Alabama

Ok, it has been far far too long since I have written anything... as the last year has seemed to be. However, life SHOULD slow down a bit now that we have moved. : )

I still find it humorous that we live in Alabama, and these folk are pretty much what you would think would be Alabamians...  however, we have run across some very kind and nice people, so, so far, so good. I do miss the west coast, and am a bit saddened that we did not head back that way, but that the Army for you, and sometimes you find the best things where you least expect it, or expect to be.

Currently I am enjoying having a week and a half off between job transfers. I did have to leave Florida in a bit of a rush because of winter storm Leon. By the time I got to our home :) I had a good quarter of an inch of ice all over the car, mirrors, antenna, etc. So its a good thing I left when I did. (I really wanted to get my hair done, but that would have resulted in another 4 hour delay leaving, and truly would have been a terrible idea) There was ice and snow everywhere. The snow wasn't bad, 2 inches really, but the ice is what was causing the issues. It was warm, and then dropping freezing rain, and then coating the roads, and dumb dumbs think they are good drivers and have no idea what black ice is and got in all sorts of messes. Everything from Verizon to McDonald's was closed. A cool welcoming to Alabama. Btw - that is very abnormal weather for here. It even snowed in Niceville Fl and Fort Walton, they closed down most of the roads down there too, in part because so much of that area is connected with bridges, and in part because it was all just frozen over and no one in Florida can drive in that.

What else is going on in life,

Well, life. I am excited about having a house to do what we like with, its still a little surreal, I still feel like I should be renting, and I am sure it won't hit home until there is some kind of repair work to be done... hopefully not for a long while. I will say it is wonderful having a dishwasher we bought, that works... and works well (if you ever have the option of a dishwasher that does a 1/2 load, yes, a 1/2 load, buy it... best thing ever) and a washer and dryer that actually clean clothes, and dry them in like 40 minutes (who knew that was possible!) without lint everywhere.... make me relaxed and comfortable, and a bit spoiled. We are still unpacking, and realizing we down sized a lot when we moved to Florida and that this house is big, even though it looks like the smallest house in the neighborhood (it possible is the smallest floor plan). That is fine, there is a bit of a desire for giant houses here, which I do not understand, but maybe that the 'hippie' in me, but its just common sense.

They still don't separate recycling at the curb, and that bothers me but there isn't much I can do about it, it just stuns me that there are places that have a giant recycling can and a tiny trash can, and then places that don't separate it at all.

They sell crickets at the gas station up the road... I had to ask Kristopher what they where about, I honestly could not figure it out... fishing... duh, fishing.

Sweet Tea is to Alabama what Coffee is to Oregon. No worries, I will never let go of my coffee, but sweet tea is not so bad either.

I have a whole room do to crafts in in this house, and I have no idea what to do with it yet.... but I do need to work on new items for the Etsy shop. I also did buy the digital studio program for Stampin' Up, and can't decide what I want to do with it Gnome Notes wise... mostly because of printing/selling restrictions for copyright/legality reasons.

We bought a grown up bedroom set that arrives next week, it feels so, grown up... I don't know how I feel about it, but I do love the set.

We also bought a new mattress, since Kristopher was spending about 30% of the time sleeping it in (thats probably very gracious estimate) and the rest of the time sleeping on the floor next to it, we didn't move the mattress we had. We tried out beds down in Destin, and ordered a Temra-pedic, which should help him sleep, and both of us age/avoid/remedy back issues... I am 5 days in and it is weird, and I currently am not a fan. The lady said give it 30 days (we get 100 to exchange it out, no extra cost, no questions asked) but it is weird, and all the reviews to say to walk around on the bed to break it in, so jump on it, well its not a bouncy bed, so this proves difficult. We have thought about trying to borrow the neighbor's kids and have them come jump on it.... probably not the best way to meet some of the neighbors. Some nights I sleep great, others, I wake up feeling refreshed at 3:30 am and then go back to bed at 5 and sleep another 4 hours... I guess its a good thing I do not start work until Friday.

I am reading again, and at a wonderful pace too. Kristopher is a bit jealous and wants me to slow down (mainly because he started the series, and I am going to pace him soon and know the rest of the story before him : ) )

Any recommendations of books would be graciously welcome.

I am most likely going to finish Divergent today and barrel though the series before I start work (thats the plan anyways) and then I will need recommendations lined up to start.

We have a big ole back yard and front yard I can hardly wait to start landscaping and making beautiful with a fire pit and raised garden beds (one project at a time, I know)

I finished my Accounting class in the midst of the move and am hoping there is a bit more time to digest Finance (my next course) since there is not a 2 week holiday break in the midst of the 10 week course (accounting pretty much was an 8 week course, but is normally a full 10).

Ok, thats the quick catch up. I really hope that I have more time to write, since we are settling in, and Ill have an office/craft space to stay set up and be able to go and type away, and create away, and a whole house with great spaces to read away.

Now just to find spaces to 'work out away'

a long end of the year

ok, so I am a bit late in the whole, wrap up the year bandwagon; and even the new years resolution bandwagon.... I don't care, I have done a lot of thinking the past few weeks, and since my last post, much has happened. What all you ask... I am so glad you asked....

1. I got the subaru back, with a grueling price tag, we have two function cars again.
This event taught my marriage:
- that things are not deal breakers.
-We can both be really really mad at one another
-We learned in the midst of feeling like nothing worse could happen, that at least it the grass is greener on our side, it is not our health, it is something that cost money, but we are both still in tact, still healthy, and, well still mad.... but at least healthy, and fixable with money.
- we needed to rely on each other, we needed to spend time together, and in the midst of a crappy situation, we got this, more time together.

2. My mother in law came for Christmas, originally for 2 weeks, and then a total of 3 weeks.

3. I missed my family a ton for the holidays

4. I resent my job a bit for the demands it requires around the same time of the year I miss my family most.

5. I do love my work family.

6. We will be moving to Fort Mitchell, AL

7. We are in the process of buying a house (I still find it funny that our first home is going to be in Alabama, not at all what I pictured)

8. Kristopher and I recognize that its not a bad thing to need and to continue to work on our marriage

9. We are buying a house.....

10. Did I mention we are buying a house.

Ok, so on to new years resolutions:

Looking back, I did well, better than I expected.
    1. I started my card making business on etsy
    2. I started grad school.
    3. I am still working towards the next step with Verizon, which with an impeding move, has been echoed through my manager, and my resume. If 2014 does not see this happen, than there will be change in 2015 I am sure of.
    4. I did not get back into running, a race did get scheduled for jan, and then canceled due to the army moving us the two weeks after it was too take place (it should have been this last weekend. - I am needing to find something that motivates me, that makes me excited to work out and finally tackle in more depth the nutritional aspect of health (not that I don't care and don't know about healthy foods, just the nutritional aspect of it would be good to learn more about).
    5. debt to income ratio did get much better, and then the motor happened, and now we are moving. But I will say that I think I am doing better at not using the credit card as a crutch and going spur of the moment shopping out of being bored, etc.

this year I hope to achieve the following:

 - Read more books
 - Read the Bible
 - Work on building Kristopher and I's relationship up more
 - work on Acts of Service
 - Pray about whats gods intentions are for me through work, my time, and skills
 - Find good married couples in Fort Mitchell/Columbus to support Kristopher and I's marriage and to build friendships with
 - Find a healthy physical activity that will center me and raise my spirits and confidence in my abilities
 - Learn to paint in different mediums
 - learn to cake decorate finally (take a darn wilton class possibly)

And with that I will continue to work on my masters and try and further my etsy shop to incorporate other holidays (still have just christmas stuff up). For now, I will be packing, and moving and stressing about work being able to timely transfer me to a new location, and then, setting up house, in OUR house.. which is a little unbelievable (thats what grown ups do, isn't it?!?) and wonderfully exciting at the same time.

Trying not to complain

So in an effort to not go on a rant about people being self centered, narcissistic, wasteful Americans... I will instead tell you what I am thankful for... because that is much better for reflecting back in a few years, when in reality I will forget the things that are bothering me today, and instead be happy about what good was happening around me, despite the bad, or terrible things.

1. Thankful for wonderful honest co-workers that save me from driving all the way home and back to work again for my work shirt and pants that I forgot to grab on my way out the door.

2. Thoughtfulness of a starbucks card to bring a small cup of smiles and relaxation to my day when I forgot my wallet as well. And other coworkers willing to help me too if I need it.

3. A husband that is getting closer to God, and in turn finding peace in the uncontrolable's in life, and that there is a plan, we just do not know it yet, and to just trust that everything happens for a reason and how its suppose to, even when it may seem like the world is against us.

4. A wonderful assistant manager at the Toyota dealership, that despite the stress, frustration, and demands we had, tried everything to make it better... even though it was not his fault at all... even trying to pay for the service himself, and then trying to give me twenty dollars because I had already paid. There needs to be more people like that in this world.

5. A safe warm home to live in.

6. Kristopher's ability to pass his tests, and hopefully to get through the final few more that there are, especially the one right after Thanksgiving.

7. My father, who has been calling and helping Kristopher with some questions and troubles with work, giving him good fatherly advice, without me asking to... I am not sure if he understands the magnitude that these small actions have... but Kristopher misses his father more than he talks about, and having my dad be there for him as well, means a lot.

8. The pastor at our church, for his kind and encouraging words to both Kristopher and I this week, as life has handed us stress after stress, after stress.

9. A manager that is able to help me see the good that I am doing for myself and the store, even in the midst of lacking heavily in new lines... although I am still incredibly frustrated and worried about it.

10. The launch of my Etsy shop has gone well, although not in the original way I had intended, but has resulted in 6 orders from people I do not know in the first week of being open. There is much work to be done and adjustments to be made, but it is a start.

11. Grad School, without it, right now I would feel as if I was a complete failure and moron. I know this sounds harsh, but thats about the only thread of complete success that is happening right now. Class two is complete as soon as I finish the last 200 words of a paper and get an A in the course, and then its on to accounting.

12. Whip Cream - it makes any coffee or hot cocoa better, and the calories are totally worthe it.

13. The beautiful bayou's I get to drive over on the way to work each day - they remind me of the vast differences of beauty on this earth. Although it is so much different then the beauty of Redwood trees, the central coast of California, or the mountains and waterfalls all over Oregon... its beautiful.

New happenings

That moment where something comes to you. And you fee like you can finally run with a goal you have had for the year, it happened. I published that list sometime earlier this year, of things I wanted to accomplish, I haven't looked back at it recently, but I know that getting an etsy shop up and running was one of them.

Well ladies and gents, we have a name, a name that fits me, a name that isn't already taken on etsy, and a name that should be catchy and simple enough to work. For some reason, this was my hold up, I started the process of setting up shop moths ago, but never finished. Part motivation from having two friends bestow their trust in me to make their Christmas cards for they this year and me wanting to utilize it to spread the thing I'd love to do more of... I'd like to have a stamp on them leading anyone that gets one to a place that they could order more.  Part of the motivation is that it was a goal and, well we are in the forth quarter, and I'm pretty sure this goal carried over from last year... So it's in mega overtime.

I'm to going to reveal the shop just yet, but I am excited.. And having excitement about it is a big part of it, right?!?

Now to just getting running... It has cooled down here a big (ok so it's 85 right now, but, you can feel fall in the air in the morning and evening, and yesterday I had the window and doors open until nearly 3!

Cooling down also means its about time for Carmel, I did bake down a pumpkin yesterday, haven't decided what to do with it yet, but probably should get another one soon.

Hope you are doing well!

Something about bases

Maybe is is subconscious. Or maybe it is just pleasant to hear,a me a nice reminder of what tradition, and consistency is. Whatever it is, there is something about being on a military base at important hours of the day. Such as 5pm, or 7:30am. Wen the whole base stops to say hello to the day and good bye in the evening. How is this done, with a call that rings out. Is fairly normal practice on military installations. It's just as the pledge of alliance is (excuse me- WAS used) in schools growing up. It is a brief moment in the day where everyone stops and reflects, if only for a few moments, on what a great country we live in, and in the case of a military base, what it stands for' and what each person is contributing too. 

I know everyone goes through phases of life, where you are influenced by parents then friends, and then you make your own choices. Then things happen in life to you, or those around you, that change your view, change what you think is right and wrong. Honestly I think this happens to everyone, even the most conservative or most liberal thinking people out there. 

I have always found myself closer to the middle, politically, then most. For whatever reasons this is, I am so thankful for.

I am sad though, that there seems to be a disconnect that has happened, a great divide if you may, between disagreement of politics and the support for one another and this country. The respect and the support for the military, their families and the freedom that they work for. Enough respect and support should be given to at least view them in good light. Yet there are many that flat out categorize military personal as a politically affiliation, and then judge based on this assumption. 

This is not the case in the slightest. You I will have differing views anywhere. Yet as a whole, unless you are military, or have a direct tie to it, it seems most people don't want it around. I guess I am ranting a bit. And I promise you it is it in no way a reflection of my treatment, or a need for respect. ( I'd just tell you if that was the case). It's more of a wonderment about where we are going as a country. I respect liberal view points, and like I said earlier, find myself in the middle politically the majority of the time, and maybe I am simple tout looking in the right places. However, I don't see the respect for the conservative side of the country. Not agreeance, but respect. Respect for what we have done as. A country, with our liberal and conservative parts. Without both, we would not be where we are. It seems as though we are now making conservative and liberal a black and white conversation, a right and wrong divide.  And with that, dividing things that should be very much shared and in the middle. The pledge of allegiance, support of our troops, of the families that give as much up too. 

Maybe I am asking too much, but I feel like I have a few defining principles that I act upon in life, and to me, seem very normally and needed as a person. But I feel like they are needed as a community and a country. 

1. Treat others how you would like to be treated - you don't have to agree with me, you don't have to baby me, but respect me, listen to me, have patience with me, and do not discredit me to others.

 

2.Be kind - for you never know who is fighting a harder battle. 

3. There is a good reason our grandparents said to never talk about sex, money, or politics - you can have differing opinions on any or all of these subjects yet have a wonderful friend and support system, bringing these topics in just creates arguments and divides between people that may become the most valuable to you. 

4.Stand up for what you believe. - there is a difference between treating others the way you want to be treated, being walked all over, and speaking up. IE- religious war, these people are speaking up and standing up for what they believe in. While I, in no way shape or form, believe what they are doing is right, or that is is grounded in any bit of godly blessings; I do admire the example of true dedication and commitment to something. They walk the walk. We are Americans, yet we are some of the most hated people in other countries,and we are quarreling amongst ourselves. Not that this does not happen in other countries, but what keeps us from coming together as Americans and acting that way to one another.... No wonder other countries typically do not like Americans. Why would they want to like a group of people that can not be kind to one another. That can not be respectfully supportive of one another. 

Ok, all this is enough. I promise I am not agree at the world, or America. I promise that I am doing fine and am actually quiet happy. I just started thinking after the morning call, since I happened to be on post/base this morning when it sounded. 

I'm going to be a bad blogger, and not proof this entry before I post. And I know it's a bit of a rant. Lets just me kind to one another. Be a supportive American, say thank you to everyone that helps you or supports you, military or not. Liberal or Conservative. And stand up for America, set a good example of what that means. Seriously, that is not that difficult. There are much harder battles out there to be had then being kind and supportive to one another - but I think this is one of the most important and simplest. - it's only difficult because it involves so many people, make it contagious - that's the easiest way to win as a country. 

Hump day!

And So Gieco advertisement department has mastered another commercial for the record books.... Oh Camel, I do think he's drunk and modeled off someone in their office building though. Lol

Anyhow, I'm enjoying my week day weekend here 

And completing the first week of grad school. And surviving a grueling month at work, or should I say the craziest busiest most stressful 4 last days of the month I think I have ever had, but I think I made it. 

The Mr. is doing well, enjoy days on the boat and the kayaks when he is not at work. 

Ruby still needs a little brother... Maybe Christmas?!?

The Mr. Has also mentioned really needing a vacation when he finishes school... So honeymoon here we come! Now just to figure out where! Cruise perhaps? 

Hoping Christmas will bring some family to visit us here, as we won't really be able to get away, me working retail and him in the midst of school 😞 makes me sad, but is an unfortunate reality. 

A white sand beach Christmas isn't the worst it could be though, that's for sure! 

A weekend to remember

I had such a wonderful weekend. As I sit in Houston awaiting the final leg of my flight, I can not help but feel so full of love and joy and happiness, my best friend got married and I can't help but love the fact that the wedding party was so much a reflection of them, and them in each of us. Such a joyous event for both of these wonderful people. And everyone made it to the event. Siobhan was there with Michael. I enjoyed the time with her so much, and continue to be in absolute awe of the amazing women she is, and continues to grow in to. 

I am so blessed I was able to be there, between Siobhan and myself, it has been a year for the record books, hopefully not to be repeated, and I just love that we made it there for Kristen and Tyler. 

I loved seeing my adopted family, college friends, distance co-workers/training friends. 

I am so grateful for the time with Karen on the ride to Portland, and so happy I got to spend time with my Bridgeport Verizon gals and Cory. Then got to FaceTime with our Hawaiian part. 

I am beyond ready to see my husband again and sad he could not make it to the wedding with me. Understand why he couldn't and so thankful that we were able to get me there. I missed having him there, there is something about weddings after you are married, you enjoy them to a different degree bc you reflect on yours, relive the moment, the joy, the happiness, and radiate the love you had felt to the newly weds. 

So much love and happiness this weekend. These trips are never long enough, but My time was wonderfully distributed between my many PNW girls and boys. 

So grateful, so exhausted, so happy, so glad I got to go "home" and so glad to be going back to my love.