Time doesn't fly... it travels at mach 3.

Hello everyone... I've been gone. I know... forever. I'm sure all two of you are very disappointed. Anyway... The past month has been more than hectic. Where shall I begin my story? I'll start with Dec. 19... the last night I spent at home, comfortable.

Matthew and I left home Dec. 20 for Austin. We stayed at my friend's house... for this sake, we'll call her "E". We left our loving puppy, Zora, in her stead. The next morning we got on a plane and headed for Maryland. The weather was mild, and the company was good. We stayed mostly with K, Matt's mommy. Christmas was pleasant, and the gifts were generous. (Matt gave me an iPod Nano 8G... woo hoo). Jessica made a wonderful dinner of Cornish game hens, sweet potatoes (as well as regular potatoes), bread, green beans, and caramel pie. I don't have any pictures of this yet... I forgot my camera. Curses.

Matt got a gift card for Nike+ shoes, and the kit. For those of you unfamiliar with Nike+... Here's a quick breakdown.
You need: Nike+ shoes, Nike+ iPod kit, and an iPod nano.
How it works: A microchip transmitter goes underneath the sole of your Nike+ shoe (it's got a special cut out for it), and the receiver goes into the bottom of your iPod nano... this tracks your running or walking pace, distance, and time. At the end of your workout you can load your info up to nikeplus.com, and basically keep a running log without really having to do anything except run. It's pretty cool. I've got the same set up.

Hopefully, this will improve my running speed, and efficiency.

Well... while we were in Maryland, we decided to visit the capitol, Annapolis (you know the movie with the extra hottie)... anyway, we went to the capitol building:

MattHere's the back of the Capitol.I'm there.... look closer.... no, closer!
And here's their pretty Christmas Tree.And, we spent some time overlooking the Chesapeake Bay:
Matt again
And me.Then, we visited the Naval Academy... it was pretty cool. Here are a few pictures:
A giant anchor.
A sunset over a football field (one of many).
Me on the campus.

So, that brings us up to Dec. 29... We are headed for Minnesota now!

First, our original flight out of Baltimore was canceled... and we rerouted. We had only 50 minutes to make the 30 minute drive to the airport, and deal with a rude counter person, get through security, and to our plane. Luckily, we made it just in time. We flew on one of those planes that only has two seats on one side, and one on the other... the whole way to Minneapolis. Scary. It was cool though. We made it okay.

We stayed in Minneapolis that night, and headed for Hastings, MN, for the annual McGraw Holiday Party. The theme was "Red, White, and Blue" in honor of several of Matt's uncles serving in the Armed Forces, and Matt's return home to the states. Here are a few pictures from that (Matt has a huge family... his Dad is one of 12).

Uncle Greg and Matthew.
Uncle Mick and me, and Uncle Marc in the back.
Cousin Danny, Uncle Mick, Aunt Marj, and Emily (Danny's to-be bride).
Many of the aunts.
I look drunk... but I'm really not.
Conga line with some aunts and second cousins.
Some uncles and one cousinn.
So, I was drinking a little.
Aunt Katy and Matthew.

So, that's all the pictures I have of that. The next day we drove down to Mankato, MN. It was snowing like crazy. That night Mankato got 10 inches of snow. It was crazy! Here are a few pictures from the drive:

We spent one day sledding, and many other days relaxing. One day I was really sick, and didn't leave the house... or bed for that matter. But, all in all it was fun. Here are some pictures:

My borrowed snow get-up.

Being silly.

Being sillier.

Being silliest.

Pretty half-frozen pond.

Hey, the clothes aren't all mine, alright?

Here I go...

There I went... eating snow.

Matt, face first... brave.

Some of my camera work.

More.

Me and Matthew with a frozen lake behind us.Here are some more pictures from family gatherings.
Me and Blake. He loved me. Matt was jealous. I was planning on keeping track of how many times someone asked, "Are you pregnant?" or "When are you two having kids?"

Us and Grandpa, the icon of the family.
Uncle Steve, Matt, and Grandpa.
Blake.

After this... we headed home... where our luck began. We arrived home to an anxious dog, and a flat tire. We spent two hours waiting for our flat to be fixed; we had a nail in the tire. We then, drove to the kennel to drop off our doggie... poor baby, and then made the rest of the way home to our house. We spent one night at home, and drove to El Paso to see my mom, grandparents, and my sister and her family. This would be great... if I hadn't broke a tooth.

Then, the day after we got here, we were rear-ended. The bumper is smashed, and muffler beyond repair. We never saw the guy who hit us... it was rush hour traffic, and he/she/it rushed away. So, Matt made his way home this past Saturday (sort of... it took him 12 hours), and I'm still in El Paso, waiting for our car to be repaired so I can drive home... alone.

Now, with my tooth... apparently... it was already weak, and needed a root canal, which I got yesterday. I'm just stuck here. I'm drying out because it's so darn dry here.

But, that's the end... Anyway, I'll catch up on your blogs just as soon as I can.

Have a lovely week!

La la la la la la lovely

As I'm picking up husband (I like that... I think I'll keep calling him that) from work one day last week, and we are casually talking about how many of the other Soldier's sit around counting the ways their wives can be bothersome, he says...

"I've got it made." This surprises me. So, naturally, I ask, "What do you mean?"

"Well, honey, you can mow the lawn, and keep a household together, including the 'male responsibilities', and you don't pester me about a 'honey do' list."

I thought to myself, "Me too."

Later, at a fabulous dinner of orange roughy, zucchini, and brown rice, husband says it again...

"I mean it honey... you pack for me, make me dinner and lunch, and I never run out of clean underwear. It's great."

So, I speak up.

"You know... I've got it made also. I love that we both know that."

Life these days requires all women, married or not, to be as independent as possible. This includes being able to mow the lawn, put gas in the car, clean up dog poop, and yes, kill a bug or two (I'm still working on the last)... all the while we've got to keep up with the so called "female duties" of cooking and cleaning. The military lifestyle requires an extra amount of individualism from its spouses. Yes, I'm married to the military. Even though I can keep it cool, and calm... and may appear indifferent... maybe I don't need husband, but God do I want him.

our new furniture

Ahhh... domestication. Odd is the moment when a girl realizes she'd rather get a good set of serving dishes rather than a new iPod for Christmas... it's similar to going from the juniors department to misses... yes, cha cha cha changes!
Here is our new table.... yay!!!
And here is our new bedroom furniture... yay!

We also bought a new mattress set... can't wait until all that stuff gets here. I think I'm going to sleep 100% better on a new mattress. Woo hoo!

Have a nice day.

Hola

Hello all! I know, I know... there are few that read my blog... and it doesn't help when I just disappear!

Well, there hasn't been a ton going on; just a lot of married couple relaxation.

First, we were supposed to be in El Paso for Thanksgiving, but that fell through. Thanks to an unnamed person, Soldier's that just returned home were unable to leave a 150 mile raidus restriction. Silly... I know. But, it was what it was... so, we were bummed about not seeing my mama. So, instead we went to my sister's house in Austin. That was fun. They have a little niece staying with them for a while. She's so adorable, and completely in love with my husband. See...

Anyway, so after that we just chilled out. My mom decided to make a last minute trip here. She was here over the weekend. We had a good time. We went furniture shopping. Matt and I bought a new dinning room table set, and a matress set yesterday! I can't wait to get it. I can't believe we have to wait 2 weeks. POO. We are hoping to find a bedroom set we like this week. I will have a lot of furniture moving to do before all of that arrives. I can't wait to rest my head on our new matress... I hate the one we have. I never sleep well.

Anyway, I wish I had something interesting to add... but I don't. But, I haven't forgotten about you all!!!!!! I'll write more soon.

Pictures...

As life returns to normal... and the temperatures drop (hopefully... soon), I'm excited for the coming months of vacation. We'll go from cool to cold to freezing in a matter of 18 days. Anyway, here is a few pictures of when husband came home.
They came in the door that all the purple heart vets are facing. The lights went out though, and the "DJ" blew smoke from his little smoke generator thing... so, pictures were pointless.

This is Lois, our Lieutenant Colonel's wife, and our welcome home banner for 1st Brigade.

And, of course, us... I look a little crazy, crazy in LOVE!!

Thanks for all the "welcome home" messages from you guys. It's amazing to me that people I don't even know have interest in my life. Thanks so much.
Have a nice day! We are off to watch football at our local sports pub... and that is how you know life is back to normal!

recollection

Ahh yes, I remember this...
I remember the feel of his steaming breath on my neck at night. I remember how incompatible we are with our sleeping arrangements. I remember how he scoots closer and closer to me at night with his head on my chest, and I inch closer to the edge of the bed.
I remember.
I remember how it used to feel like a three ton elephant shared the bed. When he breathed in, I'd prepare myself for a "morning breath" of humid air on my chest... like Chinese water torture. I remember how eventually, I would wiggle him onto his back so that I could get some rest.
He remembers too. See... this is nonnegotiable in his book. He needs to be next to (on top of) me at night, and I need my space.
So, as I drift to sleep, I stroke his hair in remembrance of this pesky little thing called love.
I kiss his forehead,
and,
I
give
in.

pictures! don't get excited... it's just my yard.

Well, my house is clean, the yard is clean and decorated, Zora got a bath, the cat box got cleaned, the fridge is stocked, the sheets are washed, the lawn is mowed, the car is vacummed and full of gas... is there anything else? Oh yea, I better get in the shower and start the grooming ritual!! For by this time tomorrow, my hubby and I will be watching the sun set on our year apart... Our lives becomes "Our Life."

Here are a few pictures of what Matt will see when he gets home. I'll take some of the welcome home ceremony, and post them when I come up for air. ;)

Here's what Matt will see when we round the block towards our house... see Zora in the yard... she will have a t-shirt on. I'll post pics of that another time.


Here's what he will see when we turn the corner...


and what's in his face when we enter the driveway...


Here is what our Service Star Flag looked like on the day I put it up...


and one year later when I will take it down...


Well, that's all I've got for now. Stay tuned!

Tagged by Trish

And for my short break of busy busy today... here is a lot of the same, some of the new... ENJOY! i'm off to do cup art... which will later be blogged. Stay tuned.

1. What is your current age - 26

2. When is your birthday - October 13

3. Nationality - melting pot American

4. Do you have any pets - 2- Tigalilly- kitty 5 years; Zora- puppy almost 2 years

5. Sexuality - straight? is that what this is asking?

6. What colour is your hair- dark brown with a hint of red

7. What colour are your eyes- brown... Matt calls them "pretty doe eyes". I think that means I look like a dear.

8. What ethnicity are you - Irish and German with a hint of Mexican

9. Favourite music - country mostly

10. Favourite films - ummm... Amerie is my favorite of all time, thus far.

11. Dating Status - happily married, and soon to be happily together!

12. Favourite book - I'm a big fan of VC Andrews (or at least I used to be) and Chronicles of Narnia

13. Favourite tv show -Smallville, Heroes, New Adventures of Old Christine, Grey's Anatomy, Without a Trace

14. Dream man - Matty

15. Dream woman - ummm... me

16. Can you speak any other languages - sign language, and some spanish

17.I was tagged by Trish. I am tagging fancythis, and twinki.

Priceless Picture

I received the official call that Matthew is on a plane bound for me!
A Picture Worth 1000 Million Words.
We truly take a lot for granted. Forget the football "heroes" and movie "stars". Pass this on so that all may know the price of freedom.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
One died for your soul;
the other for your freedom.

How can you NOT PASS this along, we all send dozens of jokes.

obviously

Google:

insomnia kills

I pop up... yes, and it's 1:42am.

Naturally.

waiting to hear the best words, and waiting to breathe

I had a dream... I had a dream about my wonderful husband... It was lovely. I won't go into the details; you don't want to imagine them. I woke, and I swear, just as the sky is blue, I heard Matthew say, "Hey Hon?"

Two words that didn't carry very much weight.

"Hey Hon?" As if he were looking for his brown socks, phone charger, or shoe polish.

Words that have more of a hidden meaning than "I love you." Words that let you know... all is normal, or, as it should be, at least.

"Hey Hon..." as he begins a sentence that ends with his adoration of my "pretty little doe eyes."

Oh how I've missed the every day of love life... the every day ordinary...

"Hey Hon... do I have any clean shorts?"

When he says "hey hon," I can feel, with the breath he takes before speaking, how much he loves me. And, I am thankful.

"Hey Hon..." And we've picked up... like we never "left off".

"Hey Hon? Want some popcorn?" "...let me get you some coffee." "...what's my mom's telephone number?" "...does the car have gas?" "...want to go to a movie?" "...I love you."

Two words that didn't used to carry much weight... words I'd pay to hear.

"Hey Honey... I'm home."

EDIT:

I am so close... I am so close to all of the previous joys I have missed dearly. I am so close that sometimes, I almost breathe deep, and sigh out my worries. Then, I go to Today In Iraq, a frequent read, and the fear comes, and the tears come. The tears come because, I don't know where he is...? I have no idea... he could be in Baghdad, Ballad, Kuwait, or... he could be flying over the ocean, sleeping soundly and safely... on his way home. But, I can't lose sight... I can't lose sight of what is truly at stake... I must not... I waste not.

What I feel right now... is the worst feeling. It's as if my veins might explode... this feeling comes within a singular moment. Sometimes it happens everyday... sometimes it's only every three days... sometimes it's on the hour... it's completely fucking random. It's that moment when a person imagines the worst. And, I can't stop it. Only seeing his signature "I'm in uniform" walk off that bus and into my arms... will quiet the beast that beats just beneath my skin, and behind my eyes, enveloping my heart.

I am an American.

If you can read this, thank your teacher.If you can read this in English and speak freely about it, thank a veteran!!!! Today, Please remember those who have made the sacrifice for you.

A Million Tears

When the beast that is insomnia beats me to a pulp of barely recognizable matted hair, I find myself sifting through the Internet. Into the wee hours of the night my eyes, open or closed, inhale enormous amounts of information. On occasion, I come across content that doesn't resemble poo.

But that is not the point... as I do this, I set Windows Media Player to random. It's actually a great thing because I have something short of 4,000 music files on my computer, and only a 1GB memory card for my MP3 player... so, it's quite logical to say I don't hear most of this music often. So, I'm reminded of oldies... not really old music, but music that doesn't fit into my workouts, so it's not on my player. I came across this song...

I remember how I cried to it when hubby first left for Iraq. Her different style and voice are both interesting and different... refreshing even. I don't like her "Pretty Enough", but there are many of her songs I enjoy...

Without further delay... I wait to sleep.

A Million Tears- Kasey Chambers

take my hand
break my stride
make me smile
for every time I've cried

hold my heart
in the palm of your hand
don't listen to it breakin'
just listen to the band

do you wanna ride in my car
it's parked out on the street
or just stay with me a while
before I fall asleep

take these tears
wash your skin
I'm havin' trouble breathin'
since you walked in

my hands are tied
my head is reelin'
my eyes have cried
a million tears
from wishin' you were here

all my life
I've welcomed pain
I've made up more excuses
to bring it back again

now I'm here
and I'll drink to the shame
I'll drink to the madness
that made me this way

my hands are tied
my head is reelin'
my eyes have cried
a million tears
from wishin' you were here

take these tears
wash your skin
I'm havin' trouble breathin'
since you walked in...

"We preserve democracy; we don't practice it."

I just caught a welcome home ceremony on TV from Fort Carson. It's nice to see what I'm in for, and also, it's a sad wake up call. All the news can talk about is how 4ID Soldier's have been told to be ready to return to Iraq next Fall. I've tried so hard not to focus on this fact...

The Army... We are not part of regular society... we can vote... but have little say in what happens with our life. I'm so scared, and a bit excited, to see what changes will be made in the Secretary of Defense sector, as well as Congress.

Will they be beneficial? Or, detrimental. I don't know. We'll see...we will see. At the end of the broadcast, the reporter quotes an old saying, "We preserve democracy; we don't practice it."

Sad, but true.

I just want him home.

11million bottles of ACETAMINOPHEN recalled

A recall of a common pain reliver, acetaminophen, has been enacted by the distributors Perrigo. I have a bottle of "Equate, pain reliever", from them... Although my bottle is not listed under the batch numbers being recalled, Walmart is listed as one of the distributors affected. You might want to check out this story.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DRUG_WARNING?SITE=7219&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-11-09-09-21-14