Day 19: Mini Me

In this picture I am 4 or 5 years old and it's taken at Kindergarten.  Can you spot me?  I'm the curly haired mop with the stunned look on my face.

I'm pretty sure I was thinking "Stop taking pictures of me!! I'm so embarrassed!"  Some things never change.  

Day 18: Ugh...it's me

My biggest insecurity = ME.

I worry about everything.  I worry about my weight.  I worry about my chin.  I look at this picture which is really beautiful and I can only see my flaws.  I worry that I'm not a good Mom.  I worry that I'm not a good wife.  I worry that I don't cook well enough, or feed my children healthy enough.  I worry about my back and neck which at the age of 30 is riddled with arthritis.  I worry about money.  I worry about my children, their development and their education. I worry about my husband, my family around the world, about my friends.  I worry about the world.

I guess that makes me a fairly typical woman right?

So this year I'm doing things differently.  I AM going to lose weight - bring on the gym and Jillian Michaels 30 day shred once Jeremy leaves. I am going to do things that make me feel good so bring on pedicures and the occassional massage.  I am going to feel OK about putting the kids in daycare for a few hours every so often so that I can have some time to breath. I'm going to be a better me, not feel guilty about it, and be proud of it!



Day 17: Impact

Last week I was asked if I could make a meal for a new Mom.  I had never met her, but her story touched me.  Her husband and her were expecting a baby boy, but he was born at 26 weeks back in September.  From my understanding he weighed very little, and the mothers life was in jeopardy also.  Her husband came home on emergency leave, and her mother was in town to help out too.  And I don't think she knows many people, if any.  I guess the baby was a fighter and returned home in January so we were finally able to celebrate.

I was more than happy to make a meal!  This is the kind of thing I wish every FRG would do.  I know as a new mother I would be so happy and grateful.  So Jeremy and I make her a meal - meatloaf, potatoes and carrots.  Not much, but we did our best.  And after I picked up Mikey from school, we headed over to drop it off. 

I knock on the door and she answers, knowing that I was coming. She didn't say Hi.  I ask her a few questions with no response.  As I hand over the food she asks what it is.  So I told her, and she just huffs and says "Ugh, I had that yesterday". I apologised profusely because I really wanted her to be happy. So she just shuts the door without saying thank you.

I was pretty hurt for all of 3 seconds until I became somewhat angry. How hard is it to say thank you and be gracious? She could have said, "Oh, I had that yesterday, but I could freeze it and have it another time.  Thank you."  She could have even just kept it to herself and just said "thank you". Why did she make me feel bad? I can understand that she was thinking 'meatloaf again', but she didn't need to be rude.

So that's my impact. I can't let the rudeness of one person put me off.  I'll brush myself off knowing that there are polite, grateful people all over the world who would have appreciated what I did.  I don't need people telling me that I am wonderful, thoughtful, that I'm amazing.  But it would have been nice to be thanked. So I'm going to continue to do acts of kindness for others, model that for my kids.  I'm going to expect manners from my children, and teach my children to give back.  And I hope that there are many parents around the world who expect the same thing from their kids.

Day 16: Who inspires me??

A picture of someone who inspires me???  Ahhhh...Ummmm....there are a lot of people I want to be like and model myself after.

I want to be kind, giving and witty. A lot less socially awkward.  I would love to walk out the door being dressed appropriately.  I want to be fit and healthy. I want to feel beautiful but not fake.

Soooo....

Bwahahaha!!!  So I want to be a little like Roxy with her balls and ability to get it done.  Pamela is so feisty but SMART.  I identify most with Denise, minus the cheating part and husband who is a bit of an idiot. And Claudia Joy - I wish I could be classy like her.

Fortunately there are many people in my life which fit these descriptions in many ways - Jenn and Maggie come to mind. And it's something I can work on.  I need to take time to look after myself, and I'm the FRG leader so that is making me put myself out there so hopefully I can kick this social anxiety.  So I'll get there!

Day 15: A Book Full of Post It Notes

So you all know that I love to travel, so todays theme: A picture of something you want to do before you die was impossible to narrow down to one thing.

I want to forever work on my Bucket List.  I want to go and experience the amazing things I read about, hear about, and see.  I don't want to spend my life dreaming about what could be, but actually see it! 

So here are a few things that are on my bucket list:

* Be driven around a NASCAR track at 150 mph+

* Be driven around a rally track in the woods of Varmland, Sweden

* Go ice fishing

* Take my family to all the amazing places that I saw in Sweden.

* Go to a snooty high class restaurant and eat Kobe Beef

* To go on a cruise and be served cocktails on a beach with a hot cabana boy fan me with a giant leaf.

* To see my kids graduate from High School and College.

* To get my Masters Degree.

* To travel the world in an RV

* To go to a show where people sing along to the Sound of Music.

* To participate in one of those groups that do random things, like start dancing in a food court, or freeze for a minute in Grand Central Station.

* To ride on a Sleigh in Central Park

* To be kissed on the Eiffel Tower.

* To hike along the Andes.

So really, I want to have books full of post it notes with things I want to do, and then actually experience them!



Day 14: My Babies...

I never even want to imagine my life without my family. The thought terrifies me, and being an Army Wife I would be lying if the thought of my husband passing hasn't crossed my mind.  It does everyday, but I don't want to be reminded EVER, so do any military spouse a favor, and never ask "Are you scared he could die."

So between Jeremy, Mikey and Mia I have the most wonderful family ever, and I don't ever want them gone,  or out of my life, or hurt. I just don't want my life to be without them.

Just looking at the pictures and look how precious they are.  Jeremy is a wonderful Dad who is goofy and loving.  Mikey is just laid back and funny.  We actually nicknamed him "Goofy No-toothy" yesterday during one of his giggling fits.  And Mia, how do you describe her?  Cheeky, Inquisitive, Dramatic, Independent, Co-dependant?? Beautiful is my choice.  She really is a sweetheart who really has her moments. Both the kids keep me on my toes, that's for sure, and Jeremy is always there to pick me up when I'm getting down.  So they are what I could never imagine my life without.

Day 13: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

What is more fun than old classic songs, totally punked up???  Hence my favorite band being Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

They are so much fun and I would give my left tit to go to one of their shows. The band members are Spike Slawson from the Swingin' Utters on vocals, "Fat" Mike Burkett from NOFX on bass, Chris Shiftlett from Foo Fighters on guitar, Joey Cape from Lagwagon on guitar, and Dave Raun from Lagwagon on drums.  Together they really are musical genius's.

They take classic songs from musicals, the 50's, 60's etc and make then into punk versions.  How can that not make you happy.  It's the kind of music that you can roll your car windows down and just sing along with....and everybody knows the songs and they just smile at you and laugh.  I don't care if they are laughing at me...they're happy too which is what counts. And in 10 years time I'm pretty sure I'll feel the same way.

There's nothing better to pump you up, and keep you awake on long trips.  I do love so many other bands and artists, but Me First I've loved for over a decade now, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.  I'll be the granny rocking out in my Jetsons' floating car, assuming that cars will be much cooler in the future!!

So yes Me First...."Will you still love me...tomorrowwwwwww???"  Yes, yes I will!

Day 12: Adventures

Day 11 is "A picture of something you love".  I don't think that there is something that I love more than travelling.  I get very ansty being stuck in the house (Although I do value my time as a SAHM), and need to get out.  There's been a few occassions where someone has called me, and within an hour I've packed, loaded the car, and headed off on an adventure.  Sometimes I don't even manage to pack.

So, the USA is the 4th country I've lived in.  Of course I was born and raised in New Zealand, but I was an exchange student in Sweden, an English Teacher in South Korea for almost 2 years, and have been in the States since March 2004. And I've managed to visit several other countries too, such as Norway, Denmark, Australia, Thailand, Japan, Canada....I am always jealous of my New Zealand and North Dakota friends because they seem to forever be away on adventures through Europe and Asia.  My friend Tracy is actually in Peru and Argentina right now hiking the Inca Trail and sliding down volcanos!!  That sounds amazing!!

So I've seen a lot, but my Bucket List is full of places I just want to see. I mean, I've even sung in the Sydney Opera House!!  I just love experiencing what other places have to offer.  I've lived in the Southern US for 4 years, and Northern New York for two years, and I can tell you that it is almost like living in another country.  Even the food is so different, not to mention the weather.  And that's what I find exciting.  Just looking at the landscape change like when we drove from North Carolina to North Dakota this summer. And the food from around different regions is amazing.

Even smaller countries like New Zealand and Sweden are so different within a few hundred kilometers.  Especially in Sweden where the architecture changes, along with dialects, and accents.  I love it! I really could spend my life traveling, and eating along the way.  Driving off the beaten paths to find little Mom and Pop restaurants and seeing the Worlds Largest Furball. It really would be my ideal job. I could even rent my Motorhome, and drive around every NASCAR race for a year. 

Right now I don't think that I could ever say exactly what my favorite place has been. There's too many places that are just incredible to narrow it down.  Sometimes its the company that's the best part and I can't even remember what the destination was. Others I love but the flights kill me ie, coming home from New Zealand in 2009 damn near killed me. I just know that I can't wait to visit my next place....I think it will be a trip to Colorado!

Day 11: Bananas

A picture of something you hate.....My friend Jay sent this to me on Myspace or Facebook a few years ago, and I can honestly tell you that I was very upset at the time. I really thought it was a way of him telling me he hated me....like hate mail or something.  Until I stopped to think about it, and realised it was his way of teasing me.

How awful is that!!  Seriously, I hate bananas.  I used to love them as a kid, then I disliked banana bread, or banana flavored stuff, then it moved to the bananas having to be perfectly yellow with no brown spots.  Then I just couldn't touch or smell a banana, or even really look at one.  I don't know why.  I've had to confront my fear since having kids, but I'm not thrilled by that.  The worst is if you're enjoying a perfectly good handful of Jelly Belly's, then you get that one ugly Banana Flavored one.  Gross!!



Day 10: The Most messed up stuff????

Because I am sweet, innocent and perfect this one is a tough one.......Who have I done the most messed up stuff with?  And is the photographic evidence back in storage in New Zealand???

Now I can tell you stories!!!

Lets go back in time to.....Sweden 1997.

I am remembering a frozen pool, beer, and a sauna.  Beer and a sauna do not mix....right Maggie???

Move forward to New Zealand....the summer of 98/99....

A guy almost crashed his motorbike while staring at Lauren and I.....granted our skirts were short.
There was the raspberry soda we were drinking....
Kathryn and I were masters of holding back each others hair....and painting the town various colors.
There was the night I met Ben...and he wound up in jail overnight....and then we dated for 9 months...
The Broadway Flat where we had punk gigs all the time, and requests from the local police to return the park bench....
The Bucking Bronco....twice....topless...(OH THE SHAME!!!)

Fast Forward again to South Korea....

Polly's, Gecko's, Hooker Hill, Transvestites, Soju Kettles,......

Jeremy still married me!!! And I've been completely innocent since then right???

Dang you Drummies and Wine Slushies!!!

Day 9: Mum

She is hands down "The person who has gotten you through the most".



My Mum has pretty much gotten me through everything.  We weren't rich growing up by any means, but I have to admire the woman who could pull things out of thin air so that my brother and I never had to miss out on anything. We got to go to music lessons, drama, orchestras, choirs, Australia, family trips....I even got to go to Sweden because of her.  Most other mothers would just have told their kids no, but not my Mum.  Even if it took making our clothes, or not having anything for herself, she put us first.

So now I live across the other side of the world and have done so since 2002, so we don't get to talk a lot.  Neither of us can really foot that telephone bill.  But I miss her like crazy.  Sometimes I just wish I had my Mum. And I always wish that I had her superpower abilities.

Day 8: Hahahaha...

A picture of things that make you laugh:

So, I have a tonne of pictures that make me laugh.  Most of my kids because they make me laugh on a daily basis. And my husband is a goofball. Here's a few of my favorites!

This is actually an outtake from a picture session we had with Lori Barberly just after Christmas.  It may be an outtake, but I think its perfect.  Who can't laugh at this?

Need I say more?

This is a total inside joke with a few buddies of mine, but if you haven't see Charlie the Unicorn you will understand, and the definition of a fanny pack is somewhat different in New Zealand.

This was taken at the St Patricks Day dinner at Ft Drum Commons. Mia was 9 months old at the time.  I have no idea what she was doing, but this picture cracks me up!!



Mikey has abs!!  He thought this Haloween costume was so cool!!  And baby Mia - she was only 4 months old, and lets just say that a Chilli Pepper suits her personality!

Day 7: Ears

Day 7 is "A picture of your most treasured item"

Can I just say how difficult this one is to single it down to one single thing. I mean, I can look around my lounge right now and I can see a thousand things that I treasure.  The two most important ones are watching cartoons right now. But I can't really consider my kids "items".  They are two miracles that Jeremy and I created, and of course I treasure them.  But they morph everyday into something else very special, so watching them grow is what is special.

So what about the other items around my house?  I'd be devastated if it burnt down - all my pictures would be gone.  Everything else I can replace. I'm hoping that between facebook, photobucket and Dad that I would eventually be able to replace all the pictures too. So if everything apart from human life can be replaced to a certain extent, why do we need to treasure anything?

So I've come to this conclusion.  It's my ears.



This may sound rediculous to some people. But to me, my hearing is everything. I never have liked silence. My host brother, Gustav used to laugh at me because I could sleep with headphones on. Growing up I new the one thing I could do was music. It was as natural to me as peeing.  While I was never going to be a virtuoso drawing millions, or even have my own recording or make it a career, it was something as vital to me as my heart pumping.

Music is a universal language - it doesn't matter if you understand the words or not, it can take you to different places, different memories.  It can calm you down, comfort you or lift you up. While I don't understand Italian, one of my favorite songs is 'Vivo Per Lei' by Andrea Boccelli.  If you read the translation, it just sounds like he's singing about someone, but it's more about the music within him.  Lauren - if you read this I fully expect you to comment help me out here!! You know what I'm talking about - we had this conversation when we were 18 and getting drunk on vodka and raspberry soda!

Anyway, ears. If I was blind, I would be sad.  But I have memories, I am pretty well traveled, so give me a really great description and I'm fully capable of picturing in my mind. But don't silence me.  Don't take away my kids laughs, the "I love you Mamma"'s, the music that can get me through a day.  Its the things I hear that I treasure, that I can't imagine my life without.

Day 6: Carrie Underwood

I am so excited about writing this blog today!!  (So excited apparently that I've already typed it all out, pressed publish and it all disappeared so I'm doing it all over again.)

It's Day 6: A picture of a person you would like to trade places with for a day.

No brainer here! It's Carrie Underwood.

I would love to spend a day being pampered.  Having my hair and make up done, wearing beautiful clothes, be a few inches shorter, throw in a few spa treatments.  I'm sure she has days like that!

But just look at her.  She's stunning. Even if she was lounging around with no make up on and sweats she would still be beautiful. She is obviously healthy and eats right, exercises, but doesn't strike me as the type who would turn down a cheeseburger. But then she can dress up and just look exquisite without being over done.  She's just pure class and eligance.

And then there's her talent.  The only thing that I was good at when I was a kid was music.  I can sing, I have perfect pitch, but I can't SING.  Carrie just opens her mouth and something beautiful comes out.  I open my mouth and a perfectly pitched cow patty hits a tin shed!  She really does have natural talent and she doesn't need to do all those irritating runs and wierd movements just to prove that. It was actually Carrie who turned me to country music.  Just hearing her sing on American Idol impressed me so much because I loved the ones she chose.  So I heard the real artists sing them and I was hooked. 

So as well as wanting to be a classy, down to earth, beautiful, pampered talented, funny, intelligent girl for the day, there is one things she has in common with the celebrities that I admire and I wish I could do every day of my life. That's charity work.  Jimmie Johnson had his own foundation, and gave a huge chunk of his winnings to Hurricane Katrina relief which is initially why I became a fan of his.  Then there's George Clooney with his work in Sudan.  Carrie gives back a lot.  I can't stand these rich celebrities who just care about what they have, how many people love them, and how great they look in the paparazzi's eyes. I would give my left tit to be able to give back to people who truly deserve help. And Carrie Underwood is a perfect example of the person I want to be.

Carrie created the C.A.T.S. Foundation as a means of giving back to her community. She is a supporter of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and has done several public service announcements for the organization. She also supports PETA amd the United Service Organization.

This a quote by Carrie which just confirms why she is so amazing and why I would want to trade places with her for a day"

“Everybody has the power to do something, to be a contributing force,” she says, “and I would rather people look back on my life and say, ‘She made the world a better place.’ We can all do things like that, and I believe that when opportunities arise for you to do good, you should do good.”

 

Oh, by the way, the FRG meeting last night went well.  I got to stand up and say my thing, meet a few people, get in contact with the Rear D guy and get slightly overwhelmed by everything I need to do.  But it will happen. And I'm making Teriyaki Chicken on brown rice with broccolli so hopefully it will taste good!

Day 5: My Drummies

Today is "A Picture of your favorite Memory".

This is Lisa, Jamie, Kat and I and the random German Guy statue that we molested on several occassions after wine tasting at the Thousands Islands Winery!

Well, I'm one of those lucky people who have always traveled a lot on family vacations.  I've lived in four different countries.  I still keep in contact with various people I have met around the world. I still keep in contact with my bestie from High School. So I have a lot of great memories.  A lot of bad memories too, hence the low self esteem, but I wouldn't change them.  Life isn't all peaches.

But I'm going to rewind 2 years. I was at Ft Drum which people had warned me was "such a horrible place...there's nothing to do there and the winters are awful!!" Well, they're not too far off, but it wasn't horrible at all.  You see, in order to not lose your mind, the trick is to have some friends who are content doing the simple things in life - going to the Farmer's Market, making random trips to Niagara Falls, Sword Fighting on the Wii, playing Apples to Apples and The Game of Things.....

These girls are my Drummies!!  Krista, Lisa, Kat and Jamie.  Just thinking of them makes me smile.  I've met a lot of people since I've been in America, but I think it's the first time since I lived at Havill Street in Palmy, that I feel like I've completely belonged. I could count on these girls for anything!  Krista has moved to Colorado now, Lisa is in Florida, Kat and Jamie are still up at Drum right now, and of course I moved to Ft Bragg....but I still count on them.  If I'm down, all they need to do is post a picture of me kissing the pig....don't ask - but it helped me become the North Country Grape Stomping Champ!  Or remind me of the Charlie the Unicorn Fanny Pack that we really need to get for Ivana Hump...bwahahahaha!! OK - so they might only be funny to us.  But the point is, how precious are memories if you can't share them with the ones you love......

BTW - tonight I'm very scared about.  It's the Pre-Deployment Brief for my husbands Battalion. It's where I have to stand up infront  of everyone and introduce myself as the HHD FRG Leader (That's Headquarter Company - Family Readiness Group Leader).  Basically I'm the person you contact if you have questions, a problem, if you want to bust myths about when you're soldier is coming home, keeping Nana updated....and arrange meetings, fundraisers, welcome unit babies,....basically everything you can think of to keep people in the loop.  This automatically means that I'm a stuck up bitch to some people, but I'm hoping that I can be a leader that gets things done rather than having any drama....

Day 4: Facebook

Today's challenge is "A picture of a habit you wish you didn't have".

Well, I quit smoking over the summer so that's no longer a habit!!  (Happy dance - I am soooo happy thats out of my life now!!)

I do have a lot of bad habits though - mostly playing with my hair, and the need to be doing something with my hands at all time.  I'm like a hamster on a wheel, but chose to learn to cope with it instead of using anxiety meds.

But this by far is my worst habit:



Facebook.  The source of much evil.  The stem of waaaay too much drama.  I hate that its a new way of keeping in contact with people, but so convenient at the same time. I have caught up with old friends from Sweden, keep in contact with my family in New Zealand and Australia, around the world.  That part is great.  And it's nice to be able to share things with people and have people instantly celebrate or boost me up when I need it. But really, it would be much better to have face to face contact to work things through.

I've had my fair share of drama with Facebook - someone taking something way out of context and making me out to be the bad guy.  Or the wrong person seeing something, and apparently the Army doesn't like it.  Stupid - I didn't violate OPSEC so they can just keep out of my business.  But I have learnt from this, and I try to remain vague or positive now.

But on forums that I belong to, I just see it ruining relationships.  People "friending" people who should just stay the heck out of their lives.  You know how many ex's I have on my Facebook?  1 - and he's gay and living in Australia.  And I'm perfectly happy telling Jeremy exactly who people are.  I do know who most people are and have met them, or we have mutual friends but haven't had the opportunity to meet yet. And I have gone through and deleted people who annoy me, or I've been deleted myself and I really don't care. Maybe that's just one of my strong points, where it could seriously upset others.

But for the most part I really enjoy Facebook.  I love seeing what my friends are up to, looking at their pictures and knowing how their kids are doing and growing up.  It's funny seeing what old High School people are up to, and keeping up with things back in New Zealand.  Like when the mine disaster was happening, or the earthquake in Christchurch I could quickly see if all my friends and family were safe.  And they could contact me to see if everything is OK.  In fact, I'm using Facebook right now to make sure friends and family are safe and sound in Australia during the flooding.  However, I really wish I hadn't found out about the death of my cousin on Facebook.  That was a tough one to swallow.

And then there's the games.  I'm down to two - Cityville and Bejeweled Blitz.  Lame but they fill up the mindless hours you come across as a SAHM.  There's only a certain ammount of cleaning you can do during the day before you lose your mind, and I hate daytime TV.

Oh, and the absolute worst part about Facebook - the darn notifications!!  So, it's bad enough when you're constantly getting them while you're on the computer, but I get them on my phone - under messages AND the Facebook App.  I need to delete both on my phone, plus the one on the computer.....and then I have a Facebook App on my IPOD Touch....gotta delete those too.  Oh my - it drives me insane!!

You could just state the obvious - just delete the apps!!  But then it wouldn't be an addiction would it??

Day 3: A Picture from the Cast of you Favorite Show

Now this one is a tricky one. Most of the shows I watched, I got bored with and stopped watching.  There are shows I love that make me laugh, but if I miss an episode I'm not upset.  Like 'How I Met Your Mother' and 'Big Bang Theory', 'Modern Family' and 'Parenthood'.  But you know what, I can't even tell you what day of the week they are on TV.  Whether this is because of the convenience of having two DVR's (I rarely use the one in my bedroom) or just that I don't really care, I don't know.

I'm also a sucker for E! - I have to admit I follow the Kardashians, Kendra, the Rock Star Wives, and Entertainment News.  Chelsea Lately and Fashion Police crack me up!! Joan Rivers may look like she's been mummified in Glad Wrap, but she's funny!!

And I'm a sucker for History Channel and Discovery Channel shows - like 'American Pickers', 'Pawn Stars', and 'Myth Busters'.  I love History and these shows never cease to amaze me what people have or find, and how much they are even worth. It makes me sad that everything these days are so mass produced so I wonder if anything we have will be worthy of interest in years to come. I just know that things from America's past will be valued and restored by people who really care and see value in junk.

But anyhow, this is what really is getting me pumped recently.  "Brad Meltzers: Decoded."

Now, usually I don't take much interest in conspiracy theories. Most of the time people are just going on heresay, and don't bother to dig deep and actually research. It happens all the time, not just with conspiracy theories - take the Muslim Center which is being built blocks away from Ground Zero.  You would have thought that it was actually being built on the site with a bunch or Muslims sticking their heads out the window blowing raspberries!!

But this guy is different.  He has a cast of three historians, one who was also an attorney.  They take these myths and theories and actually go out and research them. They look at things from all angles.  They look at documents and records and check for authenticity.  They look at pictures, they talk to the people involved. They are honest when they can't say 100% that something is true or false, or that they need more evidence.  They will not just say "I believe this just because."  It's all fact based. Do they always solve the case - no, but they give you something to think about and you learn a lot along the way.

This would be one of my dream jobs really. I remember one case study they had where they were looking for the lost money from a train load of cash that was lost during the Civil War on route south.  It was lost somewhere between Southern Virginia and Georgia.  There was this one man who was trying to decode the work of the Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC) which is a secret squirrel organization.  I believe that there are still members of theis society to this day. There were all these markings, a template to help decode them, and these were nationwide!! And this guy has actually found hidden treasure! Its so complex that I have no hope or understanding it, but next time you're at an old cemetary, just look around for carvings in trees and misspelled words on headstones. 

Maybe I should get a job working in archives or something.....

The next episode is all about the end of the world in 2012.  Something I haven't taken seriously, but I'm going to be very excited to sit down in bed, laugh at the crazies, and hopefully not be convinced that they are infact, right. Just something to ponder, right?

Anyway, just so I don't have to write another entry for today, Mikey has another snow day, and Fort Bragg was closed so Jeremy was off again.  Now, there was sleet and freezing rain last night, so this morning my yard was like a skating rink, and the roads were rediculous too.  I was scared to drive, which is saying a lot since Ft Drum didn't bother me.  The path to the store - we made a trip to Lowes and Walmart were pretty bad, with lines of thick, solid ice.  Mikey is off again tomorrow, and Ft Bragg should make an announcement soon.  We'll see!

Snow Day!!

So this is my 5th Winter at Ft Bragg.  Occassionally you'll have a teeny-tiny ammount of snow that will stick on the grass for a few hours, and then you sit back and laugh at the people freaking out.  Alternatively school will be cancelled because of the DEVASTATING SNOW EVENT....duh duh daaaahhh....and nothing will happen.

Well today I was wrong and there's actually a decent ammount of snow (Not comparable to Ft Drum). It's been snowing since early this morning and we've had about 3 inches of snow so far. School is closed, Ft Bragg is closed so Jeremy is off, and even Olive Garden is closed in Florence, SC so my sister-in-law is off work!!  And I didn't have to get up at the buttcrack of dawn...just wished someone could have told the kids internal clocks! This would never happen up north, but considering we're supposed to get a nice layer of ice, plus melted snow refreezing over night it could be quite bad.  I've heard about a lot of cars going off the roads, and for once I won't blame the stupidity of the average driver here. The hill I'm refering to is on Honeycutt Rd where there is actually a pretty steep hill which I can garuntee wasn't treated.  I would slide down there too.

It's nice having my husband home for the day.  We've already played outside for a while - Mia lived in snow but would freak out if we tried to make her play in it previously.  She was a little unsure, and like her Mamma she gets cold easily, but eventually she discovered the pleasure in pounding her brother in snow and had a lot of fun.  Even Charlie is in dog heaven - he loves the snow.  He loves jumping up to catch snow in his mouth....even imaginary snow when he's under the screened-in porch.  Dumb dog!!  The only thing that would make my day more perfect would be if my fireplace actually worked (no propane + tv above fireplace = no fires), and if my kids would stop fighting......hahahaha!!!

 Jeremy stuck a giant lump of snow on Mia's head which really didn't impress her....

My AMAZING Slow Cooker Turkey Kielbasa Soup



So this year I am all about eating healthy and finding enjoyment from cooking.  This is one of Jeremy's favorite things that I make.

Basically you throw Turkey Kielbasa, Carrots, Celery, Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed Kidney Beans, Italian Seasoning, 3 cups broth (I used beef broth - low sodium is recommended), 1/2 C Red Wine, diced tomatoes, chopped onion and kale and let it sit in the slow cooker all day.  It's amazing and the red wine just makes it even better!!

Day 2: Jeremy

Day 2 of the 30 Day Photo Challenge is: A picture of someone you have been close to for a while.

There are many people I have been close to over my lifetime so far, and I'm still friends with most.  One is in North Dakota, most are in New Zealand and I can even consider a few spread over Australia and America.

But if I have to pick one person it would have to be my husband, Jeremy.  We met after I had been in South Korea for just three weeks.  To cut a long story short, my roommate at the time - Vania, was dating a GI.  This GI - Danny, played softball and he and Vania invited me to watch a game.  It was such a novelty to go onto a military base.  So midway through the game Danny runs up to me and asks me what I think of this guy in the middle of the field.  I say he looked alright, so Danny runs back up to this guy and strikes a deal.  If he was to strike out 1 person, he could have one date with me.  He struck out 3 people, and after the game just left without even talking to me. I have to admit I was kind of bummed because it would be something really amusing to write home about - going on a date with a GI.

So I guess Danny must have said something to Jeremy, because at the next game I went to Jeremy comes right up to me and introduces himself, and we set up a date for that night in Itaewon.  We met up at a Salsa Bar, did a few tequila shots and the rest is history!!

So that was back in July 2002.  We got engaged Christmas Day that same year, married in September 2003, got pregnant with Mikey in January 2004, moved to America in March 2004, and have since had Mikey and Mia.

We've gone through a lot - Immigration, PCS's, 2 deployments, many schools.  And he's been here for me every step of the way.  He knows when I'm just not happy and will help me through it, he'll make me laugh, hug me when I cry, and take the kids away  for a few hours when I'm at the end of my rope. He takes care of us even in the most difficult situations and we can never question whether or not he loves us.  He is truly a man, and a good one at that. 

We share many interests - give us a great meal, a great History Channel show or a NASCAR race and we're both in heaven!

And I think the most important reason why Jeremy and I are so close....how many people could you sit in a car with while driving halfway across the country without being tempted to kill each other?

Day 1 - A picture of yourself with 15 facts

ME!!

1. I'm from New Zealand.  I lived in Sweden for 1 year, South Korea for 2 years, and I've been in the US for 7 years now.

2. I have two kids - Mikey (6) and Emilia (2)

3. I've been married since September 2003

4.  I get ansty living in one place for too long...so moving back to Ft Bragg was kind of difficult for me.

5. I am sooooo hard on myself.  I think I am the definition of low self-esteem.

6. My dream job would be a Travel/Food writer - I'm very jealous of Rachael Ray!

7. My best friends are spread throughout the world.  I may not talk to them often, or see them for years.  But when I do see them we start back from where we left off.

8. I can't stand drama. I have and will cut off ties if you drag me into stupid stuff.  It's just not worth it.

9. I want to travel.  Anywhere.  And experience everything!! (Apart from Bungee Jumping).  Even if it's something like football which I don't like - I would go to a game if you gave me tickets!!

10.  I love NASCAR - that's no secret.  I will plan my weekends around it.

11. I get wicked bad road rage.

12. I can come up with the wierdest way of describing things.

13.  I can't help it - I love watching the Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Chelsea Lately.

14.  I have a BA in Linguistics.  I wish someone could have told me how useless that was.

15. I may be biased, but my husband and I make pretty darn beautiful kids!!

My thoughts...

So, 2011....

I wasn't happy when the ball dropped this year.  My husband who is active duty Army is deploying to Afghanistan very soon.  I won't say when due to OPSEC.  But I'm really mad about it.  Actually more frustrated really.  This is his 3rd deployment since January 2007. In that time we have PCS'd twice, and he's had about 7 - 8 months of schools too.  It's tiring - all I want to do is live a semi-normal life where I can actually relax and not feel like I have to do everything by myself.  It's heartbreaking for the kids too.  We haven't told them yet about this next deployment, although I think today is the day.

Now don't get me wrong.  I love living in America.  I love the military.  I love the stable job and the healthcare.  I love getting to meet new people and experience so many new things. I love moving. I love being an Army Wife.  It's just not sunshine and roses all the time.

Anyway, here's a few things I am going to try and do this year.  First I'm going to continue my journey to get healthy again.  I need to lose a bit of weight - I've gained a lot since Mikey was born.  I'm working on it, but I need to have time to myself.  If that means getting a gym membership, and putting my kids in childcare for a few hours a week, then I'm not going to feel guilty. I need time to myself without feeling pressured to be home by a certain time. That's not fair on me, and fair on my kids.  I need to do things like see a chiropractor or get a massage, buy new clothes, shoes or make up, and get my hair done...because that will make me feel better. I'll be more positive and be a better Mom. It's not selfish - it's making life better for everyone.

Also - I'm begining to love to cook.  I was scared for the longest time, being married to a cook, but out of necessity I've been the cook since deployment number 1.  (If anyone tries to tell you that work hours are better as a Warrant - it's crap.  Just saying). So I am going to cook my little toucas off this year!!

I am going to travel too - I can't wait to see my Drummies over the summer!! I love these girls!! They truly know me.  We can laugh and cry together, and even though we're split up around the country, they will always be the first people I will turn to if I need to cry or celebrate. I know that they will never judge me or turn against me. So that means a trip to Colorado...or Minnesota...or South Carolina...or Missouri...or all of the above!! How freaking cool!!

Oh, and I am going to try to blog everyday, even if it's just a picture. I'll start off with the 30 Day Photo Challenge. And I'm going to be honest too.  I'm so paranoid about offending people but why?  If you actually give a crap about me you won't be reading this.  If you're a good person and don't do dodgy things then you don't have anything to worry about. If you're a dick and hurt me or people that I care about, then expect to be written about.

So here's to 2011.  You may potentially suck, but I'm determined to keep positive and have a great year!!