I was driving home from my accounting class (prereq for my master's) and I realized that today a year ago, I was prepping for deployment, saying my goodbyes, and using up kleenex like there was no tomorrow. Oddly enough, there was a huge snow storm, just like there is right now that kept me here an additional 5 days. It's snowing outside now, and I'm hoping that it's enough to at least delay work tomorrow, maybe cancel it:)
Joe and I are doing pretty good. We're finally adapting to being together, learning what each other means when we say certain things, and just enjoying each other's company. I had dental surgery last week to move some skin from the roof of my mouth to my lower gum that was receding. It was more painful than I anticipated, and it's taken longer to heal than I thought it would too. At least the gum graft is "taking" to my lower jaw, so that's a good thing.
I went up to Ann Arbor a few weeks ago for my friends college graduation party. That was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed getting to see her. After her graduation party we went to see the UM women's gymnastic meet against Mich State. Of course UM won:) It was neat to be back at Chrystler arena too. Ahh the memories! Thanks for a great time Jenny!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Bronchitis
I thought I had a normal cold, so I've been toughing it through this week. I ended up going to the Dr's today, and it turns out that I have bronchitis. He put me on "quarters" meaning that I have to stay at home for 2 days. So now I'm sitting at home hacking away and watching the TV show JAG. I tried sleeping, but couldn't because of my cough. I think that Joe's getting sick now too, so he's sleeping. Ah the joys of being sick. Speaking of JAG, it was my favorite show growing up. It came on an hour before I was supposed to be in bed, so I'd watch the show, and take my shower, and get ready for bed during the commercials. I thought that taking fast showers etc was great training for boot camp. It definitely was!
On the bright side, Joe and I went home for the weekend and had a great time with family. The only problem is that I was sick while at home. We relaxed, OK, me more than Joe b/c he was installing electrical stuff around the house for Mom and Dad. They added on another room off of the house where the front porch use to be. Sara came home for the weekend too, so it was nice to see her. She's living in Wisconsin now, so it took her 13hrs to get home on Fri b/c of a snow storm! EWY! We went bowling on Sunday night too, and that was fun. I think my score was 115 average, so it wasn't bad considering I was sick, but Joe and I definitely agree that we bowl better on the Wii than in person:)
I finally have my cat Nala back from my mom-in-law that was so gracious to watch her while I was deployed. Thanks Mom! She and Max didn't get along at first, and they still have there spats. Luckily Max is big and handles himself. Nala is small and spunky, so she's good at fighting back. They are quite the pair too! They sleep at our feet, and when I wake up in the morning, they're right by my head, waiting to be pet. Nala helps me wake up by letting me trip over her, and Max helps or should I say hinders me from tying my boots. So every morning is entertaining! Oh, and there's the occasional time where I can't find my socks, so I have to guess where the cats decided to put them. Currently Max is my lap warmer while I'm watching JAG:) Ah I love cats!!!
On the bright side, Joe and I went home for the weekend and had a great time with family. The only problem is that I was sick while at home. We relaxed, OK, me more than Joe b/c he was installing electrical stuff around the house for Mom and Dad. They added on another room off of the house where the front porch use to be. Sara came home for the weekend too, so it was nice to see her. She's living in Wisconsin now, so it took her 13hrs to get home on Fri b/c of a snow storm! EWY! We went bowling on Sunday night too, and that was fun. I think my score was 115 average, so it wasn't bad considering I was sick, but Joe and I definitely agree that we bowl better on the Wii than in person:)
I finally have my cat Nala back from my mom-in-law that was so gracious to watch her while I was deployed. Thanks Mom! She and Max didn't get along at first, and they still have there spats. Luckily Max is big and handles himself. Nala is small and spunky, so she's good at fighting back. They are quite the pair too! They sleep at our feet, and when I wake up in the morning, they're right by my head, waiting to be pet. Nala helps me wake up by letting me trip over her, and Max helps or should I say hinders me from tying my boots. So every morning is entertaining! Oh, and there's the occasional time where I can't find my socks, so I have to guess where the cats decided to put them. Currently Max is my lap warmer while I'm watching JAG:) Ah I love cats!!!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
It's been awhile...
Well, it's been awhile since I've posted, now where to start? Christmas was great. Joe and I spent a few days at his parents house. We relaxed, went shopping, Joe put together a puzzle for his Mom, and I finished sewing a quilt that I started two years ago.
Then we went to my parents house on Christmas Eve. My Mom is building an addition in their house to add on a family room with a fireplace and basement. It's really nice, but it wasn't finished by Christmas, so we tried to make the room look more complete anyways. At least the addition had been insulated, so it wasn't cold out there.
Later in the week Joe, Mom, Ben, Dad, and I went to my Grandpa's train car with my cousin and uncle and we got the grand tour. It's my Grandpa's latest project and he's had a lot of fun fixing it up. He rented it a few years ago when I was in high school and we rode it around Michigan on the 4th of July weekend and we had a blast!
My family doesn't know how to sit still, so we also worked up at Centennial Hall. Joe installed some lights and Mom, Dad, and I went around and cleaned up/moved things for him. We also set up for the next wedding that was at the hall on Dec 31st. I sure wouldn't want to get married on that day. Sure it's a tax write off and all, but people all have their own parties to go to that I think there'd be a pretty poor attendance!
Joe, Ben, and I also went skiing and Caberfae Mtn. That was a lot of fun! Joe tried snowboarding and Ben and I just skied. The mountains were beautiful and when we were at the top waiting to go down, the view was spectacular!
Let's see, now that we're back after the holidays, Joe and I are both going to school. Joe is working on his engineering degree, and I'm taking an accounting class that's required for my Master's program through CMU. Who would've thought that I'd be going to CMU after leaving and going to UM? Ah life throws us surprises all the time:)
Since pretty much everyone creates 2008 goals, I'm going to share one, even though it's been a goal for awhile, not just b/c it's for 2008. Sara and I are running in the Kentucky Derby 1/2 marathon on April 26th and I'm very excited! Now I just have to get serious about training:)
Then we went to my parents house on Christmas Eve. My Mom is building an addition in their house to add on a family room with a fireplace and basement. It's really nice, but it wasn't finished by Christmas, so we tried to make the room look more complete anyways. At least the addition had been insulated, so it wasn't cold out there.
Later in the week Joe, Mom, Ben, Dad, and I went to my Grandpa's train car with my cousin and uncle and we got the grand tour. It's my Grandpa's latest project and he's had a lot of fun fixing it up. He rented it a few years ago when I was in high school and we rode it around Michigan on the 4th of July weekend and we had a blast!
My family doesn't know how to sit still, so we also worked up at Centennial Hall. Joe installed some lights and Mom, Dad, and I went around and cleaned up/moved things for him. We also set up for the next wedding that was at the hall on Dec 31st. I sure wouldn't want to get married on that day. Sure it's a tax write off and all, but people all have their own parties to go to that I think there'd be a pretty poor attendance!
Joe, Ben, and I also went skiing and Caberfae Mtn. That was a lot of fun! Joe tried snowboarding and Ben and I just skied. The mountains were beautiful and when we were at the top waiting to go down, the view was spectacular!
Let's see, now that we're back after the holidays, Joe and I are both going to school. Joe is working on his engineering degree, and I'm taking an accounting class that's required for my Master's program through CMU. Who would've thought that I'd be going to CMU after leaving and going to UM? Ah life throws us surprises all the time:)
Since pretty much everyone creates 2008 goals, I'm going to share one, even though it's been a goal for awhile, not just b/c it's for 2008. Sara and I are running in the Kentucky Derby 1/2 marathon on April 26th and I'm very excited! Now I just have to get serious about training:)
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thanksgiving
This year for TG Joe and I went to DC with his Mom, Dad, and Grandma. Originally we were going to drive there in his mom's Honda Accord, but I realized that 5 ppl in a little car for a 10 hr drive wasn't going to be the most comfortable thing... So I was able to borrow my friends mini van instead, and that was an amazing life saver!
We had a lot of fun. It was nice to spend time with family and talk, eat, and laugh. The ladies did brave the "black Friday" shopping environment, but only to go to Costco and Ikea. I haven't been to Ikea in years, and that was fun going back there to see all the neat styles they have and things like that. Neither store had sales really, so we were safe from insane people for the most part too:)
We created a family band! Ok, Lil Gary had the Rock Band game on xbox or something like that and we all played it and took turns singing!
Josie the dog that hated being in her crate:)
My niece Dana. 
The trees were beautiful down there!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Chicago
This weekend Joe and I met my family in Chicago for some family time! We ate out, went to Shed's aquarium, met Sara's boyfriend and his family, and shopped. I didn't end up buying anything (amazingly) but it was neat to see some new styles of clothes. It really made me appreciate being able to wear uniforms every day and not have to worry about all the latest fashions. Way too expensive and I hae to keep reminding myself that there is more to life than clothes, even if clothes are fun to wear and shop for. Maybe I'll stay in the military for life so I never have to worry about fashions again. HA!!!!
Snapping turtle looking upwards trying to bait fish. He sat there for quite some time trying to wiggle his tongue and get a meal... Didn't work!
The 3 amigos!
Sara and new boyfriend David. He was trying to "motivate" the bull to move. I think he'll be there another 100 yrs or so...
The dolphin show-pretty cute, but Sea World totally has it beat;)
Mackinaw Island
Now that I'm getting back into the swing of things, here are a few pics from Mac Island. Joe and I were able to go up there for a free weekend of fun! Thanks to Arnold Ferry Transit, the Grand Hotel, and the Island House, all military were able to stay there for free with families!
Joe and I in front of the Arch Rock.
On the ferry dock with Mom and Dad.
On the Grand Hotel front porch. If you're not a guest there, then you have to pay $12 just to go look at the hotel! We received a complimentary brunch for two! Awesome food and desserts!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Hungry
Do you ever feel so hungry that you feel sick? Or feel so hungry that you don't know what you want to eat until you see it, and then you're like "oh wow, I really want that!!!" Well, that's what happened to me the other night when I went to Bible study at church. We're studying the book of Revelation, and a retired pastor of my church is teaching it. I have been looking forward to the study for awhile, and when I got there didn't know what to expect b/c I'd never heard Ray speak before. Well, as he began to talk, it hit me how much I've missed God. Sure I read my Bible, pray and have Bible studies with friends. But there is something about really really spending time with God and getting to know Him better that just can't be explained unless it's an important part of your personal life. While sitting in church I just really felt at home. I hadn't felt that type of security/safety since I went to field training (boot camp) in college. I loved going to church there b/c it was the one place that no one could yell at us, or tell us what to do. We were with our Heavenly Father, and no one could stop us (ok they could, but you know what I mean). I miss God. I miss feeling His presence and knowing that everything will be okay. It's my own fault that I've felt this way though. I may read my Bible at night, but lately I've been so tired and feeling like things never stop moving that I read a chapter or two, check the box on my mental to do list, and go to sleep. What's that all about??? I'm being lazy! Ray told us before started teaching that he's read the Bible over 50 times! I was amazed and humbled by that! He didn't tell us that to brag, but more as to show that he too is still learning about God and by no means has all the answers despite how many times he's read the Bible. I definitely need to get back on track and read more. Oh God, help me for I am so weak, but you are soo strong!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
I'm a slacker
I realize that I haven't posted in a while, but to my defense I have been busy:) I'm gradually adjusting to being back at work. It's weird b/c everything seems the same as when I left, just more people in my office now! In January 2 other officers, and hopefully myself are leaving my office, so more changes are yet to come! One officer is separating from the military and another is moving south. I'm just hoping to move to another building on base for "professional development" as the military puts it.
Last weekend Joe and I helped at what's called "His Place" which is an after school program for kids that live in projects so that they have an alternative to joining a gang. We painted walls, stairs, cleaned bathrooms, repaired toilets, organized the kitchen with spoiled cans from 2000, vacuumed with a 1980's vacuum with no attachment for the corners, cleaned the basement (that smelled like extreme mold/mildew), took out bags and bags of trash, organized toy rooms, hung drapes, organized the library (books were just stacked on tables)... so yes, we were quite busy to say the least! I didn't take one picture while there b/c another guy did and said that he'd send the pics out... Haven't seen them yet... sounds like a "friend" who was supposed to take wedding pics and never gave them to me... anyways...
Joe and I have also been dog sitting for various friends. We had Coda which is a yellow lab for a little over a week and she was a blast! Made me miss having a dog. She sat, could catch food if we threw it to her, was great to take for walks, followed you around when outside (Zeke would run off and be gone), and was a pretty quiet dog. She even got along great with Max(my gray cat). He'd just at her tail when it was wagging, and they'd talk to each other through the screen door. Now we have Cinnamon (golden retriever) and she's only 6 months, so much more hyper! She digs, barks, and thought Max is a chew toy! We've got her cured of the chew toy thoughts, but she still likes to intimidate Max. Poor Max thinks that she's Coda and misses her buddy! When Cinnamon first got to our house, Max sat by the back door talking through the glass to "Coda" so we let Cinnamon in the house to see how she'd do... Chased Max through the entire house and he ended up on the kitchen counter with his tail 3x the normal size, and back furr all fluffed and hissing! Never seen him do that! Needless to say, we're now cured of wanting a dog anytime soon!
My sister moved to Wisconsin this weekend. I'm quite happy for her, but sad at the same time. Sara and I grew up thinking that we'd all live close together. We even picked out our "dream houses" on the same street my parents live in. That's not happening - the dream house ppl will either never sell and one of the houses has now been trashed. Time to move on I suppose. On the bright side, Joe and I have found great friends here in Ohio, and I couldn't be happier with where we live. Dead end street, nice neighbors, things are relatively cheap, besides gas that just went up to $3.07, but I'm not going there.
Oh oh, I'm starting my Master's degree next weekend! It'll be a Master of Science in Administration through CMU. Who woulda thought I'd take classes from there! They have a satellite campus on base, so I'll have classes Fri nights 6-10p, and Saturdays 8-4:30. So those will be some long weekends, but it's only every other weekend for 6 weeks, so not too bad. Now I just have to find the money for the class. Yes the military could pay for it for me, but I don't know if I'm going to stay in or not after this base. I like the AF LOTS but Joe and family are more important to me, so we'll see where God moves me to.
Ok, time for church. I got up an hour early this AM b/c I forgot about Daylight Savings moving back... Silly me!
Last weekend Joe and I helped at what's called "His Place" which is an after school program for kids that live in projects so that they have an alternative to joining a gang. We painted walls, stairs, cleaned bathrooms, repaired toilets, organized the kitchen with spoiled cans from 2000, vacuumed with a 1980's vacuum with no attachment for the corners, cleaned the basement (that smelled like extreme mold/mildew), took out bags and bags of trash, organized toy rooms, hung drapes, organized the library (books were just stacked on tables)... so yes, we were quite busy to say the least! I didn't take one picture while there b/c another guy did and said that he'd send the pics out... Haven't seen them yet... sounds like a "friend" who was supposed to take wedding pics and never gave them to me... anyways...
Joe and I have also been dog sitting for various friends. We had Coda which is a yellow lab for a little over a week and she was a blast! Made me miss having a dog. She sat, could catch food if we threw it to her, was great to take for walks, followed you around when outside (Zeke would run off and be gone), and was a pretty quiet dog. She even got along great with Max(my gray cat). He'd just at her tail when it was wagging, and they'd talk to each other through the screen door. Now we have Cinnamon (golden retriever) and she's only 6 months, so much more hyper! She digs, barks, and thought Max is a chew toy! We've got her cured of the chew toy thoughts, but she still likes to intimidate Max. Poor Max thinks that she's Coda and misses her buddy! When Cinnamon first got to our house, Max sat by the back door talking through the glass to "Coda" so we let Cinnamon in the house to see how she'd do... Chased Max through the entire house and he ended up on the kitchen counter with his tail 3x the normal size, and back furr all fluffed and hissing! Never seen him do that! Needless to say, we're now cured of wanting a dog anytime soon!
My sister moved to Wisconsin this weekend. I'm quite happy for her, but sad at the same time. Sara and I grew up thinking that we'd all live close together. We even picked out our "dream houses" on the same street my parents live in. That's not happening - the dream house ppl will either never sell and one of the houses has now been trashed. Time to move on I suppose. On the bright side, Joe and I have found great friends here in Ohio, and I couldn't be happier with where we live. Dead end street, nice neighbors, things are relatively cheap, besides gas that just went up to $3.07, but I'm not going there.
Oh oh, I'm starting my Master's degree next weekend! It'll be a Master of Science in Administration through CMU. Who woulda thought I'd take classes from there! They have a satellite campus on base, so I'll have classes Fri nights 6-10p, and Saturdays 8-4:30. So those will be some long weekends, but it's only every other weekend for 6 weeks, so not too bad. Now I just have to find the money for the class. Yes the military could pay for it for me, but I don't know if I'm going to stay in or not after this base. I like the AF LOTS but Joe and family are more important to me, so we'll see where God moves me to.
Ok, time for church. I got up an hour early this AM b/c I forgot about Daylight Savings moving back... Silly me!
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