Friday, November 18, 2011

Feeling Beachie Follow Friday

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This week’s statements:
1.       I love the smell of ____ Baby Magic on my Toddler after a bath, Suavitel fabric softener, I love the smell of Christmas.... Vanilla, Cinnamon, Pine...
2.       When I fly, I ____I am exhilarated. I grew up my "daddy" was a pilot so I have always loved to fly.
3.       I don’t like ___ but I ___. the cold but I love Fall
4.       My favorite ___ is ___.

Thanks Pam you know I stalk your blog because I always use your meme's haha!



My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~~~ Maya Angelou

How do you deal with that kind of news?

When Rick and I first got together he was super attentive hung on my every word. People would compliment us about how they could see the love between us. EVEN deployed he spent every second he could online... on webcam with me which was actually quite a lot. Because of the time difference we were kind of on opposite schedules he would sleep while I was busy with my day and while I was sleeping he would work. He was super attentive and all the good stuff you hear about when someone is wooing or the honeymoon period. Then when he got  home from Iraq I felt like I lost my best friend. That my best friend had left that piece of himself in Iraq. For the past three years he has been home its been very hard to deal with. We've been going through counseling off and on due to a therapist being very ill.  Now we've been going to the Veterans Affairs Counselling and she seems to be helping. She had him tested for ADD and she said she hasn't seen an adult squirm that much ever... She said when people with ADD have a new toy (ie me) they do tend to hyper focus on it. So in other words the newness has worn off and now I am just a dusty ole toy that can be donated to Good Will. How does one deal with a marriage like that? How should I take that kind of news? That I will never have the man I fell in love with back? I guess I could find a new man in him (not outside the marriage) and try to love what I got as much as I loved that man that I sent to Iraq and he never came back. I mean people who have husbands that have severe PTSD, amnesia, TBI and other things like that have to deal with this... Why is it such a blow to me?

On top of that God trusts me enough to deal with that but also James and Alex. God doesn't give more than you can handle but this is one plate brimming with blessings I can use a lighter load lol.  
                   
                                                                                                                                                                     



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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~~~ Maya Angelou

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Your Military Man

You know you're a military lover when ...
1. Your cellphone is always in view.

2. You're an expert in the culinary field of which baked goods have the longest staying power.

3. You've mastered the smile and nod technique after countless dinners with his military buddies where the only time they involve you in conversation is to ask how the kids are doing or how your job is.

4. At one point or another, you've made a list of things to tell your sweetie the next time he calls during a long deployment.
5. You know the difference between an APO and an FOB.
6. Your home looks like it's decorated for July 4 year-round.
7. If your state doesn't sell alcohol on Sundays, you're not worried because you can always get it from the local PX (it's the Army's miniature version of Target).
8. You don't think twice looking at a military time format.
9. Your neighbors think you're cheating on your guy with the mailman because you get so excited to see him every day.
10. You find comfort knowing you can overpack for vacation since your man is used to carrying a muchheavier rucksack around in hell-like temperatures.
11. You can't watch Dear John without crying at least five times.
12. The people at the post office know you by your first name.
13. You have an urge to talk to every single man or woman you see in uniform.
14. You wish they made cuter military bumper stickers so you could brag to the driver unnecessarily tailgating you during rush hour.
15. Hearing your girlfriend complain about her significant other leaving for the weekend makes you want to shake her uncontrollably (with love, of course).
16. You understand the importance of physical fitness, mostly because your man will be a cranky mess if you don't give him time to hit the gym.
17. You don't think twice about going to family dinner (with his family) when he's not around.
18. Hello homecoming! You know exactly which of your coats you look the thinnest in, and have shopped one-too-many times for the perfect accessories to go with it.
19. You can tell whether he's having a good or a bad day by the way he says hello on the phone.
20. You can proudly say you're a better woman because of your soldier.
What's your favorite thing about your military man?



Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Cats on Tuesday

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I know these pictures are horrible taken with my Iphone. The Iphone 3 camera sucks!
At least they used TP
Tinker Bell on the ledge... its a LONG way down.


Cocoa is finally learning that being in the house isn't all bad. Skylar was sitting on the couch and Cocoa laid down on the next cushion. So William was very careful to climb on the couch and not to climb ON Cocoa... He sat down beside her but Cocoa got up and jumped down. William groans Ohhhhmmm aww






November 8th 2011

We left the house a little after 5:30 this morning. A long day ahead. Rick had to be at Crestwood by 6 am to have a kidney stone removed. William got bored, nervous, anxious, and scared for awhile. Especially when they called Rick back about 7:45- 8 am. It was like separation anxiety all over again. William was terrified when Rick left his sight even with me soothing him. He can be such a Daddy's boy. They took Rick to the back and had him put on the hospital gown then they gave him some IV fluids. We came back but the kids just got too crazy in the room so I said my see ya later's and gave him a kiss. We went to the Cafeteria for breakfast and ice cream and the kids were so behaved there. Then back up to the waiting room in the kids area and William was wanting to leave SO badly. He doesn't like the hospital at all. Even with Super Why on the TV, Netflix on his ITouch or Rick's IPhone, My IPhone, Crayons, Nintendo DS' and Coloring books with Crayons. Then two little girls came in the kids area. Aspen was between 1-2 years old and her older sister Jersey was about 3-4. They called the girls mom to the back and Jersey had the same reaction William had but her Father wasn't happy. Jersey cried for her mother. Her father said Do you need me to take you into the bathroom if you can't STOP CRYING!. He shook her and told her to stop crying. I moved out of the kid area right outside so I didn't have to be right there with them. But I couldn't leave because I was trying to keep William distracted. She started to whimper and started crying for her mommy again. Her father screamed at her You'd better stop crying your mom is having surgery there is nothing you can do for her. My heart broke for little Jersey. I wanted to say there is so much a child does for their mother you just don't know! She started to cry and her dad shook her again and told her that he was going to take her in the bathroom. I had to walk further away and fight back tears. If I felt violated how did Jersey feel? I am thankful my husband and I have a better way to discipline our children. That doesn't resort to threats and spankings in a public bathroom.
   The doctor called me to tell me Rick was out of surgery and that it would be about 45 minutes before he would wake up. So I just had to wait there for as long as I could stand fighting back tears. 30 minutes later I figured I could go get Rick's clothes out of the car. That would keep us busy and me away from that family.
After an hour we could finally go back into his room and get him.
    He's now resting upstairs in our room. They blasted his kidney stone and sucked out the fragments. They did have to put in a temporary stint :( Poor baby!

As for the discipline. I don't know if he was abusive but because of my history I can't bring myself to do that to my children or think in my head that it is okay to threaten your children when she had a reasonable reason to cry. It reminded me of being at a friends house babysitting her kids. Her 3 year old got out of bed and the room mate closed the hall way door and the girls bedroom door (with my child in the room) and paddled the 3 year old with Skylar present. I was speechless and had words with the father of the child. I try not to interfere with people's parenting or discipline but sometimes my heart just breaks and I have to look away. If I ever saw abuse... I wouldn't walk away though.



Monday, November 7, 2011

Homemaking Mondays

The weather in my neck of the woods:
beautiful outside 73 degree's low of 48


Things that make me happy: 
William saying no


Book I'm reading:
nothing... waiting on Vampire Diaries


What's on my TV today: 
I missed Pan Am, Tonight is House and Castle

On the menu for dinner:
We call it Dinner in a Box


On my To Do List:
Laundry, A school project, mailing off packages


New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:



In the craft basket:
I just put up a new Tag offer on Little Monster Designs. I have other tags I need to put up for LMD and I have Skylar's school project and my school project

Looking forward to this week:
Veterans Day 


Tips and Tricks:
Christmas Photo Tips 

My favorite blog post this week: 
Good Bye Curly http://trooppetrie.blogspot.com/2011/10/good-bye-curly.html

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):
http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/


No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):


Enlarge this image Click to see fullsize





Lesson learned the past few days:
?


On my mind:
Rick's surgery tomorrow


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
“[For] it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 (NIV 1984)



Thursday, November 3, 2011

Thankful Thursday


It is the third day of November just three weeks before Thanksgiving. My daughter brings us homework from school for us (my husband and I) to write what we are thankful for. I truly believe if you expect your prayers to be answered you have to be thankful for what our heavenly father has given us to begin with. You also have to be thankful when he answers your prayers but its not exactly what you hoped for. You should even be thankful for unanswered prayers because he has his reasons. Just like a parent to a child we say no for our reasons because we know better and most of the time we are doing it to protect the child or teach them.

on the first day of November I was worried about my husband's health. I am thankful I have a husband to worry about. I am thankful that he seems to be healthy even if he has some concerns. He was diagnosed with a Kidney Stone on the 29th and it still has not passed, then his eyes started to jaundice and the emergency room said he had Pink eye which I doubt they were right... that still doesn't explain the Jaundice.

on the second day of November I am thankful for a woman by the name of Sherron Ostrander she is an answered prayer I have been praying for... for years. I have prayed for years a way to help my step son James and she has given me some resources to get me well along my way. I think I heard this sound when the email came in last night

on the third day of November I am thankful that my husband can return to work after a week of being home. As thankful as I am for a husband we can have too much time together hehe. He was slightly getting on my nerves. Distance makes the heart grow fonder even if its only for a 20 mile distance for 8-10 hours haha! I am thankful that he is healthy enough to go back to work after causing quite the concern on Halloween. I am thankful his job at Northrop is there for him to go back to and they let him do some of his work from home. I am thankful for my dirty dishes (well they may be clean by now) because it means I have food thanks to the US Army and Northrop Grumman. I am thankful for my messy lived in house because without NG & the Army I wouldn't be able to be here. I owe my house to the US Army and my husband's dedicated service. I am thankful for my dirty clothes because it means at least I can afford the clothes on my back. My children have books to read, snacks to eat, movies to watch, the greatest technology at their finger tips, toys to play with.... providing for my children makes me grateful and thankful.

Now apparently I smell a diaper that needs to be changed. My son has left me a gift for which I am Thankful lol

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Time for a change?

So my regular blogs are at WWW.Armyknightslady.blogspot.com and http://www.opendiary.com/entrylist.asp?authorcode=D742367

I am considering a blog makeover. I made my blog set a few years ago since then my husband retired from the Army (last year) and my Step son is almost into his retirement (its official Dec)... So should I still keep the Army theme? Army name? I mean the Army never leaves us we will always be a part of the military. But what do you think?

Anyone familiar with Open Diary?

For a new blog name here are words I've played around with
Words to play around with

Bella
Georgia Girl
Geeks/Nerds
Children
Birth Mom
Survivor
Second Life
Bring Me Back to Life (Evanesnce song)
Drama and Trauma (my nick names for the younger two kids)
Crazy Life
Terms like Tribe, Crew... terms used to describe a large family
Blended Family or Terms to describe a blended family
dysfunctional family
dysfunctional veterans wife/ mom
Something to do with 5 kids.
Adult Children, Toddler and a Princess


Rick likes Misadventures of Bella's Second Life?
Or In's & Outs of Bella's Second Life.

What do you think? What can you come up with

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Photography Friends

I just wanted to remind all my photographer friends... Give back, Get experience and do something wonderful for someone special. Oplove(dot)org is a special organization that offers free Photo Services for Military Families : Pre Deployment, During Deployment, or Redeployment photographs. NowIlaymedowntosleep(dot)org is a very special organization for very special photographers. These photographers offer free services for those who have last and lasting moments with their child. I ask you that you are given this gift of being able to capture beautiful photographs give back by joining as a photographer of one of these organizations. You may not live near a Military post but there are plenty of National Guard families right around your city you just may not know it! A lot of parents experience the loss of their child and not have beautiful lasting images of their baby. Trust me when I say its the one thing left they can hold on to!

I am not a photographer (I probably suck with my point and shoot!) so I am not involved in these organizations at all but I do support them with prayer and donations when I can. I have met some special people in front of the lens and behind the lens of these wonderful organizations

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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays

So We have been to Carrabba's a few times. I even got a gift card from my dear friend Pegan at my baby shower.
We have had no luck at the restaurant. I love their bread but never like the dishes I order for some reason. I'd just rather eat somewhere else for the amount of the dish, quality, how packed the restaurant is, the wait... etc. I'd rather go to Logan's or Rosie's. But sometimes my church caters Carrabba's and they always have some type of Pasta, Salad and Chicken Marsala and its to die for!

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Carrabbas Chicken Marasala
Submitted By: Debbie Smith
Serves: 4
Prep. Time: 1:00

1 – 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. dried marjoram
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
olive oil – as needed
1/3 cup real butter
1 slice prosciutto - diced
2 tsp. minced shallots
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 cup Marsala wine
(2) 4 oz. cans sliced mushrooms - drained
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 tsp. corn starch
1 cup cold chicken broth
1 tsp. minced fresh parsley
2 Tbls. heavy whipping cream



-Pound chicken breasts with the flat side of a meat mallet or the bottom of a glass until thin.
-Either in a mortar or on a small plate, combine first 7 ingredients. Grind together ingredients with a pestle or the bottom of a glass.
-Coat chicken lightly with olive oil. Use spice mixture to coat chicken evenly; place in the refrigerator until needed.
-In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add prosciutto, shallots, and garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add Marsala to pan and simmer for 30 seconds. Add mushrooms and black pepper and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium.
-Dissolve corn starch in chicken broth, then add to saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.
-Add parsley and cream to saucepan and simmer for 3 - 4 minutes, or until thick. Remove from heat and cover until needed.
-Grill coated chicken over a medium flame for 5 - 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
-Place grilled chicken on individual serving plate and spoon sauce over chicken.

and does anyone know the Olive Oil dipping sauce recipe they use to dip their bread in before the meal comes out?

Maybe something like this?
just tap a little of these items in a mortar and pestle and then ground away to desired consistincy.
all dried herbs.
rosemary
oregano
basil
garlic powder or fresh
onion powder just a little of this if desired
hot pepper flakes
parmesean cheese the can kind works the best. I hate it but for this it is drier.
balsamic vinegar. just a small amount
I actually use cheap balsamic and boil it down till it is half, that makes it thicker and sweeter. not as tangy! Like the expensive balsamic
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Crazy Cat Lady 3


So my sister in law's name is Beth and she is a pharmacist and her husband is a Lutheran minister. They don't have any kids but they are a blended family... of cats! They have about 14 or 15 to be exact.

My husband's aunt has about 6 I think.

So when I started feeding Cocoa James told me pleaseee no more cats we have reached our cat lady quota for the family lmao. I have disappointed him because now we have about 5 cats being fed LOL






Cocoa
Cocoa started hanging around the bus stop a few months ago. She looks like a full blooded Siamese Cat. She was very thin and very sweet. There is a house actually where the bus stop is but they have a cat and the cat didn't like Cocoa. So I fed her at my house and now she won't leave. I am very attached and William loves her. Cocoa doesn't want to come inside she is very nervous being inside. So she stays in the front yard. If we walk to the bus stop she comes after us. If we walk around the block she walks with us lol. I took her to the vet she has no chip and she looks pretty healthy. I can't believe someone would abandon this cat!



A few days after Cocoa got comfortable She brought a friend, we saw this orange cat and Orange Cat had a collar but was too afraid to come near us. Finally Skylar got to pet her by giving her a bunch of treats. Now she is still scared, hanging around the back yard and no collar *shrugs* I call her Lucy. (Like I love Lucy lol)
Lucy

Then there is our other household cats....

Peanut
is our house cat. Peanut is about 2 years old and came to us because I was friends with another Army Wife who had to move in with someone who was allergic to cats so I was going to keep Peanut for the year her husband was deployed. Well a few months into the deployment she left her kid here for 24 hours and I told her to come get her kid and cat and now I am stuck with Peanut because I couldn't see her throwing away yet another animal. Although Peanut and I aren't getting along he is mean to the other cats and I want to indict him on Avian homicide RIP Lily and Attempted Rodent homicide for seriously injuring Skylar's hamster Munchy. Rick thinks he is cute because if William cries Peanut will come to investigate.


Mittens is my ball of anxiousness. I swear she is half rabbit. She is considered a Hemingway cat. She has 6 toes on one foot and no tail. She is 7 years old and I adopted her from a rescue after my sweet Lightening passed away in 2009. Mittens stays in my room 99.9% of the time and only comes out to find me. She isn't very photogenic because she is scared of everything and doesn't lay down.

Tinker Bell is my 4 year old cat. Actually she is Skylar's cat. We have had her since she was a baby. She stays upstairs too but wants to be with Skylar every second. Its like Mary had a little Lamb but its Skylar & a cat.


















I think seriously all I am missing is a black cat to be happy lol well maybe hehe



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