How did that happen?

DH wanted fettuccine Alfredo last night and I wanted to try out the Alfredo recipe that came with my magic bullet wonder blender (yup still using it!) but I was out of cream. I told him that if he still wants it he can stop and pick some up other wise I was making him a buffalo chicken pizza. He didn't want to stop so pizza it was!

I got home and I was cooking the chicken (while still in work clothes - such a good wife haha) I grabbed the pizza dough and since it had been a while I check the expatriation date, Aug! Ugh! But not the end of the world I still had my quick dough recipe from my Pampered Chef days so I reached for the yeast...expired! Crap, then it was a choice of mustard on toast or....oh wait, the mustard - expired! At that point I was intrigued, we have only lived here for a year so I didn't think there was any way that the the little bit of food we had left would be bad. Well here's the list, country crock - expired, bottle of green tea - expired, bottle of seltzer - expired, turkey sausages - expired, bag of coffee - expired and to to it all off, the yogurt I ate for lunch - expired!!

How does that happen? There were no smells, nothing funky growing in there just a lot of really old food! What had we been eating? And now, since I need to replace so many staples my punishment for turning the refrigerator into a science experiment - I need to go to the commissary at the beginning of the month!!!!!!

Last night's dinner, a #10 with a root beer...

Ugh! The rules aren't that hard

What is OPSEC? Operational Security, it is there to protect our soldiers so why do people refuse to follow it? We as wives may not be in the military but we do have to follow the rules, if you can't do that small thing then maybe you shouldn't be married to a service member....

Here is a short refresher on information you are not to disclose:
(1) Your soldier’s exact location overseas
(2) Any information on troop movements – this includes any movement while they are deployed and in transit to/from theater (including R&R). Do not ever give dates or times.

(3) Any information on weapons systems, how they train or numbers – for this reason, many pictures from overseas can easily violate OPSEC.

Honestly, is that SO HARD? No, my friends it is not. But people disregard this then want to complain that their loved ones are delayed coming home or are pushed to deploy ahead of schedule. I can't imagine if these women where in DH's unit...we can't talk about anything! What really bothers me about people posting this stuff is that I seem to be the only one calling them out on it. I am not trying to be a jerk but seriously...if you don't think terrorist read message boards (and blogs like this one) you have a lot to learn.

OK that is it about the rules...I just needed to get it off my chest so I don't go yelling at some poor woman! I know how exciting it is to find out a return date...

Nothing too exciting going on here, just the start of another week after a nice relaxing weekend with DH. I wish I knew for sure or not if he was training in a few weeks...Oh well, we "live like he's deploying tomorrow" anyway.

Two in one day!

The baby is here! Everyone is doing great! Now I just need to win the lotto (that I never play) so I can go home whenever I want!

OK and I have a reader and she asked me to post so I did - I'm sorry to blacking things out but I could get DH in trouble for blogging about him (stupid rules!)

Far far away!

So my old college roommate has gone into labor! It is so exciting, I wish I could be there. I am trying not to complain, it seems like that is all I ever do here but this is the 4th baby to be born to people close to me since we've been gone. It's hard.

I got the news that she was in labor over 24 hours ago and I haven't heard anything since...I am praying that everything is OK. They are going to be such wonderful parents, this child is so blessed. God I am getting old, everyone around me is having babies! I love it. I have single friends, it's such a weird thing to think about. Everyone is either married or in a long term relationship. It's so great but the funny part is that none of us are on the path we set out to be on - I love how life knows what's best for you.

Now for the latest in DH news, I swear this boy's like could be a soap opera...Days of Our Army Lives...he thinks he may have broken his foot in the jump yesterday! What the crap...so hopefully he will get it checked out and hopefully it's not broken...that would really screw everything up!! Oh and I don't want him in pain and all that haha.

OK that's about it...life is, as always, chugging along. Boring but content.

Oh Magic Bullet...How I Love You

Get your mind out of the gutter, I am talking about the blender...perv! Anyway, it's always sad when a store has to liquidate but the sales before they close the doors tend to soften the blow. Linens 'n Things is no more and in their dash to sell off stock I was able to grab a magic bullet at 20% off!! I have been watching the infomercial for YEARS and have always wanted it but I was told by none believers that it would only let me down. Well my friends, I am glad to report that it has NOT let me down.

My first concoction was a frozen drink...frozen strawberries (which work better if you microwave them for a few seconds), orange juice, a banana and some vodka - healthy and intoxicating. Then it saved the day when I ran out of oatmeal for breakfast, same recipe as before just replace the vodka with blueberries. Then when Fred Meyer wanted $17 of a tray of strawberries and whipped cream....I made my own whipped cream. But the best was last night, I have been trying for years to find a red sauce that DH and I can agree on. He is allergic to onions so most of the jars were not an option. I tried making it at home but I just couldn't figure it out until last night. The recipe that came with the magic bullet (sans onions) it was PERFECT!

I think tonight I will celebrate with a frozen margarita while I watch Sex and the City on DVD....Life is good!

Stupid cars...

Why does your "Check Engine" light never come on when we need it to? Why can't the Chevy people just look at you and know what you need? I was about to say that I wish that we could all go back to riding horses but I know how sad I get when it's time to get rid of a car...I can't imagine having to take care of a horse when it broke! So I guess we will just have to pray that the little crappy car that we bought DH will stop stalling out on the highway and maybe stall out in front of a GM Certified repair shop...

At least I got to take the morning off from work :)

Oh and some fun news, one of my military wives message boards has a feature called "a day in the life" where you take a picture of all the stuff you do in a day so others can see a glimpse of what it's like to be you. I get to do mine this week, maybe I will share it with all of the...who am I kidding I will share it with myself because I know my readership is well....no one haha. I wonder how long I can keep it up so DH doesn't find out what I am doing and make fun of me for it!

I made my list

Of lots of songs that I love, enjoy!

Finally some plans!

But I will believe them when I see them put into action. DH came home yesterday and told me that he had a talk with his boss about "their intentions" so to speak. It seems that there is just too much to do and not enough time before the next deployment to get it done. So it looks like he wont be leaving for his next round of training until next month. Which is good, I love spending time with him but it also means that he will have to come home in the middle of it for Christmas Exodus. (2 plane tickets we weren't planning on but that's OK). This training is VERY intense and I just hope he is able to keep his focus while he is home.

Then there is the upcoming deployment early next year, he needs to go because he needs to reenlist, how long he stays there will depend on the class schedule for his next round of training (hard to follow...yes - I wish I took notes last night). But it looks like he should make E5 before even going there. That will be interesting for him, to go from a war zone with a SpecOps unit to an AIT class will cherry privates! He's going to be a super hero to them haha.

I really hope this all goes as planned (I know, anyone reading this with army experience is laughing at me). But by this time next year we should be pretty stable with what he's doing and his schedule. I can not wait for that!

I Don't Get It

After seeing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and hearing the warnings and the evacuation mandates why did people stay in their homes? Are people really that arrogant? Is it worth it? Is losing your life really worth it? I understand the desire to protect your belongings but when you are being slammed with 110 mph winds and storm surges higher than you are tall what are you really going to be able to do?

And now we have to rescue these people. I don't think that they should have to sit there waiting to die, they should be rescued. Each human life is a valuable life but come on...It's very hard for me. Our military is overworked as it is and now they are having to deploy to Texas all because people thought they were bigger than the storm? So far DH is staying put but I can tell you one thing, if he was called away from me for people who decided to thumb their noses to the advice of all the experts I would NOT be happy.

I have never had to deal with a hurricane of such force before but I have lived through 2 in my life. We did what we were told to do. We had plenty of ice, batteries, gas, non perishable food etc. We didn't just do whatever we wanted then expect to be bailed out. As for people who were not told to evacuate and who are still needing assistance and support - I am all for it and no matter how it may sound my heart goes out to everyone affected by this. I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose every thing you have in an instant...

These types of things really bother me. Is that really what America is about, worry about you and if that doesn't work it's cool because someone will bail you out? Whatever happened to personal responsibility? I guess that has gone out the window with the economy...

I am really not an angry person...I will try to hit on some lighter subjects soon!

What About Me Says Army Wife?

We have all heard them (by "we" I mean my fellow military wives) that we are fat, unemployed, unfaithful, baby makers. As soon as our men are out of town we are out on the town. We get together daily and gossip about each other. We wear out husband's rank on our sleeve and I would never be able to go up to a CO's wife. I don't know where these things come from but for the record I am fit (could stand to tone up but oh well), I have a job, I have never even thought about cheating on my husband and at 28 I am still childless. Yes there is so gossip but no more than there was before I was an Army wife and my husband is an E4, has been for over a year and as I type right now I am IMing with a CO's wife. Oh and FYI, NONE of the wives I know fit this stereotype either!

Why am I bring this up? Well I was just thinking that there is noting about me that says "army wife". I don't fit the outrageous stereotypes nor do I really have anything to do with the army on a daily basis. When people find out where I am from they never know what I am doing on the wrong side of the country. My husband's hair is almost as long as it was when we were dating (Spec Ops perk!). I drive a nice car and I don't have ribbons or stickers all over it (well there is one for his unit but you really have to know to know). I am kind of just stranded in an area that I hate with very few friends and a husband who is gone for at least 6 months every year.

I was thinking last night that if we lived on post I would have friends. It is so hard to have no one to turn to. Yes I have great friends online but that is of no help when you want to go out and grab a beer. Moving on post is not really an option for us, like I said my husband is an E4 and we have no kids, we would end up in the ghetto looking 1900's era apartments. No thank you. That plus DH really isn't into everything army, he goes to work and comes home...I haven't seen him in ACUs since the day he came home form deployment 2 months ago!

So I am not a local and I am not really an "army wife" so what am I? I am having a very hard time finding my place, and if you saw my last post my job isn't helping much! I want so badly to go home for Thanksgiving but I was looking at flights and it will be $700 just to fly! DH should be out training (fingers crossed) and I know there are people here who would love to have me over but I can't imagine that being fun...odd man out never is. I've been an army wife for 3 years and I have always felt like an outsider.

I know there are great things about this life but I am having a hard time finding them.

PS
On a lighter note, DH made a harness for the cat today, we took her outside and for the first time in her almost 4 years on earth she felt the grass. She didn't really know what to make of it but is sure was funny to watch!

I have about had it!

This job, it makes me want to do bad things...really bad things! I have really started looking, actually submitting my resume because the whole "post it and hope my dream job comes knocking" thing just wasn't working. I was contacted by a few people, placement agencies because apparently the really cool people don't want to hire you right away. It is kind of like rushing a sorority, just with out all the booze and acting like slut...but in the end if you are a "good fit" you will get that bid, to join.

On Friday I drove 70 minutes each way to sit and talk to a placement agency for 15 minutes! 15 effing minutes. I can understand, he doesn't want to submit me for a job with out meeting me but still - 2 hours in the car and a day out of work, give me at least 20 minutes to dazzle you. Either way, he liked me and will be submitting me but this humongous company likes to take their sweet ass time and I may not find anything out for weeks, maybe months!

Why do I want out of this job so badly? Well I have no direction, I am all about being a self starter but with that you will have to give me some information. You want me to look into banner ads, OK I will but what is our budget? Ahhhh yes the budget, that is it....the elephant in the room - no one really knows because the company owners are never in the country and they wont even disclose the financial information to their own daughter who is running things here. I was not able to order toner today because our office supply account has been froze due to lack of payment! Do you know how frustrating it is to have to go to AP and ask them why the hell the $600 to Office Max hasn't been paid? Do they think I like to have my name attached to such dead beat practices?

Oh and the owner of this place, what a piece of work! He thinks that he, and this company, are God greatest gift. They like to tell the story about starting everything in their garage which I will admit, make you feel all warm and fuzzy but there is a twist. Most garage born Mom & Pops come from love, this place was started out of pure greed. They don't love what they do they love money. Guess what D-Bags, IT SHOWS.

They love money so much that they will lie to you about why you are hired just to get you in here at a less than desirable rate. Did I think I was being brought in because of my marketing skills? Yes I did...did they just want to glorified admin who's brain they could pick for marketing ideas? Yes they did. I can't believe I fell for it!

What really bugs me is that the product is really good! I wish I could say that I hate it, I am not that spiteful. I can't deny a good thing when I see one. I just fear for my friends working here, for a few this is their first job out of college and they are being sucked in. Reviews/raises are being pushed off, their work requirements are changing but their titles are not. And they say they want a change but are so afraid of losing their jobs that they just sit back and take it. Without out a title change it will be much harder to fully express on a resume exactly what it is that you do and so you will be STUCK here working for peanuts.

Oh well, what does this have to do with being an army wife? Nothing and everything all at once. I constantly have to think about him and his schedule with every job I consider. I have just recently opened myself up to the idea of taking a commuter rail to work - previously I thought that it would be too stressful, if DH needed me to go to post what would I do? What if he gets injured while training? How will I get home? Now it's time to think about me...his career is on it's way while mine has been on hold for 3 years...not any more watch out big city - I'm coming and I've got guns blazing (and my resume printed)

Here I Am, Again!

So I am back to not knowing what is going on. I love it. Before DH left for deployment they told he that he was going to training for 3 months when he gets back. OK, I got myself ready for that - I would have him for about 7 weeks and he would be gone again, sucks but not the end of the world. Then the day before he was scheduled to test for this he was told, not this time - some big wig was coming to town and they needed him. Well, it's exciting that he gets to stay with me, although I am a little upset because this training NEEDS to happen or he will not be promoted. It also seemed that he would be home until everyone deploys again in the winter, that is when he is reenlisting and it is my understanding that he needs to have at least a year left on his current contract to even start this school. Last week he told me that they are going to try to send him at the end of the month! Less than 4 weeks...I am just about ready to pull my hair out with all of this. I just want him to go and get it over with already!!! He will have to do it at some point so just DO IT! And it isn't his fault, he has to do what he is told. I just wish they would stop jerking us around.

So that is that, I have no idea if I will be with my husband at all this fall and it is so frustrating. Other than that it's been great having him home, he is so much more attentive than before he deployed. We have been playing scrabble every night which I love because it really makes us talk and look at each other. He's still not great at helping around the house but we are working in baby steps here! I am just blessed, I have a husband who loves me and I can count on him no matter what.

Other than that I have been working at this company for about 2 months now and I am sooooo over it! I hate everything about this place. The owner thinks that he is God's gift to business, they underpay everyone, I have been tasked with a huge goal but not the proper tools needed to achieve it. It is very frustrating. I wish they have been up front with me about what it was they wanted from day one, I know that I was up front with them. I need to start looking for something else but it is such a long and hard process, I have been dragging my feet! I wish I could just find something that I love! I hate dreading getting up in the morning.

Life other than that has been rather boring really...work, hang out with DH, sleep...that's pretty much it in a nut shell. As of today we have been at this current duty station for a year...I have no left this state in a year, that is so depressing.