Dabbling in the Arts and Another Update on the Future

The hubby is currently on his last TDY and I am beyond happy to be able to say that!!! It all still feels so surreal that we're actually going to be moving in less than 70 days! He had phone interview with a company in Reston Virginia (Northern Virginia, 30 minutes from DC) and that went really well, the man who interviewed him was actually one of his favorite authors so he "nerded" (his word, not mine) for a little bit while chatting on the phone with him. He says he would be psyched to work for this company and hopes he gets the job, I'm excited that is near DC (YAY Ikea trips! lol ) and all the cool stuff like the Smithsonian and the air and space museum and etc. The downfall... is that things are VERY expensive there, but as always we will find a way to make it work, IF he gets the job, he still has to pass a skills testing lab of theirs (which I really don't see a problem with, he usually owns that shiz really well) ;)

In the mean time the kiddo and I have kept busy with the usual day to day around here and we have also gotten a little creative and started painting. I painted two pieces this week just for fun and to get back into the practice of painting, you wouldn't believe it but you can actually be rusty from not using your skills for a while. I even took munchkin to her very own painting class today on base at the arts and crafts center (that play pass is still being put to good use!). She got to participate in "Kids and Canvas" workshop and she painted a "Mommy & Me" Snowman! They really turned out GREAT! She did most of the work I just put some of the little details on that she wanted help with. I really love it and can't wait to hang it up in her room, despite it having to be packaged up in about 40 days LOL! Here's some of the pictures I took of my work and hers in class today.

My recent Acrylic on Canvas; Daisies at Midnight

Acrylic on Canvas; A Country Starry Sunset... a little twist on Van Gogh's Starry Night.

She definitely get's that pose from me... I often make that same face when I'm painting LOL!

Finally SOMETHING I can say she gets from me... her artistic ability! I knew there was a piece of me somewhere in that child LOL! Other wise she is VERY MUCH like her dad... which of course is just as amazing.

One Chapter at a Time...

We have around 100 days left till hubby separates... omg! It's a amazing that his end date is approaching that fast. It still seems like yesterday that we were saying he had two years left. We are ready for it! We were ready yesterday lol! I guess it's starting to feel more real little by little, and especially since he's been getting job offers, he's not actively looking at the moment, and might not have to since they are practically banging down the door with offers. On Monday he came home for lunch and told me that he was approached by a HR rep from a company. The rep emailed him and said how much he liked his qualifications and knowledge of his field and thought he would make a great asset to their company. Not to toot his horn for him but... 9 certifications (he'll have 2 more by the end of this year), a BS degree, 8 credits away from having a masters and running the show on a 2.5 million dollar project is pretty amazing! The man is beyond smart... and I am ridiculously proud of him.

So now its only a matter of time... I of course am getting anxious... it's almost like when you get the PCS itch (military moving time for all you civilians) but different because this will probably be permanent! There are days where I would like to go back to Florida, mostly just because of my parents and then there are days where I say "chuck it" and lets do what we want! Where would I go? If it were solely up to me and I could pick an amazing job for him in a place that I want to live, I would chose somewhere in the Pacific North West. Somewhere like Washington state or Oregon, its beautiful up there and there are great opportunities for a family like us there, schools are great and life just seems lovely there. What about the snow and harsh winters you ask? Meh I say... I adjust just like we did everywhere else we've lived. If I can handle being thrown wherever the Air Force sent us then I think I can handle living just about anywhere.

In the mean time I have been doing a little research just to see where the jobs are at for his field and here is the list of possibilities; Washington (state), Oregon, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Texas, California, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Colorado, and Arizona. Nebraska recently making the list since he that is the state he got the job offer from on Monday. They also have huge companies there that deal with Information Security. Bottom line, I don't care much where we are just so long as his job travel time is less than 50% of the time. We did too much of that in the Air Force and I hated it... any length of time he has to be away is annoying. I love my husband and it might sound crazy but I enjoy having him around me ALL the time. Obviously I can function on my own and be independent seeing how I am a military wife but if I were given the choice... Id rather us be a normal family. I'd like to own my own house, put down some roots, not having to worry about the kiddo changing schools every 2-3 years. Become familiarized with city long enough for it to actually feel like "home" not just a place we live for this time frame. To stop gauging time in increments of moves. Oohhh wouldn't it be nice? And whether  that is in freezing cold yet stunningly beautiful Washington/Oregon or wide open planes Nebraska... I am ready for it! It's time for our family to start a new chapter!

He's home!!!

He's back!!! He's back!!! He's finally back!!! Oh I can't tell you how good it is to have my hubby home... these last few weeks have been killer for me and the kiddo, not knowing and not being able to share with anyone what's been going on. Not only that but the every day stresser's of her starting 1st grade and going back to school with a new teacher and everything else. But he's home now and I know we can accomplish anything now that he's home. You never really realize how important that person is till you don't have them around anymore... and trust me... my appreciation has been shown ever since he stepped off that plane! I wish I could tell you I had a pictures to share but I don't... I know... how could I forget that right?! But I did get all caught up in the moment, so I apologize... :)

Daddy Came In The Mail Yesterday

Ha! Don't I wish... If that title were true to the exact words I would be ecstatic! If only it were really that easy LOL! What I really meant was... our daddy doll came in the mail yesterday. When hubby had gone in to have his deployment breifing sometime before he left, I also had a briefing with the Airman & Family Readiness Center on base, they gave me LOTS of good tips, signed me up with their monthly newsletter of free stuff for us deployed spouses and families to do on and off base, they even gave us "Play Passes" which are a new and GREAT concept! --I'll get to that part in a little bit. Among all the great info was a pamphlet about "Daddy Dolls" and the "Operation Hug a Hero" project. These dolls are AMAZING! I went online the week that hubby left and ordered one for munchkin straight away... all I had to do was upload a full length picture of hubby and they take care of the rest! It takes a while for them to make it and then it take a bit to make it through the mail system but after that, its instant smiles! We got ours in the mail last night and she hasn't left "daddy" out of her sight since! I'd let her take it to school with her today but sadly I don't think school would let her keep it with her. She doesn't go to a DoD school which is a shame... because this public school doesn't understand what its like to be a military child, despite being in a big enough military town. Alas, I told her "daddy" will be right here waiting for her when she gets home from school and ready for lots of love and hugs. I can tell already just within the last 12 hours that having this little piece of her dad has raised her morale 100% and made deployment that much easier to get through. So, if you have a little one and your hubby is or will be deploying soon... I HIGHLY recommend getting one of these dolls. Check our your A&FRC or FRG and see if they offer a voucher coupon to get one for free first, but if they don't have no fear... they are really easy to order and not all that expensive. So far, it's been worth every penny to have a little bit of "homeland security" for her.

She started to tear up just a little when I took him out of the box.

But then started to cheer up a little when she thought of all the cool places we can take "daddy", woohoo! Can you say road trip?! lol! :)

It's Care Package Season

I honestly get it now... I have figured out why spouses (and their children) go so crazy trying make the perfect care package... think about it... you sit, you wait, you listen when they call, you give words of encouragement and remain calm and strong but aside from that we are helpless to do anything for them... EXCEPT send them a little bit of home.

We are currently preparing our own little piece of home package to be send out soon. The munchkin and I are going shopping for "Daddy supplies" and she is totally psyched! She can't wait to buy him things and send it all in the mail. She has prepared her coloring pages and art work to be send as well and it just warms my heart to known she is gonna make all the difference to her dad. It's the little things ya know?

I never really fell into that whole "military wife" thing. I've always fit into that slot like a square peg in a round hole... you would think I would have been a better fit, growing up an Army Brat but to tell you the truth... I was glad when my dad was done, I just wanted a normal life; where he was home all the time. So this actually makes me feel good, this actually makes me feel a little less awkward and a little more honored to be a military wife. It also feels good to send my hubby some love, just little things to let him know we miss him and are thinking about him.

I can't wait to go out this weekend and get some stuff to fill up the box! I can't wait to decorate the box! The only trouble I'm having is deciding on how to decorate it... Easter theme or our Anniversary theme? They are very close together... or... should I just send separate boxes? LOL! I could really get into this! I have a feeling hubby is gonna need a separate foot locker to get all this crap home again LOL!

What do you send in your care packages? How do you decorate them? Remember... I'm new at this so any advice or suggestions would be awesome!!!

All about being a "Millie" Quiz

So I see this military spouse quiz has been floating around the blogging world for a few days now, I'm not sure where it origninated from but I am stealing it and doing it LOL! I stole this one from a friends & fellow "millie's" blog at NH Girl Displaced Check out her blog, she's pretty hilarious and shares my sense of humor :)

How did you and your spouse meet?

Well... actually I've known him most of my life... you see our mom's are friends and pretty much grew up together in Germany. They married our dads and came to the US in the 1970's. We were born in the early 80's and they kept in touch over the years, so him and I would see each other over the summers since we didn't live in the same city. It wasn't always so peachy though, we both were married before and it took us a while to "find" each other again after we grew up but never the less... here we are... happy :)

See... here we are watching tv together on his parents old 1907's couch... the photo is around 1987 I believe.

How old were you when you two met?

In the beginning? We were just babies... later in life when we met up again and started to date we were 22 & 24

How long have you been together?

Since 2006

Where are you and your spouse originally from?

Were both from Florida. He grew up in Jacksonville and I grew up in Ft. Myers.

How did you feel about him joining the military?

He was already enlisted but I needed a change after my marriage to my ex had ended and boy did I get one LOL! To be honest, I was excited... and proud and excited LOL!

Where did your spouse go to Basic Training?

At Lackland AFB where all the Airman go LOL!

Has your spouse ever been deployed?

Yes. Once, his second deployment is coming up soon.

Ever been to his promotion ceremony?

Yes, and I got to "tack" is stripes on... that means the Airforce allows me to actually punch my husband (don't worry, I didn't do it hard) it was pretty awesome! :)

How long have you been a military wife?

Officially... like registered with DEER's... its been 5 years.

Did you marry him before or after he joined?

After

How did your husband propose?

It wasn't really a proposal really... we were just sitting on the floor of our old house in Oklahoma right after the movers came and packed up all our stuff to move us to Georgia and he looked at me and said... "so do you have any plans next week?" and I said; "no, not that I can think of, why?" He said; "well then I think we should go get married" LOL! How romantic right? LOL! It totally caught me off guard ;)

Where did you get married?

Richmond County courthouse in Augusta Georgia :)

How old were you two when you got married?

I was 24 he was 26

Did he wear his uniform on your wedding day?

No, as I recall we both wore jeans t-shirts LOL! I think I even wore flip flops! LOL!

Where are you and your spouse currently stationed?

Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi

Do you live on base?

No, but we do live in Base Housing... if that makes sense...

How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation?

A week... and then he was gone to school for 2 months, it sucked... we had just moved to Georgia and hadn't even unpacked our first apartment (that was pretty much in the ghetto) I had no friends, no family and a 13 month old baby to take care of all by myself. I was pretty much scared out of my mind!

What is your favorite base so far?

I actually like them all for different reasons... mostly the friends we had and the good times we shared.

Does your spouse look good in his uniform?

Um YEAH! Duh! LOL! I like his ABU's better than his dress though ;)

Do you think military life is more advanced than civilian life?

I think life is a bit more challenging and complicated but it's life. Everyone has different things to overcome in their lives.

Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent?

Sure... commissary shopping is nice, gas on base is usually cheaper and the CFR does a good job of helping you out when your hubby is gone.

Do you have a lot of military wife friends?

No, other than my military friends on blogger I don't have many. I have a few here and I do mean a small few... it's mostly because the people I live around suck ass. They like to stir up trouble and gossip and I'm just not into that...

What is the hardest part of being a military wife?

I'd have to say the alone times, whither he's gone for two weeks or 6 months it never gets any easier... I always put it this way, if I didn't love you I wouldn't care that your leaving. It's not that I can't handle it on my own its just I prefer to go through life with the one I love by my side every day. Unfortunately being a military wife that is not always an option. The other part that sucks is living in the unknown... you just never know when you might have to move or when a deployment will come up... it kinda sucks. First rule as a mil wife... write down everything in pencil!

Do you own any military wife stuff?

He bought me a silver pendent right after we got married that says air force wife and there is a little silver dog tag that has a heart in the middle that is also on the same chain. I wear it from time to time...

Do you support your spouse as a member of the military?

Of course! Without a doubt! I am proud of my husband no matter what he does and I will always support him in everything he does.

Christmas in the Park and a little Christmas Photography Fun

Last night we took the munchkin to the base to see "Christmas in the Park". Its a light display that the base does at the marina every year. They serve free hot dogs, and hot chocolate and candy. There is free raffles and door prizes. Santa comes to visit and you can take pictures with him as well. We even got a free dvd from him this year, which was Bridge to Terabithia. I had never seen it up until last night and let me just say at the end I was crying like a baby... now I wanna read the book. So here's a few pics from the nights festivities.

Forget the sleigh, Santa came riding in on a fire truck!

Santa and the munchkin are both sporting the "high waters" this season LOL!

And after we came home I decided I wanted to get a little creative with the Christmas tree and practice my Bokeh Photography skills. I looooooove Bokeh photos, they are just look so pretty to me. What is Bokeh? Pronounced Bou-Kei is the aesthetic quality of blur in an out of focus area of an image, its the way the lens renders out of focus points of light. You can also deliberately make bokeh by shallow focus techniques to create images with prominent out of focus regions.
The term comes from the Japanese word Boke, which means blur or haze.

Here's my practice Bokeh... hope you like it. :)

Thanksgiving Craft Explosion

So I have been up to crafty no good... yet again. They are just fun easy things that the munchkin and I have been doing together. Last week when we went grocery shopping we went to the commissary and as always we end up with about 15 paper bags, I usually use these paper bags for the kiddo to draw, doodle, paint or just play with but this time I thought why not try to upcycle them into a craft? I must have stood there for at least 15 minutes trying to figure out what I could use them for that I hadn't already done... and then I got it! I thought, how about a Thanksgiving leaf bunting?! Sounds pretty cool so far right? Basically I just took the same maple leaf pattern as I use from the craft where I made a felt window decoration (which my neighbors just happen to LOVE... I have gotten sooooo many compliments on it, you should see their faces when I tell them how much it cost me to make it LOL!) and cut out the pattern on back side of the bag (the one that doesn't have the ads on it for militaryonesource.com) you can get about 4-5 leaves on there. After cutting out each leaf I then glued some fall colored glitter on the front of each leaf out lining the leaf and then wrote out 'Happy Thanksgiving" on the front with a sharpie. Now here comes the craft FAIL part... as I stood there and hot glued each leaf to my wonderful, yet again useful, hand dandy fishing line, I thought to myself this is gonna be pretty cool... until I flipped it over and realized I placed each damn leaf backwards (which would have been ok had we had Thanksgiving in Japan, where they read right to left!) I then proceeded to smack my forehead and give a great big Homer type of DOH! while my hubs snickered from his spot on the couch. At this point I had already had the sign up and cleaned up my massive pile of glitter mess (did you know that glitter is a real pain in the ass?) and then it occurred to me... why not just paint over the sharpie letters and then paint in new letters? Heck yes! So there I stood like Michael Angelo painting my buntin up near my dining room ceiling for about 20 minutes. It goes to show though, even with a craft FAIL you can still make it work. ;)

The leaf bunting after I corrected my FAIL :)

A close up, if you look at the lower left corner of the G you can see just a bit of the sharpie letter shining through still... thank god no one will be this close while looking at it... at least I hope no anyway... But on the back the munchkin and I both wrote all the things we were thankful for. Among the things she wrote were; Daddy, Mommy, Both sets of grandparents, Her friends, The Air Force, Her toys, Her room, Her Cape (yes, the one I made her) , and of course Batman.

Today the munchkin and I decided we would make Thanksgiving Thank You cards for the Airman that will be coming over for dinner. Just something for them to know we were thankful for them to come to our house, have dinner and spend a little time with us. I know it can't be easy being away from family and especially during the holidays so I like to do what I can for them to make it just a little easier. Though nothing can make up for being home for the holidays but I do hope they will have a good time with us. After all isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?

The front of the kiddo's card. We made hand print turkey cards for each both Airman.
She is soooooo excited that we are going to have "new friends" over for dinner, and I'm so proud that she is eager to spend time with them. I hope her generous nature stays with her always.

What she wrote on the inside to each of them.

This program which is "Home away from Home" is sponsered by the Chapel at Keesler AFB and really is a great program, if you ever get the oppertunity to do something like this for someone in any branch, I urge you to try it... nothing will give you a better feeling of hospitality :)

And finally... my Thanksgiving wreath! That cost me a whopping $3.00 (including the over the door hanger!)

All the materials used for this came from the dollar tree store. Yup, even those pretty, shiny, sparkly gourd's. Its really easy to make too! I had left over fall leaves from my Halloween Candelabra project and I just hot glued them to the wicker wreath that I bought then I hot glued the gourds on top and... Wah-la! Instant Thanksgiving wreath for your front door! ;)

A little close up of the shiny sparklies... say it with me... oooh ahhhhh... LOL!

He had news

He came home tonight for dinner and walked in with a grin on his face ear to ear... I just knew something was up. Thank god for the grin because usually when he says "Ive got news" I get that feeling like your gonna throw up and your heart suddenly jumps up into your throat... oooh I hate those moments! And usually the news is bad or something I don't want to hear. Tonight it was good though, I can't really go into detail about it all (believe me... I WANT to so bad!) but I will say that it involves a job change and possibly a PCS. The most exciting part is that if he gets to have this new "job" he will be extremely happy it will be a very strategic career move! I'll put it this way... if you were to look at a resume and it said "Bodyguard of Mr. T" wouldn't you want that guy? LOL!

BTW... being Mr. T or anyone's bodyguard is not what the job is but just a reference as to how cool the job is. ;) LOL!

As for right now hes going to do everything he can to see if he can get into this new "job" and see what all it requires, its a big deal so there are quite a few stipulations and hoops he will be having to jump through. I will post what I can when I can. ;) But for now cross your fingers and hope for us please... along with all the baby hopes... Oh come on 2 1/2 week wait! LOL

30 Days of Me: Day 24

What ever tickles my fancy:

I LOOOOOOVE food... if I haven't made that clear... and if there is one thing I love more than just food its, food from all over the world! I am incredibly thankful to Air Force for sending us to Fort Gordon, Georgia... not because it was heaven on earth (because it most certainly wasn't... no, no we all know that's Hawaii LOL!) but because I have made the best friends there... my best friend, who just also happen to be my back door neighbor (and trust me at 2am that was incredibly convenient) also happens to be Cuban! She is an amaaaaaaazing cook and I could eat her food everyday, all day and weight 400 pounds and be completely happy LOL! One thing she taught me how to make was Picadillo, which is my favorite out of all her dishes and thankfully for me is easy to make! Whenever I'm missing her and the family (because were at the point were we feel like were related) and trust me I miss them ALOT, I just make us some Picadillo and some Plantain chips. Today is one of those days... Its been crazy busy around here lately and I need some comfort food. :)

So how do I make said scrumptious food you wonder? Like theeeeeese....
(yes, theeeeeese... because when your making Cuban food you need to speak in an accent! LOL!)


1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion chopped (I like to use scallions)
2-3 garlic cloves chopped
1 small can (plain) tomato sauce
1/4 cup dry white wine
Pimento stuffed Olives (I love olives so I use the whole jar)
and then I add more pimentos :D
2 packets of Goya Sazon Seasoning
1 pair of Spanish Chorizo cut up
1/2 a small bushel of fresh cilantro

In a large skillet brown meat adding onions and garlic.
Once meat is browned turn down to medium low, Add tomato sauce and the wine.
Add olives (its ok if the some of the brine gets in) pimentos, Goya Sazon seasoning, Spanish Chorizo and let simmer for until mixture is mostly dry.

Serve over fluffy white rice with black beans or use for Pastelitos!

I also like to serve this with fresh plantain chips which are also pretty easy to make

just slice up (very thinly) 2 plantains and fry in vegetable oil until golden brown. Salt to liking.

I also like to make salsa for my plantains and this recipe is really the shiz!

If you want to make a lot of it, I recommend using a whole pineapple but since its just us 3 I use the a can of crushed pineapple.

Heat olive oil over medium heat add 2/3 cup of red onion stir 3-4 mins. just until soften not browned. Add 2 table spoons of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of red bell pepper stir for 1 minute to combine. Remove from heat add pineapple, 2 table spoons fresh cilantro, 2 table spoons fresh lime juice and stir to combine. Its best if you make it ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge so all the ingredients blend together... oh its so good!

Night Shift Dinner & Cupcake Cuteness

I'm not real sure if I had mentioned it before but Hubs is teaching on the night shift at work and has been since August. Did I mention I HATE it?! LOL!... ok its not that bad, at least he gets to come home right? Yesterday they did a little spaghetti pot luck dinner/predators movie hour (which not as good as the original... P.S Dear Morpheus: Dude! You put on weight!) I decided to bake my dirt cupcakes and use my extra cool test tube sprinkles, I'm fairly impressed with the way these turned out. I wish I had had a frosting tube to do the icing better but meh, they still turned out ok. Anyway dinner was good and everyone liked the cupcakes. They were "Funfetti" style and who the heck doesn't like funfetti? They really ought to call it crackfetti or something LOL! I made a some extras for hubbers to take back to his class and give to his students and it seems to have been well appreciated. :D

What?! You didn't think I wasn't gonna save one for myself did ya? What?! I was just testing the goods... :D