Wounded Warrior Project 5K

This Saturday I'm signed up to walk a 5K for Wounded Warrior Project. I admit I signed up for it a while ago and I haven't done as much training as I should have. I'm still going to do it but I'm thinking it will take longer but I'm ok with that. This will be the second 5K I've done and I'm excited about it. The route goes around the military base which is an old Fort on the water. It will be a beautiful walk if the weather cooperates. Seeing as how they were predicting snow earlier this week and rain most of the rest of this week it could be touch and go. We'll see. I'll let you know how it goes.

I Will Thrive ~ Exotic Dancing

As I mentioned before I am taking "Stripper" Classes at a place called Studio Rio. The instructors are former dancers, personal trainers, etc that are excited and more than willing share their knowledge with those of us in class. I finished the four week Beginner Series and have started in the four week I Feel Pretty series. At the end of the Beginner Series we were given a routine do perform for him using the song Darling Nicky by Prince. At the end of the I Feel Pretty series we'll have a routine for ourselves using the song Beautiful by Christina Aguilera. For this class we're using a railing, the stage, and a pole. It is a bit intimidating but it is so much fun!

I decided to sign up for their membership so that I can take as many classes as I want each month. So far I've taken Stripper Stretch (working you up to the splits) and Poles 1. Stripper Stretch was good but difficult and I do feel more flexible. Poles 1 was a lot of fun. She taught us a bit of Pole Seduction which was more about playing with the pole than doing tricks on it. Although we did learn some tricks. The hard part for me is I hold on too tight. You have to hold on but you need to have a loose grip. (Hold it like a banana) I definitely want to take more pole classes. And I think I will continue with the Stripper Stretch class too.

They have other classes I want to take but because of my work schedule I'm not able to take some of them because I'm still at work. I'm hoping they will revamp some of their schedules as we get further into spring and summer. So we'll see.

The Evolution of Your Fears

Sunday night I watched Army wives. As a regular person it would have been touching and possibly make you teary. As a military wife it was a tear jerker, honestly I think anyone who has someone affiliated with the military would have found it to be a tear jerker. It was well written, well acted, and well done over all. Although I cried through a lot of it I really enjoyed the show. It showed the sacrifices that the military make in a very real way.

It got me to thinking about my fears and how they have truly evolved over the years. As a child I feared the usual things the dark, monsters under my bed, etc. As I got a little older I feared having my head covered with blankets, etc (this is still true today...it isn't a fear but I don't like it).

When I was in upper elementary we were in Alaska and the Cold War was raging and my fears went to what happened if Russia attacked us. My father was in the Air Force and worked on the radars in Alaska and on more than one occasion got called in to deal with "visitors" who were in our air space. My mother helped calm this fear by explaining to me that people like my Dad from both the U.S. and Russia worked to keep the peace. This helped a lot.

When my Dad was in Saudi Arabia my fear was something would happen to him. Thanks to my brother being in NY City, London, and a few other places during or right before an explosion (not 9-11) I worried about him a lot.

When I was married the first time I worried that I would never be good enough physically, mentally, or emotionally. My ex was a tad verbally abusive. When I got divorced I worried I would be alone for the rest of my life. But after some deep internal thought I determined that being alone for all the right reasons beat being married for all the wrong ones...hands down.

Now my biggest fear is the black car pulling up in front of my house and the two men getting out to inform me that the Navy regrets to inform me....it isn't something I dwell on every day but it is something that is in the back of my mind. J once said to me that I had lived without him so if something happened I would survive without him. He is right but it doesn't mean I want to know how.

I want to thank all the military families who have lost a loved one in the call of duty. Today's military men and women are willingly in the military and they know the risks involved. They are willing to die for their country, for you, and for me. Their families are proud of their service to the country but the loss is felt deeply none the less. So to those who have a loved one who has died or been injured serving our country THANK YOU!!!

Love and Tattoos

When my husband and I first started dating I gave him a key chain that had a compass rose on it and it said...wherever you go you are my true north. He loved it because he's a navigator in the Navy and the compass rose is a classic symbol of the Navy. So I joked at one point about getting a tattoo of a compass rose with his initials at the top. He loved the idea and honestly I wasn't really joking. So Friday night I went and got the tattoo done. His initials are at the top and the color green reminds me of him and the color red reminds him of me. (The orange around the outside is actually yellowish it is just irritated at the moment) It is a very personal tattoo for us. He loved it!! He's excited that it will be all healed when he gets home.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in

(imagine a picture here of the fill-in logo blogger and I are having issues)

Head over to Wife of a Sailor and link up!

This week’s questions are:
1. What is your must have gadget? submitted by Flying High With My Flyboy
Currently since my husband is 9000 miles away I would say my iPhone definitely. It goes everywhere with me. It is like a lifeline sad I know but while he is deployed it will be with me always and I will check it all the time.
2. How does your adulthood compare to what you imagined it would be like when you were a little kid? submitted by L to the Third
I think as a child I thought I'd have a different job. I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. But things change and I love my life. Although I'd love to have my hubby home... :-)
3. What is your favorite chocolate recipe?  submitted by Our First Deployment
French Silk pie...a little piece of chocolatey heaven in your mouth. Might even say orgasmic...

4. How do you deal with military life when it gets to be to much or to hard? submitted by Combat Boots And Pointe Shoes
I try to do self care. I spend time with friends, I spend time doing things I like to do, I've recently taken up exotic dancing classes and I love it!!
5. What piece of advice would you give a new Military spouse facing their first deployment?  submitted by The Albrecht Squad
Be patient with yourself. It will be hard at first but it gets less hard. Also realize that you have the strength to do this and you will be ok. Accept that you will have good days and bad days. Let yourself have both. Keep busy. And most of all Take Care of Yourself!!!

Mil Spouse Weekly Roundup

 

Head over to Turn for the Nurse and link up.

I Will Thrive - Unknowns of Deployment

Since J left for the most part I do fine. I'd even say I do great all things considered. I miss him like crazy but I go about my life just fine. I go to work. I spend time with my friends. I take care of the house and pets. I am working on losing weight. I am leading First Place 4 Health. I am taking exotic dancing classes (and loving them!!). I have helped my Mom move not just once but twice now. I feel like most days I have it under control.

But there are a lot of unknowns in deployment and some days those stress me out.

1. When and where the ship will be...I am not of the paygrade to be privy to the ship's schedule. I am ok with this but it can cause some stress because I don't know where he is. He is underway in the Pacific somewhere that is all I know. 
2. When I'll hear from him...some days we're blessed and he is online through email a lot. Other days I only get a quick short email. And some days I don't hear from him at all. So far we've been blessed with good communication but we have had a couple times where communication was shut down from the ship. It is a tad unnerving not to hear anything at all but I try to think no news is good news.
3. What is going to happen with his base...he is stationed at Yokosuka, Japan. Currently the base has voluntary evacuation and they are monitoring the levels of radiation. We are assuming they will get this under control before the ship is due back. But time will tell.
4. If you want to make them laugh...tell the military your plans...oh this is so true. It stinks as a military family but it is to be lived by. I try not to get my heart set on any one thing schedule wise because if the military can they will mess it up change things. We are trying to make travel plans...we are buying insurance.
5. Trust is important...he knows my life here...he knows my friends...my job...my routine...etc. I know nothing of his life there...his friends...his job...his routine...etc but I trust him completely and totally. He knows this and he trusts me. And really I don't think it matters if your significant other is 10 inches...10 miles...or 10,000 miles away...if you don't trust them there is a big problem. But I admit I worry about his safety when he goes out drinking or whatever because I don't know these people and I don't know if they have his back. He says they do so again I trust him.
6. Patience is a virtue...there is a lot of waiting involved in life in general but the military puts it to a new level of expertise. You don't know what will happen. Anticipation and assumption can drive you crazy. So be patient...it will work out exactly as it is supposed to work out.

Good luck!!

First Place 4 Health Update

So we are coming up on the end of our 12 weeks for First Place 4 Health. I'm happy to report I've had an overall loss of 9 pounds in the 12 week period. (we weigh this Thursday too) I've really liked this program. It really is a whole person approach to weight loss. And I really like the Bible study part of the class. It has been a good daily focus for me. If you are looking for a program that has healthy eating, exercise, and Bible study I highly recommend this program. One of the other participants has lost 30 pounds. It is awesome!

MilSpouse Weekly Roundup

 

Head over to With Love Lydia and link up.

Remakes - An ongoing debate in our house

When it comes to music I'm pretty much a depends on my mood girl.

With music if you looked at my iPod I'm sure you'd think I had multiple personalities. I have everything from Gordon Lightfoot to Sean Paul to Brad Paisley. It is an interesting mix. I admit I have both Guns and Roses version of Sweet Child of Mine and Sheryl Crow's version. My husband HATES the Sheryl Crow version. He argues that remakes suck in general. I say some of them are ok. I for one did not like Black Eyed Peas version of Sweet Child of Mine from the Superbowl. But that is just me. We get into debates often about artists who remake older songs. He feels the original artist did it best. But even he has a few exceptions...Johnny Cash does a remake of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails, most things that Bob Dylan sings he feels other people sing it better, and Shiny Toy Guns Major Tom. Those are it though. So when I tell him that I have a remake of a song he groans and rolls his eyes and tells me it is going to suck. But he usually at least listens to it. I like different takes on things I think they are fun.

What are your thoughts?

Military Diaper Bag

A friend of mine B recently had a baby. Her sister R  had one a few months before and I made her a diaper bag. Well B asked for one but in camouflage. Never one to turn down a challenge...I decided I could do one better. Her husband was deployed but he was coming home before her shower so I asked him for his help. I wanted  one of his old uniforms to use for the diaper bag. He said no problem. He came home for a visit and with the help of his mother-in-law and B I was able to get the uniform. B actually brought it into the building without knowing it. So with some interesting layout challenges I got it cut out. It went together beautifully. Her shower was yesterday and she loved it!! It was an interesting project to work on because it wasn't just a bolt of fabric it was something that her husband wore and that would be special to B and to her children. I actually had a woman at the shower ask about one for her because her husband is retiring and she wants a keepsake.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

1. During military separations (whether short or long) how do you keep yourself positive and motivated? submitted by Married/Single Parent

I try to keep myself busy. I also set monthly goals along with deployment goals. I do have days where I'm just not good but I try to keep those few and far between.

2. What is your favorite concert you have ever been to? submitted by Young but Not (Completely) Dumb
I'd have to say Dave Matthews Band or Aerosmith. Both bands put on an amazing show...

3. What do you miss most about your “hometown”?  submitted by A Florida Girl and Her Soldier
To be honest I don't remember much about my "hometown" my Dad was military so I was 2 1/2 when I moved from my "hometown"

4. If you could run in any race, which charity would you choose to support? submitted by Wookie & Co.
Either a Pit Bull Rescue or a Military Support Group. On April 1st I'm doing a 5K for the Wounded Warrior Project.

5. You find out Willy Wonka is your father, what 3 course meal do you INSIST he create in that stick of gum?  submitted by A{muse}ing Mommy on a Pink Park Bench
I can't stand Willy Wonka so this would be a bad day for me....sorry.

MilSpouse Weekly Roundup

Sorry I've been absent this week. I've been crazy busy at work which causes me to not have a lot of energy at the end of the day. Also I've been sick this week with some kind of bug. Whoo hoo!!

But I couldn't miss the roundup!!

 

Head over to Three Hands Full and link up.

Japan (and Hawaii & the West Coast)

My heart and prayers go out to all of those in Japan affected by the earthquake and the tsunami. It will be a long journey to recovery.

On a personal note J's ship was underway so he and his crew are safe. I have been overwhelmed with love this morning in the form of texts, emails, Facebook messages, calls, and face to face questions. It is amazing to me to feel all the love and prayers. It truly means the world to us!!

I also feel for the service men and women who have families back in Japan though. How tough to be away from them at this time.

I have friends on the West Coast so I'm hoping it won't be too bad for them. Stay safe and keep praying!!

MilSpouse Weekly Roundup

 

Head over to The Lily Pad and link up.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

Questions:

1. Do you or your {spouse} ever wish your {spouse} was in a different branch of the military? submitted by The Turner Family
   We love the Navy! We don't always love the time apart because of the Navy but it has taken good care of him and us. So no complaints.
   
2. What duty station(s) are on your “No Way, Hell No, Not Going, Have Fun Unaccompanied” list and why? submitted by Every Branch
   Well seeing as how he is in Japan unaccompanied I guess I'd have to say Japan. They are underway a lot over there. They are out almost more often then they are in port. So I could sit over there and miss him or I can sit here with friends and family, my job, and my pets. We have two houses here, two dogs, four cats, etc. This is his last duty station so it also didn't make sense to move us over only to turn around and move us back here.
   
3. If you could be one age forever, what age would you choose and why? submitted by Three Krakens
   I'm liking my 30s so I would probably pick my 30s. I'm happily married, I'm getting healthy, and I'm focusing more on my relationship with God.
   
4. If you were a breakfast cereal, which one would you be? submitted bythe C.W.
   Frosted Flakes...a bit sweet, a bit flaky
   
5. What is your morning beverage of choice and why?  submitted by NH Girl Displaced
   Coffee - caffeine and the warmth

I Will Thrive - Deployment Stories Murphy Style

Murphy seems to be the favorite friend while spouses are deployed and my life is no exception. Friday morning I got in my car and drove out of my drive way and then I heard metal hitting concrete...never a good sound. I had a completely flat tire. Not even kind of flat totally flat. So I get out my spare and attempt to move lug nuts...no luck. So I call Allstate for my road side assistance only to learn somehow we hadn't added it...but God was on my side because I could buy it right then and it was effective immediately. Whew. So I call work let them know what's going on. And I call road side assistance. They come in the rain and change my tire no big deal. I go to work then after work I go to get it repaired. Ha ha on me. The guy takes me back to my car and shows that the tire went flat because it had worn through. Another tire has metal showing and the other two have little tread. He informs me "You don't have a good tire on here." I tell him I can't afford all four that day so I can do two and then I'll come back. So $320 later I have two new tires. I'm going this week to get the other two...whoo hoo.

During all of this I email J and tell him about the flat tire, the road side assistance, and the cost of the tires. His response..."I'm glad you're ok and it didn't blow out on the interstate or anything. Sweetheart how did you not notice it was flat before moving the car? And let's get those tires replaced we have to keep you and the kids dogs safe."

My response..."yeah I'm glad it was in our driveway not on 64 at 11:00 at night. Umm you know I'm not a car girl that's why I married you. I was running late and just got in my car I didn't look at my front tire on my side. I will I just have to do it in spurts."

As a side note the ceiling lights in my kitchen and dining room don't want to come on now. I've checked fuses and everything seems good there. I'm now thinking it is an issue with our dimmer. The joys of deployment.

Bead Soup Blog Party

Saturday brought the start of the Bead Soup Blog Party over at Pretty Things. There are 200 participants. It has taken me a while to get through the pages to see all the beady goodness. I'm still working on it. Lori Anderson is the brilliant and gracious hostess of the Bead Soup Blog Party. If you haven't already go check out her blog and the Party.