Success!

I can blog again!!!!!

Hopefully the laptop is saved but for some reason I still can't access blogger on my desktop. My Internet explorer has issues.

So starting tomorrow I will go through a major recap while I couldn't blog.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! It is good to be back!

Computer Woes

I have had problems signing into Blogger lately. In fact I am writing this from David's boat.

I am not sure what is wrong with my two computers at home and I have lots to say about our Thanksgiving and such. So I will continue to work on it and I will return to blogging when I can get it worked out.

Confessions

What I must confess is that I listened to Christmas carols today and put them on my Ipod. Yes, I am aware it isn't even Thanksgiving, but they make me so happy and excited. And holidays are even more important when I am so far from family and friends.

I must also have double the Christmas spirit because David is anything but a joyful Christmas elf. (He had a bad childhood experience with Christmas) So I am forever trying to get him jazzed for the holidays.

I promised no Christmas stuff till Thanksgiving, but I slipped and had to listen to my Relaxing Classical Christmas and Christmas Baroque cd.

I must also confess that I have been deep in thought this past week. I am in the middle of a complicated issue with another wife. I have been searching for a Christian solution to the problem for months now. But the proper action has elluded me. Christians are supposed to be kind, gernerous and "nice" to everyone. But when is nice too nice? How many times do you forgive someone? Where is the line between being a good Christian and letting someone take advantage of your kindness?

The verse that has come to me quite often in the past months are:

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV)

If someone manipulates, uses and hurts me, what is the Christian response?

I must confess I do not know.

What To Say

Well I did not get washed away, just my creativity and my Internet service.

I don't have a whole lot to say. Just that I am keeping busy with all kinds of boring cleaning, sorting and packing.

During our big storm, David was in San Diego, and of course it was sunny and perfect as usual. No that isn't annoying at all.

I am fully ready to leave. Not that it has been a horrible place because it hasn't at all, neither has the Navy. I don't hate it, I am just ready to move on, and get out before the horrible winter really gets going.

Military life is not easy, it is a difficult challenge daily. The men all live, work, eat and play together, so they get tired of each other. Us wives have to depend on each other because we are all alone up here, several of the women have kids. It becomes difficult to know who to trust and disappointing when you learn you trusted the wrong ones. I will be happy when we can have civilian friends.

The kitties have one more month till they go to live at Grammy and Grandpa's in Houston! I am going to miss them soooooooooooooooooooo much. We are busy giving hugs and kisses to last a month apart.

Ahhh and it started to rain again. What wonderful weather this place has.

This Place is Crazy!

Misty rain? HA HA

Today is day 4 of pouring down rain all day. Even the kitties look sad as the stare out the window. And what did I find on the weather report today???

"...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SEATTLE HAS ISSUED A * FLOOD WATCH FOR THE FOLLOWING WESTERN WASHINGTON COUNTIES...CLALLAM..JEFFERSON..SKAGIT...WHATCOM...KING..KITSAP... LEWIS...MASON...PIERCE...SNOHOMISH...THURSTON...AND GRAYS HARBOR. * FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON * THE CURRENT WET PATTERN WILL SET THE STAGE FOR POTENTIAL RIVER FLOODING LATE SUNDAY NIGHT OR MONDAY AS A STRONG...VERY WET STORM SYSTEM MOVES ACROSS THE AREA. THIS STORM COULD PRODUCE RAINFALL AMOUNTS EXCEEDING 6 INCHES...PARTICULARLY ON THE SOUTHWEST FACING SLOPES OF THE OLYMPICS. THIS AMOUNT OF RAIN ON TOP OF WHAT HAS ALREADY FALLEN HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DRIVE A NUMBER OF RIVERS ABOVE FLOOD STAGE. * PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY COULD ALSO RESULT IN SMALL STREAM AND URBAN FLOODING. A FLOOD WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR FLOODING BUT FLOODING IS NOT IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. MONITOR THE WEATHER AND BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY IF FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR A WARNING IS ISSUED. "

What? A flood in Western Washington? And no lighting or thunder? This place is crazy!

Twas the Day After Halloween...

I had a GREAT Halloween. We had heard rumors of Halloween parties but none of them happened, so I threw a mini-halloween party for me and David.

David has duty today and leaves tomorrow so we had to have all of his stuff ready to go, and I will come clean, we hadn't started till the last second. So we went to the grocery store and got him some stuff and me my tv dinners to last me. Yeah, I don't cook when David is gone; I will cook for 2 but not for one. I also got me some Coco Crispies. Tease all you want, I like them and the only time I ever got them was at my Grammy's house and just one of those tiny boxes. So I told myself that I am a grown woman and if I want a sugary cereal I can get it. Oh and we got a pumpkin.

We carved our pumpkin, Fred, and watched Sleepy Hollow, clever I know. Then I toasted the pumpkin seeds and finished the movie by candle light. I had candles everywhere and all the lights off so it was kinda fun. By then some the little Trick-or-Treaters, I like to call them TOTs, started to arrive. We had lots of little children, but less bigger children than I did last year. So I had bought a mess load of candy this year and last year's amount would have done it. I think our TOT number was down because it was below freezing outside and I think most of the kids were in our complex so it was close enough to face the cold temps. Even so, Everyone loved our Fred!!!

Then we ordered pizza and watched Sean of the Dead, a hilarious parody of Dawn of the Dead. Really funny, but still appropriate for Halloween night. All the while David was folding clothes and packing.

I had the best time, what a fun last night with David, what a fun Halloween. My mini party was a success!!

ps- Rigby dressed up as a sleepy kitty and Abbey was a hungry kitty.

Baby shower down... bridal shower to go

Well the shower went wonderfully. I was actually really proud of my self as to how perfectly it went. There were 18 people there!! And I was worried that no one would come.

We had it at Olive Garden cause I live in an apartment not made for 18 plus two infants, as well as I wanted the men to feel comfortable. Yes, I had a co-ed baby shower. Well, it wasn't really a baby shower since the baby had been born. I struggled with what to call it, an Unshower Baby Party, an Baby Unbirthday Party so I settled on A Welcome Baby Party.

The things I am most proud of:

The adorable favors!

(i know it is hard to see, lets all bug David till he gets me a new digital camera) It was a chocolate bar wrapper that you could print on. So I thought, cheap, easy what a great idea. Little did I know that the don't make Hershey bars with foil on them anymore, only plastic. But you say that you see foil in that picture? Well yes, we did the unthinkable, we wrapped the chocolate bars in foil, all 24 of them. Not to mention 30 other hurdles surrounding the chocolate bar fiasco. But they turned out super cute!

The cupcake cake!

(again hard to see.... David! new camera!) It is a group of cupcakes (half vanilla half chocolate) frosted all together to form a cake!! I know too cool. It was a major hit and fabulously easy to serve at the restaurant!

My gift creation!

I want to pat myself on the back for how cute this basket was. And all the little details you can't even see. But it was cute. And I learned a really good lesson, I can not, no matter how hard I try I can not tie a fancy bow, even with picture instructions.

David says being a hostess and party planner suits me. Well even if I do it well, I was so stressed out trying to make this thing work, I don't know if I would want to do this ever again. But in a few short weeks I have a bridal shower. But this one, I have a lot more help with and I am more excited about this one.

I do not have a camping video as promised. David is leaving Wednesday and the mad rush to finish everything has started. But there is a video in the works. Look for it, around Thursday.

Quick Update

So David is home, which means we are busy. Working on organizing our big move.

But also as I have mentioned I have been scrambling to get a baby shower together. It is tomorrow and last night we were little sweat shop children making the favors. I will post tomorrow about how it goes.

Last weekend we went camping and it was lots of fun. I took some video so I am working on getting something put together. So by the end of the weekend I should have something ready. Stay tuned.

That is all. All is well. We are off to a curb appeal work party.

Letting Go.

Another year has gone by since my Juni's passing. Unlike last years post, I do not find my self crying at the thought of her. Although her death is still a dark moment in my life I let go of the pain of losing her, but still hold on to how much I loved her.

I lost her at the most difficult part of my life, when I thought the skies couldn't any more black and my chest any more heavy with burden. As I lost her I couldn't imagine why I had to say goodbye to the one thing that still gave me joy in this life.

But little did I know that joy would return to me. As October comes I remember that day my dad called me to tell me the news, but I also remember that November marks my anniversary of finding Abbey and November is Rigby's birthday. And Abbey and Rigby have brought a happiness back to me that I thought was buried with my Junnipurr.

She wasn't just a cat to me. She was my friend, support and she needed me. She was the most beautiful cat I have ever seen and had a personality to match her stunning beauty. I loved her.

So it seems that there will be moments in life where your heart will break, but you will be ok.

Fly Away- Poe

It makes sense that it should happen this way
That the sky should break,
and the earth should shake
As if to say: Sure it all matters but in such an unimportant way

As if to say: Fly away, sweet bird of prey
Fly fly away
Nothing can stand in your way Sweet bird,
if you knew the words I know you'd say:
fly, fly away

It makes sense that it should hurt in this way
That my heart should break, and my hands should shake
As if to say: Sure it don't matter except in the most important way

As if to say: Fly away, sweet bird of prey
Fly fly away I
won't stand in your way Sweet bird,
if you knew the words I know that you'd say:
fly, fly away
It makes sense that it should feel just this way
That you slowly fade and yet still remain
As if to say: Everything matter in such an invisible way
As if to say:
It's O.K.
Fly...away

So I let go of my grief and say goodbye to my kitty. But I will never let go of how much I loved her and still do. Because it is ok.

Home at last!

David comes home today! ahhhhh. Sigh and relief, if only for a couple weeks is plenty for me.

It will be so good to see him, and to eat with people again, sing together in the car, lying in bed with kitties reading the Sunday paper, walking through Manchester park, playing Boggle and wow a face to face conversation.

All that peace from not feeling so alone. That, I miss.

But miss no more... until November when he leaves again, and then January when he leaves for 8 months.

But these next 2 weeks, I will feel alive.

First Pluto, now George?

About a couple of months ago, the science community shocked me with the news that Pluto would no longer be considered a planet. It is strange to have my childhood knowledge rewritten. Seriously, who here when asked how many planets are in our solar system jumps straight to the number 8, NO ONE! We all still think, oh nine.

Well, science again is shaking up American History. The face that we picture when we think of George Washington is no longer considered accurate.

George as we think of him:














What forensic scientist now believe he looked like:

Yes take out your 1 dollar bills and say goodbye to the face of George Washington. What next, Abe Lincoln didn't have a beard? The Lochness Monster has been found?

Ok. So not a monumental change in my life. But it is just strange. I'd love to see what other people think. I think the new George is kinda handsome. And it is kinda creepy to think this isn't a painting. I saw something on the Discovery channel where they did this to Tutankhmun (King Tut), it was real creepy too, and they found out that he died because of infection. Weird.

What a changing world we live in. Amazing.

But I am wondering, will I still be able to help my kids with their homework?



But please, read the article for yourself:http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/george-washington-cuts-a-fine-figure/20061014191809990026?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Good Morning... I think?

Yes. I have had some memory problems lately. I feel so scatter brained because of all the hustle and bustle that is going on.

I mentioned in my last post that I was planning a baby shower and a bridal shower that occur within 3 weeks of each other. I know ambitious but I have no choice. As well as making frequent trips to the party store, we are all getting ready for the big deployment in January. All of us are going home and there are major arrangements that have to be made. As far as getting things packed and stored, and all the legal arrangements and pet travel arrangements. Arrangements being the key word. I have been needless to say pulled in many directions.

And my mind has started to go. Yesterday after lunch I struggled to remember if I had brushed my teeth that morning. I started out saying yeah, of course I remember doing it. But then the little thought would creep into my mind, "Are you sure you remember brushing your teeth THIS morning and not every other morning?" And back and forth it would go until I go brush my teeth again. I am concluding since the brush was wetter than it normally is that I did in fact brush my teeth, and thus brushed them twice with in hours of each other.

I have also started to forget when I have eaten. I will be so consumed by work that around 430 I say, wow I am starving! And then I try to think what did I have for lunch. And when I can not remember eating lunch I say ooops, I forgot to eat. This happens quite alot. And because the season is changing to the dark and dreary all day long it is hard to judge when it is lunch time.

I need a vacation, a break, a chance to get my mind working again. In January when I am at home and settled in I can have my break. Until then I need a live in nurse to remind me when to brush my teeth and eat.

So Happy Friday the 13th!

An ok Weekend

I don't have anything really clever to say. I must be losing my touch, or maybe I am just busy planning two showers, a baby and a bridal, and getting things ready for David's return and our big move.

This weekend was fun though. I convinced two people to eat Mexican food, not a popular fair up here. And then me and my bud Jeni went looking for supplies to make welcome home t-shirts for the guys. (we all wait on the pier together when they pull in) On our way to Jo Ann's we were nearly got in the cross fire of a million cops in the parking lot. No lie. We were a little firghtened but moved on with out crafting project. (and I found a really cute wooden turkey at Jo Ann's--40% off!)

Saturday a few us went to Jeni's house and made the t shirts which came out really cute. And apparently I lived through my second earthquake. I didn't even feel this one though. Also I spent the night at Jeni's. So Me, Jeni, Dash (the baby kitten), and Koda and Nemo her doggies all slept together. He he. It was pretty fun. Until we woke up and realized Sunday was an ugly day out side. Cold and rainy, yuck.

So my weekend was eventful not monumental.

But finally a picture of my new hair and glasses. I know you can't really see my hair other than it is short. Hmmm. When I get another human being around I will try to take another one. But until then let us all resort to our imaginations! YAY!

Hump Day

It is just one of those days where the weekend can't get here fast enough. But not only that. David coming home about now would be so nice.

Sometimes I feel like my life here is so dreadfully boring and predictable and the estrogen fest I have going on is kinda getting on my nerves.

And sometimes computers are really retarded. Internet is great if it works, when it works. And sometimes I could just scream at my computer.

http://www.pimpmycom.com/

Maybe I need a lunch break.

Happy Hump Day folks.

For all those who are dying to know my hair woes and triumphs:

So while I was in Houston I got my hair cut! (Thank you again Darcy)

After a few days of hair shock and remorse, I love it. Every woman knows there is this process to liking a new hair cut. It goes something like this:

*Phase 1- Puppy Love
This occurs the day of, when you come from Darcy and your hair is fab, and styled to perfection.

*Phase 2- Remorse
This occurs the second day when you try to recreate Darcy's masterpiece and realize there is a reason she is the professional. Plus you don't have the right brush or "product."

*Phase 3- Hair Shock
This occurs shortly after Hair Remorse, when no matter what you do your hair just looks funny. This phase could last two or three days.

*Phase 4- Hair Nirvana
This occurs when your hair stops acting retarded and you get used to your hair being 7 inches shorter, and you think gosh this looks cute! And swear never to doubt Darcy ever again.


I haven't taken a picture yet of my new hair, my new hair is much like my hair cut my freshman year of college (seen in the picture to the right) but with swoopy bangs.

For all that can live without this hair overshare, I am sorry.

ps- all that nice weather I was talking about..... gone.

"and music is my air-o-plane"

So I am back in Washington. And surprisingly it is sunny and pretty weather. Maybe I brought it back with me.

Houston was gorgeous weather. I got to see my family and that was great, better than great, cause I miss them so much. But Leah and Michael couldn't make it down and that was a bummer. My dad and I went down to Galveston and had lunch at this place by the water and a pod of dolphins were swimming near by.

We also had a little chili cook off for my dad's birthday party, the findings were inconclusive. So for all those who were wondering, I made bean-free chili and my dad's was beaned.

..................................................................
I think I might pause for a second and comment on flying in today's world.

It is almost a humiliating process these days. I had to watch men take of their belts and take mine off as well. Almost as if we were all undressing. And seeing everyone in their socks is weird. Like the status held in footwear has been taken away and we are all reduced to the quality and cleanliness of our socks and hosiery. After you go through the security check point, which now a couple of guys know everything you travel with, you have to grab all of your stuff and hop around trying to put your shoes back on and your id back in your wallet. This is crazy! Then some men just give up on the belt and walk around holding their belts. I mean, there has to be a better way.
................................................................

It was a really great trip. I wish it hadn't been so long in between visits. Washington is "fun" I guess, but there is something to be said about living near your family.

I have never wanted to be one of those people who never goes anywhere, never sees anything but their home town. I think it is important for young people to explore. It is in exploration that we find ourselves. Challenging ourselves to live with different people, learn new things, experience life in a different way than our parents showed us. Sometimes you might find that you like things your parents never liked. Like my dad and aunts were saying they never had black olives, why? Because MeeMaw doesn't like them. But now my dad eats black olives. What if he had never been introduced to black olives?

All this to say, that I felt weird about wanting to come back home and live in Texas again. I didn't want to be giving up and be living a sheltered life. But I see that you only have so much time in your life and I want to spend it close to my family. They are there for me through anything. Plus I could never get used to the weather up here.

Ps- Please pray for the Culbert family. They have lost a son/brother and it is really hard for them right now.

Sigh... it is almost time

Yes, it is true. I am about to leave Houston early tomorrow morning. Wow, it has been so great.

Sunshine, family, mexican food, lawns, an awesome thunder and lighting storm, dolphins, warm wind, my bed, my church family, a Shipley's donut, and a Darcy hair cut!

What more could someone ask for? Only to have this all the time. I wish. And my wish will soon come true. But it is just hard to leave. I don't want to go back up there.

But I must. My little kitties are up there all alone probably wondering where I am.

Just a couple more months, busy months, and I will have survived with very little Vitamin D, no mexican food, very little husband and just a few friends.

All in all a good visit.

Quick Note

For those that are wondering why I do not comment on anyone else's blogs, here is a warning:

If you have Blogger beta you can not comment on Blogger basic blogs.

Apparently, this feature will be addedd later. So I do read everyone's blogs, I just can't say anything about it. Not that anyone cares. But I do. Comments are fun. It makes me feel like maybe this is worth while.

Anyhoo. I am in HOUSTON!! YAY! And there is sunlight! Amazing.

Muy.... Excited!

Well I get to go to Houston this weekend! WOOOO HOOOO!

I am so excited, I don't even think it has settled in yet. I will be in Houston after an excruciating 10 months. That is a long time to be stuck in one place with no vacation or relief from yucky Washington. I am uber excited to see my family and have Mexican food and feel warmth. Oh yeah, I get a real hair cut too!!! Yippie!!

I am coming home for my Daddy's birthday. So everybody wish him a good one. Aren't I a good present?

Also, I guess since it is official I will mention that I am moving back to Houston in January. David is leaving for a 8 month cruise and so I have decided to spend that time at home. My parents have graciously offered to let me stay in their upstairs suite with my two precious babies. So we are all excited and getting ready for the move. I was planning on staying up here but then all of my friends said they were leaving and I wasn't going to stay up here all alone during the nasty part of the year.

And big drumroll...... David and I have also decided to get out of the Navy! So big BIG change for us. He will be done after he gets back from the Persian Gulf. With the world situation it was becoming dangerous for David to be even in the Navy. There were lots of threats of sending him as a ground troop to Iraq. (we saw one of our friends go over there recently) That was kinda the last straw for us. So by Christmas time next year (hopefully) we will be civilians!! I am unbelievably excited and ready. It will be so amazing to FINALLY be together. I will have waited 5 1/2 years and it seems like too long.

So that is all of my big news. Look out civilization... here I come!


ps-did anyone catch the Selena refrence in the title? that means you Leah!

Something small and funny

Ok, just so my mom has something to look at while toiling away at work a small present from my arduous weekend of TV watching.

President Reagan went to England and was on a horse and buggy ride with the Queen. And the horse was making "rude noises" (he was farting) and the Queen said

"I'm sorry Mr. President. But there are things even royalty cannot control."

and Reagan says:

"That's ok ma'am. If you hadn't said anything I would have thought it was the horse."


he he he he he he he he
Thank you Paula Dean and her wonderful trip to England!

And a little hint for all those out there with a soul, a beating heart and any sense of love and marriage. DO NOT GO SEE "THE LAST FIRST KISS!!!!" It is horrible, and despite the critics calling it "very funny" it is not by any means or in anyway funny! If you find adultery, divorce and mid-life crisis funny then why not see this movie! It has all of those and no light hearted humor, nope. Just a depressing look of how an affair happens. uh huh. miserable. And for the record it is the last time Jeni picks the movie.

Here today, gone tomorrow!

Yes, David is gone once again. But he was here for a really long time or so it seemed at the time. He will be gone for another month. It is starting to become apparent that there aren't many days with him before he goes on his "7" month cruise ( it could be seven, it could be 8 or 9 too.) It is just coming up all to fast.

Although I have said before I would rather them go and be gone and pulling in and out of port. It is stressful to have him come home and we have a mad dash to wash and mend all his clothes, get things done around the house and town that I need him for. And it is stressful emotionally. When he is here for only a week or two, it is hard to know whether you are saying hello or good bye, the turnaround is so quick.

This time, it was really hard because everyone else had a month and a half together, and they promised us leave and then took it away, and I really saw what a great team we are. Just the way we can cook dinner together and clean up and tackle all these tasks, all that made us seem like an actual couple that has time together. It was hard saying good bye to that.

I keep on wondering how I do this over and over. And the answer is David. I love him, toa point where all of this military mess is just worth it, for a week here and 10 days there. I stay up here for bits of us being together.

So he is probably going to kill me for showing the world his one weakness. But it is so cute.

ps- something else that is gone is summer. the sun and warm weather GONE! back to miserable seattle weather.

Yeah I am bored so what?

Yup another video. Yup I am a bit obsessed with the little ones. They are furry, cute and cuddly. Enjoy them as I do!!!

A New Look

Some of you may have noticed a new look to the P.O. Times or not. Blogger has updated the software and is now Blogger Beta. (This is some new trend. Itunes and AOL have all updated to "Beta.")

Really all this means is I can do more things with out knowing HTML. So pretty cool. eh?

I know not all that interesting. But David is home finally, for two weeks too! I was getting to my breaking point. He was gone May, June and most of July, then home for a week and then gone for another month. It was just alot all at once. And the consensus with all the other wives is we would rather them leave for six months and be gone then have them in and out in and out. It is a lot of stress emotionally. The adjustment period just eats up alot of our time together. At least he is home now.

So that is all.

Poor Pluto

I feel very sad. Everything I thought I knew has changed, I am seriously rattled.

Pluto has been demoted from the 9th planet in our solar system to a dwarf planet.

For some reason this made me really sad. I remember learning about the planets as a kid and feeling attached to the littlest planet. Awwww. Don't we all like to root for the underdog, the little guy, or as David said "the little guy stuck freezing his butt off."

So poor Pluto. You may just be a ball of ice but we still love you. You will always be my 9th planet.

My favorite quote about poor Pluto is as follows:

"Demoting the icy orb named for the Roman god of the underworld isn't personal - it's just business - said Jack Horkheimer, director of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium and host of the PBS show "Star Gazer."It's like an amicable divorce," he said. "The legal status has changed but the person really hasn't. It's just single again.' "

What's in a name?

Well, something else to ease boredom across nation:

You can go to this site and see what you last name ranks in popularity.

According to this site, Bivins is surname number 5255 in the USA.

and surprisingly

Micheletti is not among the top 55,000 most common names in the US.

This is most surprising because I always thought Bivins was not very popular. Of course Micheletti isn't your everyday average name either. Anyway, I thought it was interesting.

Oh and good news David is coming home on Friday night!!! Woo hoo. Almost a month, of course they bring him home 3 days early so they don't pay us the family separation pay. Classy.

what to write about? uh uh uuuuuuh

Ok so accuse me of not blogging if you will, but I don't know what write about. I have been really bored and since I have nothing else to say I will bore my readers with Navy stuff.

Since I arrived in Seattle, David's boat has been working on getting qualifications for their big cruise this January. So they have pulled in and out for the past year and basically gone down to San Diego.

This August was supposed to be the boat's leave period for the summer, after a winter and spring of not being around. The boat was in port for over a month, so everyone is taking leave and going home. The first chance since December to go home. Well, of course they would decide to send David to Nevada during this leave period.

So when David left July 28th, none of my other friends husbands went with him. So for the past two weeks, the people who I can out with to keep me company are busy with their husbands or have gone home. So I literally do not have a single friend right now. It has been lonely and boring. Not to elicit pitty, it is just an explination as to why I am so boring. Nothing happens to me except my reality TV.

So here is my TV schedule:
Sunday: Big Brother
Tuesday: Big Brother, Dirty Jobs, Real World
Wednesday: So You Think You Can Dance, Project Runway
Thursday: Big Brother, SYTYCD

see so I am obsessed. a healthy obsession.

just a couple of things

I had to get a new military ID today. And I think the picture came out ok, for a tiny square. I think I look a little old, but that is ok. The guy gave me a hard time for smiling, but Oprah always says to smile in your id pictures.

nothing is as good as my summer school id. (darn I was just so cute and happy looking, I guess these last two years have really aged me.... eeeeeek!)

Everything and the kitchen sink!

Well I know I need to explain the Johari Window a little more and I will, but I have a couple other things I feel I need to put out there.

1. The Ikea catalogue came today!!!! Oh this is a big day in my world. I love the Ikea catalogue. Do I need anything? No but it is always fun to see what they have, and since it comes out only once a year it is an event. I haven't finished looking, bet I did my initial flip through.

2. I am in Big Brother heaven right now. It is soooooooooooo good!!! Screams, gasps, and laugher can be heard from my apartment every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and last night was no exception. In fact, last night was amazing. Will has manipulated Janelle so wonderfully, I can't believe James's reaction, and how dumb is Howie? I have been working the numbers and I think Diane is gone this week, which is sad. Erica is boring and should go. Next HOH is going to be sooooooooo good. I don't care what happens to BB6, just as long as Will is around for another week. He makes the show so interesting. And I have to give CBS props for the sinister music they play every time he is at work. You just gotta watch it, it is great summer TV. If you "don't like reality TV" just give it a chance. It is so cool. I have been desrcibing it as a cross between Survivor and Real World. If you like sociology you WILL LOVE Big Brother!!!

3. How fast did August sneak up on us? I had no clue it was Aug. already. In fact, I forgot to pay rent yesterday, cause I was sure I still had a day or two of July. No worries about us getting kicked out. Rent isn't late till the fourth. whew!
4. One of my good friends from college is engaged!! Yay! I just want to publicly congratulate Brianne and Jeff and wish them well. Since we can't do the little engagement cermony we would have done in school this is a substitute.

5. I want to ask for prayers for a friend of ours. Jon Gaul is now in the Middle East somewhere. I would like to ask everyone to pray for his safety, and for comfort while he is serving our country. Jon was our first friend up here and David's roommate when he was in Virginia. I am pen-pals with his fiance, Desiree. I am also asking for prayers for Desiree, for comfort and peace as she deals with this.

6. Ok now on to the Johari Window. (if you are having a busy day, go ahead and quit here. I don't mean to be a chatty kathy I just have lots to say today)

First let me explain the Anawee thing. They wanted a unique name and surprisingly Analee was already taken. My uncle started the whole Anawee thing when I was little and I hated it. But in college it came back and has stuck really well.

So, when I signed up for my own Johari Window I picked six words that I felt describe my personality. You can look at my results here. On the left are all the words I picked, and I did really well. The only thing that doesn't come across is spontaneous. hmmmm. Well, maybe that is a closet trait of mine.

It was really neat to see how my personality comes off to others. My number one trait is that I am witty. Well I guess that is a good one to have. Maybe now David will admit that I am funny. He never gives me enough credit on that one. I totally recommend others making one. It has really opened my eyes to how kind, and caring people perceive me as. I always thought I was cynical and uh not loving. I guess I am just hard on myself.

So thanks everyone who played along with Who is Analee. This is what the masses think of me (and what I agree with):

1. witty
2. silly
3. independent
4. loving

and the stuff that I don't see about myself: (top 3)
1. adaptable
2. intelligent
3. observant

Ok so I have one more story, it is a good one so keep reading, I know this a long post, I figure people might need a mid-week pick me up so here it is.

My friend Meredith works on base with officer's children. (Meredith's fiance works with David.) She was chatting with one of the dads and the discovered they were both on the Stennis. So the guy asks where does he work and Mer tells him and he says Oh I know So and So, who happens to be right above David. So then he asks Mer her fiance name, and when she tells him he says

"That sounds familiar, is he the 8 foot giant?" and Mer says
"Nope, that is Micheletti."

Gotta love it. My husband is known through out a boat with over 5,000 people as The 8 foot Giant. Not to mention his other nicknames are Jolly Green and Gigantor. uh huh. That's my husband. (which is partly why anawee/anaweenie has stuck so well)
And if you were wondering what does David do? It is top secret so I can't say. But you can take a quick peek into the world of a Petty Officer:




Ok, now that is all. Thanks for stickin' with me on my super big huge post.

Who is Analee?

Well David is still here, but about to leave on Saturday. So I am spounging him up, trying to remember and store smells, the sound of his snore, and how his hugs squeeze me so tight. Which is a big job. I needed to think of a blog that would keep my readers satisfied until saturday when I will post again.

So forgive me if this is a cop out but it is fun, and you can make one for yourself later. If you have a second just go and fill this out. When my experiment is over I will tell you, who the real Analee is.

http://kevan.org/johari?name=Anawee

Burfday Wishes

Well I am turning 23 today. Yes 23. It sounds like a big number doesn't it? I can remember thinking kids in their 20's were so big and grown up. And I definately don't feel older than 20, I sometimes mistakenly say I am 21.

David's birthday is quickly approaching as well, he will be 22. Which is weird because I was there on his 18th birthday. Our birthdays always remind me that David's anniversary in the Navy happens in August. This year it will be four years! Four years of sea duty, actively protecting our country. And that many years of me dealing with David not being a civilian which is one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. Most people get out after four years, but we have at least till Febuary of '08. That is a long time.

Well I mention all this Navy stuff on my birthday post because I have one simple wish this year,

I want everyone to pray for peace in this world.

I want the end of hatred and violence in the middle east and in our country. I want all of the men and women fighting to come home. And I don't want David to go there anymore, on a boat or on land.

I just want peace and understanding in our world. It doesn't seem right that something so good, could be just a wish. But maybe with the prayers of all the readers of this blog, and their families and friends, God will hear our prayers and heal the hurt in this world.

Other than all that me and David are going to Seattle for a date night/anniversary/birthdays celebration. It should be good. A nice break before David leaves again next week.

I am a Crazy Rabid Squirrel

So since my parents left I have been running around like crazy. I took a friend to the airport at 4 in the morning, went to a birthday party that lasted a whole weekend in Seattle which involved shopping for a present and a cute outfit, going to pick up my friend at the airport to night at 10 pm, and David is coming home early (tomorrow in fact) so I have to have all of my clothes clean and sheets washed and house tidy before the hurricane called David comes and dumps two months of junk/dirty clothes everywhere!

Whew. I am pooped.

For everyone who has seen Over The Hedge I feel like Hammie in the very last scene after he drinks the energy drink. I am moving so fast everyone else looks like slow motion. (By the way, I laughed so hard at that part in the theater, no sound was coming out and I even did the foot stomp because I was going to explode with laughter)

If you haven't seen it, you should, but another metaphor: running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Better?

Oh and Big Brother has been amazing. Will is still as funny as ever! When they were on the slip-n-slide I nearly lost it. Allison is gone, but I was hoping she would cause more trouble in the house. Jase is playing things pretty smart this time, he isn't half as annoying. And what is up with Mike Boogie?!? Why is he so cocky? What did he do his season but ride the Will train? I am tired of him. He can go so Will can stay. I have a feeling no one will mess with Will till the end. This is my predictions for the final two: Janelle and Jase. Of course this is only week two. But I would like Dianne to get to number two cause she was so close. Ok, so top four I want Janelle, Jase, Will and Dianne. Oh it is so good.
Watch it people Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday!

Summer Days

Many of you might be off during the summer, or take summer vacations at least. Well, that must be nice, but not as nice as this:

Oh to be a lazy cat!

Thank you Thank you Thank you

thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou

My blogs lately have been crazy huge and I apologize. I just want to say real quick,

WILL MADE IT INTO THE BIG BROTHER HOUSE!!!!

YAY!!

So for everyone that voted, thank you thank you thank you.

thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou

One down, 60 to go... or more

July 3 2006 is my one year anniversary. Please hold your applause. I thought about doing a sweet, mushy post to honor my love for my husband. But please, is that me at all? No. So the next best thing is a story about married life.

Ok. I love my husband and all but people David is backwards. He is methodical and practical and everything that I am not. Oh and I love him for it. But it drives me nuts sometimes. He likes to use every little pocket in a suitcase, or put things in drawers just to have something in there. Weird.

My story begins by a weird smell in my fridge. So I bought a new baking soda thingy. It still stunk. So I threw out, milk, eggs, cherries, apples, old soda, practically everything. But, since the rents were coming I said, I am getting the clorox and bleaching the whole fridge. Well, I take out the drawers to bleach them first, (I don't use the drawers for anything, they are empty ALL the time) and what is in my veggie drawer?!?!?!

MEAT!!

(yes all gasps and vomiting can commence now) I never ever ever buy fresh meat, unless I am cooking it that night. So, when is this meat from you ask? May, the middle of may. Yes. I know. It is from when we went camping. David emptied out the ice chest and, what a sweet heart, right. I mean really it was nice of him to do.

But true to David he put it in the drawer and I had NO idea anything was in there. Well needless to say it was gross, and smelly. And I am a poet and I could really go in to detail here but I won't because I love you all too much.

Well I finally found the smell in the fridge, and I made a new rule for our relationship.

-No hiding meat products. Place all perishables in plain view.

So, that is my cute story about how fun and exciting married life can be.David is still out to sea, somewhere. Which is ok, it is just another day. Next year he will be in the gulf or possibly on his way home. So cross your fingers anniversary number three will be spent in the same hemisphere. But I will get a phone call and I got beautiful orchids!! I have never gotten them but they are so gorgeous. Awwww thanx David (who will probably read this blog and to his horror is the meat story. love ya baby!)

ps-My parents made it in town ok, and the weather is just perfect, as perfect as a day in spring. certainly stories of our adventures will be posted later. and yes the fridge is smelling great.

Apartment Woes

Unhappy living in an apartment? I am sure you (my loyal readers) are confused wondering how such a thing could ever occur. Well, yes, despite all the wonderful advantages of living in and apartment, I, ever unsatisfied, am not happy.

But seriously. Everyone knows how annoying apartment life can get. Well, I have peaked on the annoyed scale. Lets start off with parking. There is usually plenty of parking, but now that the pool is open, people get all their little friends and take them swimming in the tiny pool. Well, that is all fine and good, but there are like 6 cars in my section that are taking up MY space. Last night I had to park all the way down the hill and walk up in the dark, while people's random friends are just smokin and having a great time. If I had guests over and parking was tight I would ask them to park further away.

Then there is an evil woman. When she first moved in about January, she started parking in the handicapped spot, yes you read right. We asked if she should be towed and they said because here wasn't a sign posted (just paint on the ground) that it wasn't a legal handicapped spot. I later saw this woman pregnant and smoking, yes again you read right. Now she that she is almost due, her mother has come to stay with her (who also smokes) and she instructs her mother to park in the spot as well. It is like using the handicapped space her own personal reserved spot but she doesn't have to pay for it. Ps- her kids are annoying.

On to neighbors. There is some kid around here that practices his flute, or some other wind instrument. It sounds like Close Encounters of the Third Kind. There is no song played just notes and more notes. And there is a giant dog living next door that barks, (of course big dogs are against the rules) but it is his bird brother that drives me nuts. He doesn't tweet or chirp chirp, he squawks ALL DAY LONG.

And we have no air conditioning which is a common thing up here. But that is ridiculous.

I want my own house. But I don't want to buy anything when I know I am leaving in 1 1/2 years. Apartment life just sucks.

Here Comes the Sun

The Sun Is Here. Enough said!

A Present For Me....

Ok well I am so completely excited I could hardly breathe. Tonight, as I sat down to my tv dinner, in front of the (how appropriate) tv, with my CareBear coloring book (a nightly ritual) I am shocked! What comes on CBS but BIG BROTHER!!!!

About 5 years ago, I fell in love, in love with this amazing tv show. Call me crazy but it is so completely fabulous. Almost as good as The Mole. (Which by the way, I would pay money to have back on tv, the normal, anderson cooper hosting, no celebrity Mole, yum.) Anyway, Big Brother was so amazing the second season with the terrible Will,who I LOVED to death!! Big Brother is what makes the summer worth suffering through.

This season of Big Brother is drum roll please............... ALL STAR BIG BROTHER!!!!!!! I know, I gasped as well, and maybe let out a little shriek of glee. And we, America get to vote for who we want to come back in the house. Man I love this country.

Please as a gift to me, if you have time stop by and at least vote for Will. Big Brother Season 7 Never before and never again have I loved a character like Will. But I also have a couple other favorites you might want to vote for, but about all WILL. I MUST HAVE WILL!! :)

1. Will
2. Kaysar (who is reminicent of Will just not as funny)
3. James (oh how I root for the underdog)
4. Jase (only because he is the biggest idiot, he is fun to watch)
5. Janelle (pure evil)
6. Alison (I just want to see Will eat Alison alive!)

Please. You have feel sorry for me. I live by my self, and my husband is gone, on a boat, I don't get to talk to him for months at a time. (are you feeling sorry for me yet?) Come on, it wouldn't be a summer without a great rip roarin' season of Big Brother. Whoo Hoo!

Please vote, it takes 2 seconds. http://www.cbs.com/primetime/bigbrother7/
watch video 2 to refresh your memory of funny, evil, Will

Will you still need me... oh wait I am 64!

Today Paul McCartney turns 64. he he he, now McCartney wrote a great song about 40 years ago entitled When I Am 64.

"When I get older losing my hair, many years from now. Will you still be sending me a Valentine? Birthday greetings bottle of wine...You can knit a sweater by the fireside. Sunday morning go for a ride. Doing the garden, digging the weeds, Who could ask for more? Will you still need me, will you still feed me, When Im sixty-four."
So lets all say it together:

"Paul, yes we still love you now that you are 64!"

read the entire story at:Paul McCartney turns 64





Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Especially mine!! Love you Daddy!

A Rant

I am mad, yes mad. Not ticked or upset or frustrated. I am mad.

I have been really working hard to get rid of the post marital, all by myself so I don't like to cook, wieght gain. Ever since David has left (which it seems like forever but it was only May 30) I have worked out everyday, EVERYDAY. And I have been eating so much healthier. Seriously, I have been so good.

And and have I lost any weight you ask? No NO NO NO!

So I am mad. Meredith says she won't let me quit but I am totally feeling the itch to just get some icecream or lots of yummy, cheesy, food that I want SO BAD.

I am just mad. Really just sad.


see.

JoJo, Jo Bob and Jo Schmo

This is going back in time a little but still a blog worthy story. Before David left we went camping, because there are state parks in Washington like white on rice. Seriously, you could throw a stone from anywhere in Washington and be sure to hit a State Park. They have 120 of them, for a small state like Washington that is a ton. To put it into perspective Texas advertises 115 state parks. (there might be more but this is the number I found at Texas State Park Guide, if you can find a more accurate number I am pretty curious)

Ok, so we go to our favorite Manchester State Park. We go there all the time for little walks cause it is so pretty and quite and there is a great view of Mt. Rainier and the Seattle Ferry that goes back and forth. David and I have a secret spot, that takes a bit of getting to, but when you are there it is peaceful and quiet and you can see the seals, yes seals. One time, I think it was Mother's Day, we saw a seal catch a fish and eat it only a hundred yards away from us. Later that day, a beautiful gray seal with dark spots came 20-50 ft from us and stuck its head out of the water and was swimming closer and closer to us and looked us in the eyes and swam away. So cool.

Anyway, we got inspired by some pretty weather to go camping. David took a week leave, cause he had been gone for a while and now is going to be gone for 2 months. So there was lots for us to do, so we decided to camp for one night. Well, of course the day we registered our camp site it starts raining. This was our first time with our new tent (thanks mom and dad!), so we had to set it up in the rain. And we had planned to cook hot dogs for lunch but couldn't get a fire started. So we cheated and went back into town to get some food. (our park is like 15 min from the apartment) While we were out I remembered we left a bag of ice on the kitchen floor, so we rushed home to clean it up. We didn't start off real well but it gets better I promise. So when we get back it is still raining and so we got in our tent and played Boggle, my new obsession, and ate cherries.

Well the rain does stop eventually, and we hear little scurrying on the tarp. hmmmm what is that. David unzips the window and calls me over. What is it?!? A baby squirrel!!! He lives in campsite #35. Long story, but I named him JoJo. The neat thing was he hung around and I could walk really close to him. I tried to feed him a Frito but he only liked acorns. On another one of our walks I saw JoJo's brother Jo Bob (another baby squirrel), and Jo Schmo the local chipmunk. When we were cooking our lunch the next morning, JoJo was still there. I think he really liked me, which made me happy because who doesn't love teeny tiny animals?

After we had the car all packed and ready to go, we stopped by the volley ball net and played a little badminton. Now, for some reason this was the most fun of the whole trip. I love badminton. You don't have to hit the birdie hard, and well I probably don't play by the rules but I always have a good time. It was really fun.

So despite a miserable beginning the trip turned out really well. And we stayed mostly warm and dry. David and I cannot wait to go back. So camping trip one = a success!!

Blogarrhea

I apologize for not blogging. It hasn't been because I am busy or anything. Just that life is pretty regular and I don't have a whole lot to say. I authorize the reading of this post in installments if that is easier, I realize how hefty it is.
David is gone again, this time for longer than he has been lately. He is gone till, cross your fingers, my birthday. They are scheduled to fly home on my birthday, but with the Navy you never know. This means he is going to miss our one year anniversary. Yeah, I know. But this is the life we lead. I won't be alone this July forth because my parents are coming!!! YEA! Some might not be excited but I am. I haven't seen any family for six months and I can't wait. The last time they were up here in October I hadn't gotten to know the area, and know I am hoping I have lots of stuff to show them.

Crystal Conner had her baby 13 days ago. He is a healthy little boy! I guessed it was a boy and I was right. He is super cute and tiny. David held him and I was impressed. He didn't run in terror, it was quite endearing. Crystal did have an emergency c-section so our plans to join a gym have been postponed till July.

It is apparently my role to be the token exercise buddy for all of my friends. Meredith, who lives in my apartment complex and is from Humble and went to school at Trinity (so we have lots in common), along with another wife have made a bet with their husbands on who could lose the most weight, wives or husbands. Me and David didn't get in on this because David just thinks skinny thoughts and loses 15 lbs, in like one month. So we don't have this contest. So I am Meredith's drill sergeant, and I work out with her so she feels motivated. Crystal is going to use me the same way to lose the baby weight. Now this is incredibly ironic because I am the most out of shape and shall we say not athletic person maybe in the WORLD, and this is my role? ehh whatever. I just say my body is acclimating to the colder temperatures thus gaining body fat stores for the cold winters and unbelievably cold springs.

Which brings me to my next topic, what season is it again? Ok so it is June and it feels like March felt, which feel like January. Ok, maybe not that drastic. But it is an unusual day to get above 65. And if the sun comes out at all we flutter out like little moths or reptiles absorbing what sunlight we can. It is quite ridiculous. To quote the sermon from Sunday:

"Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun" Ecclesiates 11:7

And the preacher says, "Can I get an Amen?" And this wasn't a joke. We seriously all said Amen, that there are sunny days or this place would be miserable. I keep wondering though, when is summer? Because everyone says summer is SOOOOOO beautiful up here. Not that I don't believe them but it is cold in June, a baseball game in May they were selling hot cocoa, the rain has not let up. David and I arrived here in September and well, it is fast approaching, and it was pretty much like this when we got here. So when is summer? July and August? And is that a proper summer? Well at this point who cares. A sunny day, a dry day so people can mow their lawns, a day to go to the zoo, or turn on a fan (we don't have AC up here) oh at least one would be great now.

Lastly a bit of exciting news about David. He received a wonderful honor a few days ago. He was awarded Sailor of the Day. (bear with me because I am completely ignorant about the Navy) So he got to meet the Captain of the boat, which is a really big honor. The Captain gave him a coin, which is like something they do in the Navy, I have NO idea what it means but I do know it is super cool. Then he got to drive the boat.

Now this a big deal mostly because it is like a huge air craft carrier with 6,000 people aboard. Something very few people get to do. And to top it all off the Captain came on the intercom and said nice things about him. So it was really neat and made David feel really good to be recognized for his hard work. Which I take great pride in, because I think it says a lot about me too. My only job right now is to keep David motivated and focused and support him while he does such a stressful and difficult job. So I kinda think I got honored too. Yea for both of us!

So I know I said I had nothing to say. Well I guess I did.

Poppies or Kitties

My mind is on babies! My good friend Timmy is now a proud father of a baby girl, I have a beautiful baby kitten, and I am employed at a puppy sitter for one of David's coworkers. Ahhh little things. Rigby is not a little boy anymore. He gets bigger everyday, and more masculine. He has grown into a bigger meow, but occasionally still meeps.... when he wants to be picked up. And the little puppy I am babysitting is named The Riddler and is a Jack Russel Terrior puppy- 10wks old!!! So I play with him during the day when his parents are at work. :) What fun.

So this might be random, but read it anyway! I am having a possible brain fart or strike of genius one of the two and I need it cleared up.

In Wizard of Oz why exactally does the Wicked Witch want them to sleep? Is there another part of the plan that I have missed? Like the flying monkeys will come and scoop them up and they will be tortured, or they will be left to rot in a field of pretty poppies? Maybe I just can't remember that part or maybe this so called "Wicked Witch" isn't that wicked at all.

Now Yzma's "I'll turn him into a flea, a harmless little flea, then I'll put that flea into a box, and than I'll put that box inside of another box, and then I'll mail that box to myself, and when it arrives muwaa ha ha ha, I'll smash it with a hamma!" (Emperor's New Groove) That is a well fleshed out evil plan.

I mean the Wicked Witch did set Scarecrow on fire and had a really evil sounding voice so she gets some points but as far as evil plans go I give her a 5- good use of poisons and surprize but no follow through.

I do have another theory that maybe the movie got it wrong, maybe she said kitties will make them sleep and maybe she wasn't talking about Dorothy and the gang maybe she was talking about me and you. Ok, evidence? When was the last time you resisted not naping with an already napping cat? Is it even an option to not lay down? It is a spell and the main reason why I never did any homework, I was napping... or should I say poisoned?

And Tuesday I sat with a sleeping puppy all day.... yes puppies will make you sleep too!

All Hail the Conquering Website!

We Did It! RealtyNewsReport.com has won our first award!!! Please read the whole story it is such and honor. They love me, they really love me.

Also in fantastic news....

DAVID COMES HOME ON SATURDAY!!!!!!

This is a big surprise because he was scheduled to come home on May 20th. But they have told them that they aren't needed until then. Yippie!! This is especially exciting because the boat is already home, since Tuesday. So I have kinda been on my own for a few days, since all the wives have their husbands back. But I just got the word so now it is a mad dash to get the house clean and the clothes washed and the kitties all cleaned up and purty. And all of my other errands. But this is the kind of busy I'd like to be!!

I Crossed the Finish Line!!

Well I did the March of Dimes walk on Saturday. It wasn't a pretty day, but at least it didn't rain. This was my first walk in such a hill infested environment and I am paying for it still. I can only waddle around. Boy am I out of shape. But it was still so much fun. We walked around seven miles and raised so much money for families with premature babies.
I want to thank everyone who sponsored me on this walk it meant so much to me to have support. I raised enough money to buy a crib for one family. I was really touched by how much everyone cared about this cause. Thank you so much for all of your support.
As for an update on Crystal Conner, the woman I was walking in honor of, she is off bed rest! And is waiting for the baby to come. It is such a miracle that she has made it this far and the baby is healthy. I told her that so many people are praying for her and she said that she knows that God has answered her prayers about this baby and nothing she has done has kept this baby healthy. Praise God for the little miracle she is carrying.
Thank you again for the care and support you sent my way!

What am I? 80?

So I must start off by saying that I do not believe that I am old. I am just puzzled.

I found a gray hair today. Yes. I am 22 years old and I found a gray hair. This is not a good sign. Nor is it a good sign that I talk to my cats. I am afraid I am turning into an old woman. I am supposed to be a little kid. But nope. I am on my way to being a dancing old lady.

Ahh this brings up a good topic of seizing the day. We are all getting older, one gray hair at a time. I hope I am getting the full experience out of life. But there are still so many things I want to do.

1. I want to see more of my country and the world. I would love to go to South America and of course Europe.

2. Be a published writer.

3. Have kids.... someday, not now.

4. Own a ranch in Montana, my vacation house.

But as for short term goals. I am excited about maybe David getting shore duty and us being together for a long period of time.

Anybody else have a dream list of stuff they need to do before they take up the rocking chair?

A shorty

I am not dying, nor do I have mono. They don't know what is wrong with me. So after numerous tubes of blood, taken by a trainee (yeah I know!), I begin my long wait for the test results.

And I must admit how mildly bitter I am that all the wives are getting ready for the return of the boat, but mine won't be on it.

I feel like a deep sigh, followed by and ugh and a collapse on the bed thankful another week is over. Can I get an amen?

I am putting my life in the hands of a medical professional! eeeek!

Ok I hate the doctor! Not as people, because my in-laws are doctors, but I don't like the doctor experience. I always feel like I am doing something wrong. And what is up with all the uncomfortable waiting. Just being in a doctor's office makes me sweat. And Tri-Care doctors are different, you go to a different one everytime. So who knows who will be nice and who will be mean. And they all wear uniforms and it is scary.

I am going to the doctor this morning at 8:30 in the morning, another thing I don't like (mornings). I am not going for pimples, but this overall yucky feelings I have had now forever. Fatigue, fever, headaches, lightheadedness. Someone mentioned mono and that kinda freaked me out, cause I could deal without the doctor but if I have mono David needs to know.

David is trying to get leave for the one week he will be home in May and they are pretending like they won't let him. That is another story. I told David that if they don't give him leave we will threaten biowarfare! I am going to come and wipe saliva all over their work space. HA! Then when they are weakened by mono, have them sign the papers for his leave out of delirium. Good plan?

I hope they can just give some pills or something. But gosh I hate the doctor.

I have discovered the New Red Planet, Planet Zit! it's on my forehead

What is it about when David leaves that causes me to breakout? I mean I am fine when he is here, well actually I just recover from my zit farm while he is here and right when my face starts clearing up he leaves.

But this one is different. It is a planet. It is huge. And on the center of my forehead. Woop tay doo.

Also when David leaves, I feel so yucky ugly. I never realized how pretty he makes me feel. But I always feel nasty when he is gone.

I want david to come home, so I can look at my self in the mirror again.

My Babies

Michael has this absolutely histerical post about his kids...err..pets fighting at the vets office. If you haven't read it, you should. It inspired me to make a compilation video of the best of the bests in our house.

Enjoy!

One More Goodbye

The sun was rising behind me as I drove toward the hills of Port Orchard. A misty fog was settling in, melting into the sound. Just the tops of the Evergreens popped through the foggy ceiling, letting a secret light escape from what lie beneath. And I said to myself, "This is truly a beautiful place."

I took David to the boat this morning uh-gain, and we said goodbye uh-gain; he is leaving uh-gain. The life of a military spouse is a double edged sword, a thankless job. It is funny but David won't even be here for the big Military Spouse Appreciation Day. That is just ironic. But I know that without me David couldn't do his job.

We could be just looking forward to when he gets out or gets a shore duty, but what a waste of life. There is so much beauty and possiblity around me. I want to focus on what I do have, not count the days till I can leave. It is just so dangerous to think that when I get to some point in my life then everything will be great. But there are challenges every step of the way. I get a paid adventure and that is more than most civilians get.

It Came!

Our apartment complex backs up to some woods, well almost all of the Kitsap Peninsula backs up or is surrounded by woods. Anyway all of the disgusting dead trees have adorable baby leaves! I think it happened just today, at least I just noticed it this morning.

Ahhhh Spring. Now coming from Houston, Spring is either a suburb just north of town or two weeks of pretty weather in April, maybe. Trees don't lose alot of their leaves, it never gets so cold that you need to thaw out. But Spring has a definate pressence here in Washington. In my first photo notice the brown trees hind Abbey. This photo was taken only a few days ago. In the second photo is the same veiw but with tiny green leaves!!!



In honor of this wonderful season I give my top three favorite spring scenes in movies, so that if spring has not yet visited your home you too can have a springy day.

1. Hallmark's Secret Garden
I keep repeating a line in my head over and over. Tulips are blooming all around and all I can think of is when Mary says "There will be curtains and fountains of roses." Ahhhh a classic.

2. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
This wonderful musical is not as well known but delightful. It's story line centers around the seasons and when spring comes there is a musical number devoted to the arrival of spring. This one will get you singing and dancing.

3. Easter Parade
Oh another classic. Judy Garland is in this one. And who doesn't like singing, dancing and a new Easter Outfit? Well the mother of all Easter dresses is in this one. Maybe not the spirit of Easter but the spirit of spring.

Enjoy if you happen to own these spring inspired movies. I only have Seven Brides for Seven Brothers so I will have to imagine both Secret Garden and Easter Parade. I know Mom has Secret Garden and I don't know if they make Easter Parade on dvd. I am sure Easter Parade will appear on TCM or AMC.

A new pet peeve

Well I must rant. In David's shop, everyone is kinda mean. They talk about people behind their backs and are... the only way I can describe it is high school. It is so so so so ridiculous. So my new pet peeve isn't really new but anyway, I really don't like people who pick on others for fun.

Have you ever met the person that just is always "kidding" and joking but in reality it isn't funny. His little "jokes" are jabs and snide comments that make you feel bad about your self. What is up with a person like that? Now I have joked about stuff with my closest friends and maybe have been a little mean but only when they know it is a joke.

For instance, me and David both joke about how we are the outcasts in his family because we aren't doctors or married to one. We like to plan out how we can take the lead in race for best kid, like I win a Pulitzer and David becomes an officer and our kids are chess champions. Well we know that his parents love us and don't care what we do with out lives but it helps ease our insecurities about it to joke with each other about it. But I would never tell people I hardly know that their parents don't love them.

Yet, there are those out there who like to make fun of your house and your pets, clothes, cooking, accent, intelligence and just about anything they can get their hands on. And that is just DUMB. I can't stand it. I really think there is some psychological reason for these people who jokingly bring others down. And I wish that I could just let it roll off my back, but I have a confession to make:

I am tender-headed and tender-hearted (right mom?).

I have always taken stuff to heart more than I should and so my new pet peeve is that I am not thicker skinned. Is there some ointment for it?

Ok. In a totally unrelated subject. My baby kitten Rigby is not a baby anymore. His little feets are not little anymore, they are bigger than Abbey's. Of course he is still cute and smallish, but I miss the itsy bitsy baby. Well he is growing up. :( I know it is hard to tell but my little man is on the right!

Oh and I hope I don't sound pitiful here. I am happy up here. Just life sometimes is a little on the boring side.

March Of Dimes

I am walking for the March of Dimes this year. I have mentioned a little that when the men are out to sea us wives take care of all the other wives, in particular Crystal Conner. Her husband is David's LPO (boss) and she is pregnant and on bed rest. Her daughter Brooklynn was a premature baby and is still suffering from health problems related to her premature birth. Crystal and Steven also lost Brooklynn's twin brother Lonan to complications.

They are such an amazing family. Crystal is so stong and can deal with being a "single parent" for most of the time, and all of Brooklynn health issues and being on bed rest. Little Lonan's death also brought this family closer to God. All of Crystal's strength comes from her faith and her willingness to rely on God. That peace has helped heal wounds and pave the way for less stress during this pregnancy.

I have never walked for the March of Dimes before. But knowing little Brooklynn and all the challenges she has had and has coming has inspired me. Hopefully her story and the stories of other premi babies you have know will inspire you to sponsor my walk. Please visit my site www.walkamerica.org/analeemicheletti and make a donation. And pass on the link.

I'd also like to post other stories of premature babies on my page to help raise money.

Thank you so much! I will post pictures of the walk in late April.

ps- Please pray for Crystal's pregnancy.

think think think

I have been in a pensive, quiet mood lately. I just feel changes on the horizon. The kind of turn that could be good or bad.

Not much has been going on. I have been wanting to just "chill" and think about stuff, one of my little moods. But David is so excited we actually have couple friends now we hang out with people alot. Like on Friday we hung out with 4 couples not together but just little chunks here and there.

I am waiting for this pretty spring weather to make it's appearance here in Western Washington. But nope, not yet. But I went ahead and planted springy flowers.

We did our taxes. Yes fun stuff. But we are actually getting a refund, so we are going to pay off our new couch.

Seriously that is it. Sorry.

Just another day

I saw a beautiful sunrise today. It was coming over the cloudy mountains and painted the water orange. Just perfect.

Everyday the sun rises (whether we see it or not is a different story), it starts a new day and leaves yesturday behind. I have been feeling lately that one day runs into another. My past has been holding me down like a weight around my neck. When is it time to just let the sun set on the past and rise so perfectly in the morning?

I'd like that fresh start, one more chance.

A Day at the Zoo

Every one needs a good day at the zoo. A chance to get outside yourself remember the wonderful things out there in the world. I love the zoo at the least for the animals. If you haven't gathered I love animals, especially my kitties who are doing well by the way.

Saturday it was sorta sunny, Seattle sunny. Patches of sun here and there but mild temperature and no rain. So I said lets try and go to the zoo tomorrow. We usually attend the 11 service at the POCOC as I call it, well I do and when David is in port he does too. But we decided to try the 8 am service. Yikes. I haven't done an 8 o'clock service since Abilene and even then I didn't do it very often.

I think first I should mention the kind of little weather pattern around here. The morning is icky, 10 am -12 might be sunny, 1-4 possibly icky again, 5pm- morning depends, could be, clear could be rainy.

So this is the reason we went to the early service, even if it ends up being rainy later in the day at least we have a couple hours that are usually sunny. When we woke up it was icky and cold, but we went to the early service, which was suprizingly full and brings me to wonder how big is this "little" Church of Christ? When we left church, a. my tummy was fooled into thinking it gets lunch but it was only 9:25 b. rainy and cold. So we go home for a while and chill with the sleeping kitties who had been communing with God in their sleep. And around 11 it was rainy and even colder. My heart begins to sink because I know that I don't get to go to the zoo today. :(

No zoo, but we did clean up our apartment. yay. I was so thrilled to spend the day cleaning. (there is sarcasm injected into that sentence) But something good finally came of it,my insomnia was cured. Not by the hard work, but by the muscle relaxers I had to take after cleaning.

What a day.

Eternal Question

Is it some cosmic cruel joke that it must pour rain whenever I bring in groceries or pump gas? Just wondering.

Homecoming!

Lots of things come to mind when you think about homecoming; parades, games, dances and if you are an ACU alumni the old purple and white. Homcoming originated from towns welcoming back old residents, schools later adopted the event to welcome back alumni. If you would like to read up on the whole affair I found an interesting article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homecoming

But if you are in the military, homecoming means something else. He is coming home! You'd think that women would bring posters, and balloons and gather waiting for ships to arrive after a big six month deploment, oh and they do by the thousands. But even after 2 weeks or a month, women still wait the two hours that it takes to "park" the boat. The sailor on the ship isn't the only one in the Navy, the entire family is in the Navy. Underways are tough on either side of the dock. Many sailors don't realize how tough it is to deal with everything, the bills, the kids, the real world while they are gone. And gone they are. Their big deployment is six months. But leading up to that cruise is a year of pulling in and out. Six months of the year before they leave for six months is spent in and out of port.

It is a tough life. But the hardest part is not being able to talk to David. He is my best friend, when I have good news or bad news or no news at all, it all goes in an email. And I get an email a day, no phone calls. I can imagine the ease of a relationship if when you have a problem you just talk to your spouse about it.

David is coming home soon! So soon that I can say that it is sometime this week. And I am so excited. So excited I am not thinking about the next time he has to leave.