Miss me?

Wow! It's been a while. I'm sorry. But I can explain. I've been so busy with Gracie and all her extra curricular activities that I simply didn't have the time. Do you believe me? (sorry Kori)

What has happened in 5 months? Let's see.
Gracie had her very first feis (Irish dance festival. It's a competition) in January. She came in 5th 5th 7th and 1st.
Then she had her second feis on May 1. She came in 1st, 1st 1st and 2nd!! So yeah, she's improved quite a bit!

Also on May 1st Chris and I celebrated our 11th anniversary! We spent the day at the above mentioned festival. All in all, a very good way to spend the day!

In February and March Gracie was in Annie. She was an orphan and loved every second of it.
She loved it so much that recently she auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was cast as a kid in the "children's choir."
She's been bitten by the acting bug. She loves every second of it.

That's the quick wrap up for you and I promise to update a little more often.

The Future Is Now!

Happy 2010!!!!

I wish you all the very best in the new year!

Where the heck is my flying car I was promised back in 1984?

Welcome to the future friends! Have a great year!

Inebriated Child Rearing

Drunk parenting is one of the Worlds greatest spectator sports and includes fantastic dialogue like;

Child: Is it ok if I watch some Scooby Doo before I go to sleep?
Drunk Dad: Hey, No problem. Just make sure your tv is off. (said with a totally straight face)

My husband is home from patrol. He is enjoying a drink. Something he hasn't done is (quite obviously) a very long time.
Welcome home Chris!

Friends are Priceless...But Some are Worth Even More.

Today I was reminded of just how important my oldest and dearest friend Jennifer is to me.
She was my next door neighbor growing up.
She visited me in the hospital the very day I was born.
She went on family vacations with me.
She spent every single day at my house (or vice versa)

She gave me the chicken pox.

Today she gave me a gift that I honestly don't believe I will ever be able to repay.
Have you ever had something so valuable, personally valuable, lost forever?

I did.

Today I got a call from Jenny. She wanted to meet for coffee as she was passing by my house on her way to the ferry. She had something to give me.

She told me it was something that had belonged to me. She said "remember when you moved and you had people come in and paint?" I remember vividly moving from my childhood home. So I said yes.

It seems we had left behind a few items that the painters and carpet guys tossed out. One of those items caught my neighbors eye.

She at 13, pulled it from the trash, cleaned it then lovingly placed it in her hope chest to give to me.
It's been 23 years.
Today she gave it to me.

23 years ago she found a quilt. Not just any quilt. A hand sewn quilt. The very last one my 96 year old Great Grandmother ever made. She had made it for me and I cherished it then even when she was still alive.

Today, I would have given my weight in gold to have it back. You see, my Gram died at the same time we moved from that home. I knew the quilt was lost. We assumed it had been lost in the move but never placed where.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I cried to my husband how I wished I had that quilt.
A small piece of my sweet, intelligent Irish, Great Grandmother. Whom I adored with all my heart.

Thanks to my oldest and dearest friend, I have it back.

Someone else would have thought we meant to toss it out. Not Jenny. She knows me to well. She knew better. She knew how important that piece of cloth was to me. That is a true friend...no, that is family.

Thank you Jenny. I am truly blessed to have you in my life and I always have been. I love you my dear friend.

Thank You.

What Ever Happened to Soccer Mom?

My daughter. She is exuberant and outgoing and quite a talented kid...if I do say so myself.

Last year we did one activity, dance. Two, once the weather was warmer and swimming could resume. So two things to shuttle between.

This year was gearing up to be a rather uneventful one. Easy. My daughter on the other hand had different plans.

She started Irish dance....and we added choir. Because, she can sing and sing well for an 8 year old. She loves to sing and I decided, what's it going to hurt?

Then we got word that Annie was going in production at the high school...and they needed kids!
So naturally my Annie addict wanted in on that action. Seriously, she is addicted to it, she even has the "vintage" dolls from the 70's and saw Annie live on stage for her 7th birthday.

So we went to auditions. I naturally tried to do my best to remind her that regardless of what happens it's just awesome that she is so brave and willing to sing in front of everyone.

We walked into the auditions and I wanted to turn around and walk out for her. I never had problems on stage, but I freaked at the amount of people in that auditorium. I was scared for her!
I know I have Mom ear and think everything she sings is sunshine and roses. When in fact it could sound like a strangled cow for all I know.

I asked her if she wanted to leave after 10 or so REALLY good girls sang. She said "no way"
So we waited. Finally after about an hour she was called.

She walked on stage, said her name then belted out Tomorrow. She nailed it!
However, like I said there were a ton of people in there so I didn't expect much.

Two days later the director called and offered her a part as an orphan. She was thrilled...Of course!
I'm bragging now...but the director also told me they had over 150 girls audition....they cast 8 parts. My Baby's Gonna Be a Star! (said with a thick southern accent...of course)

So she has been going to Annie rehearsals twice a week for the last few weeks.

Then last night we got some more good news.
She applied for the Miss Kitsap/Miss Poulsbo little sister program. They aren't contestants themselves, but the girls get paired up with one of the contestants and do publicity things with them as well as a number on stage during the actual pageant.

Now, I'm not a big pageant person. But this program is really fun. Plus, it's another thing that was open to all third grade girls in our county. Only a few are selected because there are only so many towns in the county! That is a really big deal!

Naturally she is really excited about that too. So we are now doing four things, not including the Girl scouts troop she is supposed to join. ugh! thankfully they only meet once every other week.

Anyway, it's going to be a very busy winter AND Chris is out to sea and doesn't get to enjoy it!
Thankfully he should be home in time to see the end results. Hopefully!

Beware the Pig...

So much has been going on lately...but all of it has been over shadowed by one simple word.
SWINE.

You've seen the hype. Heard the news reporters tell you "we're all going to die"
But I am happy to report...that's simply not the case. though, you wish it were when it's you suffering from it.

You see, a couple weeks ago my handsome husband came home from work not feeling so hot. He never gets sick, so of course I took notice.
He coughed and slept, but still went to work and after a few days was on the mend again.

A few days later I was down for the count. Last Saturday I went to a family event on the boat, within two hours of coming home I was in bed dying. I remember nothing until I woke up Monday morning.

I had no choice. I had to get out of bed because Chris had to go to work and Gracie had the day off. So I pushed my way through. Even though my lungs still feel like they are on fire every time I cough.

Tuesday, Gracie went to school and I took it easy. I was starting to feel better, but exhausted and weak.

Wednesday Gracie didn't feel well. She stayed home from school that day with what I thought sounded like croup or something. A high pitched barking cough. Not much of a fever. 99, but the cough made her tired so I kept her home.

Thursday I went in to wake Gracie up...see if she was well enough to go to school. She was shivering. I put my hand on her forehead and it felt like fire. I ran and grabbed the thermometer, 103.9.
I told her to get dressed, we were going to the hospital.

I took her to the Navy hospital. She's taken back to a room where we wait, and we wait and we wait. All the while the girl in the next bed behind the curtain is getting juice and blankets and having her blood pressure and temp taken. Gracie...totally ignored. I went outside the curtain on more than once occasion to ask for help, blankets something.

Finally I was fed up. Gracie was hurting so badly and coughing like crazy. She was freezing (from the fever) and dehydrated. I went to the nurses station where one doctor and a nurse were flipping through a Vogue magazine together and told them we were leaving.

They tried to use the "we're really busy and we'll get to her as soon as we can" and while I can understand the Manolo's fall collection is an important topic, my daughters health ranks slightly higher.

I said "obviously you don't think it's the flu because you're not taking this very seriously"
Grabbed Gracie and walked out the door.

I was so upset I was seeing red, actually seeing red!

So I drove back home...almost gave up the whole medical evaluation with the idea that if they weren't taking it seriously, then I must be overreacting. But that nagging little voice in my head said to take her to see someone.

I called our doctor from my cell. No openings for another week and a half.
Urgent Care. Right there in front of me. I pulled in.

Within ten minutes Gracie was back in a room. The doctor came in minutes later. They did the rapid test for the flu....guess what. It's the flu!
They of course sent those results in to the State lab.

Vindicated, I called the Navy hospital. I got our insurance to cover the cost of the Urgent Care visit and informed the hospital that she does indeed have the flu. Way to go guys!

Anyway...the moral of the story, trust your instincts.
This bout of H1N1 didn't effect us like the flu.
We all had a bad cough, but not much of a fever except Gracie that one day. I was sick to my stomach once. That's it. And I think it had to do with all the coughing not nausea.

The biggest symptom...weak and tired. Ever active Gracie wanted nothing but to lay in bed and sleep.
It passes rather quickly. A week or so until you feel like a human again....but it feels like it take years.

The best news of all, we are now immune to at least this strain of H1N1. Yay!

What the H@ll Just Happened?

Caution, explicit language follows:

So there I am, minding my own business when all of a sudden I get flooded with emails, twitter messages and facebook status updates about Kanye West and Taylor Swift. WTF?

So I had to do a little digging because those two names go about as well together as eyeballs and hot glue guns.

Seems Mr. West pulled a very low trick on the Mtv awards. Something I might add, I haven't watched since Soundgarden was up for a nomination.

I digress. It seems Taylor Swift (who is a pretty typical pop singer, my 8 year old daughter loves her) won her very first moonman award. Good for you!

Kanye wasn't happy with this outcome and decided he somehow, is more important than anyone else on the planet and jumped on the stage, stole the mic from Miss Swifts hands and began ranting how Beyonce should have won.

Excuse me?

A flabbergasted Beyonce in the audience gave him a "oh no you didn't" look before turning all sorts of red. She even frantically looked around her like she was being Punk'ed and Ashton Kutcher was going to jump out.

Kanye took this, I'm quite sure (though I've never won a moonman myself) very important moment away from a 19 year old girl.

She's a freaking child you piece of shit jackass!

Who the hell does he think he is? Seriously? Didn't his mother teach him manners? You DON'T do that! I don't care who you are, or who you THINK you are. You just don't. It's reeks of low class.

Worse than that, his selfishness (though in his shallow, narcissistic mind made it out to be chivalrous) was a major embarrassment to the one person he was trying to defend!

None the less, the class act that Beyonce is, she gave Taylor Swift her moment. Kudos Beyonce. Proving once again that you indeed are a lady.

Now, the question I have to ask, when did people decide rude is ok? Kanye just did it in a massive way, but he's no different than most of the people who cross your path daily. His problem is ego. What's the excuse for everybody else?

Ugh. See, this is why I can't stand awards shows. Mind numbingly, self absorbed people doing ridiculous things.

Where Were You 8 Years Ago Today?

I was in San Diego, California.
Chris was stationed at Naval Air Station, North Island (Now Naval Base Coronado)
Work started for him at 6 in the morning, so with the rush hour commute he usually left our home around 5.
On his way to work he listened to the greatest radio dj's in existence. Jeff and Jer.
They were doing their normal morning routine when all of a sudden they announced "we're getting reports of a small plane crashing into the World Trade Center"

Chris listened....but assumed it was an accident. Still he was interested. He got to work and gave me a call. He knows I'm a news junkie and that Gracie would be waking up soon so he wanted me to know about the developing story out of New York City.

As I was on the phone with him I turned on the tv to the news. Within minutes the second plane hit.

All I could say was "Oh my God.....Oh my God!"

Chris realizing quicker than I had that this was no accident and he was on an air base in the military said he had to go....his final words to me in that conversation was "this is going to be bad"
I hung up the phone and quickly dialed my Mom in Oregon. She turned on the news, then hung up so she could call and tell my Grandmother the news.

I sat there, on my living room floor watching the events unfold.

I talked to Chris shortly after the first tower fell. I was talking to him when the second one came down.

I couldn't believe it. I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing on the tv screen.


The base was being shut down. Only essential personal were allowed to stay. The downfall to my husband being a computer guru...he was essential personal. We had no idea when he would be allowed to leave the base. One thing was for sure, Gracie and I were alone in our house in San Diego...without a car.

Call after call came in from concerned friends and family. My Aunt in Salt Lake City was getting ready to drive to San Diego and pick Gracie and I up. My Grandmother was on the phone trying to get me a train ticket or rental car so I could go "Home" to Oregon where it was safe. A good friend who lived in Long Beach desperately wanted to come down and get Gracie and I.

By this time the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA had happened. More planes were still in the air. I know, I lived under the flight patterns in San Diego.

I watched out my window as planes were diverted to Mexico. I watched fighter jets "escort" incoming passenger planes. I listened as the constant hum of the air traffic became an infrequent interruption...startling me every time until finally the only sound was the occasional military jet or helicopter.

Chris told me from his perspective, he watched as military planes were being sent up so quickly they did it two at a time, one right after the last. He watched as the blips on the radar screens in the tower slowly started to disappear until finally there was nothing in the air.

Later that evening I walked outside my home. I needed air, I needed to get out. I felt trapped and just needed to walk away from the scenes on the tv for a moment.

Something strange happened. Many of my neighbors had apparently had the same idea. There was a decent handful of people just standing out there. People from every walk of life. Military families, waring gang members, college students, quick mart employees. Black, White, Mexican, Indian. It was indeed an American quilt.

People I never spoke to before that day. People I more than likely, never even looked in the eye before that day.
There we were, outside just staring. Each and every one of us was effected. We must have looked like a group of zombies wandering the street.
We looked at each other. Introduced ourselves, Shook each others hands. Hugged. Cried together.

I watched something truly amazing. There with our group were two neighbors. They came from rival gangs and I normally avoided them. They I would assume, avoided each other as well.
As one walked toward our little party, the other walked toward him, held out his hand and said "not today brother, not today" The first one took his hand, and they hugged.

I learned something in that moment. Something so profound that hasn't left me since. We are all Americans. We may disagree, or live vastly different lives but ultimately we are of the same family.

Unfortunately most Americans have forgotten the lesson. For a few months following the events of 9/11 we were one big family. I don't know when we collectively forgot that truth.

I just hope we can collectively remember before another 9/11 reminds us.

God Bless the USA and God Bless the men and women of American Airlines Flight, 11, United Airlines Flight 75, American Airlines Flight 77 and the heroes of United Flight 93.

The Firefighters, EMT's and Police, the office workers and the military who gave their lives that day.
I will never forget September 11, 2001.

Sporting Some Serious Bling!

Today my 8 year old daughter got braces.
Yes...I agree, they are starting them early these day.
For a plethora of reason, not the least of which is self esteem!

So this morning, bright and early we headed to her Orthodontist.
She was such a trooper! The appointment went really well.

After an hour or so, she had four bright and shiny braces on her teeth.
Yep, that's all she needs (right now)

So she picked out her first set of bands...and her first colors. Teal, Purple and Pink.
Very...uh....colorful!

After that I decided to treat her to an extra special occasion day.

See, she has wanted her ears pierced for years now. So we headed to the mall.
She picked out her earrings, sat in the chair and waited.

The girl at the store did the first ear and Gracie looked at me like I had just shot her in the foot! Shocked and in pain.
Second ear...she managed to sit still but as soon as it was over she let out a couple "Ow's" and "that hurt!" A few tear fell but all in all she did awesome.

By the time we were back in the parking lot, all was forgotten (the stop at the ice cream place might have helped too)

As we were pulling away from the mall she commented "NOW I'M SPORTING SOME SERIOUS BLING!"
Followed by...."I'm just a metal head now" To which I laughed, because I think that has a totally different meaning to me.

Now she's had some lunch and said she was hurting a little.
She was laying down watching tv for a while then came up to me and said "my teeth hurt, but I think they would feel better if we went to Toys R' Us"

Good try...and she might be right. After all she has endured two holes in her head, and metal things glued to her teeth and pulled together. A trip to Toys R' Us might be just what the doctor ordered!

an Open letter for Kori on Motherhood

My cousin Kori is about to embark on the most exhilarating ride of her life.

She is going to give birth to her very first child...a daughter. Tomorrow.

I adore my cousin. Her Mom isn't here to guide her. So I'm doing what I can (from 1000 miles away) to be there for her.

Today she told me they are going to induce her tomorrow morning. I tried to explain to her in a short email what to expect and what will change.

I didn't do it justice...so I'll try again here.
Having a child means never putting yourself first again....and you wouldn't want it any other way.

Having a child means for the first time in your life, you understand what "Unconditional Love" really means.

Your perspective of the world changes, the moment you bring that child home. Things that never crossed your mind before, consume you.
Like...is the kitchen tile cleaner going to harm her? I wonder what sort of chemicals are in the carpet? Are there any sex offenders living in my neighborhood? City? County?

An interesting change. Before children, you could go out and meet "people" and strike up a conversation. Once you have children, "people" are "strangers" and Strangers mean danger.

Nice young mothers, with children of their own are the only "safe" people you will talk to anymore.

Your world, your life and you will change the moment she is born. You've heard this before and it sounds a little scary...but I promise, it's worth it.

You will forget what life was like without her. You won't be able to imagine it. The world didn't exist until she was born.

Anything regarding a hurt, lost, hungry or homeless child will affect you. In ways it never did before. It sounds a little hippy but, you become a part of a larger family.
Motherhood is a condition. You can't turn it off. Every child that yells "Mom" in a store has 40 Mothers turn their head. We can't help it. You will be a part of our club.

Remember you have a family and friends who love you, Cameron and the baby. We are here. Sleep when she sleeps and enjoy the little things.

They grow up before you know it. You blink and wonder, "what happened to my baby" so enjoy the everyday moments while you can.

It is a fun, fascinating and sometimes scary ride, but in the end it's the best one you will ever take.

I love you my dear cousin and I can't wait to hold my "niece"

UPDATE: Kori had a beautiful baby girl on August 27. After almost two days of labor! Mommy and baby Ashlin are doing great.
We love you Kori, Cameron and Ashlin Jean!

School, Seattle and Hackers Oh My!

Wow, it's been a while.
I have been so bad about staying on top of this with Chris home. It seems we are constantly busy with day trips, yard work and various other fun things.

So, last weekend Chris and I got away. I had won a night at a fabulous 5 star hotel in their luxury suite. Very nice. We were greeted on a first name basis by the concierge. He invited us to the wine tasting that evening. And had a bottle of VERY nice champagne waiting for us.

The suite was unbelievable. Half the size of my house! Canopy bed, top floor and a great view of the city.
That evening we went to the wine tasting...then enjoyed dinner at Benihana. The next morning we played tourist. A very strange thing to do in the city I grew up in.

We went to Pike Place and I showed off my knowledge of great little hole in the wall Chinese places as well as how to get away from all the tourists and find the really cool little shops hidden underneath.

I also showed off my skills by ducking not one, but two flying fish at the fish market. Yes indeed, I was told I MUST be a local...as I didn't even look to see where the fish were coming from I just knew to duck when I hear the humming.

Anyway, we had a great time. However during that same time, Chris' facebook account was hacked. Some bastard decided to log in as him and actually told people...Chris' brother included, that he was stuck in LONDON, had been mugged and needed money. Unfortunately...someone fell for it.

Now, I have to say...it was the nicest thing in the world to want to help Chris out. I feel really awful for him because he was scammed. But it's a lesson learned for everyone. If a friend chats with you on Facebook and tells you they were mugged and are stuck in London...do NOT send money!

As a consequence, Chris has canceled his facebook account. Sometimes I really hate people.

On a different subject....Gracie is about to start third grade. Seriously! Where did the time go?
A big third grader.

But before that big day, she has another one. Thursday she will be getting braces! Yep...they get them early these days.

She is getting the top front four teeth. In a year, she will have straight, together teeth! Hooray! She's excited and a little scared. Luckily, she knows a boy in her class who already has braces. He's a super cute, sweet kid so they will have something else to talk about now!

As soon as she has her new metal I will post a picture of her bright and shiny smile.

My daughter, the Irish dancer!

Gracie danced in her very first performance on Saturday!

She was amazing....and I'm not just saying that because I'm her Mom. She loved every second of it.

She's only been doing this for 4 months, but she's a natural!!!

I'm so proud!

Dolphins, Dance and Lightning

Oh my. It has been way to long. Sorry Melissa.
So much has happened. I hardly know where to start!

Most importantly, my husband came home from patrol. Hooray!

I got to go out and meet up with the boat (along with some other wives) and ride it back in. It was a great trip out. Some of the finest ladies I know were there. We enjoyed our bus ride and subsequent boat ride to meet the submarine. Chatting happily and occasionally breaking into song. (Thanks Cara)

After a few hours we met up with the sub. I boarded and was greeted down below by my handsome husband!

What a sight that is!

Gracie had won "first hug" so Chris was the first guy off the boat. Meaning she had to be there waiting when we got into port.

Thanks to my wonderful friend Melissa she was not only there waiting for her hug, she watched the boat come into the canal while enjoying a fabulous picnic lunch. Thanks again Melissa! She still talks about it!!!

Let's fast forward a few weeks.

Gracie is preparing for her upcoming dance recital. Irish dance. We have been spending many, many hours driving back and fourth to Kingston for practice. But, being as she started Irish dance in March...she has advanced in class already and is a natural. Her teacher is really impressed with her. So and I....of course!

The Fourth of July was spent first by watching the annual Third of July fireworks show in Poulsbo, which we can see from our neighborhood. Then on the Fourth, we went to our friends Dave and Carrie's for what has now become our tradition. You see, they were the very first "boat people" we met. They invited us last year, right after we moved here. Carrie and I became fast friends. At the party last year I was also introduced to a couple other wardroom wives. It was an amazing reception. They welcomed us with open arms and never in my life have I felt more welcome at a new duty station that I did here. Thanks Carrie!
So, we naturally headed to their house again this year. What could be better than alcohol and explosives?!

Now on to this week. On Wednesday I had a nice dinner with some great friends. We were saying goodbye to two of our wardroom wives. I got to chat with some wonderful ladies and say my goodbyes to my friend Suzanne. (I'm going to miss you!!!!) Who is off to Hawaii.

On Thursday I was invited by the Captain to join my husband at quarters so I could do the honor of pinning on his "Dolphins." Probably the single most important event in a submarine officers career.

He not only got his dolphins, he did it faster than anyone. I'm bragging, I know. But I am tremendously proud of him!

Gracie and I were there, standing with Chris in front of the entire boat to do the honors. It was so exciting!

Those are the highlights of the past month and a half. Yesterday and today we have enjoyed nonstop rain and thunderstorms. It has been wonderful! Up until yesterday, it has been sunny and hot.

Oh rain, how I love thee...let us never be apart!
I also missed a really good thunderstorm. The only redeeming quality of the South. So it has been an added bonus to see the flash and hear the crack of lightning.
Gracie also has been able to play her favorite game from when we lived in Charleston. 1, 2, 3.....lightning!!!

The rules are simple. You count to three and say lightning and try to say lightning as it's flashing. Works a lot better down there than it does here...but she has given it the college try!

Ok, I think that sums up all the highlights for now.
Wow...sorry I've been so distracted lately! That happens with the guys get home I guess. I'll try not to make it a habit!

For Melissa

Ok...I have been really bad about posting lately. I was kindly reminded by my dear friend Melissa that it's been well over a month.

I have good reason. My husband came home from patrol, Gracie finished second grade and a whole bunch of other stuff that I can't think of at the moment.

See, this is why I should update more often...I know, I know. I just ruined my whole point.

I have a super exciting update to tell you...Melissa...you already know.
But I don't have the time or energy to tell you everything tonight..so you will have to wait another day.

I promise, it's worth it!

So there you have it...I updated...sort of. I promise to get a real update ASAP...after I go to a Sensaria party tomorrow.

Doctors make the best neighbors

As I stated before, I have been sick.

My allergies are trying to kill me slowly with as much torture possible.
I called the doctors office to make an appointment but, due in large part to the Swine Flu pandemic, was told there were no available appointments until the middle of June.

Ok, that's just crazy. Seeing as it was like the 20th of May or something. By June 12th I would be either dead, my allergies finally winning the battle for my soul OR the problem would have already corrected itself after a long and agonizing fight with my sinuses.

So I was talking to my neighbor about the problem. His wife is a doctor. Not just any doctor...a NAVY doctor. He called her (she was working at the time) and she said "come in at 3 and I'll see you"

3:00 I made a visit to my favorite neighbor where she checked me out. My ear drum was attempting to free itself from the confines of my ear, but no infection. Good!

It turns out it was an allergy problem all along. She gave me five different kinds of medication. One for congestion, one for coughing and three for allergies.

Ah...sweet Zyrtec.

The Gods have smiled on me in the form of Zyrtec and Flonase. However, I do find Flonase insulting. Not because I have to squirt it up my nose, but because it mocks me by smelling like lilacs.

On the plus side, it is the very first time in my entire life I have smelled lilacs without sneezing. Win!

So in conclusion, if you are in the market for a new house. I strongly suggest you find one with a doctor next door. It will simplify your life drastically!

Thank you Shannon for being the most awesome neighbor....and doctor on the planet. I'm totally going to buy you a houseplant that now, thanks to you, won't make me sneeze!

Angry Porcupines and various other things.

So this will be short and sweet. and By sweet I mean...sort of that biting equal taste.

I'm still sick. Yesterday I had a very angry porcupine take up residence in my esophagus. Today I feel like the angry porcupine has now enlisted a bulldozer and one of those large combine tracker thingys to do some digging in my throat.

They also seem to be rather unhappy with my ability to still form words and are working double shifts to remove my vocal cords.

They have dug out a subway system in my right ear canal. I think however, they hit a water main because it's now all plugged up and has that, hearing through
water sort of thing going on. (was that to much information?)

Luckily, they can never take my fingers. Ha! I'll show them!

On the positive side of the illness, I have been named the official "coolest mom on the planet" by the only kid that matters. Mine.

Because of my stellar mothering skills, we went to Dairy Queen for dinner. Her "dinner" consisted of a sprite and an oreo brownie earthquake sundae.
Oh yeah....bask in my superior skills.

Oh, because of my extended illness, I have watched way to much tv in bed today. However, I am considering using some our savings and hiring Empire flooring. Right now they are having a buy 1 get 2 free sale. The Sham Wow is also growing on me.


Ok...I'm babbling. I have absolutely nothing of importance to say today because quite frankly....my brain has decided to take a vacation. I hope it went someplace warm and is enjoying it's self.

Trekkie 12 step

Hi, my name is Kristine and I am a closet geek.

Hi Kristine!

The new Star trek movie is out!
I must see this movie, but I promised my husband, who has been open and embracing of his geekyness, I would wait until he returned from sea. Argh!

It's taunting me in previews on tv, and the interwebs. Not to mention, I keep hearing reviews from both paid critics and just critical friends, who claim it's not only good but "It's AWESOME!"

Must see movie.

Anniversary and Friends

This past week I celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary.
As you are aware, my husband is somewhere in the briny deep playing hide and seek.

So, I spent the day with friends. One friend in particular. Carrie.
But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
First things first.

Renee came by on Wednesday with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I have ever seen. Along with the greatest basket filled full of Starbucks and various other coffee treasures. Then, to top it off....she made the greatest cheesecake I have ever had.

Ok friends, take a gander at this....Starbucks espresso. Lots of it. Rich dark chocolate...even more of that and cheesecake. Put them all together and you have what I like to call "heaven" because I truly believe this is what God and the angels eat daily.
Damn, I'm hungry now.

So, Friday Mayday. I head out to spend the day with my friend Carrie. Her Mom has a heart problem and was having some tests done.

I meet up with her and we head to breakfast where she insisted on picking up the tab.
Then Old Navy where I learned that on the first of every month is military appreciation day! You save 10% with you ID.
I saved $14. Yeah, She didn't pick up the tab on that one :)

Anyhoo...then we headed to Target. Then the mall. She needed luggage for her upcoming family vacation.
Finally her moms tests were done and we parted ways. two hours later, I met back up with Carrie this time with kids in tow at Red Robin.
We were met by our friend Sharon and her adorable kids and our friend Becky.
We had a great dinner. Chatting and enjoying the company.
Seems like a great full circle somehow. The first time I met any of these women was at my welcome dinner for the wardroom wives which was here, at Red Robin!

Finally we headed back to my house because Carrie had bought a cake to celebrate! It looked like a mini wedding cake. With bows and pearls and hearts. It was pink on pink (or is that blush and bashful) and It was AWESOME!

By the end of the evening I realized I had gone the entire day, busy from the moment I woke up. I didn't have a single moment to be sad that Chris was deployed. I truly enjoyed the day.
Thanks Carrie, Sharon, Becky and Renee! You made this an anniversary I won't forget!

10 Years

10 years ago I married the man of my dreams.
In a little brick church, in a valley in the mountains.

I met my husband at work.
You see, my boss Renate, at the store where I worked, changed jobs to Wal-Mart of all places and she begged and pleaded with me to come work for her there.

I stood my ground and told her no way was I going to give up my relatively cool job with awesome discount perks to go work in the jewelry department at Wal-Mart!

She persisted and finally won me over with the prospect of health care, a bigger paycheck and really good looking guys in the next department.

Alas, I gave in....despite my better judgment.

On my very first day at my new job, my friend Justin was giving me a tour of all the departments. Directly across the aisle from my department was electronics.

Boy was Renate right. There were some seriously good looking guys in that department....this job may not be half bad!

I was introduced to them and this one tall blond and beautiful man stood out from the group. Justin informed me his name was "Stick."

Stick? Ok. Obviously a nickname and it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out it had something to do with his 6'4" 165 lbs. body. He did resemble a stick quite a bit.
So a little time passes and I become friends with the electronics department boys. "Stick" is very flirty, amazingly smart, unbelievably handsome and super sweet to boot.

I had a serious crush.

Finally one day he asks me out to a movie. We had a large group of friends from work that we hung out with, and I half assumed they would be joining us. But when the time came it was just "Stick" and I.

I can still remember the butterflies in my stomach when I saw him standing there.

Our first date. We saw Contact. After the movie we went out to the marsh and watched Hale Bopp. Remember that comet?

So now lets fast forward a year. Same place. It's late at night because I had to close. It's pouring down rain. Stick, who I now call Chris picks me up from work. He packed a romantic picnic dinner of Taco Bell.

We park and eat our dinner. Finally he pulls a box out of his coat pocket and hands it to me.

"Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife" those were his words. I didn't even open the box and tears were streaming down my face as I screamed YES!!!!

Now, fast forward another year.

May 1, 1999. 6:30 PM on a Saturday. In a little brick church, in a valley in the mountains, by candlelight and with 350 witnesses I vowed to love him forever.

After we were married our lives drastically changed. He enlisted the Navy four months after our wedding.

We moved to Chicago for a year while he was in school. I got pregnant.

We moved to San Diego, California for four years. We had a baby.

We moved to Pullman, Washington for three years, for college. He was commissioned an officer in the Navy and accepted to the submarine program.

We moved to Charleston, South Carolina for a year and a half while he went through nuclear schools.

Finally we moved to Poulsbo, Washington and bought a home.

Through it all we grew stronger. Every hurdle he jumped, he did for us. Every day of hard work he put in, he did it for our little family.

Friday is our 10 year anniversary. And that man I said "I do" to is still the most handsome and wonderful man on Earth. He is my world. I am so grateful to have the honor of saying I am his Wife.

So today I am looking at the pictures of a gray Saturday evening. In a little brick church, in a valley in the mountains where I vowed to love him forever.

Happy Anniversary Chris. I love you forever.

4 out of 5 bartenders will agree that Navy wives have more fun!

Last night I spent a few fun filled hours chatting up some of my bestest submariner wives. (Holly, why can't you move back?)

We had a little get together at a fantastic Mexican place in Port Orchard. Lots of food, margaritas, and fun. The perfect recipe.

Carrie and I were identical twins. So 7th grade, I know. I swear to God we didn't call each other and plan it out.
But we both showed up wearing matching jeans, matching red Kentucky polo's and white shirts underneath. Yep. Identical. So what did we do? We sat next to each other of course!

About 40 of us showed. Unfortunately there was a really small wardroom turnout. Only four of us. That was depressing seeing as I only know a handful of the enlisted wives and a couple of the wardroom wives are leaving our little club soon so I will miss them!
None the less, we made the best of it and had tons of fun.

We had door prizes and I won a spa set. Which I think I will use tonight.
Carrie won basically the same thing. Twinsies again!
Becks won...something that I can't remember and Kim won a Starbucks gift card. Meanie. I should have been twinsies with her.

It was obnoxiously loud and the alcohol was flowing.
Finally the party started to wind down. Some of the ladies decided to take the party to a local bar. They kidnapped the captains wife and took her with them! She wasn't complaining, however.

I decided to head home seeing as I live a good half hour away.
Happily I can report everyone made it home safely and a good time was had by all.
Can't wait until the next one!