What do you get when...?

What do you get when you throw a party with a bunch of military spouses, a phallic shaped cake or two, and some champagne and Shiraz? You get one heck of a time! I had a blast last night at a local CG spouse's house. I won't say anymore for fear of her coming down here and censoring all the photos. Yes, there are photos. hee hee

Can you imagine what kind of party this was? Let's just say, I turned many shades of red, multiple times, laughed my tush off and now know how many wives survive deployments. ;)

Would you like some wine with that whine?

I strive to be a very good friend and a positive person. Though, there are just folks who take, and take, and take and now that I am reaching a certain point in my life I have had enough. You see, I am a giver. I am a good friend and I try with all my heart and soul to be a good mother and loving wife. I like to help folks and laugh and share memories and build relationships. It is what I do. I cannot do it all on my own though. You know what I am talking about. You have had this happen to you too, haven't you?

It's tiring. It's frankly just not nice. It's not fun to have to accomodate others ALL the time and have them bail on you. It's not okay to whine, whine and whine all the time and hope I come running because I might be busy battling another dragon right now. I have my own commitments and things going on, but I put up a good facade and try to show the world it's all hunky dory. That's how I get through the day sometimes. I smile and do good unto others hoping the circle will come back around. Of course, that is not terribly an altruistic way of thinking, but we as humans do want to do good deeds in hopes that we will have good done unto us, right?

I understand you have trials and tribulations of your own, but when is the last time you asked about mine? I am not seeking pity here, but I want all of you who understand what I am saying to remember that asking your friend or neighbor or aunt or mailman genuinely how they are doing and actually care about their answer that you may make more of a difference in their lives than you could imagine. Just realize it is not all about you.

Sure it stinks when you cannot afford the ridiculous things you spend money on, but I have a mortgage and a rent to worry about, a houseful of hungry mouths and clothes to buy to fit their bodies, but that which isn't likely fashionable because unfortunately we are not rich. Oh, and that guy you brag about, don't even get me started because I have one too, but he is frequently gone. Scratch that, always seems more like it. Yes, he has his faults and we have our differences, but I don't need you to remind me of that because we work through it. I need my friend to just hold my hand and be there not criticize things. I am a strong and intelligent woman, I know a little more than you think I do.

Oh, and if you think these babies I had (and love and adore) are a piece of cake or maybe that their discipline is lacking and I should just not take them into public because you don't want to hear their misbehaving; maybe ask me what is going on. Psychologists and therapists are trying to figure that out right now, but you were too ignorant to ever consider that probably.

Oops, getting carried away there.....Yes, giving and friendship is about just that and no one should EXPECT anything in return, but reciprocation is nice. I don't want to be friends only sometimes. I don't want to have to try and work too hard. That is not a real friendship. I have done it too many times over and just don't have the energy anymore.

My house has an open door and friends and many strangers have been welcomed here for a meal, a shoulder to cry on, support, giggles, a chair to borrow, for childcare and just well, just because. I will probably always be like that, and that may be a fault of mine, but to me life is about the people you surround yourself with. I want to make them smile, but just every now and again I want to know I am appreciated too.

Please pass the chardonnay.

Old post alert! I haven't blogged and I cannot find motivation so here is an old post.

LIES, LIES, LIES.  aka Loose Lips Sink Ship, so Lie (or fib or leave out info and talk about the weather instead)

SUPER FUN while the man in blue is sailing the deep blue.

He’s home. Here’s what he missed. It was LOADS of fun.

-> Fleapalooza 2011 and the crazy cleaning to ensure it didn't "infect" the whole house

-> My falling pretty sick from using way too many varied (and strong) cleaning products - stupid I know

-> Friend’s child missing nightmare when she didn’t get off the right bus to my house

-> Fifth’s Disease x 2 kids (which was misdiagnosed)

-> Houseguests (waiting on base housing to open up) – they were great though (mom, baby & dog)

-> Bead up the child's nose ER fiasco - that was pretty embarassing to explain and still not sure how that transpired

-> Incessant Hail Storms

-> Children's Night Terrors

-> Preschooler tantrums

-> Dog repeatedly ripping up my gardening/landscaping attempts

-> Tsunami Middle of the Night Mad Dash to Gas Station and related freak outs

-> Earthquake Drills

-> Preschooler tantrums

-> Ridiculous second grade sleepover drama (and some giggles)

-> Preschooler tantrums

-> Choking debacles of a child and subsequent swallowing issues

-> Preschooler tantrums

-> Tricare not wanting to approve some treatment

-> Mommy tantrums

-> The worry over the government possibly shutting down and possibly not seeing a paycheck

-> Friend fell sick and I took care of her kids (happily) thereby providing with a (hungry) brood of 6

Gosh, he’s missed all the fun. Such is the life of a Coastie wife, right?

Unfortunately, he also missed
- Various holidays
- A child's First Communion
- and two birthdays :( 
- Oh, and the culmination of potty training (no more diapers in this house!!!!)

Such is the life of a Coastie.


Can I go on vacation now?

Spring Break is FINALLY over

I am here. My children did not sell me to a wild band of monkeys. We simply were "enjoying" Spring Break. Woah, what a long, long, long time off. I am grateful for teachers. 'Nuff said.

I will say I have been busier than ever since school started again. It has been insane. Good insane.

In any event, I was enjoying Navy Wife Radio this evening. They were hosting Erica of "Guide to Military Travel" tonight. It was super! She has such great tips and a wonderful site. Be sure to check her out.

On another note, March is almost over. That is a PSA for those of you without a calendar. I am so eager for the flowers of April to be here and hopefully summer will be much closer than it is looking right now. I know I am pushing it, but this rainy Northwest weather has me worn down. I need some sun. Mail me some, please!

Anyway, bad blog. I stink at this tonight. I have a dog eating a yogurt foil top and three children running amok needing to be in bed soon. Ta ta for now!

Kiss Me, I am partially Irish

"Here's to our wives and girlfriends: May they never meet!"

Yes, the above Irish toast was actually made at my wedding by my husband's best friend. Fortunately, it was not said in front of all of our guests.

And, with that, I wish you very happy St. Patrick's Day! Be safe, be green and be happy.

Wonderful Wordless Wednesday



Two posts in one day?

In one night even.

Pardon this blog interruption for random poetry.

On a western bay

I sit

Moments away

from you

Oceans take moments

from others

and from us

Our separation, though,

 is so

minimal and

insignificant -now

We have been pardoned

by tragedy

Despite longing for your

arms

I rejoice

I know, unlike many, an ocean away

that you will be home again

My heart breaks for them

but sighs relief

that our separation is only temporary.

JAGIP sends

Coffee anyone?

Living in the PacNW, it's ironic and semi-unfortunate that I do not drink coffee. I don't loathe it. In fact, I once drank it and enjoy many delicious flavors. Thanks to imbibing far too much in this bean based beverage during a couple year period in high school, I have no desire to ever drink it again. You see I worked in a coffee shop, as did my sister, my mother and my aunt. And, we all always smelled like coffee. We had this luxurious perk of being able to take beans or ground coffee home with us in varying amounts each month. So, that, my friends caused me to be coffeed out.

I have friends who are a flourishing mountainside shade of green with envy at the fact that I live here where coffee shops come in all different sizes, styles, locations, and budget areas. The Northwest is seemingly a coffee mecca in the United States. I think it is a bit insane, but that is only because I see drive-thru espresso shops. Funny. I wonder if they sell Coffee Gum there too? Ewwww.

Anyway, I met friends for coffee this morning. What? We met at this nifty little roaster on the bank of the Columbia River. I enjoyed a just barely piping hot - hot cocoa. It was divine. However, the most wonderful part was the delectable blueberry muffin that I purchased with it. It was melt in your mouth amazing. Oh, wait, the most wonderful part was the company I kept.

I was joined by some of the other CG wives I know whose men in blue work with my man in blue. We have created our own pseudo family of sorts as our community tends to have happen. They have been my source of sanity, friendship and humor on days when I long to be back on the right coast. They get me and I them. In fact, the CG community where I have recently found myself has been fantastic. Of course, I think it is like that everywhere, you just have to allow yourself to be a part of it, for better or worse. Sure, there are women and men here (or there or wherever) with personalities different from ours, but we can grow and learn to be better people by exposing ourselves to all types. That's what I try to remind myself anyway.

Let me put it this way, my friends back home are a tad bit---no rather, hugely different than the folks I have met here and who are from here or near here. They have different ideals and a different way of life all together. Little, yellow, different.

LOL

Anyway, I keep saying different. I suppose they think I'm, um, errrrr *different*.

I adapt though. I may be taking on some of "their" collective traits. The one thing I cannot seem to do though is to S-L-L-L-O-O-O-W-W-W down and chill. That is just not me. I am an East Coast gal with adrenaline and vibrant energy running through my veins. I am in a perpetual state of motion. Some people, here, are, well, they aren't like that. It's been a ginormous adjustment. Even the fast food is SLOW here. Weird.

I won't say that this new location is horrible, because, in fact, it is just the opposite. It is growing on me and I am making the most of all this locale has to offer, from the culture to the beaches and even the local politics. Of course, that is a post for a whole other day when I can ramble on about the diversity of politics everywhere I have lived thus far. Nah, never mind, you don't want to read that.

I did get a taste of the East Coast tonight when the youngins' and I got a chance to Skype with some of our other CG friends still living the dream in New England. Love hearing that "wicked" accent.

So, tonight, I leave you with this thought. Why did I eat a whole bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs between yesterday and today? Why, oh, why did I do that? *belly ache*

Holy Blogging Absence Batman

My dear, dear friends, it has been oodles of months since I last blogged. Clearly. I apologize for my absence. Then again, did anyone actually miss me? Don't answer that.

Recently, I came to the realization that I need to recommence blogging. I need this cathartic outlet for pent up military life related frustration and well just ramble. You get that right?

My life has been so busy since I last wrote here. Of course, who's isn't? If you are ultimately bored and have no life, raise your hand. See, I didn't think so. You are likely reading this because you are looking to relate to something military/Coast Guard wife life related. I assure you, I am far more than that. In fact, I happen to think I am one of the funniest people on the planet. Sadly, I believe I am the only person who thinks so. Hence, my not appearing on Comedy Central anytime soon.

So, what have I been up to since last August? Well, we PCSd last summer 3,000+ miles from familiar territory. In my new location I have been fortunate enough to meet so many wonderful new folks, including one of my blog followers. :) (hey Chi!).

I am avidly volunteering, but also making time for fun when I can. I am the Sunshine Committee Chair and Newsletter Editor for my local spouse association. Woot! That keeps me busy, but so do a lot of other things, such as my three minions. With the man in blue frequently deployed, there is definitely not a dull moment around here. I am usually cooking someone, cleaning up after someone, chasing the dog back into the yard, skyping with family and friends, and otherwise saving the world.

I am going to make a concerted effort to blog every day, even if just to say, hey guys here is what I had for breakfast. I know you cannot wait.

Today, the coast is beautiful and the sky is blue (for the moment) so I am going to try and make the most of it.

Hit me up with a comment and let me know who you are and what you want to hear about. I'm all 'virtual' ears, kind of like Will Smith---ok that was wrong.

The Eagle Has Landed

Well we arrived at our new duty station back at the end of June. I've been a bit all over the blogosphere and plumb forgot this one. I'm a terrible blogger as it turns out.

We survived the transAmerican PCS. It was fantastic, actually. Quickly after arriving real military life set back in to motion with the man in blue having to go to work of all places. Can you even fathom it? I was really looking forward to vacation mode all summer.

Truthfully, his going back to work gave us a bit of a schedule. Sort of. We still haven't truly adjusted to the time change or even the new home. I feel like we are on extended holiday in some foreign land. The people here have funny accents. Funny because they don't fit the area. Funny too because I know they look at us funny with our wacky accents. Well, the man in blue has a more recognizable accent. I think people are still trying to place me and figure me out. I don't really have anything that is discernible except a few slang words that might give away the farm.

Let's see what else? Hmmmm....Oh yes, I got the message from my mom this morning. It's been 2 months. I'm really missing you and the kids. I can't believe she had a going away party for us and it's been 2 months. Now, that's not really long in the grand scheme of things, but no matter where I've ever lived or been stationed over the years, she and I have seen each other usually within a 2 or 3 month period with one of us going to the other for a quick visit. And, now, it's much harder for her with the grandkids being involved. My dad, well he just goes with the flow. He doesn't say it much, but I know he misses seeing us all. He doesn't have to say it though, mom says it enough for him.

The next hitch in our schedule comes when school starts, which will be soon. Tomorrow is registration day for new students. Now, I have to spend the evening digging out immunization records and school transfer papers. Fun!

Well folks, as school time sets in and the man in blue travels, you may (or may not) find me blogging more frequently.

Until then, ciao and cheers and have a wicked good night!