If only I still shopped at Walmart

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out.




Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - she loved to browse.
Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart:



Dear Mrs.
Samsel,



Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Samsel are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.




1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.




2 . July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.




3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.




4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice,'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.
'



5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.




6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.




7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.




8.
August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him, he began crying and screamed,'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'



9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.




10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.




11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.




12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.




13.
October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'



14.
October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'



And last, but not least .




15.
October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly,'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'

Ever see a cat more devoted than a dog?

Skylar fell asleep in my bed after a rough day. She's covered in her big brother's baby blanket and Tink Voluntarily laid beside her (she's awake) and just lying there. I even went to go check her to make sure Skylar didn't pin her down and I rubbed her belly and you know cats they had a knee jerk reaction but tried not to move.lol

My Weird Mood

Yeah I have mood swings I admit it. Some seem stronger than they were before I got pregnant I think maybe I am just a little easier effected by them.

I've been throwing a pity party and just kinda trying to figure things out for myself.

Firstly Donnie IMed me out of no where hte other night trying to be hateful because he's probably jealous and he said it was a deliberate attempt to replace Mackenzie. I mean I would love to have Mackenzie home but its just not in the cards right now. But if I was trying to replace Mackenzie I would have learned my lesson from Skylar.... and yes I heard it then too.... But for some reason his asinine stunt is bothering me.

I guess I feel so disconnected. My two closest female friends are in far off lands lol... and I can't share a happy moment with them except on the occasional telephone call. My family hasn't called me at all. Rick's reaction still isn't what I would like it to be but my expectations are two high and just hates shopping but Input would be nice when buying things for his son.l WHen I was pregnant with Mackenzie my oldest sister was pregnant at the same time (I gave birth 5/31 and she had Matthew 5/24) and my middle sister and I were real clsoe for a moment LOLOL. Then when I was pregnant with Skylar my middle sister was pregnant with the twins so we did everything together pretty much. (Her twins bday is 10/4 and Skylar's is 10/21) Now all my sisters are done with their babies *I think* and I am all lonesome LOL. Its just an adjustment pregnancy I guess I have no family around and my close Army friends have moved or are moving before the baby comes. Every Pregnancy is different and this is one difficult for me emotionally in a new way.

What are some experiences some of you have had being away from Family and friends? I am not new here but I don't have my little groupie of friends anymore lol.

Found this list of Military Songs...

Military Wife Songs
"A Soldies Wife" - Roxie Dean
"The Rock" by Amy-Jayne McCabe
"The Military Wife" - Soldier Hard
As Days Go By (The Love Letter) - Baby Bash




Missing Him/Her
When Your Gone- Avril Lavine
Come Home Soon - SHeDAISY
Where'd you go- Fort Minor
"This is just a dream" - Carrie Underwood
"Goin' Crazy"-Natalie
"Kiss Me Thru The Phone" - Soulja Boy
"Im already there" -lonestar
"Far Away" by Nickelback



Waiting
"Right Here Waiting" - Richard Marx
"Right Here Waiting for You" by Richard Marx
"Wait For You"- Elliott Yamin



Love
"She's in Love With The Boy" by Trisha Yearwood
"Traveling Soldier"- Dixie Chicks
Keep Holding On-Avril Lavine
"Candyman"-Christina Aguilera
"Fall"-clay walker
God bless the broken road-rascal flatts


About/for Soldiers
"I'm a Warrior" - Soldier Hard
"The 8th of November" by Big 'N Rich.
"Hero" - Enrique Iglesias
"Home"-Daughtry
Have you forgotten-Darryl Worley.
"Coming Home"-John Legend
"Red, White and Blue"- Rascal Flatts &Brian Mcknight
"If you're reading this" by Tim Mcgraw
"Courtesy of the Red White & Blue" - Toby Keith
"God Bless the USA"- Lee Greenwood
"Why Angels Fly"-American Soldier
"Why I serve"-American Soldier
Soldiers-drowning pool
"American Soldier" Toby Keith
Riding With Private Malone - David Ball
Letters from Home - John Micheal Montgomery
If everyone Cared - Nickelback
Cry Out to Jesus by Third Day

American Soldier has changed his songs on his profile so "Why Angels Fly" & "Why I Serve" are no longer listed but are great songs.

My New love

So for all you scrapbookers I have an enabler alert for you. Have you seen the cheap quaility name brand stuff you can get from the likes of TJ Maxx, Marshall's and Ross? I mean its probably old news to you but its new to me and why didn't anyone share? LMAO. I got two premade scrapbooks for my daughter and her friend to just stick their pictures in for $5 each.... K and Company!!
So its not cheesy and its quality! WOOT

and what else I found lol
I loove these stores but so far my best luck came from Marshall's Why I have two Ross' Two TJ maxx' and Two Marshall's LOL...is beyond me but hey... More opportunity for these deals.

Calvin Klein Snow Suit retails $44 and I got it for $5

Another Calvin Klein Special lol Pullover, Shirt and Jeans retails $56 & i got it for $7


Polo jogging suit retails for $30 and I got it for $7

DKNY Baby Romper retails for $20 I got it for $5

and this is just Carters but I love these type of outfits that have a matching blanket. I got this in NB size cause I am almost positive little man is going to be tiny like his big sister... So I will have to go back and get the bigger size...
Tag says $24 and I got it for $9.99 and Blanket was $17 and I got it for $6.99

I also got a Calvin Klein Romper I didn't get it out of his storage thing but it was like $5 or $7 (now I want to matching onesies lmao and bibs...)


Oh and this little button down that will look cute with Cords or Jeans with a sweater I bought him on Ebay from Children's place... Don't cha think its cute?
Another Carters Brand for $3.00


Oh yes and Olenka gave me the tip that Ross has Maternity Clothes. I got me an adorable pair of black capri's I can dress up with two blouses I bought. So something cute comfy and Casual I can buy a fancy pair of flip flops and wear to church or everyday... Thanks for the tipppp How did I neglect not shopping there for so long?

Unbelievable that these are all brand new, Name brand clothes cheaper than Children's Place, Wal-Mart and Target.... ALSO cheaper than even most Consigment sales and thrift stores lol....

So yesterday morning we headed out to find a yard sale but God decided to send us rain... so I thought about this one Thrift store or Consignment store that Betty and I happened upon a few months ago... Rick and I went to find it. BINGO its OPEN and I found some little Peter Rabbit Outfits, A Ralph Lauren Romper, Cute baby hats, and Another Blanket set like the doggy one I spent the same amount of money on the used as I did on the new!

People that know me know I don't shop at Walmart I refuse to spend a dime there. I went an over an entire year without shopping there. I stopped wanting to do business with Walmart in Feburary 08 due to their business practices and how they have directly effected the economy and MY life. So yesterday when we went to see this awesome consignment sale they weren't open for another hour but we had driven 25-30 miles. I said Rick lets go to Walmart and just WALK around. I don't want to spend money just walk around the store. I was a little curious as to see if they had any Peter Rabbit clothes like they used to as well. So we walked around Walmart and then we were bored after about 30 minutes and we both still felt confident that our family doesn't go there for business. The prices aren't that much cheaper than Target (I found the same outfit at Target even LOL) Rick and I just kinda laughed off the fact we weren't even tempted by them. Customer Service was rude as usual too.

Our TV's are breaking one right after another in our house so I kept pitching proposals to Rick about getting him his promised Homecoming Present he has wanted. I did the research. I called several techy people. I got a tip that his TV was going on Sale at Target... We grabbed a rain check when they ran out still unsure we wanted to spend that much money at this point... Its a good thing I finally talked him into at least paying for half because we got it for even a cheaper price than the sale price. He played being daddy to his TV while Skylar and I went and had some fun and registered for the few things I spied at Target that Babies R Us or anywhere else didn't carry. Plus with us being Army and all our friends and family spaced out world wide I don't know where they feel comfortable shopping so I have registered at Target, Sears, Babies R Us, and Burlington... Just do a search for my name or contact me for the info...

End of Stop Loss ANNOUNCED!

End to Stop Loss Announced


The Department of Defense announced today a comprehensive plan to eliminate the current use of Stop Loss, while retaining the authority for future use under extraordinary circumstances. This is an important step along the path in adapting the Army into an expeditionary force.





The Army Reserve and Army National Guard will mobilize units without employing Stop Loss beginning in August and September 2009, respectively. The Regular (active duty) Army will deploy its first unit without Stop Loss by January 2010.





For soldiers Stop Lossed during fiscal 2009, the department will provide a monthly payment of $500. Until the department is able to eliminate Stop Loss altogether, this payment will serve as an interim measure to help mitigate its effects.





"Stop Loss disrupts the plans of those who have served their intended obligation. As such, it is employed only when necessary to ensure minimal staffing in deploying units, when needed to ensure safe and effective unit performance," said Bill Carr, deputy under secretary of defense for military personnel policy. "It is more easily rationalized in the early stages of conflict when events are most dynamic; but tempo changes in this war have frustrated our efforts to end it altogether.

"



The department intends to provide Stop Loss Special Pay to eligible service members until the point of separation or retirement, to include that time spent on active duty in recovery following redeployment. Stop Loss Special Pay will begin on the date of implementation, and will take effect for those impacted on or after Oct. 1, 2008.





Stop Loss Special Pay implements the authority granted by Section 8116 of the "Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriation Act, 2009." The appropriation is available to secretaries of the military departments only to provide Special Pay during fiscal 2009.

Don't ever discount a Military Wife

I wrote a blog back in June 07 and it was posted on Myspace as well as here
Army Wife vs Civilian Life On Blogger
On Myspace
About the differences in between Military Life and Civilian Life. Since I originally posted this blog my husband was deployed for a year. I am so happy to have him home with me now. I know I am what would be considered a "lucky" Military Wife. Since we've been married my husband has yes been deployed for 12 months. Went to Training for three months straight. But he doesn't go out to the field for exercises which can be two weeks long. My husband has had CQ Duty and CAO duty. I am fine with that although at times its felt like torture... That's because I am spoiled. I am spoiled by my husband and his presence.

Right now I know I am being a whiny spoiled highly hormonal and emotional Army Wife. But something I've struggled with my husband is his commitment to the Army. He's an extremely commitmented Soldier who feels weird and it doesn't feel right for him to NOT being in formation, for him to try to get the orders he needs instead of what he is issued. If its 7 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday on a normal work week you won't catch him out of uniform. You will be hard pressed to catch him out of his office at all. My husband is dutiful and well in the civilian world he might be your average workaholic a bit. So I am not saying he isn't committed to the Army but I think he can show just as much of a commitment to his family and his marriage.

Hold on... It doesn't compute!! In the bible it says God first, Family (Marriage) second... In the Army its DUTY HONOR COUNTRY.... Where does God and Family fall in. This right they said if they wanted you to have a wife they would have issued you one.
I am not your Army Issued Wife... I've had people tell me that's bull but I truly believe I am not a good Army Wife. I do everything MY Soldier needs me to do (except my crying temper tantrums.) I don't believe I would be good at PCSing hell we can't even agree to move off post! I am a delicate flower I bloom where I am planted. I don't have his dedication to the country. OH I am patriotic but not like Rick. I tell him sometimes I know your brain takes care of the Army so let me be the thinker for the Family. Its so true though because I would go to the ends of the earth to protect our family. This includes All three of the boys, Skylar, Peridot... and the sanctity of our marriage. If that means what's best for this family is to retire from the Army then I don't want it any other way! Rick has been active for over 20 years and he knows its time to pass his cap. His dedication and commitment on the other hand are strong.
Today I fought for him to give me the same commitment and dedication that he gives to the Army. I have asked him repeatedly about an Agreement he made with me. He of course comes to all my OB visits. Then he usually goes back to work. Monday he has CAO duty and school though. So who do you think gets erased out of his appointment book of life? Me.... I am the one always expected to make the sacrifice because there isn't time in the day left for the Army Wife... I call it like it is... He's married to the Army and I am just the mistress. Easy way to solve this is... don't pencil me in. Don't make "dates". "promises", agreements with me when the Army is demanding so much of you the same day. Give me the day when you know you won't have to break my heart. If you don't pencil in the Army then don't pencil in the wife.

It takes a lot for me to get him out of a work day even when there is nothing to do. I can walk out on my drive way any given day and see many Soldiers home with their families that day just because they spent the morning out at the range... Do you think Rick comes home to civilian life after a morning at the Range? No... Not even with a go ahead from the command. He goes into the office and does his job. So excuse me if I still get bitchy.

I must have the military bred into me. I can't recall a generation of my family who hasn't served. My whole life I said I wouldn't marry into the Military. I can't help who I can't live without. Rick is the one I can't live without... if the Army decides I can have him. I knew I wasn't cut out for Military life. Even though I even tried to join when I graduated high school. I watch my older sister who I look up to for her career as a young Airman and Proud Air Force Wife. I try to take cue's from her but its really not me to be like her lol... I've adapted myself into this life to the best of my ability. I am not a perfect Army Wife but I try to do what I can. I try to be supportive even though I have short comings.

Admist all my whining I remember those who aren't as lucky as me and I think so highly of these women. Words can't express it... I laugh though because I know they pretty much have the same answer to the same question I get asked. How do you do it? Our answer is we just do... (Some days like today I wonder!!)

Mrs. Blake Harris. Your one of my Hero's... You don't know me but I went to school with your late husband. I can't imagine my husband not coming home to me. I am sure you push on for your son and I respect that so much.

Mrs. Hasenflu another Army Strong wife who's husband didn't make it home safe. Her husband served with my friends husband and it was a big shock when I helped my friend cope with this. I prayed for God's hand to bless her husband and other's with this unit to heal the wounds of PTSD and let the rest of them come home.

My sister who delievered twins while her husband served in Iraq for a year!

I met a Marine Wife (actually two) They were both pregnant. I got to know one of them fairly well. I sit here and whine about my husband possibly getting called away from my OB visit but this Ooorah wife did all 9 months without her husband there. She delivered without him there. He was in IRAQ! She's super Marine Wife! ALL the way! Did I mention she was also raising her daughter? A little more on this Marine Family OH yes and she's having to do another deployment this year!

One woman I know believes Army Wife is the toughest job in the Army. I believe she may know best. Her husband was in Korea for almost her entire pregnancy and she was raising a two year old by herself. Even in Korea her husband had to go out on field exercises and they didn't have contact for several weeks. My husband was in Iraq and I talked to him all but one day out of the entire year!

Those five wives are just five wives that have taught me that I am lucky. That I have something they couldn't I get to have my husband home when I deliver. HELL I get to have my husband HOME! Those three wives are just wives from my generation of wives... Civilian or Military pick up and read Chicken Soup for the Military Wives Soul or I could tell you stories from other wives like Joe Hoopers widow.. who overcome so much more than I can even imagine facing. Us Wives do a job. We are dedicated to our job (most of us) but nothing stands next to a Soldier. A World War II vet, A Vietnam Vet, A Korean War Vet, A Gulf War Vet and now I've seen the scars the horrific toll on OIF and OEF Vets that do their job and show their dedication toward keeping us safe. We just keep the homefires burning. This is how I get through my day (or try) without self pity...

Are we having a boy or a girl?

Your Baby's Gender: Pregancy Quiz

""

Are you having a boy or a girl? Your doctor is the only one who can say for sure, but you can find out which gender the old wives' tales would predict with this quick quiz based on pregnancy folklore.

View >>

MySpace Generators

Babytobee

BabyToBee.com Telemarketing Opportunity For Stay-at-Home Moms
BabyToBee is a company which offers mothers to be or fathers to be, free coupons, samples and offers. All of the offers and samples are wonderful.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/340500/babytobeecom_telemarketing_opportunity.html

Army Wife Radio They are on my Yahoo Messenger!

Check this out they are on each monday night at 800pm East Coast Time.

www.armywifetalkradio.com/

You can also call in and ask questions plus they have a chat room while the show is on!

Ready to PCS? Tips for you!

I blogged it here..

Helpful info during deployments

This was posted on the Army Moms Cafemom Group... its another way for us to maybe help take some stress off of our shoulders during times of seperation. Heres the article.



Military families of deployed personnel may be able to save some travel money thanks to a new Space A policy for families. As of Dec. 6, 2007, spouses and children of personnel deployed 120 days or longer now can use military transport in CONUS, to/from CONUS, and within/between theater, provided they have a verification letter from the military member's commander.

In the past, only overseas-based dependents could travel to the States or within theater on one round trip. The new policy allows family members, regardless of where they are based, to travel unaccompanied for unlimited times during the deployment when seats are available. Children under the age of 18 still need an eligible parent or legal guardian to travel with them.

"This policy is intended to provide better support for the military families during a deployment period," says Lt. Col. Michael Holmes, of the Office of the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy. The travel option is also available to Guard and Reserve families, as well as Navy families whose military sponsor is assigned to a deployed ship with PCS orders.

While many may use the privilege to visit parents and grandparents, the guidelines do not restrict travel to home of record or family-based visits. That makes the policy more equitable and useful, since many people's extended families may not live in their home of record. In addition, some families may find help and encouragement in a visit to friends at a previous base, or through a low-cost vacation getaway.

Space A, which is based on availability, often involves waiting to gain space on a flight (and the government won't cover meals, lodging or other costs associated with that). Even so, families - especially those with children - could find this to be a real boost to their travel budget. A family of four based on the West Coast who wants to travel to the East Coast to stay with grandparents for a few weeks could potentially save up to a few thousand dollars in airline tickets. Of course, there's no guarantee with Space A flights, but for those who can take the time, the opportunity for free flights can be not only a morale-booster, but also a money-saver.

Benadryl Pollen Alert Widget

Freepeats

Freepeats
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Freepeats members can post gently used items to give away on the forum for their city. They can also look at the other items that are available in their area. Arrangement for pick up is made between "giver-awayer" and "taker."

Freepeats is available in these cities (listed here alphabetically in "sentence form" for the sake of space!):

Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston-area, Buffalo, NY, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, Columbia, SC, Columbus, OH, Dallas-area, Denver, Detroit, Greenville, SC, Hartford, CT (opens 3/16), Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, FL, Kansas City, Knoxville, TN, Las Vegas, Louisville, KY, Los Angeles, Madison WI, Memphis, TN, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York City, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, OR, Quad Cities (Davenport IA, Bettendorf, IA, Moline IL, and Rock City IL) (opens 3/16), Raleigh-Durham, Saint Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio TX, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, FL, Virginia Beach / Norfolk VA, Washington DC

Freepeats continues to grow each month, adding new cities as quickly as possible.

If you'd like to see some of the items that people have scored from Freepeats, check out the testimonials on the Freepeats Blog.

If you have any other questions, please see the FAQ post at Freepeats.

Lifetime memberships are $4.95. This week, Angie is giving away 10 FREE lifetime memberships! Just fill out the form below for your chance to win a free membership to this fantastic organization that helps so many!

Giveaway ends Wednesday, March 18th at 5 pm EST. Winners will be contacted by email and announced in Wednesday night's dinner post.

Thoughts on Military Life

There are some Americans (Military and Civilian) that get fired up with a debate about Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp. I am open minded and I kinda get pensive with my thoughts. I've come to the conclusion that I feel the way I do because I am still an Angry American like Toby Kieth talks about I guess. I fully support our troops. I am angry about 9/11. I am angry our innocent civilians were beheaded its one of the cruelist things in humanity imho.. They dragged my hero's through the streets of Iraq... OH no they not being just insurgents but being Iraqi citizens too. Yes sooo I feel that way. Anyways...

I support our troops by supporting those who support them. Rick and I were in Nashville at the Opry Mills mall. There is a sweet shop or a nut shop in there that sends their products over to the troops in the form of care packages. All you gotta do is go in there and buy a few things and hand them to the cashier and she sends them overseas to our soldiers. We didn't mind spending some money on our fellow soldiers.

I used to be a bigger fan of Subway subs if I couldn't talk the family into getting their at Publix.... after a bad run in with Subway employee's Rick is more prone to go across the street to Firehouse subs. Guess what they noticed we were a military couple and gave us a military discount! We will go there from now on. Nah not because of the discount but thats why they offer it to bring in more customers. Its a Thank You back for serving us the way they know how. Do you do the same thing? Do you try to buy American? Do you donate money to those serving troops? Do you go into business's that offer a military discount EVEN if you aren't military? Maybe you should think about it and THANK them.. Gratitude means everything.

My Love Language

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Languages are probably Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation

My Detailed Results:
Acts of Service:	8
Words of Affirmation:	8
Quality Time:	5
Physical Touch:	5
Receiving Gifts:	4

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!
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