Just bake it out!

Once again, I feel like a stranger to my own blog! I have been in a transe of getting into the swing of my own little routine. Monday's I work then off to spin class. Tuesdays and Thursday's I work and then head to zumba!! Wednesdays are my relax days and Fridays I work out on my own. I seem to be not losing any weight but in time I think I will. I told my husband that I think it will all fall off at once when I am sleeping. I will wake up with a gross flap of belly and butt on the bed. Then I will poke at it and say "someone must have lost this laying around." haha. It makes me want to be in those commercials where people find body parts lying around and then make some statement of how they must have lost it. The best one is someone's butt is in the sand on the beach somewhere. A group of kids find it and crowd around poking it with a stick. One of them cleverly says, "someone must have lost this walking on the beach." haha. ah! The intelligence of TV!

I bake a lot. I sent Kyle two batches of brownies and about a dozen oatmeal cookies. I gave the neighbors a dozen cookies each. Yesterday I did a dry run on a coffee cake that Kyle loves. It turned out to be pretty decent and so I took some to work and gave the neighbors some. I feel like I am going to lose a friendship in my neighbors because I made them gain all this weight from eating my baked goods. The opposite seems to take effect with my co workers. It is as if I am buying their friendships with cakes, cookies and cupcakes. haha. I am really enjoying baking and I am becoming quite good at it. Everything I am feeling from that day, I will bake it out. I sadly don't eat my goodies but I watch others devour them. That's how I know it turned out!

Halloween is upon us and I look forward to passing out candy to little military brats (not all of them) and seeing all their adorable costumes. Thanksgiving creeps up on us and I will make my first turkey. I will let you know how it turns out. December may be the most chaotic month. I have no idea what I am going to do yet and no idea how long I am going to do it.

Kyle should be home soon. Still not sure when but soon. We are definately on the back half of his "training." Then he comes home and is off again for about half the time for more training. The military life gets old quick but we find a way to tolerate it because we know it isn't permanent, it is what we signed up for and it makes us a stronger couple.

The weather is turning cold here in the desert. It is necessary to cling onto a jacket or sweater at all times now. Walking the dog in flip flops last night was probably a really bad decision. I feel like taking baths just to warm up. The funniest thing is, the weather really isn't that cold compared to what I am used to but my body acclimates quickly.

Well, that's all for now...

A new day has come!

Things here progressively increase into happiness. I have a new job and love all the people I work with. My boss is kind and supportive. I work next to a gentle "older" man who likes what he does and keeps me company in our darkened corner of the office. There are so many personalities in the office, there is never really a dull day. Did I mention my boss is cool!!! :) She gives me encouragement and "Great!" on my work as if I just got a gold star on my homework. I love it!

Since we have talked my mother-in-law came out my birthday weekend and we spent entirely too much money wandering the outlet stores, got in great conversation and smoked out my ear wax. haha.

A workout of some sort occurs daily and I am watching what I eat. I am going to look good when Kyle comes home. There are 97 days until December 31st. Because I am not sure when he will come home, that is my goal. My short term goal is Thanksgiving. We can make it, hu Rach?

Well, that's all for now.

Things are looking up

Let me tell you that God... He works in mysterious ways.

He has forced me experience loss for the first time and yet brings me joy and sense of accomplishment in my new job.

He brings me pride in my family and my husband.

He gives me the opportunity to beam with excitement every time I get to talk to Kyle (which is almost never).

God lets me feel loved by surrounding me with my family and having my love for Kyle grow stronger as each day goes by.

God, still, has me feel alone and empty at times as Kyle is away.

But I have to say, He has let me laugh again. And it feels good! It really does cure the soul!

Get inspired!

This has been a better week. I have started to put in hours (volunteered) to my new job. Everyone is so nice and encouraging! It is awesome how this job is something I have been so anxious to find. It will be hard work, but I really think I will enjoy it. :)

These are a compilation of quotes that make me happy:

This may not be my town,

It'll do for now,

Til I can figure out,

Who I am,

Where I'm going,

Shes slinging eggs and bacon,

With a college education

Just hanging out and waiting,

For a better plan,

Shes ok not knowing,

Shes young,

And the worlds wide open.

-Jason Aldean

She packs. She moves. She follows.

Why? What 
for? How come?

You may think she's lost her mind.

But actually, she's 
lost her heart;

It was stolen from her by a man.

A man who puts duty 
first,

Who longs to deploy,

Who salutes the flag,

And whose boots in the 
doorway

Remind her that as long as he is her

Military Husband,

She
 will remain his Military Wife.

Since God created the Marine Corps wife,

there has been nothing to compare,

With love and strength and joy combined,

her dedication is always there.

She stands by him each day she can,

says goodbye each time she must,

Her pride and love compare to none in her Marine,

she fully trusts.

I believe in you-

In the things that are important to you

And in the way you choose to live your life…

I believe that you can accomplish anything you set out to do,

That you have many talents

And the wisdom to use them well…

I believe that you have what it takes to overcome obstacles

And to grow from every experience life brings your way…

I believe in your courage,

Your compassion,

Your integrity,

And your strength.

I believe in your goodness…

I believe in you.

-Bobby Burrow-

This too shall pass

(Said to readers by a man in a serious-monotone voice) "The following blog is rated BAD for graphic and personal images painted in your mind. If you read, you are not to judge or ask questions and may never look at the author and think of said images. Also, she is confused on if this is a book or a fake TV show blog. Be advised!"

(Said by Kyle and I in unison...) Previously on "I'll never tell..."

Hey all! It has been a long time since I have written and life keeps happening.

Chapter 1

Kyle and I ventured home for pre-deployment leave. It was so awesome to be home! Seeing everyone and eating suburban food... it could have been longer. Let me tell you! A little stress but that comes with my family and passes just as fast as it comes. Thanks family for making it fun! I would say my favorite parts were:

- The BBQ (Thanks Mom and Margaret for a great time)

- Family photos

- Seeing all family

- Being with my husband in our element; eating chipotle; laughing; and smelling the smells of grass, rain, and home.

Chapter 2

We moved! We now live on-base in a cozy two bedroom/two story town house. My neighbors hate me (long story... ask Kyle) and there is no yard for Diesel. The ups out weigh the bad, though.

- SECURITY

- We have a dryer hook up! Not just a washer hookup- no more hanging clothes

- Close to work

- Close to on- base things like the commissary, home store, exchange...

- I am comfortable walking Diesel here. He can play on the grass by our house or at the dog park.

We definitely made the right decision. Thank you to Kyle and Jake for moving all our stuff despite how unprepared we were for the move. :)

Chapter 3

We got a new washer. Just as we moved in, we found the old washer wasn't working. After the housing maintenance people came, they told us it was our washer that wasn't sending signals to let the cold water in and there was a dial glitch that made it stop in the middle of a cycle. So, on 29 palms yard sales dot com we found a 4-month-old-barely-used washer for cheap! Kyle and a few buddies picked it up and hooked it up right before they left.

Chapter 4

Kyle left for his deployment. I took cool pictures and I did awesome until the last hug goodbye. Then I almost fell apart for about 2 minutes. I dried my tears and waited for the buses to drive off. Man, I absolutely should have mentally prepared a bit more. It kinda hit me hard.

It may be sad and dramatic but the best line from Michael Buble's Home fits my moment: "It's like I just stepped outside, when everything is going right. And I know just why you could not come along with me, but this was not your dream but you've always believed in me..."

It's OK. Marine wives are strong women. We believe in our men and we will wait for them to come home. Until then, we hang up their boots and keep busy. Hence my new found goals and determination to accomplish:

- Run with the puppy 6 days a week

- Ride the bike 7 days a week for MIN. of 30 minutes.

- Eat right. No more candy, ice cream, fast food, and less soda

- Plan a honeymoon for when Kyle comes back.

- Master some songs on the guitar. I almost have Colbie Callait's Bubbly down. I struggle on the bridge.

- Find a new job that makes me happy. I have a few applications in so lets hope for the best.

About my job... if these jobs don't come through, pray The Man and his sidekick brat don't drive me into depression and insanity!! I mean it, I am pretty close. Mike Posner's Cooler Than Me is in cue behind a curtain of F you confetti, balloons with F you written on them and a massive banner saying F you. I sit at my desk clenching to the rope that will lift the curtain/hit play/and send confetti and balloons everywhere displaying the banner as if they just won "America's Funniest Home Videos" (Sigh) They actually might because I will have Richelle standing there with a video camera... I will think it is funny. :)

Chapter 5

Our fridge broke and it took housing FOUR days to get us a new one. But we got a brand new one- minor glitch, it has one missing a shelf! (Audience laughs). All our freezer items went bad, milk was chunky and I had to throw out so much we almost had nothing... I was lucky to save the food mom and dad bought while here.

(Same man in serious monotone says) "Reader discretion is advised"

Chapter 6

The worst thing of all to blog about-

Kyle and I have been praying since... oh... January to get pregnant. (Sorry Mom). We wanted some kind of bundle of joy so bad and we thought that getting pregnant June/July would be perfect timing. Kyle can come home in time to feel the baby kick and see it become our third musketeer!!

Well during the three days we had to pack up the house, I suddenly feel pain that makes me immobile in my abdomen. I crawl into the bedroom and wake Kyle from his slumber... we go to the ER to be told I am pregnant and I am fine. Fear, joy and excitement overwhelm us. We are absolutely pleased. God answered our prayers!

Then, a week later I kiss my husband goodbye at about 12:00 am and head to the ER to ease our worries about abnormal bleeding. I was supposedly fine but they will watch me close. I am red stamped "Threatened Abortion!" Who calls it that #1! #2, I don't like that. I am all for pro choice but not for my body and not for this baby! We don't do abortions nor do we red stamp it on any records!

Two days later, I make another trip to the ER for more paralyzing pain (THANK GOD FOR KATRINA AND AMY'S HELP) and I am sent home with kidney stones, morning sickness and ligament stretching. "A little rest and you will be OK... just let it pass," says the Doc.

For days I carry a nasty strainer to the bathroom and hope something makes a plop into it sounding like a marble into a jar. Nothing ever plopped!

My mom and dad thankfully and graciously come to the heated sandbox to be with me. Without them, I would have just lost it and fallen apart and just cried! Let me tell you! We all walked around like pins and needles going to appointments and endless blood draws (I still have bruises!) all for a final ER trip. All of this to find Kyle and I prayed for a miracle and it only lasted 2 months...

- I take each minute as it comes. I cry at "Could I pregnant?" commercials

- Change the channel at MTV's Teen Mom because ungrateful little teenage bitches with babies now make me sick

- I turn down offers to hang out with a couple of girls because one is pregnant with her second and the other just had a baby

- I am breaking out worse than in high school (no exaggeration)

I am a fragile emotional ghostly of a person. I wander the house hoping it will all be a dream... Each minute is a roller coaster of being OK to not. I fight hard to make the "not" moments get shorter. I really think that I will be alright- just don't ask if I am or else I will just fall apart for that moment, OK?

Chapter 7

The last few days have been productive. I have gotten the oil changed in the truck; picked up Diesel's immunization records to register him on base; vacuumed/dusted/swept/cleaned toilets and such in the house; washed clothes and sheets and went grocery shopping to replenish the cabinets and fridge. Diesel has gotten regular walks again. I have sent off mail to Kyle and watched a ton of movies as my body is confused on when to sleep and when it is day time.

This too shall pass... I promise myself. I promise Kyle.

(And the scene fades away playing the chorus to Eminem's Not Afraid because it is sorta inspiring followed by Enrique Iglesias' I Like It because I like it.)

counting down the days!

Kyle and I are so very excited to come home!!! In three weeks we will be basking in the presence of family and friends on leave. Kyle has plans to:
1. Drink
2. Sleep
3. Not shave
4. Not cut his hair
5. And drink

I plan on:
1. Sleeping
2. Getting mani/pedi/hair cut
3. Sleeping
4. Laughing with family and friends
5. not working

We have talked about budgeting for the trip, getting books on CD for the road trip, stopping at different land marks, laughing, and excited to be away from the plain dessert and go to grass and mountains!

Everyday I tell myself only so many more weekdays! Today it was "two more days this week + four days next week + and one full work week... unless Kyle gets lasik, one less day because I would take a day off to take him.

Mom, I can't wait to see you, lets go shop & get a mani/pedi! Dad... lets do lunch! Jayne... Drinks at the Stampede or something for your birthday! Margaret... I always love sitting on the porch. Scott... um... horseshoes???? Kim/Ty... lets go shooting!

Hope to see a lot of friendly faces.

Rachel... I wanna meet this POG (pronounced pouge) Bahahha.

cracking knuckles

Good day. Pretty good weekend. I got a tan/burn from sitting and soaking up the sun and playing with the puppy.

Things are good here. Weather is nice and hot :) I am getting excited to go home for leave. I miss my family. I hope June comes and stays for a long time and then it suddenly would be January. Then Kyle doesn't have to go anywhere. <3

So today after work I wanted to take Diesel somewhere he could run and play. The park was over crowded by people and baseball games so we parked and walked on base until we found a good size area with grass. Diesel rolled, ran and rolled again. He layed on his back and loved it! It was great to watch him be happy and play. It makes me more excited to go home. There is lots of grass for him to play on.

Anyways, he saw a jogger. Mind you the entire car ride this dog followed every person, car, animal, etc from the front seat to back seat as we passed them. This was cute too... but he saw a jogger and I had to stop him from running after the jogger, so I dive (diving into a pool, sliding into home kind of dive) for his leash. In the mean time, one arm must not have gotten the brain signal to go outward and I heard a crunch. A slight series of pops, if you will, (like knuckle cracking) happens immediately. I cringe and the jogger sees us.

Visualize a man minding his own business and looks over to see a chick and her dog on the grass. The dog looks happy and anxious and is slightly losing oxygen because his leash is pulled tight and the chick has a constipated/painful/sad/frustrated look on her face.
BAHAHAH.

We went straight home. I have been icing since and the knuckles are pretty bruised. I hope we aren't broken, here.

Like I told my mom... With my track record, I am due for an injury. God must be looking down and saying, "I forgot about you. You are due, madam, for an broken bone. Here are two... " haha. I pray not!

It is hard to say if they are broken. Here is why:
#1. haven't broken a bone in awhile, can't remember the pain
#2. the swelling is minimal
#3. i can sorta bend them but mobility decreases as time goes on
#4. i didn't cry
#5. it would be my luck that as health care is free, i wouldn't need to utilize it much.
#6. my senior year in high school, I broke the metacarpals in that hand to those exact fingers but this time it is phalanges injury.. not in the palm.

We will see.

It has been too long!

I am sorry I have been away. Busy life has made for no time to even remember to write. Since we have "talked," my life has been filled. Kyle was at training, came home, had the Brown's visit, back to training, working, playing with the puppy, walking the puppy, cooking, cleaning, etc. etc. etc.

I would ask if anyone is even listening but I have heard from so many people whether or not I am going to write again. It makes me feel good to know I entertain people... even if it is from sheer boredom that they wander to my page, still, in fact, I bring some entertainment.

The latest realizations in life:

#1. My job really isn't so bad. I think I am most frustrated with the scheduling. I get along with people, I get work done (if I remember to keep it one thing at a time), and my boss isn't so hateful. It is all in prioritizing, organizing, and a good mind set. Work is OK.

#2. I really really love my husband. He is good to me. He is always concerned about me when I am frustrated, he buys me nice things, rubs my feet, supports me, cleans and cooks for me... ahh! Good man.

#3. Our dog Diesel has personality. First, he has a "pit face" and a "lab face." The lab face is the face he wears when he is happy and wants to play. He wants to love on you/you love on him and snuggle. His pit face is his fake intimidation, pout-feel-sorry-for-me face.
He sighs, he pounces, runs, and is getting more vocal. He paws at you, he steals your spot on the bed or couch when you move a millimeter and he is ever so patient and gentle. He is just such a good dog. We have a great family! :)

#4. I am selfish. I am almost mad when Kyle goes away. I feel so selfish when I am lonely and pissed off. It's not Kyle's fault and it is something I need to work on.

#5. I am counting the days until June 19th. We are coming home!!! :)

I will write more. I promise.

Later Gator.

Chirping in the kitchen

Today after a busy day of work I was making a smoothie. It had yummy strawberries and green melon (what's it called?) and ice cream and milk. :) when I went to grab the milk, the refridgerator door pushed a bird out of the way! A real life bird! I called my friend Tiffani and she was able to come... but didn't know when so I tried to get it out myself. By the time I got the courage to try, my friends Joe and Richelle and their roommate Miles came over.

Crazy ass Joe cut the bird. I say it was by accident to feel better. Then buried it. Which was very civil.... Then when I asked Miles to move the nest away from the door, he only put it on the ground. So when I went to go to put the nest in the trash so the dog wouldn't eat it, baby birds fell out!!!

They were so helpless and died too!

Now I feast upon my delicious smoothie with the puppy chewing on his bone. Welp, off to wind down for the day.

Perspective

I had a rough afternoon becasue once again my boss made me feel dumb and belitttled. Anyways, a good day turned sour in 2 hours and then I come home to this:
It is all in perspective. Before I worked, something like this would make me mad. It would be a hasstle to clean. Now that I work, I see this, and it made it all ok. I was laughing and cleaning it up made me giggle even more; despite the fact I came home 12 hours after leaving the house with 30 minutes for lunch.

Bang!

Kyle and I had crappy weeks. He got little sleep and has frustrations at work. I had a bad week at work and family troubles so it was a no brainer when I say we missed each other. This weekend has been awesome! We slept in, we cuddled, watch tv, played "look for the Easter basket" (early) and shot our new gun!

I actually liked shooting. It was a good release for all the anger I have about my job, it was empowering, and we got to spend time together. :) I am comfortable having the gun in the house with some knowledge of how to use it if I ever have to. (I pray I don't).

I made cupcakes and a cake. There was a ton of batter. Funfetti cupcakes/cake. Yummy. I just don't need to eat them. I put it in for the allotted time and it wasn't long enough because when I poked the cake, it collapsed and uncooked batter oozed out. Once the cake was finally done, I cooled and put icing on a bunt cake. Haha. There was a doughnut looking cake golden brown due to the crater that appeared when I initially poked the cake. Still just as yummy... I hope.

We made fajitas at home for dinner. Good stuff! Bought a crock pot. This week I will try to look up yummy recipes for next weekend...

It was an overall great day.

Tomorrow is Easter. We will start the day with yummy Cinnabon-Cinnamon rolls Kyle requested. When I say requested, he put them in the cart at the store and when I am putting away groceries and see the roll of dough, he smiles with the big grin. You know the grin- the one where even his ears poke out a little more.

After breakfast, we will attend the house of worship with the Holler's. It should be interesting... We are going to do laundry and laugh and maybe walk the dog. Maybe we will try again with the haircut thing. It should be ok to learn on a bald head. That way if I mess up... shave it all off again.

Goodnight.

Bald

Today was Kyle's 24th birthday. It was an ok day. The entire day we were kind of grumpy and sad.. we knew what was coming. Another week at training.
Good news: it has been so long that we qualify for separation pay.
Bad news: he is away and it is taking a toll on everyone. Diesel sits on the couch right now pouting (loud sighs, looking out the window as if he is coming right back).

So we washed the truck, did laundry, snuggled, watched TV, went out to dinner, ate birthday brownies and got ready for his departure. It is always the saddest day...

Kyle needed a hair cut and $11-15 bucks a month are starting to add up... so Kyle bought a clipper set. He asked me try this experiment. I failed. I hurt his feelings when I messed up and laughed out loud. He was already mad that I wasn't positive but I was trying hard. It looked good until we tried to blend it better....
He got so mad I laughed at it that he took the clippers and stormed outside and shaved his head. I was so upset I cried about it. "This is the second birthday I am bald," said Kyle. I asked him if his friends will give him a hard time for being bald, he said no- they will give you a hard time. I cried again.

I need to get ready for another hectic week at work. (sigh).

For all you readers in CO, Kyle and I will take about 10 days leave in June/July for pre-deployment leave. See you then!

Oh how i missed you!

It has, once again, been quite some time since my last blog. I can't even remember what I wrote about. Well, I have been keeping more than busy at my new job. I have had this week all to myself in the office without my trainer. She is away and will be back wed., thurs., and fri. and then will be gone for good. Then it will be just me to carry the reins.

I am always so tired and I need my body to adjust. I took my picture for my ID and I had bags under my eyes in the picture and (of course) can't re-take it. sad. I hope the puppy is adjusting too. He is always so rowdy when I get home. Tomorrow he will go back to the kennel instead of the laundry room. He has torn up wood somewhere and it has shreds all over the room. A cupboard was open with a mutilated brown bag. No idea why there was a bag in the cupboard or what was in it... but whatever. Kyle can deal with it. haha.

TGIF! I need to see Kyle. This is one of the worst weeks for both of us. We miss each other, hard days at work, etc. Kyle's birthday is Sunday. Maybe we will find something special to do. Saturday we will try again to get our gun.

Welp. keep you up to date later. I am SO sleepy.

long time

It has been a long time since my last blog but things have been pretty crazy. Even last weekend when Kyle didn't come home, I feel like there was so much to do.

Monday I started my new job at bachelor billeting. This is bachelor housing on base which deals with any bachelor who needs living quarters or BAH. Kinda cool. It has been an interesting week. I have already logged 34 hours!! Quite the adjustment for both me and Diesel.

My boss is cool but laughter isn't a common sound ringing through halls. It is a serious job where work is constantly done. I am supposed to leave around 1630 everyday but I have already found it is a rare commodity.

I miss those days already where I had a lot to do but nothing projects. My house is now neglected and the puppy is rowdy from being kenneled up all day. Then I come home too tired and grumpy to cook or walk the dog or do much.

Sigh, I am sorry but I am tired and still have things to do. I miss you, my followers. ha ha. I miss my family. I miss most of all my husband and it makes me feel helpless when I get calls about how he misses us, he is tired and not really happy. Will the Marine Corps be a career thing?

Employable

Dear Lord, Thanks for making me bubbly and employable because I have been offered two jobs this week! I am so super grateful and excited. I have accepted the position as General Clerk at the bachelor billeting. It works closely with the director who runs both the Marine hotel and all barracks on base. Amen.

I also have volunteered at marketing on base. I am a free lance writer. This is a volunteer position that opens in August as a temporary position and then a real full-time job.
Very exciting!!! but what will Diesel think of it?

Today I completed my L.I.N.K.S. training. :) I got another certificate! If I wanted, I can now apply to be a volunteer/FRO assistant. Where will I find the time to get involved in all the things I now know are there.

Another thing, I will be applying for on base housing this week. It will be easier to get on the list sooner rather than later and now that I have a job, this may be a tricky thing to get done later. I hear PCS season is coming up and I am more likely to get something as apposed to waiting and things filling up due to the amount of people who may be PCS-ing here.
(PCS=Permanent Change of Station).

Today I was busy. I had interview #2, LINKS training, marketing drop-by and assignment given, commissary, tanning in this wind-gust weather (HAHA), play with the puppy, clean, and get ready for tacos tonight. It should be fun.

Tomorrow I get to sleep in. Clean. Research my assignment. Laundry potentially. Sigh. Good thing I am preoccupied this week. I miss Kyle.

Who is Murphy?

What a day! At 0430 the dogs woke me up. No one wanted to go back to sleep and I spent the morning in bed until 0645 yelling at Diesel to stop trying to play, Biscuit to stop going under the covers and digging, and Honey to stop growling!

Thankfully I went to bed around 2100 last night and slept hard and through the night. Apparently there was a storm that destroyed our lovely shed and someones roof. There were pieces all over the yard! The shed is kind of useless. lol. And the cooler cover flew off.

After quite the morning I get into the truck to drive to my LINKS class (which was awesome!) and the truck is acting funny. I get nervous and take my car. I leave the problem until later because I was running late.

The wind has not died down and it makes me feel like I am in Wyoming again. A little taste of home #2! By the way, there were two girls from Cheyenne, WY in my LINKS class today. I didn't know them but location wise-- small world.

After class, I sit here trying to make a huge decision from my job stand point. I am offered a great position but have a second interview for another one that could be equally beneficial. (SIGH) will decide later. Procrastination will calm my anxiety for now.

So Murphy's law has come and caught me and tackled me and pinned me down! I have conquered him though! Who does he think he is? Who is Murphy and what does he want with me? BAHAHA!

The roof is fine, the shed is what it is and will be fixed, the cooler cover has been tracked down, the dogs have worn themselves out, the porch light has been fixed, the job decision has been made (hopefully it is what God has planned), and the truck situation resolved.

Phew! Now that I am more calm, Tiffani and I will do dinner and a movie here tonight.

Tomorrow: interview, LINKS class, commissary, dinner at my house with Sniper wives.

Also, please pray for my Dad's health; help him get better. Grant him strength. Amen.

Just another manic monday

Another day of cleaning up dog hair! I vacuumed and had to empty the container 5 times!!! Then wiped this house down! we are sanitized, dusted, and cleaner. I threw a load of towels in the wash and will hang them hoping the weather stays decent.

Went to another interview this morning for a clerk at bachelor billeting. It is kind of like a hotel on base and they are in charge of all the barracks on base too. I think I will like this job if they call.

I will run with the puppies later and relax. Tonight I am determined to actually cook something for myself.

Tomorrow and Wednesday I have LINKS training from 8-1pm. Then I will have completed my training for volunteering. Then maybe I can actually have something to do with my days until I get a job. :)

Kyle is off doing Marine things and I miss him. We had a great weekend together! Relaxed (as Kyle was sick), ate, and basked in each other. There was laughter to tears during our car rides. I love him and am so grateful we have each other.

Maybe my ebay purchases will come this week! That would make nintendo an event to attend. I know Diesel, Honey, and Biscuit will. They are all friends. Diesel is having a puppy sleepover until wed. so this house is busy. It is funny how our guests actually don't know what to think of Diesel. They play with each other but not yet with the big dog. Diesel plays with them anyway and they growl a ton! Diesel doesn't care, he tries to play anyways.

I need a nap.

New rooms.

So I got us a dresser and rearranged the bedroom.. the video above is of the new room. The room was too big for a snapshot. Below is the picture of the guest room.

Today I walked the dog for kind of a long walk with Tiffani. Before the walk was the adventure. I bought the dresser and asked Tiffani to help me bring it in. While I waited for her to come over, I moved the yellow dresser in the guest room but putting it on a blanket and pulling the blanket. haha. then after reassembling it, Tiffani helped me hang a load of shirts I washed in the tornado of wind, bring in the dresser to find the dog ran out the gaping open gate across the street. I ALMOST LOST THE DOG!!!! AHHH!!! I panicked. Crazy day. All this occurred after a good lunch with Laura. :)

Food for thought: I think it is funny when I hang around all these other wives. We all talk about our husbands as if WE even know them. We never really see them let alone have our friends get to know them. So when the wife laughs about a funny thing her husband did, her friends kindly fake laugh pretending that they know the humor, know the man, or the situation. These husbands are foreign! Are they even real or do we all pretend they are because we are all trapped in 29 palms?? Really there is no such thing as a mail order bride, it is a mail order husband and all us wives wait here for them to come in the mail... or home from war. huh.

Where is bone?

Diesel burries the bone. He thinks no one can see him or the bone. He is funny! :)

Please hire me!

Today is the first day in awhile that I have written. Kyle was home this weekend so I didn't write and I slept all day Sunday and even more on Monday thanks to being sick. I was cold, sweaty, tired, muscles weak and aching, runny nose but too stuffed to blow, etc. I think I was up between 4-6 hours on Monday total. The dog was confused.

Tuesday: Nothing happened. I was resting all day, took a nap, cleaned a bit (which is absolutely necessary due to the dog losing his weight in fur everytime he touches anything), and went to dinner at the Gibson's. We ate yummy chili with rice I brought, scratch cornbread and weight watchers yummy fudge bars! :) The girls were out numbered by buscuit, honey, oscar, and diesel. They played awkwardly. Diesel or Oscar pooped on the toys and it was a smell we all thought was bad breath until Amy saw it. I took the blame for Diesel. He has NEVER pooped in the house but I took the blame knowing he was in a new home with new dogs... coulda been him. Never know.

TODAY!!! Was a great morning with a great interview. I hope they call me for phase two because they were so nice and they made me feel good about my background/experience and I really think I would be happy working there... for either of the positions they interviewed me for. :) Yay for job hunting today!
I walked the dog, cleaned the house finding half a dog in dog hair. I did a load of sheets and now I am reasting. I still have a cold and I am tired from not sleeping my 10 hours I have the last few days. lol.

Welp, I will talk to you soon!

Miss you, husband. (and family...)

Blueberry love

Today I went on a walk with Diesel which thankfully tired him out. Then I got ready to go to lunch. It was a sniper wife lunch: Katrina, Amy, and Me. We ate at the Wonder Garden Cafe. Good food; good company. :)

I then proceeded to the commissary, filled the truck with gas, and came home to find our previous beggars asking me questions. They wanted to know if our girl dog was a pit, how many rooms are in the house, and informed me there are male pits "still with balls" (the girls said) that wander the neighborhood so if my dog is in heat, I should keep her away so she doesn't get "knocked up." HAHA I kid you not. Then, hand-in-hand, the crack lesbians walked off. I think I said maybe two words to them and they still talked to me like I was interested. I feel bad, but STRANGER DANGER!!!! Ignoring them was my instinct.

I decided to fill the house with a yummy smell so I made Kyle blueberry muffins. They are so so good! I already had one. I only have one cupcake pan that has 6 things. I filled them and then had an additional really small pyrex dish. I put them in the oven. Smells of delicious blueberries filled the house followed by a burnt smell. Then smoke alarm noises blaring scaring the puppy bounces off the walls and ceiling of our home. Diesel runs outside, I wave a towel in front of the alarm and turn off the oven. I open all the doors and start a fan. I filled the pans with too much mix and blueberry gooey-ness is all over me, the hot pads, the oven and counter. I laugh because it is just my luck and don't want to cry. I know that they will still be OK, though. I clean up and put the remains back in the oven. Kyle will be proud because he won't know how I almost ruined everything. :)

Tonight for dinner we are having garlic chicken, green beans and baked potatoes. I hope the potatoes turn out. They are the left overs from mom's visit where they didn't cook.

Dear John plays at the drive-in. Maybe I can convince Kyle to take me tomorrow night after I get home from my readiness training.

Pooper scooper

Got a lot done today. I however, did not go to the store. I need to. Tomorrow morning it is my mission to go. I went to the post office and sent things all over the country from our small part of the nation. I walked with the dog, lost my phone on the walk, and walked again to find it. Did two loads of sheets and towels while vegging out on the couch.

Then tonight I experience what it is like to be in a book club. This club meets once every other month reading two books. I will report how it goes. I am told it has women from 20s-80s.

There isn't much to report. Just another beautiful day with the sun shining. Still no sprouts from my wanna-be garden but the yard is void of dog poop. Man have I picked up a lot today. My poop picking up jump started when we were walking and Diesel had to go so I started jogging towards what is now dubbed the poop station. Diesel in tow after releasing the toxic waste to find the poop station was bare. NO BAGGIES!!!! A quick jaunt to the ladies room I collected a substantial amount of paper towels (thank god they had some) and swiped up the poop in the field. I honestly would have left it if my guilt had not set in due to the abundance of people out and about and the fact that I would be mad if I stepped in someone else' dog poop. It was gross though.

Off to shower and get ready to meet women who read. hahaha.

Alligator Tears

Today was a busy day and I achieved a lot. Did NOT do my growing mound of laundry but I will conquer it tomorrow. Tiffani and I have a laundry date. I just hope that because we have to go sorta late in the day, it isn't too crowded. I had huge tears streaming down my face in anger and feeling of being overwhelmed today and we can give thanks to USAA. They suck. I have already vented about it and have moved on but; "BOO YOU WHORE USAA!" haha.

Tonight Tiffani invited me over for dinner and a movie. She cooked me corn (the absolutely best veggie in the world), baked potato (yummy!), and grilled chicken that turned out great! We ate until we were so bloated our meal could have found its way into our mouths if we burped. We feasted in front of the TV that showed the film titled I love you, Man. Funny!

We took a break from our eyes being burned by the TV to feast again on my yummy banana split and Tiff's blizzard thing. YAY for pretending I am not a fat girl on a fake diet devouring food that makes me more fat.

OH! the best part: Tiffani and I rearranged my living room. Skype me to see because I am too lazy to take a picture and post it. But... the couch is now long ways in the room with its back against the window, the rug is turned the same way as the couch and I added the corner chair. It opens the room, adds more seating, and creates "the spot." "The Spot" is the seat everyone wants because it is the prime seat to view the entire show! I mean, here you can view the TV, into the main bedroom, the hallway to the other rooms, the kitchen and out the window. "The spot" is where I currently have plopped my ass at 11:55 pm. I think the puppy likes it too! He seems to have already fake buried a toy in the chair.

Now to take a rapid shower and rinse off kitty and puppy grime and to bed. I will sleep in a bit tomorrow because Amy has rescheduled to Friday for our lunch so the soonest I have to venture out of the house is 2 pm for the vet. After the vet, i will do laundry. Maybe I will run with the dog again in the morning. I did today and it really jump started the day. :)

G'night!

More to add..

So since I last blogged there are a few things I wanted to add:

1. I HATE STANDING BY. Today I drove Kyle to work to see if he was able to drive the truck. He wasn't but we waited 2 whole hours to find that out! We drove there for me to sit in the truck. Too hot to keep the windows shut and AC off and too cold to have the bone chilling breeze blow through the open-windowed truck. After I drove home, I rested and went to work on my new garden. First I cleaned up the leaves and stuff, brok eup the hard dirt, added nutritious dirt, planted seeds, and watered. It felt like I actually accomplished something. I ran out of seeds so I have to go get more and I have decided if the flowers dont turn out, I would go to home depot in Yucca and but flowers and plant them.

2. Four MCCS job opening I am perfect for are open! :) pray and cross your fingers!

3. Federal tax refund came in!

4. our check books are balanced! bad that Applebees charged us twice: I am waiting for a manager call back.

5. Busy day tomorrow: I am still going to do laundry but also pay USbank credit card bill, and apply for those jobs. Walk the dog.

Good day bespite my best friend leaving...

PS: Thanks to all the family offering support. I don't need it today, but a rain check might happen. Love you!

Empty Nest

Today Kyle drove away in a 15 passenger van to do his duty in Pendleton. It is sad. There is once again just me and the puppy. He lays here continuing to mutilate the remains of his duck. There will be no more stuffing in it when he is through and there was only the neck left. This duck can no longer waddle because he has no feet; he is ripped open. Sad day, sad for the duck.

Tonight I will snuggle in and watch movies, eat ramen noodles, and partake in being lazy. Tomorrow I will do laundry and accomplish the mound of mail mom brought me.

Mom's visit was awesome by the way.

Lots of plans for the week and hopefully I will see Kyle this weekend. (Pray!)

Spring Cleaning

Today is President's Day and so I got to spend it with Kyle as he had the day off! :)

We woke up, ate cereal for breakfast, played with the dog and cleaned the house. We swept, moped, and wiped everything down with cleaner. We even took the time to clean every damn hole on the heating vent. It took about 7 wipes filled with nasty grimy dirt. I think I almost threw up thinking about it.

We gave the puppy a bath and we prepared for the arrival of my ma. We hung up all our decorations and vacuumed. It was a day.

We went to the dollar tree and got a few things including these smelly things. I think they smell awful and give me a head ache (don't tell Kyle) and he putt them all around the house. (Lucky me!) I will leave them there until I absolutely CANNOT stand it anymore but he is so proud of them. lol.

Off to bed. I have to get up and go get my mom! :)

Valentines Day

Today is the day were I reassure my husband i was the right one for him. lol. He actually had to work this morning from 7am to 1230pm. He came home with a rose and teddy bear. He had already gotten me some perfume. He is so good to me. I love him.

Today we will have steak, asparagus, and salad for dinner. :)

I love my husband.

This week my mom comes for a visit. I am really worried she will tell me I am not living in a nice house or a clean house so I will do everything to make her stay fun! She will be happy and she will have fun~ an order! Sadly dad can't make it so wherever we go we will take his picture so he is having fun too and he will like it!

Well off to bask in the honeymoon love I have!

Congratulations to all my SHHS cheers. 17 in the nation this weekend!

sinus

Thursdays are the days I look forward to the lawyer show I never know the name of and Greys anatomy!!!
Cleaned up some dog hair, walked the pup with Brody and Tiffani, and moped for the last 20 minutes about this sinus issue I have. It kinda feels like a bloody nose might burst out at any moment and my left eye might pop out. lol. I MUST SEE A DOCTOR. The only issue is that i dont know where to go for making an appointment. I dont know who to call... on the agenda for tomorrow though.
Kyle is has announced he will bring some buddies home for dinner. So we now have that to look forward to. I like his friends but man am i suddenly grumpy and not feeling good.
Kyle also said he either doesnt have to report until 12pm or he gets off at 12pm. He still has to find out. Either way. it is exciting. :)

Hopefully I will have more to report tomorrow.

loud sigh

To you abundance of followers, I have a lot to catch up on. I h ave done albsolutely nothing important. lol

Superbowl Sunday can be summed up in three words. In and Out! After sleeping in, we (as a family) ventured down the hill to feast on in and out. Boy was it worth it! We watched the superbowl and went to bed fairly early.

Monday was followed by nothingness. Walked the dog, watch the tv and did little things that dont really count. I say that mostly becasue I cannot remember what I did on Monday. Must have not been important.

Tuesday I did laundry at the laundromat, ate, watched tv, and half-ass cleaned. Well Kyle was initially going to not be able to come home last night but fortunately he got to come home from about 6pm to 2am. He was in bed by 7pm. We had pizza last night and the night before for dinner. We are branching out tonight from the greasy, springy bread to beef, onions, mushrooms, and yellow and green peppers slapped together on a little pointy stick. Then sea salt shaken over it and cooked over a sizzaling fire on the grill.

Today it rained a bit and around 11am, the pup and I went for a play date with Brody and Tiffani. The dogs rolled in the mud, chewed on each other's ears, and chased bunnies and birds that all got away.

I then, mastered the bathing of said dog. I didnt wash his face and he stood there while I molested his parts with delightfully smelling soap. He was a good dog.

Now, we wait for Kyle to come home so we can soon devour our new meal.

I believe in Him!

Today is saturday. The day we wish everyday is! Fridays require you to work all day before you can play. Sundays are full of longing for it to last becasue the next day means the weekend os over. We are saved on Saturdays.

Today we recovered from our party last night. I guess we are such good hosts that everyone had a ton of fun. I think this becasue Marines wandered in and out until about 12 or 1. We woke up and ate cereal and let me tell you how refreshing cinnamon Life tastes when hung over. After a nap, we woke up and ate brats roasted on our new grill. They were delicious of a moist bun and topped with plain yellow mustard! We ate junk until our bellies were bloated and our pants were unbuttoned.

Once everone left, our little family cuddled on our bed snuggled warm under the covers. NCIS reruns occupied Mr. Brown while the pup and I nestled into another nap. It is funny about NCIS that no matter how many times you have seen each episode, you are still on your toes awaiting to see who killed who. The thrill of the investigation never gets old.

After the nap kyle and set off to the Alamo laudrymat to accomplish our only task of the day. We completed a load of civilian whites, civilian darks, Marine darks and sheets. How convenient it is to be able to do as many loads as you want at once and finish them all in the time of one!

After that, we went and saw the revelation of the Book of Eli. It reaffirms my faith in God. I believe that He protects us and is always with us. His word is worth protecting. The kindness of our actions are selfless and that is what the Bible teaches us. By acting the way the Lord asks us to, we are then protecting His word. I really do believe in Him. It was a good movie. :)

Well, playing with the puppy is getting rowdy and I think i should step off my soap box to be with my family.

Goodnight.

New do!

$40 with tip later, I have a new haricut! :) it is layered and styled by the stylist...

Today, besides the haircut, I have cleaned the house. Unpacked literally every box we brought here. Before, we had three boxes of stuff I didn't upack not knowing where to put them. Now that this bbq is going to happen, I have unpacked and found places for these things. I have tidied up the office and made it so people can walk in the room. The trash and the Marine things are put in a place.

Still not the tidy I want the house but with limited storage, it feels nice to have everything somewhere.

Sigh, waiting for the men tog et here to cook me steak and get this bash going. I just hope nothing gets broken and the house doesn't get trashed. I pray that no one gets so drunk they need to be in the sole bathroom vomitting.

here we go!

updates

As my husband so graciously offers our messy home to the public, we are preparing to host about 30 men (and hopefully A few wives) for a Friday evening bbq. One problem, no grill. Solutions: 1. buy a big one, 2. rent one, 3. buy a small "camping" one or 4. have someone bring one.

After long discussion, Kyle has convinced me we absolutely need one of our own for this bash and future grilling. Thus, I have spend the majority of the day with Tiffani with all the classy and clean fellers at Walmart selecting the best grill for us.

It took about ten minutes to decide that the grill we got was cheaper than sears, home depot, and the home store on base. It was bigger too! :) After the coordinated walmart employees wedged the grill from display into my vehicle, we trudged back to 29 palms. There I unloaded the grill by myself. It was so easy and so light. It makes me laugh that tweedle dee and tweedle dum struggled.


Now I rest peacefully on the coach at home next to Tiffani as she does homework and I work on building my resume. The puppies play aggressively in the backyard; or they did, they play sluggishly now. Don't they just wanna lay down?

I have decided to also change my hair.. or trim it with layers. I have moved today's appointment to tomorrow at 9am. I will post pictures.

Medusa inspires!

Today is wednesday... hump day. This is the day where you start counting on the weekend to still come in a few days. The weeks drags through wednesdays. For me, it is another day of my rut.

I went the this lady, Joanne, today. She is the lady who helps spouses find a job. They really give you the tools to find a job. They just help you find open positions and you do the work. She has introduced me to a functional resume that I will now create and minor errors in my chronological resume.

This woman was the most kind and energetic character! She was dressed like Medusa on the rescuers movie-- make up and all.

She is fun though and she has the perfect enthusiasm to motivate people to get out there and showcase what they got for a job. :)

Later I will once again be drug around the park by the dog that is as stong as a bull and clean.

...I need a job!

Shaken afternoon.

This was a sluggish morning. Last night I was all alone for the first time in our marraige. Kyle was in the field for the night and so that left me with the pup. We slept with lights on in the living room and the TV on in the bedroom. Every crick and squeak announced its presence loudly. Sitting up straight in a paranoid fright got old after awhile. I didnt get to sleep until after 2am. That is late compared to our usual old man and lady routine of bed around 9pm.
The pup went to the vet today. All is still well with his ear and we got the first of two parvo shots.

Tiffani and I walked the puppies today. Again, more fun! I am just so tired today. I think we overslept with our late night adventure. I didnt sleep well either. :(

Kyle came home about the same time I did. He scared me because he told me he wasnt able to come home yet and so when I saw a trange person crouched behind the back door, I almost peed. Then I cried becasue it scared me. :( Meanwhile the puppy plays in the front yard, not knowing we almost had an intruder. I was a little shaky for about 10 minutes before I calmed down.

Off to cook dinner and talk with my hubby about his past few days. I am making alfredo with chicken and broccoli with crossants.

Later.

Test Day continued

Hey. So an introduction is imperative for you to fully understand my blogs.

My name is Mary Jo; Jo; MJ; Jo Jo... anything but just Mary. It is just not me. I am recently married as of December 28, 2009, therefore I went from an elegant and classy Barcheski to the spunky but respectful classy of Brown. Kyle and I had two days to become a family and race to the small world of Twentynine Palms, CA. It is the small town located deep within the hills and valleys wound in between all the dust and dirt in Southern California.

Here, we have established ourselves in our humble abode. Behind the Papa John's we have snuggled into our American Eagle and target ways to find... the Commissary and the PX. The world is being overrun by Walmarts and Starbucks and yet we are here, in the non-civilized armpit of the country, where even the cliche Wendy's, Chipotle, and our beloved Home Depots are repelled.

The Browns are happy and healthy (as far as we know and pray) with a playful puppy, Diesel. I am content with my new routine of digging holes, napping while Mom watches TV, playing with Bear, Ball, and Rope; all so named for what they are. The sound of the sneakers being tied and leash being removed from the hook (that was strategically placed next to the door by the home's previous owner) pour excitement into my little heart each day! I love Ball and my mommy and daddy. Around the same time Friends comes on TV, mom makes me dinner and then we snuggle on the couch. Dad comes home shortly after and we play. I love Ball. Bed time comes promptly after I poop and when it is a weekend, I am spoiled and steal the bed and covers when I don't have to stay in my kennel. Ahhh, the life.

As Kyle traines to be the best Marine he can be, he tends to his work on average of 6am to 5pm.

To get to the point, this blog will act as several holes in my life. I want to eventually write a book but maybe writing a blog will get the juices flowing or run the river dry on that dream; keep me persistent in keeping my tension down by venting my thoughts, angers, fears and joys; continue to develop my writing skills; and finally, something to do. I want people of my family to stay updated with my life and for others to know what it is like to be a Military wife. Maybe to get a little insight of what it is like to start a new lifestyle and experience the challenges of finding a job and get networking in the military circuit.

Enjoy! Goodnight.

2/1/10

Test Day

Today I started a blog with my NEW FRIEND!!!! Tiffani. she rocks. We are sitting here watching movies and a note of inspiration has come upon me (Julie/Julia as the catalyst) to start blogging about my adventure of a newlywed, a puppy owner, a Marine wife, and the daily activies as such.

Biggest activities of the day:
-paid rent
-walked the dog with Tiffani. She is dog sitting this lab named Brody (like in the hills, so cliche but cute :)) and the puppies played while we talked. It was so fun.
-Then Tiffani came over and we watch "This is it!" The Michael Jackson movie and Julie/Julia movie. We ate pizza, ice cream and chit-chatted. It is refreshing to be with someone who is like my friends back home. I miss home.

Tonight is fun. Will write more tomorrow. I promise it will be enlightening.

2/1/10