Kindle Fire

Source

I did it. I finally broke down and bought an e-reader. After much deliberation I decided on the Kindle Fire. I read many reviews, talked to many friends, and overall the Kindle seemed like the best fit for me. And I love it!! It works great for me. I have read books 2 and 3 of the Shades of Grey series. And I've downloaded some other books to it as well. Two observations...I have a Barnes and Noble membership card to get the discount which I can't use to by ebooks for the Kindle and it didn't work so well in the bright sun but I think that is a setting adjustment that I need to figure out. If you're considering getting an eReader but have been debating I highly recommend getting one. I look forward to traveling with it because then I just take one thing instead of multiple books and magazines.

My First Love and My Last Love

2.) Describe where you were when you met a boy two boys. (inspired by Sadie Dear)


I decided to tell the story of meeting my first love at the age of 13 and then meeting my last love at the age of 32 and how they are oddly connected by Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. 


My First Love
 I was 13 years old and in 7th grade. I was at a "movie party" at my friend Chad's house. Well we watched some movie and after the movie my friends Kelly and Jenn started having some kind of freak out so Brian (Moose) and I went outside. We walked around the house talking to each other about random stuff for about 45 minutes to an hour until our parents got there to pick us up. I was in love (or as much as a 7th grader can be in love). Later that year I asked him to go steady he said no he wasn't ready. 


Well in our 8th grade year we were good friends and hung out a lot and went to the 8th grade dance together. We had a great time. After the dance a group of us went to see Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. We sat next to each other and shared popcorn. That movie always makes me think of him and I smile. (that and the song Sea of Love) 


Jump ahead to 1997...we got back in touch I lived in Virginia and he was going to school in Florida and had to drive through VA to get to Maine for the summer. He visited and we had a great time catching up. He visited again in 1998 then I got married and he graduated. I found out in 2005 two startling things...first Brian had died from complications of Crones Disease and that he had fallen in love with me in 1997-1998 but never had the nerve to tell me. Apparently we were meant to be star-crossed but he will always be my first love. And I think he had a hand in me finding my last love....


My Last Love
In November of 2007 I was on Yahoo Personals and I decided to take a leap and send winks to a couple guys that I thought had potential. J was one of them. Well come December I hadn't heard from any of them so I decided that my time on Yahoo had run its course. I shut down my account effective December 31st (or so I thought). In January of 2008 I signed up for a service called It's Just Lunch. It is a dating service that interviews you and potential mates and then sets you up for lunch or drinks. No big commitment you just have a brief encounter and decide if you want to see each other again. I went out on about 10-12 dates throughout January and February. Some decent guys but no one was quite the right match. 


Well January 30th I receive an email saying I have communication from Yahoo Personals. It was J responding to my wink. Apparently his sister had blown up his computer with a virus and he had to have it wiped so he was just getting back to me. We started texting and IMing daily sometimes into the wee hours. He asked me to come to his house on February 9th but I already had a drink date planned through It's Just Lunch so I asked if I could meet him later. So at 9:00 pm on Saturday, February 9th I pulled in front of his house and he met me on the porch. I knew I was in trouble the moment I saw him. I didn't even care that he was a smoker which I didn't know til I got there. I just wanted to spend time with him...and lots of it.  


I walk into his house and what movie happens to be on TV...Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. I didn't think much of it at the time other then the fact that I love that movie. But in hindsight I really think it was sign. And seeing as how J and I have been together (although not always physically) since that night it was obviously meant to be. 


This post was inspired by:


Head on over and check out the other posts!

How Time Flies...

I know this is a little out of season but the young man playing the sax is getting ready to graduate from his doctorate program and I babysat him when he was 6 and I was 16. How time flies...and I haven't aged a bit...;-) He is very gifted and plans to teach music I think he'll be great! Wishing him the best of luck in life!!

America's Got Talent

Source

My husband and I have watched America's Got Talent for many years. When "the Hoff" (David Hasselhoff) left and Howie Mandel came on it didn't really make much difference to us as a matter of fact we liked Howie better in some cases. But when I heard that Piers Morgan was leaving I was sad because he was often the voice of reason when it came to what was a million dollar act. Then I heard who was replacing him...Howard Stern and I admit I was worried. Stern has a reputation...it is what has made him famous as well as rich. I figured if push came to shove Sharon could whip into shape after all she is used to dealing with Ozzie but I was concerned that he would bring an unwholesome addition to what is usually a very wholesome show.

I was wrong...dead wrong...not only was he very G/PG rated in his comments he was sentimental, sweet, patient and even patriotic. He will be a very welcome addition to the show I think. Turns out my bigger concern should have been the acts trying out. There were a very that were awesome but for the most part there were a bunch of crazies trying out. I hope the tryouts improve.

Do you watch AGT? If so what did you think of Stern as a judge?

Book Review: The Happiness Project - Getting Started

Source

After a recommendation from my sister-in-law I went to my nearest Barnes and Noble and bought it. I started reading it that night and I love it. Gretchen Rubin determined that she wasn't as happy as she could be so she went on a year long "journey" to find her happiness. I was going to wait to review it until I was at the end but I've decided there is so much insight that I will go chapter by chapter.

Getting Started
In her search to define happiness she came up with this as a possible definition "Defining happiness: that the opposite of happiness is unhappiness, not depression." (pg. 7, the Happiness Project) I thought this quote was so true because I wouldn't say I'm depressed but at times I'm unhappy and there is a big difference. Depression is a serious condition that should be treated by a doctor.

She also comes up with her 12 Commandments to guide her in this process and I love this concept. I'm working on a set of mine own. Some examples of her Commandments...

1. Be Gretchen
10. Do what ought to be done.
12. There is only love.

But what sold me on loving this book was her "Secrets of Adulthood" which included such insights as

People don't notice your mistakes as much as you think.
By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.
Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.
If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.

I found my self going "wow she's right" to many of her "Secrets of Adulthood."

In her experience not everyone will be on board with your "happiness project" some people will assume you are happy enough. And she determined that "one of my goals for the happiness project was to prepare for adversity - to develop self-discipline and the mental habits to deal with a bad thing when it happened." (pg 15, The Happiness Project) And I like this concept because I think having a good foundation before something bad happens makes a world of difference. It makes things a bit easier to deal with.

I'll keep you up to date as I go along. I also recommend her website it has some great suggestions, tips, etc.

Hi! I'm Churchy, welcome to my blog!

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day! And Wife on a Roller Coaster and Household 6 Diva are holding a MilSpouse Appreciation Day Blog Hop! So welcome! Let me tell you a little about me, him, and us. 

About me...

I'm a former Air Force brat (born at the Air Force Academy) and my Dad retired in Virginia. I have worked for a church for the past 12 years first as a Staff Secretary and now as a Communications Coordinator. I love my job I'm fortunate to work with people I consider friends as much as co-workers. I also love to sew, make beaded jewelry, and I've developed a new addiction to "races" in the past two years I've done 4 5Ks and 1 8K and I have another 5K coming up. (I walk them because my knees would revolt if I ran) I love a good glass of white wine (preferable a bit sweet), a great piece of chocolate (my current favorite is Black & Green), and a good meal with friends (for this I'm game for anything). Oh and I'm a bit of a geek...I love all thing technology related and comic book movies (I can't recommend Avengers highly enough). 

About him...

He is a Detroit boy born and raised. He joined the Navy at the age of 18 (just barely he turned 18 in August and went to boot camp in September). He has been stationed in Virginia on and off for most of his career but he also went to Japan, Puerto Rico, and most recently Japan again. Although he will sometimes grumble about work there is nothing he would rather do. He really is Joe Navy (as he calls himself) and he has had some wonderful experiences thanks to the Navy. He is also big into Harley Davidson (owning a V-Rod), fixing cars, and me. He is the most wonderful man I've ever met. (but I might be biased)

About us...

We met in February 2008 and to be honest it really was love at first sight. We had our first date and never looked back. We got married as a surprise at his family reunion in September 2009 and had a second ceremony here in Virginia in January 2010. We have two fur babies Eva (4 years) and Ares (3 years) who are adorable blue pit bulls (who happen to think they are lap dogs despite their 70lbs). Although still newlyweds we hit the ground running as far as our military challenges...he is currently a Geo-Bachelor in Japan for three years. Thankfully we are almost through two years so then we'll only have a year left. It isn't always easy but email, Viber, and Skype help. 

So there you have it us in a nutshell! I hope you continue to follow the Hop and join in yourself!

Wordle=fun

So I started reading The Happiness Project which I'll discuss more later I'm only half way through chapter 2 but it is a great book. Well it also has a website for more ideas, support, etc. on the blog they discussed Wordle which is a fun-filled site where you can input text and it comes up with a cool word cloud. I copied part of Wear Sunscreen by Mary Schmich
     Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to  
    solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be
    things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle
    Tuesday. 
and here is what it created. It is a lot of fun to play with. I recommend checking it out.

 

Military Spouse Appreciation Day Blog Hop

Friday is Military Spouse Appreciation Day and Riding the Roller Coaster is hosting a blog hop! It looks like it will be a lot of fun (there are giveaways). So head on over to her blog and check out the details. Then get working on your introduction for Friday and join the blog hop! 

MilSpouse (first) Friday Fill-In

1. What’s one thing in the past month you would have changed?
Waiting until the last minute to file my taxes and getting my car inspected. There was no reason to procrastinate I just hate doing my taxes and getting my car inspected so I put it off.

2. What was your favorite thing that happened in April? 
Started going to a new Monday night Bible study and game night with some friends. It's been a lot of fun.

3. What are your plans for Memorial Day?I have no idea. I'm just happy to have the day off.

4. Have you ever traveled Space A? If yes, where… if no, would you ever try it?I have when I was 11. I flew from Bangor, ME to Anchorage, AK on Space A. The fun part...it was a 9 or 10 hour flight on web seating. I'm pretty sure my butt still hurts. But it is cheap and it worked. And I'd do it again.

5. What are you looking forward to in May?
Getting some work done around our house. I'm having the front porch fixed and painted as you read this. It is exciting to see the changes.

Now head over to Wife of a Sailor and link up!

Wordless Wednesday

Source: militaryheroes.tumblr.com via Becky on Pinterest