want to go to Salem, MA. <br />
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We found the website <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/" target="_blank">Roadside America</a> that will let us find all the oddities along the way. Way back when, we visited <a href="http://armybloggerwife.blogspot.com/2007/07/foamhenge.html" target="_blank">Foamhenge</a>. Did you know there are over 50 different "henges" to see? I think we need to see a few along the way, or eventually all 50.<br />
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To make this trip sound even more <strike>asinine</strike> amazing, Gunner decided we should CAMP the entire way. So, we are going to travel halfway across the country, in the car, with three kiddos, while touring the US, and we will be camping.<br />
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This trip was made for blogging. I'm excited, in a worried way. Either we will make some amazing memories, or we will all hate each other at the end of this. <br />
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Em will be leaving for college the summer of 2016. That's just around the corner. God help me! Maybe I will take thousands of pictures and put together four albums, so we can have one and each child. You know, to remind us of the craziness that I am sure will occur.<br />
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We are already planning for this <strike>crazy</strike> BIG event. Start praying for us now!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-10911666933148446142014-01-01T08:57:00.004-06:002014-01-01T08:57:36.192-06:00Disney/Universal/Legoland for Spring Break!Since Em was hurt the last time we went to Disney, and she missed out on Harry Potter world, we are headed back that direction. It's been a few years, but we have our rooms booked at Shades of Green. Any other suggestions? We've been to Legoland several times in CA, but never in FL. Is it the same? Different? Any other must sees while we are in the area? <br />
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We are going to road trip it there....that alone could be an adventure. <br />
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Are there any new military deals that we need to be aware of? Favorite places to eat? <br />
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I'm already counting down the days till Spring Break, it might be the only thing that will get me through the next few months of school!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-41415928489622358422013-12-31T19:45:00.000-06:002013-12-31T19:45:17.867-06:00New Year's EveI started off today with dragging my sore body out of bed.<br />
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After a two month hiatus from crossfit, after my last Half Ironman (where I cut an hour and 15 minutes off my PR), I returned to the box yesterday. A good workout, but I was slow. Today we had a Hero Wod. The Hero WODS are usually long, and really push you. It's about finishing and doing your best.<br />
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I'm already doubly sore from that workout! The girls are gone to a lock-in at church, and so we are down to just Jr for NYE. Relaxing. <br />
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I have our meal purchased for tomorrow--ham, blackeyed peas, collard greens, and cornbread. A southern New Year's meal. Gunner had never heard of it before he met me.<br />
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Starting in 2014, I am going to do the Whole 30. 30 days of no processed foods, no sugar, and no alcohol. Oh dear! I need a kickstart though to get back on track. The rest of the family by default is going to go through it as well. Gunner is less than excited, Em wants to be vegetarian, Abs said "gross", and Jr just insisted on a can of beans every day. I can't please them all I suppose.<br />
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Our Christmas was amazing! Everyone was happy with their gifts, and I got a new tri bike! Time to sign up for a few more half ironmans, and start riding again. <br />
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I think I am going to go pile my sore body on the couch and relax for the next few hours till the New Year....if I make it that long!<br />
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Happy New Year to you and yours!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-40128639946538244572013-12-23T23:53:00.001-06:002013-12-23T23:53:36.407-06:00A long, long, long, timeDoes anyone still read this blog anymore? <br />
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I miss blogging. Goodness knows enough craziness happens in our life.<br />
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Updates:<br />
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Em is 16. She has her last driving class tomorrow. God help us all, she can test for her license. Rest assured that until she can pass MY test, she will not be out on the road by herself.<br />
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Abs is 12. She chooses to memorize books instead of paying attention in school. She then passes each test, and her teachers are not happy.<br />
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Jr. is 7. I had to remove him from public school in order to save his little spirit. He is excelling in Montessori. <br />
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I am still teaching. I always thought that the grass was greener in another school. That was a huge mistake. I did win a huge grant to put technology in the hands of my students. I earned my Master Reading Teacher, got certified for EC-8 Generalist, EC-12 SPED, and a bunch of other stuff, and I am hoping that I find a school that appreciates me for what I can offer.<br />
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I applied to a school in Moscow.<br />
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Me: Kids, I applied for a job in Moscow.<br />
Kids: As in Russia?<br />
Me: Yes!<br />
Kids: How soon until we leave?<br />
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So we can assume that the military life had no ill effect on my children, they still want to move. I think Gunner might be happy if we stayed in one spot, but I'm with the kiddos, it's time to go!<br />
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Blogging is therapeutic. Wait till I tell you about my pintrest failures, lol.<br />
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<br />ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-66534661871572850882013-06-23T21:03:00.001-06:002013-06-23T21:03:57.426-06:00Retirement is not all it is cracked up to be. Seriously.<br />
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Gunner is using his GI bill and going to school full time. Em is 15, Abs is 12, and Junior is 6. I am in the middle of training for a triathlon with a friend, and today we did a triathlon just for the fun of it. Yes, we are insane. <br />
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We did the swim on post, and then went for our bike ride. We passed the house where we put down the stones for a walkway almost 10 years ago. They were still there. We went by our first on post house at the great place. We went by motorpool way where everyone showed our support during the first deployment. We passed the 4th ID memorial, melted down from the statue of Sadaam. We went by the hospital where Andrew was born. <br />
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I never realized how many memories that we had at this place until today. Gunner was stationed here when I met him, and married him. We came back here when my dad was sick and I felt like I needed to be here. We returned here, when One of us needed a job......I miss active duty.ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-11309607056455664682012-06-22T14:29:00.000-06:002012-06-22T14:29:14.587-06:00Military Friend......or FamilyOh, family. The word can mean any- and everything, and is wont to change at the sip of a drink. What you consider family today, may not be who you have tomorrow.<br />
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On Monday I flew to Germany with my Abs, to spend a planned a month long vacation with my MIL - I'm sure you haven't forgotten those stories. < I should have known better.><br />
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The flight was um......well......full of screaming children. I was able to test my reflexes with the child who kicked my chair repeatedly and scared the crap out of me. The man next to me held his screaming child, and got up, and down, and up, and down, to try and soothe him.<br />
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After arriving in Frankfurt, and being greeted by my husband's Uncle (who speaks little to no English), we were on our way. <span style="background-color: white;">We spent the next few days with my husband's Aunt and Uncle. One night, after I had put my Abs to bed, and grew tired of rot wein & German tv, I went to grab a beer with my husband's cousin who graciously offered to rescue me from the personal hell I was living. I worked on my German with him, and he worked on his English with me (he is a fan of the double-negative). When I came home that night my MIL went bat-sh$#-crazy on me. No really. In a foreign country, Germany to be exact, where she speaks the language, my MIL flung the door open on me to begin screaming at the top of her lungs to GET OUT. That the month long European vacation that we had meticulously planned, was now going to consist of me renting my own car & going my own way with Abs, and she would now be touring Europe via the train system. She spewed lies upon hurt upon anger upon displaced-trust onto me in mere moments. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">All of this was completely out-of-the-blue, and totally unprovoked. Also, it was all within earshot of Abs. </span><br />
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I was devastated. I didn't know what to do, so I called Gunner. Then I called my mom. Next.......I called my friend <a href="http://www.3kidsandacocktail.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Abbey</a>. My friend Abbey who moved here to Germany in January of this year. My friend Abbey who was stationed at Fort Hood with me. My friend Abbey who has three kids, a mother-in-law visiting, and a husband who recently had surgery and is out of commission. Oh yeah, THAT Abbey.<br />
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I called her at 2:30 in the morning crying. Sobbing would probably be more exact--I couldn't talk or breathe. In between my sobs and trying to explain how I was going to be kicked out because my MIL was drunk and ridiculous, and how I was going to be left on the side of the road in a country where I didn't speak the language and with a daughter who didn't understand all of the anger coming from her Oma, Abbey didn't bat an eye at 2:30 in the morning. Instead I heard her calmly asking me if she needed to be there in the morning to pick me up and if we wanted to stay at her house for a while.<br />
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You know that person, where youareinacrappysituation and youcantbelievethisishappeningtoyou and youdontknowwhatelsetodo, and you call said person and suddenly everything will be okay. That is my Abbey.<br />
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She came and picked me up the next morning - a three-hour drive for her - and scooped me and Abs off of the side of the road where we were had been kicked out to the curb, literally. We stopped and ate some lunch, and off we drove to her house. We laughed about dying ducks, lumber, and other ridiculously silly stuff.<br />
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As I write this, I am sitting in her living room with her. We have eaten dinner, had some Mexican Martini's, eaten too many <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinder_Happy_Hippo" target="_blank">Happy Hippos</a>, and are planning my next move. Abs came to me tonight and told me that she is having an amazing time here. She has seemingly forgotten about the drama for last night, and is happily settling into this "new" family that the Military helped to create.<br />
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<br />ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-13991348268841012192012-06-03T08:33:00.002-06:002012-06-03T08:33:19.419-06:00Summer Vacation--Random ThoughtsI survived my first year teaching 4th grade. They are so different from second graders, but they were a lot of fun!<br />
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Retirement is okay. Of course he's retired, and I am working like crazy. Gunner is back in school for the summer sessions, and he's about 2 years away from being done. Whew. Who knows where we will go after that! <br />
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I'm still battling Jr's school/school district. I think that they have lost sight of the big picture, which is to help him, not just disagree with everything I say because I am me.<br />
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The smartest thing we ever did was rent a house with a pool. We spend hours out there every day. I have mastered naps on the raft. <br />
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I am counting down the days to Europe! I cannot wait to see my friend Abbey who is stationed there now. Nothing is planned for the trip other than our tickets are bought, and we are going. I'm hoping to cram in as much as I can with Abs for the entire month. Any suggestions on what I can't miss? <br />
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I completed a triathlon last weekend and I got first place! <br />
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I think I need to start a blog on my training for the <a href="http://www.youmaydie.com/" target="_blank">Death Race 2013</a>. I need to start training for it now, and am looking for wood to chop and stumps to remove. I still need to order my axe and my backpack, and walk around with a ton of weight in the back--yes, this is for fun. Nothing like a challenge to keep me training and on my toes!<br />
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Em got her braces off, and now it's time to get the next child in braces. Now I know how my parents felt having children so spaced out--you pay for the same thing for a longer period of time because the next child needs it, then the next, then the next....<br />
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The VA? It sucks. Gunner is still working on disability and all that good stuff. He is about to have a cat scan done on his spleen to make sure it has healed from his motorcycle accident. Once he gets the all clear, he is going to train with me. :) I'll try to go easy on him.<br />
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I miss the summer PCS season. <br />
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Army Wives--Do you think Claudie Joy will make it? What about the whole leaving his wife because she worked at the Hump Bar for that SPC? That line is pretty ridiculous. Why not focus on more positive things? I guess it doesn't make for good television though.ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-90924541538040722112012-05-04T21:25:00.001-06:002012-05-04T21:25:03.820-06:00Are you still out there?I could tell you stories about Jr or Abs or Em. They are still ongoing and keep me on my toes.<br />
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I could tell you about retirement and how I thought it would suck, but the fact that there is not another deployment looming over us, is actually a relief.<br />
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I could tell you about how it is impossible for veterans to find jobs after 22+ years in the Army.<br />
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I could tell you millions of stories about my students who even had the nerve to ask me if I was alive during the signing of the Declaration of Independence. (My overabundance of boys rose to the occasion and set the record straight.)<br />
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I wish I could tell you what was happening with Junior's school, or all I have learned about IEP's, 504's, or a multitude of other things.<br />
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How I registered for the Spartan Death Race, even though the website with the details is entitled youmaydie.com or that I have a Spartan mud race and a triathlon this month. (I did place 1st in my last tri that I did.) Maybe you would want to hear how I am addicted to crossfit and seem to be guzzling the crossfit koolaid. Trust me, if you come to Hood, let me know, I'll hook you up. <br />
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Or maybe I could tell you how I am just 4 classes and a thesis away from another Master's degree.<br />
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Instead I will leave you with.......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6kRXyXuY-84KlqnJR7BvyNfSgae2dajpRTxDuxBj_7NW4rZ2Y9rbAHlg-aTTZsV-PG0Ij0NliVOvP2Rf8-Ot-zCbEYrXgjVRTPT5bTQXV5g_lnfd36fUtrU5GDyGiYgwjS48uDLE3rw/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6kRXyXuY-84KlqnJR7BvyNfSgae2dajpRTxDuxBj_7NW4rZ2Y9rbAHlg-aTTZsV-PG0Ij0NliVOvP2Rf8-Ot-zCbEYrXgjVRTPT5bTQXV5g_lnfd36fUtrU5GDyGiYgwjS48uDLE3rw/s320/IMG_0173.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
My sweet boy, the only one who will let me take his picture, will be 6 soon. How did it happen? <br />
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I am taking Abs on a trip to Europe for a month--please start praying for the Europeans that she will come in contact with, now.<br />
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Em is headed to Spain for two different trips, with my mom.<br />
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Gunner will be plugging away in school.<br />
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I will be teaching 4th grade again next year, although sometimes I think I might need a few years off to recover....<br />
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Plus...someone ate all the cheese puffs in the house. Not a good thing.<br />
<br />ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-10956718590741197122011-12-20T20:27:00.000-06:002011-12-20T20:27:30.092-06:00Don't keel over yet, I have valuable advice--GI BillOne thing I have learned through this whole retirement process, is that no one ever gives you the full story. That's frustrating because you miss out on a lot of opportunities, and also because you have no idea that you are missing out on them!<br />
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So here I am to let you know how it really is. We spent hours upon hours talking to someone from the VA about the GI bill. Apparently the VA has about 6 positions throughout the US, where they have put someone from the VA into several colleges, so that they can make sure that the Vets are taking advantage of all the opportunities afforded to them.<br />
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First. If you enlisted in a certain state, and currently live there, check for programs that will pay your way through school. If you enlisted in Texas and retired in Texas (or got out) then you can qualify for the Hazelwood Act. Unfortunately, even though I had Gunner make Texas his home of record, he enlisted in Indiana. Who the heck wants to enlist in Indiana? If we had retired there, then he would have been able to use the program that they have there. If he had retired there, he would be living alone though. :)<br />
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Second....have your husband run and give your children 1 month of his GI bill. The beauty of that is, that they can apply for extensions, and he only has to give up one month. I wish we had known about this, and I am kicking myself that I didn't find out about it sooner. Set your kids up for the future, and RUN RUN RUN and give them a month!<br />
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If you husband is 20% disabled....only 20%.....then he can use the Chapter 31, vocational rehab. Take advantage of this, without a doubt. They pay for your books, tuition, and supplies. As of August 1st, 2011, you can get vocational rehab with your Ch 33 money, which is more. (For example, Gunner's ch 31 payment if he is full time, is $949.58 because he has 4 dependents. If he goes under Ch 33 money, he gets $1017.)<br />
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If your husband hasn't done all of his disability (read Gunner has not, but thankfully it is retroactive), then you can use your Ch 30. Ch 30 is good if you are going to a cheap school, like a community college. They will give you $1473, but you have to pay for everything. <br />
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Ch 33 is the post 9/11 GI bill. If you are full time, you can get your books, tuition, fees, supplies, etc paid for, plus receive BHA for an E5 with dependents. So we would get $1017 for this option. This option is great if your spouse is at a 4 year university, and the costs are a lot more. <br />
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Side notes:<br />
1. If you start out on Ch 30, then switch to Ch 33, you cannot switch back to 30.<br />
2. If you go with Ch 31 (voc rehab) you get a counselor, employment help, and can get your credits extended to 48 months. There are certain circumstances where they can reallocate even more credits. For example, if you used up almost 36 months of your GI bill, and accomplished nothing, then qualified for the voc rehab track, they can get you requalified for additional credits, if you haven't gotten anywhere, or had a lack of direction.<br />
3. If you are using your GI bill, you must get certified for every semester. Make sure that you take your schedule into the VA office and have them certify you, so that you can get paid.<br />
4. You have to specify a degree plan in order to have the VA pay. Be careful what you take at a community college, because it might not transfer to a 4 year college. The solution is to get a generic degree in Interdisciplinary Studies or General Studies, but take classes that will transfer into the major that you want. This means you have to go to the 4 year college that you want, in order to secure the degree plan and know what you need. This will save you time and money. Trust me.<br />
5. When they say you get credits for your military experience. Don't hold your breath, that you are walking out with an associate's like they say. Try about 12 hours if you are lucky, and they will cover your PE, and your electives. That being said, if you have college credits that only fall under electives, then they will put those first and not count your military credits at all. <br />
6. Make sure you register with www.ebenefits.va.gov in order to have access to all the benefits available. You will have access to benefits by state, compensation, death education, employment, financial services, health, housing, rate table, insurance, retirement, transition assistance, travel & transportation, vocational rehabilitation, calculator, calendar, and prescription refills.<br />
7. If you are a military retiree, then you can obtain Level 2 access in ebenefits if you register using your DFAS pin. Retired personnel who have been issued a DFAS pin may apply for access directly and do not have to proof in person. <br />
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Coming up I'll let you know about the additional benefits available for service connected disabled veterans. I'm on a roll.<br />
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If you have any questions, let me know and I will ask the lady who helped us out aka the only one who knows what's going on!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-31424780428959475442011-11-06T08:05:00.001-06:002011-11-06T08:07:09.098-06:00Plans?I love, love, love to make plans.<br />
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I also love to go to school.<br />
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When I finished my MBA, I swore off school forever.<br />
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I just have a few classes left for my MEd. Then I was thinking a PhD might be nice, but really, what would I do with it?<br />
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Part of my thinks I should finish my MEd, and then teach at a community college, but I doubt that they offer that many education classes at that level. Then I started to think about the stress of going back to school to finish, the cost, and I'm no closer than when I started.<br />
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We are currently on a three year plan. Gunner has three years to finish his degree, and then he will be going back to work doing something he loves hopefully. My ultimate goal when I entered teaching, was to do something with curriculum design. Of course I don't know how hard that really is, but I did hear from my SIL that they offer a PhD in it. But a PhD takes so long to complete. Dr. has a nice ring to it though, doesn't it?<br />
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Sometimes I miss the business world, in that when I leave work, I am done. I don't have to drag papers to grade, books to lesson plan with, or stress about my students.<br />
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I have taken so many of those tests that tell you what you want to be when you grow up, and they don't help much. How do you figure out what you are passionate about? How do you decide what you are meant to be? What makes you the happiest? I love teaching, but I know I also want more of something. Any ideas on how to figure it all out?ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-80039635098682266302011-11-01T18:33:00.000-06:002011-11-01T18:33:04.597-06:00The Streak Has Ended....I almost hate to say this.<br />
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In the 22 years that Gunner was in the Army......are you ready for this......they never screwed up his pay. Never ever. During the almost 17 years that we have been married, we have been paid once a month....religiously....and lived happily ever after. Well sort of....<br />
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When you retire, your last paycheck is delayed--anywhere from 2-6 weeks. How's that for planning purposes? <br />
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It's totally crazy, but I know so many people that look at Finance with such disdain, that I will not complain. I happen to appreciate their timeliness. <br />
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It's official, I am married to a civilian. A full time student. A retired GI. I feel old. <br />
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Sad part is that I have to get a new ID card, and I don't want to waste time off of work to get it done. Here's hoping that I don't get sick! (knock on wood)<br />
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I thought we could celebrate, but real life called and Gunner is off doing the student thing. <br />
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I'm sad to think that it has all come to an end, but also thankful that we have survived it. For the 18 years that we have been together, I have always been second priority. Always. Sure I know he loves me most of all, but there is no arguing that you are always going to be pushed to the side if the Army calls.<br />
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The Army doesn't care if you just had a baby, your dad passed away, your lawn needs to be mowed, or that your inlaws are coming to visit. She also doesn't care that you are in the hospital, or that you have to somehow figure out how to be 3 places at once. <br />
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For the FIRST time, I am his first priority. Well of course there are three kiddos too, but I don't have to fight for his attention. He won't deploy. He won't get late middle of the night phone calls to check the alert roster (rest assured, in 22 years, it never failed). There will be no lockdowns due to missing items. No one will write me a ticket if my lawn isn't mowed. He won't be gone for years at a time. I can make plans, and the Army won't interfere at the last minute. <br />
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There will be no PT. No piles of dirty ACU's to wash. No mandatory fun days. No deployments. No Staff Duty. No CQ. No being responsible for Soldiers that make poor decisions. <br />
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Not everything is peaches and cream. There will be no dressing up for balls. No homecomings. No ACU's. Will I ever move again????? Not to mention, the boy will be home all.the.time. (Come on now, he's been home off and on for 18 years, plus gone for 5 years, a girl gets used to that! Surely I am not the only one that treasures some alone time! (For the record, the year deployments suck!)) <br />
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We are adjusting to our new norm. I go to work and he goes to school and takes care of the kids. I can actually make plans, and then at the last minute not have to cancel due to the Army. The lawn needs to be mowed, and I just point it out. I haven't taken the trash out since he returned home from Afghanistan. I've learned that I have a love/hate relationship with the Army.<br />
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When push comes to shove though.......I will always love the Army and the life it provided for the last 18 years that I've been with Gunner. For that I am grateful, but I am going to miss it......terribly......ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-91793452049875427742011-10-30T19:56:00.000-06:002011-10-30T19:56:36.558-06:00My name is ABWI could tell you that tomorrow is my husband's last day of active duty.<br />
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I could also tell you that we cleaned the garage today and that we still have about half a ton of TA50 left. We can't get rid of "this holster" because he used it in xxxx firefight. The list goes on. We still have the BDU's that he wore in Bosnia in 1995. Ummmm......we were married in 1994. <br />
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Then I found a picture of him in Bosnia. He was so young!<br />
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I miss his clean shaven days. He still--so far--has kept the GI haircut. Gunner, if you are reading this, please pretend you have to be clean shaven every day!<br />
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I promise you that PT has not even entered his mind. <br />
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I also promise you that if you are 5 years old and begging me for gum at 8:32 pm, which it is right now, that it won't happen. Please go to bed my little man.<br />
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Speaking of Junior, he has been staying in school. He lost a tooth, I actually bought boxers today in the hopes that he will be more comfortable in them. Boys are not all peaches and cream! I've learned more about stuff I don't want to know about than I want to!<br />
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Em turned 14. How did this happen. We got her a new cell phone, after she lost hers back in April for texting in class. (It was disconnected before she returned home that day.) She managed to drop it in the toilet a few weeks later. I am thankful that we know rice will solve the problem.<br />
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Abs is in orchestra after school two days a week, and we are still looking for a great violin teacher. We had drama the other day where a girl who invited her to a party, uninvited her because some kids said they wouldn't go if she was there. I was devastated. I called the parent and explained the situation and the parent called back and the child apologized to me and to Abs. My heart still hurts, but Abs wants to go to the party. She's a tough one, so invitations aren't always extended to her unfortunately. My poor baby.<br />
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We are babysitting my mom's cockapoo mix while she is out of town. We love him. I don't think she will love the fact that Gunner had him in our bed this morning. The poor little guy was "crying" though.<br />
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I became a co-sponsor of the Science Club at school, God help me. I have 18 4th graders right now. I am thinking that my second graders were easier, but I am determined to make these guys love writing. Maybe they need a blog.....<br />
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I spend entirely too much time at school preparing for the next week. I am trying to get organized. For me, that's a feat!<br />
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Gunner has gone overboard this Halloween. He told me it's because he is always gone, and he wants to do every holiday to the hilt. I'm the type of person where you put the tree up Christmas Eve and take it down immediately after the presents are opened. I bet those days are gone. It has been nice having him home. I hope he doesn't think I am going to spend all Christmas vacation backing cookies!<br />
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Happy Halloween!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-8599518545663838982011-10-29T20:11:00.000-06:002011-10-29T20:11:15.337-06:007 Reasons to Date a Military ManI am a regular at Fox News (you had an influence on me Dad!), and I saw this article.<br />
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<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/imag/Love/Bringing+Home+the+Troops%3A+7+Reasons+to+Date+a+Military+Man">Bringing Home the Troops: 7 Reasons to Date a Military Man</a><br />
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What do you think? <br />
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I totally disagree with #6. Gunner might have been a neat freak at one point in time, but it hasn't been while he is married to me!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-3992340085626147472011-09-23T19:56:00.000-06:002014-04-10T20:44:38.147-06:00When Should I Panic????We are closing in on the end. In a week, we will be getting our second to last paycheck from the military. (Thank goodness they never did away with once a month pay, but really, that was my biggest concern back then? LOL) Sure we have retirement coming in after that, but heck, that's squat--but don't get me wrong, it's a hard earned, much appreciated squat!<br />
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We got our first ever electricity bill. What do you mean it isn't included in our rent and you won't pay me if I don't use it all???? Water? That costs money? Oh dear, the hot tub is heated with gas? <br />
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I'm thinking we should live by candlelight....or by lantern? This whole settling into the civilian world is new to me. We have never ever rented a house. We've never had to take care of a pool and hot tub....I'm totally not complaining about those two perks though. We never had to learn how to take care of sprinklers, or have such a huge lawn that I can't mow it with just a weedeater. <br />
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Did you know that they pick up trash more than one day a week in the civilian world? I had no clue! What's better is that I have no idea when they pick up the trash because, well, it's Gunner's job!<br />
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The house seems huge to us, and I actually don't have enough/right size/right color curtains to cover the windows regardless of the 10 houses we have lived in previously. I am thinking I am going to create re-adjustable curtains for military families. <br />
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We have a two car garage. Do you know how much stuff you can fit in that? (I'm blaming it on the fact that we haven't had time to unpack, not on anything else, I repeat, not on anything else.)<br />
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We are back in the land of mexican food. Heaven.<br />
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I joined the "Biggest Loser" at work. I am probably way too competitive for this. I have to win, as there is money involved. I told my crossfit coach I joined. He's as competitive as I am. He rides me, and questions everything I eat. I love it. Count on me to win, win, win and my clothes to fit, fit, fit!<br />
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So while I settle into civilian life, I am starting to mourn the military life. No deployments? (That's good, but also bad, because let's be honest, those homecomings ROCK!) My kids will no longer be able to wear "My dad fights for freedom, what does your dad do?" tshirts. Of course there is always the me factor, in that for over 10 years, we have never lived together longer an about 15 months. Yikes! <br />
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I have friends that are getting ready to PCS now, and I am totally jealous, but of course while we were doing our first PCS to Germany, they were probably in junior high, or as my children remind me daily, it's called middle school. <br />
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I'm thinking early bedtime tonight so I can work tomorrow, then lounge in the pool the rest of the weekend. I think now would have been the ideal time for me to be a SAHM!<br />
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P.S. Gunner has been home for 5 months. Amazing!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-37704686886800951522011-09-12T19:09:00.000-06:002011-09-12T19:09:26.162-06:00Coming Up for a BreathOne of the hard things about starting a new job is that you have a learning curve. Every school is different. Every grade is different. Every child is different. I spend 6 days a week at school, and sometimes over 12 hours a day. It's starting to wear me down, so I am trying to be more productive with my time and crank out my work quickly. I haven't been as regular at crossfit as I would like, but I am determined to make a priority. Crossfit=happy mom=happy kids<br />
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We are loving the pool at our new house, and after the kids are tucked into bed, Gunner and I are enjoying the hot tub. <br />
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Now if I could just find more time at home, then maybe we would finally get unpacked!<br />
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So far my beloved son has spent less than a week at school full time. <br />
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We've been in school for just over 3 weeks now. The 5 days he spent in school, was probably spent in ISS. Yes, my son, was the one who was suspended on the first day of school......for sliding out of his seat at lunch and barking like a dog. I didn't know that was a crime, but you could imagine that it only got worse from there.<br />
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I won't get into details, but it's been a stressful situation.<br />
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Abs is actually doing really well this year, and Em is hanging in there. They both miss their school in Colorado. I miss Colorado. Everything happens for a reason. Everything happens for a reason. Everything happens for a reason. That's my new battle cry.<br />
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My leg is still in the healing process. It got infected and I was put on a super high dose of antibiotics. I had to stay on them for 24 hours and then they went in, re-opened the wound, cleaned it out, and sewed it back up. Eventually it stopped swelling up to massive sizes, and I was able to walk on it....and most importantly work out with again. <br />
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So we are getting settled in, I will come up for a breath every once in a while, and I think making crossfit a priority will help some. Maybe some wine too. That helps right? <br />
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If anyone has a great decision on how to make my life easier, please let me know!<br />
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In the meantime, here's a shot from some mini spring rolls that I had when I went out with my friend Abbey.....<br />
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Really, these things were almost as big around as a coke can. Mini spring rolls?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iITj4EGQYHLYaUyE8MgSDWGSArMhlCvjO88AgXRYHccbTSHm3wAn2LcdAnfuV-_wj5lCHZWDiprHE-rC66bjBiHeQoc4q6FNDDNTXNpM3VGHFPUs2sIYy6vQaBo0WYEGhyphenhyphenAEZC0HTXo/s1600/photo%252891%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iITj4EGQYHLYaUyE8MgSDWGSArMhlCvjO88AgXRYHccbTSHm3wAn2LcdAnfuV-_wj5lCHZWDiprHE-rC66bjBiHeQoc4q6FNDDNTXNpM3VGHFPUs2sIYy6vQaBo0WYEGhyphenhyphenAEZC0HTXo/s320/photo%252891%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Oh, and bedtime is a battle with Junior. What's up with that?ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7847873995709228069.post-70891915057158480592011-08-28T07:31:00.000-06:002011-08-28T07:31:37.086-06:00I'm alive....really!It was questionable for a while. We made it to Texas, and moved in with my mom.<br />
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I started working right away, and we just finished our first week of school. I loved 2nd grade, but I LOVE 4th grade. They can do so many things!!! I think it's going to be a great year!<br />
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After my first day of orientation at my new school.....I went to crossfit. <br />
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I did a box jump.<br />
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I missed.<br />
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I saw my insides coming out. Seriously. I can totally deal with blood and guts, but yet I cannot deal with vomit? Go figure.<br />
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Blood was going everywhere and my coach ran to get his first aid kit and try to stop the bleeding. We couldn't get it to stop. I managed to make it to my car before I started crying, and I called my friend Abbey. I told her what happened, and she asked if I wanted her to come to the er with me. Of course!<br />
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The before.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx_upGOOLjEqyUpkhyphenhyphenRTQUJjaSNMZiv6rI4-XfX-NwQlSvm4WdRmrvD8MCXYdVBAXJrz3alBJCTsXIc6wt_mKg__tmr68lvR9sjOyh6b_6UtuNvRvEO1xyBRScrrV9KB0SmG4_WFE0Tc/s1600/photo%252888%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx_upGOOLjEqyUpkhyphenhyphenRTQUJjaSNMZiv6rI4-XfX-NwQlSvm4WdRmrvD8MCXYdVBAXJrz3alBJCTsXIc6wt_mKg__tmr68lvR9sjOyh6b_6UtuNvRvEO1xyBRScrrV9KB0SmG4_WFE0Tc/s320/photo%252888%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This was after they cleaned it out. You can see my fat. Ewwwwww! It was really deep......<br />
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My friend Abbey kept me laughing, and also documented everything. Here's me with one of my fat globules. (I had worked out, excuse the disheveled look!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFJHuBvB-RS3AISGyHR7oetxU-8GGzjJehkg-2qXCSaR0un9pNN_9N_t4qSJntZq1ipoBxJNFd74DLg5WMR3Th50TTNA3FkxSbfS98qkX-JSSxOZHyTb4cibVUgyxAMibHgwlfIyyAus/s1600/photo%252886%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFJHuBvB-RS3AISGyHR7oetxU-8GGzjJehkg-2qXCSaR0un9pNN_9N_t4qSJntZq1ipoBxJNFd74DLg5WMR3Th50TTNA3FkxSbfS98qkX-JSSxOZHyTb4cibVUgyxAMibHgwlfIyyAus/s320/photo%252886%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Abbey and I hanging out in the er.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26_IPhdP_cEjBY6MXwHTNXspbeU3BPQoidMmdJfiTA5NTzTx3HbfO4NjdjkXmG1Aupqr2qxpAFcs-qpJLOSlZ0qZVCiswZc-4GJwEc-ccwt1oQCKtcmwp-6vnxh3bFBORly1fGkb6NUg/s1600/photo%252887%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26_IPhdP_cEjBY6MXwHTNXspbeU3BPQoidMmdJfiTA5NTzTx3HbfO4NjdjkXmG1Aupqr2qxpAFcs-qpJLOSlZ0qZVCiswZc-4GJwEc-ccwt1oQCKtcmwp-6vnxh3bFBORly1fGkb6NUg/s320/photo%252887%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We both have teenage girls who are in the stage that you always have to have two fingers in every picture. Strange children. (My shirt is totally making me look fat here, ugh.)<br />
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The after picture.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaYAXTvEcmPgv3nOZuhBfHvuqEOXs0_pgKvQnlssjUMrjiwZs32jI_D6e809jZN4gk0nwibPBC9tuPuLANgkEwo7UBmgTEtaasO6CMczgBhatwD_kbIg2HRFoXUyEIGfMTSp9CXYC9wk/s1600/photo%252889%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaYAXTvEcmPgv3nOZuhBfHvuqEOXs0_pgKvQnlssjUMrjiwZs32jI_D6e809jZN4gk0nwibPBC9tuPuLANgkEwo7UBmgTEtaasO6CMczgBhatwD_kbIg2HRFoXUyEIGfMTSp9CXYC9wk/s320/photo%252889%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Very gross. 9 stitches. There was not much to sew together, so they had to yank my skin together tightly.<br />
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This happened after work, Monday. So I returned to my second day at my school gimping around. By Wednesday my leg was 4 times what it should have been, so I was back in the er, and put on super strong antibiotics. By Friday, I was back in the er, and they cut my stitches off, cleaned out my infected leg, and sewed it back together. Good times. Good times.<br />
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The moral of the story, is have a great friend who isn't grossed out by blood, and always jump super high on a box jump and don't miss!ABWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544504553967017050noreply@blogger.com9