100 Followers

I saw that I had 99 followers yesterday and I hoped today I would write a post about reaching 100, so I check this morning and I have 102! WOW! I can't even believe it; I never expected such a warm welcome to the blogging community. Thank you followers of mine for reading my blog and taking interest in the things I have to say. Me, a stay at home mom, married to my sailor who is my hero. Not much of an exciting life I live over here, but I'm happy to have this blog to share it with you. A place to document cherished memories, brag about an accomplishment, vent some frustrations, share a few thoughts on my mind, and make new friends. A place to be myself. My true myself. Thank you to those of you who leave me kind words of encouragement. It brings a smile to my face and they are greatly received and appreciated :) Thank you for keeping up with my blog and faithfully reading my latest posts. You guys are so great, and such a lovely addition to my life...my blogging friends. I hope you have a great week :)

Night Shift

My husband is back on the night shift. Not sure if I mentioned this before, but my husband (Eric) is an instructor on a Navy base at a Navy school. He has been doing this for the past three years. He normally works a regular day shift, but now he is teaching a night class for the next few weeks. He's done this a few times in the past. He adapts really well and easily to change, which helps with the ever-changing Navy lifestyle that we live. Anyway, last night was his first night on his new shift. It will be somewhat of a 10pm-8am schedule for the most part. So, he left after I made a pot of coffee for him to take to work and there I was, alone for the night. I took the opportunity to watch a movie that he won't watch..."17 Again" (I have a little crush on Zac Efron). When that was over, I watched the Emmy Awards on TV. That was a horrible award show; very poorly done. I went up to bed at 11:15pm but didn't fall asleep till probably midnight. I woke up twice because of shark dreams (I have a fear of great white sharks because of "Jaws"). I don't sleep well without Eric, and last night was no different. I got up at my normal time, 5:30am, to feed and walk Max, our dog. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't...images of sharks kept entering my mind. So, I went downstairs and checked my emails and read some new blog posts. Eric finally came home a little after 8am. I could tell he was really tired. He hung out with us (me, Becca and Max) for about 30 minutes and then went to bed, where he is now. I expected this. Just a new adjustment to make. I've got to figure out a system that works so he can get the sleep he needs and still have enough family time :) One thing's for sure, after being married for 8 years to a military man, sleeping alone is one thing I never get used to.

Under the Weather

What a strange saying, feeling "under the weather". Where did that saying come from anyway? The point is, I'm sick. Feels a lot like the flu. I've been out of touch with the outside world all weekend because of it. I felt so bad for Eric, because Father's Day I spent the majority of the day laying on the couch useless. I wasn't able to make it as special a day as he deserves to have. And he made my Mother's Day perfect; I just wanted to pay it forward back to him. He said all he wanted was to stay home, relax, and watch the NASCAR race, and that's exactly what we did. And to top it all off, his favorite driver, Jimmie Johnson, ended up winning the race, so that made his day :)
I made myself some pastina soup to soothe my sore throat. My mom used to make me homemade chicken soup whenever I was sick. It was like magic, in that, it would make me feel so much better right away :) I wish I had some of her soup right now. I have the recipe, but lack the energy and time to make it. I remember as a kid, whenever I was sick I would lay in bed and my mom would rent movies for me to watch all day and she would bring me food in bed. She always made everything better. Maybe it was the love in her touch, or her gentleness or sensitivity. Every time I feel "under the weather" it makes me want my mommy. Hahaha. Now I am a mommy.
I have medicine to take, that isn't really working all that well and I've already gone through 2 boxes of tissues.  We are always told the best thing to do is rest, right? How am I supposed to do that with a husband who works long hours, an energetic toddler, a curious puppy, and keep up with daily housework? My answer: I have no idea. I actually don't get sick very often, but when I do, I am a big baby. It completely takes over me, weakening my entire system, unlike my husband who toughs it out and is better the next day. I want to be tough too! Well, Becca just went down for a nap....here's where the choices present themselves....do I take this time to clean the kitchen which is a big mess....or do I take the time to rest on the couch? I'm going to be selfish for once and lay on the couch. Hope everyone is having a nice week :)

New Blog Award!

How exciting! I got a new award! What a lovely one, too! :) Thank you SO much to Babblings of a Mommy for this! I enjoy keeping up with your blog and reading your posts and dishing about fashion ;) It does mean a lot to me that people care about what I write :)

Okay, now to follow the rules I will list 7 things about myself....
1. I have three weaknesses.....starbuck's mocha frappacino, any kind of cheesecake, and Snickers ice cream bars....never will I ever turn any of them down :)
2. I have a severe phobia of great white sharks and snakes, which I am trying to conquer on my own
3. I am a huge football fan.....go Carolina Panthers and Michigan Wolverines!
4. I love to decorate and look at ideas online and in magazines
5. I have a secret....I love all the High School Musical movies...that's right, I said it!
6. I love to take pictures of my family
7. My favorite color is hot pink

Now my favorite part of accepting awards...passing it onto other deserving bloggers. These ones are definitely worthy as I read them on a daily basis. Your inside beauty shines through your blog :)
1. Aging Mommy
2. Ordinary Inspirations
3. Searching for Starlight
4. Faith & Deployments
5. A Little Pink in a World of Camo
6. Make it Matter
7. Home Sanctuary

Friendships

I have lots of friends. But how many of them are the tried and true friends that I long for? We share fond memories together and our friendship is timeless, in that, no matter how big of a time gap there is between communication, our next encounter we pick up right where we left off, as if nothing has changed. The only difference is that during the peak of our friendship we were young and dealt with high school issues, now we have more layers to our lives....a husband, children, greater responsibilities, etc. So, I say to you friend:
Why have I not heard from you? Our friendship has to stop just because I've moved away? Am I not worth keeping in touch with? I don't understand. When I needed a friend the most, none of you were there. It isn't your fault though, because I kept my feelings to myself as always, so how could you know I needed a friend? My darkest hours in life I talked with you of superficial "how've you been's" and "what's new?". Never did you know the depth of sadness that was behind my voice.
And we all have these conversations with long lost friends..."how are you?" But do we really want to know? Are you really bold enough to say the truth? That things aren't great, that you're not doing well. What you're really thinking is, "I don't want to air out my dirty laundry".....to a friend? That's what they're there for aren't they? Because when I ask these questions, I really want to know. I consider myself a really good friend, but maybe I'm not as good as I think I am, because it's so easy for everyone to go on with their lives without me being a part of theirs. Maybe my expectations are too high? Maybe I'm too "friend needy"?
I have harbored a bit of bitterness in my heart towards many of my friends. I've been angry that they are so busy with their own lives not to look outside beyond their circle and extend themselves to others. Maybe they do extend themselves, just not to me. Maybe I'm the ousider. This makes me doubt my self-worth and causes my self-esteem to become non-existent. And when you see the bitterness, and then a bit deeper you see the anger, dig much deeper and you will find the root of it.....the hurt, the disappointment knowing that these friends are capable of better. Well, here is some news for you.....no more! I released these bad feelings. During my darkest hours, I find that there is one who I can ALWAYS count on and is ALWAYS dependable. God above. I find comfort in Him. With tears pouring out, I got down on my knees and I let go of this weight that I've carried for years, yes years, and I feel peace as He washes those toxins away and cleanses my soul. I forgave everyone, even though they weren't even aware they hurt me. It is not a crime to live their own lives, especially if they don't help someone they aren't aware needs help. And to my friends who have hurt me, I don't cut you out of my life, I am still thankful to know you and I cherish the wonderful memories we have. I am learning to be content with the new phase of friendship we have. 
So I say to you bloggers...don't become so self-consumed in your own lives that you overlook someone who might be in need of a friend. It may not appear that way on the outside, but you never know. Call a friend who has been on your mind, but you haven't "gotten around" to calling or emailing or writing them. Isolation and loneliness are powerful and dangerous things. Make the time to reach out to someone.

Slowing Down TV Time

I am getting so tired of TV. During the year, I have a lot of shows that I regularly watch. Very few of them I watch live because most of them Eric doesn't like. So, I normally DVR them and watch them either before Becca wakes up or during her nap in the afternoon. All of my shows I watch during the year have come to an end. Finally! Seems like they've been on for a year ;) Hahahaha. LOL. These are all the shows I watch during the year....

American Idol
Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood
The Office
Glee
Top Chef Masters
Kendra
Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty
Undercover Boss

So, now the summer shows begin. I normally watch "So You Think You Can Dance" but I am so sick of TV that I am not even in the mood to watch that this year. I will watch "Hell's Kitchen" because that's one of the few shows I watch that my husband watches with me, and a new season of "Top Chef" is about to start up that I will watch as well. But that's it! No more! This number of summer shows is significantly smaller than my yearly shows and that is a relief to me. It is important for me to have a few shows I watch "for me" to give me a small escape from reality :) But I am feeling spent. I live in beautiful Virginia...time to turn the TV off and explore my surroundings. What can I fill this time with? I can think of a few ideas....sit outside in the fresh air reading a book, take a nap on the couch, call or write a friend. So, I am not sad that my favorite shows are over for a few months, my mind needs some refreshing and my eyes need to be unglazed! 
So, bloggers, tell me what TV shows do you regularly watch?

Questions Answered Part 2

Okay everybody, here are the rest of your questions and my answers. Thank you to all of you who took the time to ask them and/or read them. Now you know a little more about me. Have a great day :)

11. Nine years into your marriage, is military life all you thought it would be? Is it better or worse?
That's tough to say. The military life is not simply black or white, because it's mostly gray. It's not good or bad, there is good and bad to everything, it is what it is. You take what you know and live your life making the best of it. I was 19 when I got married. I was naive and didn't really know what to expect. I didn't know a whole lot about the military before marriage. I guess I didn't really realize how much control the military has on your life. It's impossible to plan anything, and plans already set in motion can change day to day. That is hard to adjust to. When your husband is on a deployment that is only supposed to last 8 months and it ends up being 11, that is hard to adjust to. On the positive side, there is a mutual understanding and a connection that military families have that is wonderful. They stick close together and I have made some one of a kind friendships through that.

12. Where all have you been able to live as a result of the military?
We lived in San Diego, CA for the first 6 years of our marriage. Then we came here to Virginia for Eric's shore duty, where we've been living for the past 2 1/2 years. There are things I've liked and disliked about both places.

13. If you had a day all to yourself, go anywhere, do anything, what would you do and why?
This has been the toughest question to answer out of all of them. There are so many possibilities. When I have time to myself I like to have peace and quiet. So, in this case, I would probably go to one of my favorite places.....go to a Barnes and Nobles and get a drink and a danish and sit and read for a while, then I would go to Old Town Fredericksburg and walk around the town going in and out of antique malls and antique stores which I love to do, have lunch at a coffee house, then see a movie by myself ( I did it once and I loved it!) and get take out dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and come home and eat in the quiet. Light a few candles, maybe read a little or listen to some music. Sounds like a dream just reading it. This would be a great day for me :)


14. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about being a military family or military wife?
My least favorite thing is definitely having to pick up your family and move around so often. I have yet to do this with children, and I am not looking forward to that. 
My favorite thing is the fact that our life means something. Our family sacrifices for our country and it matters. We are making a small contribution to our country's freedoms....even my daughter and I. I am proud of my husband and proud to be a part of the military community. 

15. Where was your favorite assignment/duty station?
Definitely here in Virginia. I did not enjoy living so far away from family and friends in California. I love to visit there, but not to live there.

16. If you could take one thing back that you have done/said in your life so far, what would it be?
I would take back the few mean things I said to my mom when I was a clueless teenager.
I answered this part of the question on a previous question, I wouldn't have done so much physically with boyfriends before marriage. 

17. What is the best thing about being a military wife?
Being married to an honorable military man and being his support so he can do his job the best he can. See question #14.

18. If your husband could be assigned anywhere, where would you want to live?
I don't know, I'm not very adventurous. I don't like living far away from family and friends and being so isolated, it is very lonely. So, maybe the Carolina's...as long as it's someplace that still has seasons. We lived in California, and it was beautiful with perfect weather, but Christmas without snow just isn't for me.

19. Do you have any dreams for the future?
I want my family to be happy. Doesn't matter how much money I have, but that I made the most of my life. I want to challenge myself and be the best person I can be. I don't want to just be planning and working towards the future and end up missing out on enjoying the journey. I want my 30's to be better than my 20's, my 40's better than my 30's and so on. I want to show my daughter the world and fill her life with opportunities and experiences. 

20. Do you have to move often as a Navy wife?
An average military family moves every couple of years. We have moved seven times in my husband's military career. Together, we have lived in California and Virginia, but he has gone on three 10-month deployments and each one I have gone back to New York to live with family. On the upside, every time we move, each new home has been nicer and in a better area than the previous one. New places mean fresh starts, new opportunities and new experiences.              

Questions Answered Part 1

WOW! I didn't expect so much interest in me! It's a lovely surprise. Thank you for your great questions! They were a lot of fun to answer, and some required a bit of thought. There ended up being 20 total, so I will post the first 10 questions and answers today and the last 10 tomorrow.

1. What made you start blogging?
Being a military spouse, we've always moved far away from family and friends and it gets lonely. I needed an outlet to express myself, and I just wanted to be heard. To connect with others in the world I could relate to...other mothers, other military spouses, SAHM, etc. The blogging world became the social connection I was missing.

2. You say you're a "quiet person," Do you find that you express yourself better by writing, or are you able to express yourself "in person" just as well?
I express myself best in writing, no question about it. I am a terrible speaker, even in a casual conversation. I stumble over my words, I studder, and my thoughts in my head are clear, but they don't come out through words the way I want them to. When speaking, I definitely do the best one on one. I am more comfortable writing though, the words seem to flow better.

3. What's the last book you read? ( I don't mean "The Very Hungry Caterpillar;" I'm really asking what you read for YOU.
Well, I saw the musical Wicked three months ago and LOVED it! So I went out and got the book that the play was based on, but I didn't even finish it because I didn't like it. The last book I read was "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer and that was a good book. I like to read inspiring stories, true stories.....I mostly read Christian books and self-improving/motivational books.

4. What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
I don't eat very adventurously. I have eaten eel and shark, but I wasn't impressed with either.

5. Do you prefer coffee or tea?
The only time I drink hot tea is when I have a sore throat (works every time). I love coffee!

6. Do you prefer heels or flats?
I love shoes! I love the way heels look style-wise, but I can't wear heels because I have very weak ankles. I prefer wearing flats or shoes with a wedge.

7. Do you think Adam and Eve had belly buttons or not? ;)
Hahaha. This question made me smile. Never in my life have I ever thought about that...that's interesting though. I don't know....maybe not.

8. What are a few items you can't live without? Besides your beautiful family of course.
I couldn't live without chocolate :) My wedding ring/engagement ring and my mommy bracelet with my daughter's name on it are very special to me. I don't feel complete when I take them off. My Bible is my life guide, so I need that. A purse of some kind, because everything I need when I am away from home is in there. A notebook and pen because my life consists of lists.

9. What is your greatest achievement?
That's an easy one....having my daughter and becoming a mother. 

10. What is your greatest regret?
Doing too much physically with boyfriends before marriage.                  

Questions Anyone?

Hello bloggers and followers! I have decided to do something a bit different than my usual posts. I am going to do a question/answer post. I have seen many other bloggers do it on other blogs and it seems like a lot of fun. I enjoy getting to know the people behind the blogs that I read on a regular basis. People come from all different places, have different childhoods and upbringings, likes and dislikes, beliefs and convictions, etc. So, this is about any questions you may have for me. It can be about anything.....childhood, likes and dislikes, favorite things, hobbies, marriage, parenting, being a military spouse, beliefs, etc. Leave me a comment asking me anything you want to know, and on Monday I will put up a new post answering EVERY question I receive. I may get one, I may get many...I've never done this so I don't know. I think it would be fun letting you into my world and getting a bit personal so you can get to know me better and the person behind the posts :) Have a great weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a lovely three-day weekend. The weather was hot and sunny, so much of it was spent outside and on the porch.
Saturday we did our grocery shopping. Eric wanted some time to himself, so he went into town to shop at Wegmans and I stayed close to home and shopped at the commisary on base. I was given a lovely surprise when Eric brought home some things for our porch. He bought two chairs to use on the porch, because up until now we just brought out our uncomfortable wooden kitchen chairs. He also bought two sets of white rope lights, which he strung up all the way around the inside of the porch. It looks so nice all lit up at night. He also got an American Flag to hang outside of our porch; and he got a new light fixture as well, to replace the one that came with it that is old and outdated. It looks so nice! Such small changes make a big difference in the atmosphere. For dinner we had steaks on the grill. New York strip steaks with carmelized onions and sauteed mushrooms with baked potato and pasta parmesan for side dishes. It was delicious! We of course ate on the porch. It was lovely :) After Becca went to bed we watched Avatar on Blu-ray, our newest Netflix rental. It was a really good movie, I liked it a lot.
Sunday we had a nice big breakfast out on the porch...eggs, biscuits, bacon, sausage, coffee. There is something so peaceful about eating on the porch...feeling the fresh air, smelling the trees and flowers in the air, watching birds and squirrels scurring about, as well as people walking their dogs or pushing their child in a stroller.
Eric went to the store real quick while I cleaned up breakfast and came back with another surprise! He bought a birdfeeder and some birdseed to hang outside of our porch so we can watch the birds while we're out there! I was so excited! I've been wanting one for a long time, but it's been low on the priority list of course. Becca loves to watch and feed the birds at my mom's house in NY when we visit, so I'm excited that she can enjoy that here in her own home :) So we hung it up and it looks so nice! As I sat on the porch watching the birds, my mind began to drift to thoughts of my grandmother. She passed away when I was a teenager after losing a long battle with breast cancer. She loved to feed her birds. When I went over to visit at her house we would go to her backyard and she would sing and talk to the birds. She had several birdfeeders and different kinds of birdseed to attract a variety of different kinds of birds. Within seconds of her calling out to them, there would be a dozen different kinds of birds all around her feet and gathering on the feeders. They loved her. They would bathe in her bird bath......it was home to them. It was a very special thing that I will always remember. :)
Back to our weekend......We brought out Becca's little blow up pool since it was almost 90 degrees and sat outside with her in our new chairs while we watched her swim and splash in the pool! She had a ball! It also made her sleep really well for her nap, which made us really happy :)
After her nap we went across the street to Eric's friends' house to watch the Nascar race. There were a bunch of other families there. We had a nice time :)
Memorial Day we spent the whole day home as a family. We brought out the pool again for Becca and this time I put on my bathing suit and laid out by the pool with her. I even got a little tan! We had hot dogs for dinner with homemade macaroni salad...yummy! I made the salad with this new macaroni that I saw in the store and it's made with carrots, spinach and tomatoes.....one serving equals your daily serving of vegetables! It turned out really good! I made a berry shortcake for dessert. It was homemade shortcake that I used cookie cutters to make it shaped like a star for the holiday. I added fresh strawberries and blackberries and topped it off with homemade whipped cream.....it was one of the best desserts I've ever had in my life! Yum!
After Becca went to bed we watched another Netflix movie.....Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs. It was a cute movie :)
What a great weekend with the family. I have so much joy in the little things. Like making small additions to the porch to make it more our own. Sitting outside as a family together and watching my little girl splash around and swim like a fish! My husband surprising me in little things like getting me a birdfeeder which he knows I've been wanting for a while. I am thankful for my beautiful family and lovely home....and my wonderful husband who provides me with all that I have.