Taking it Easy

This is what we did today, no joke. From the moment we got up at 8am we've lounged around all day. I can not remember the last time we just hung out at the house and didn't go ANYWHERE. When I came down stairs this morning the hubbs was watching the show Ax Men on the History channel. Some how I got sucked in. It was a Ax Men Marathon all day because the season finale was airing this evening. I'm no history channel watching person but for one reason or another this show really got me interested and quite frankly it was pretty funny at times. We enjoyed the day being lazy and doing absolutely nothing. Literally NOTHING. We did take the pups for a walk this evening after it cooled down a bit. That's always one of my favorite parts of our weekend together. It was a great way to end the weekend as well as the 5 almost 6 week cycle break we have been on. One more week (this coming Friday) and the hubbs picks up with new BCT's and life on the trails starts again. (18 straight weeks or craziness)

We're ending the evening with Army Wives & a freshly baked loaf of Banana Bread. 

~DAY 220~

Its a Beautiful Saturday!!!

It was a absolutely beautiful day today, which was so nice after the rainy week we've had. The hubbs and I wouldn't be enjoying this lovely day together though so it did kinda put a damper on things. The hubbs was finally taking his Concealed Carry Weapon class that he'd been putting off for forever now. The class was crazy long from 11am - 8pm. This morning I had plans to attend a Zumba class that one of my parents was hosting at her home. She was recently certified to teach zumba and hosted a class at her home for all of her friends to attend. We were her guinea pigs to get her ready for her first "real" class next week. Let me just tell you this girl is a rock star, you never would have know it was her first time teaching. (that is unless she told you) I had a blast busting my booty with about 10 other lovely Southern ladies. 

I spent the afternoon cleaning the house and getting all of our laundry folded and put away. This is all normally done on Sundays which are our more mellow days but I figured I'd knock it all out today since I was home alone and that way I didn't have to worry with it tomorrow. It was so nice out that I opened all the windows in our house and turned up the tunes. Nothing better than a little music to keep your feet moving. Be time I was done the house was sparkling and smelly pretty. The pups enjoyed the warm sunshine as well by laying out in the backyard. I think Bailey could lay out there all day long if she could. We've been watching out Sunflowers grow, I didn't think they would really make it and boy was I wrong they are almost two feet tall now. I can't wait till they start to bloom flowers, the tops are pretty right now though. 

I spent the evening with another one of my kiddos while we parents went out for a bit. Little Ms. L is such a doll and I absolutely love her. I caught myself this evening while I was playing with her thinking "wow I / we could really do this whole parent thing". It's so rewarding seeing her grow and learn different things from me as her teacher I can only imagine how it is for her mom and dad. We read a few books played with her new riding car and cuddled with her Golden (their doogie) before calling it a night aka bed time for L. When her parents came home I chatted with them for a bit before heading home myself. It was another lovely evening getting to know the G family better. I have enjoyed getting to know the parents in my class (more so the ones I babysit for) so much. Its neat to hear their story and were they came from and what they do. In the Army / Military life you see a similar pattern a lot but with these families they are all different. 

The hubbs was kind enough to wait up till I got home so we could go to bed together. 

I absolutely love that man, he's so good to me!!!!! 

~DAY 219~

A "Me" Day!!!

                                                             I took a much needed me day to get somethings taken care of before the summer semester started. You see I've already got my vacation days for summer planned out, so that leaves me with nothing. Unfortunately our vacation days from the school year do not roll over to summer. Its a use it or loose it kinda thing. Well you don't really loose it you get paid for those hours you have left but its not your normal rate. ($7.50hr NO thank you) I started in January with 3 & 1/2 days of vacation (for the full year you get 7 days, I started half way through) and I've used my days very sparingly, only taking off when I needed to. I knew I'd be taking a lot off in the summer so I figured I'd save them if I could. The week before last I asked about how much time I had left, 11.25 hrs. not so shabby a day & half pretty much. I asked about them rolling over and that's when I found out it doesn't work that way.
I talked to the hubbs about it and we agreed if I could find a sub then I'd take the day off and get somethings done around the house. If I couldn't I just wouldn't worry about it and I'd get paid for the time I had left. Whelp I managed to find someone at the last minute for today (Friday) which worked out perfect because the hubbs had the day off as well. We've been so crazy busy this week that we have hardly spent any time together other than when we go to bed. lol
I woke up this morning to the hubbs cooking us breakfast, pancakes at that. Yummy, I was just planning on having a bowl of cereal but I'll take pancakes instead. We spend some time getting somethings picked up around the house and the back yard cleaned up. (it was much needed after all the rain we've gotten.) We ventured out to do a bit of shopping picking up a few things he needed for his class he is taking tomorrow. I finally used one of the gift cards I got my birthday and splurged on a new pair of TOMS. What can I say I'm a sucker for a new pair of shoes and I just can't say no to TOMS. Checking out a few other boutiques in the area I was able to pick up a little something for the Spouse and the hubby scored a new wallet. He's been on the search for one and we frankly he is kinda hard to please when it comes to that sorta things. Have you ever heard of the Mighty Wallet's they are pretty neat you should check them out. (The Mighty Wallets are made of a single folded sheet of strong micro fiber material that is tear & water resistant, super strong and last for a very long time. It doesn't have any stitching and is easily custom fitted. They offer many different collections as far as the theme you are wanting.) The store we got his from didn't have a big selection but he got one that fits him pretty well.

From there we went and grabbed a bite to eat at a new place to us. We are on this kick of trying new restaurants, kinda stepping out of our comfort zone. It turned out to be really good, we got in just in the nick of time to still partake in the lunch menu. We already had dinner plans to try a new place tonight so we wanted to eat light for lunch. We spent the rest of the afternoon at home, the hubbs cleaned his guns and I worked on a few projects. Later in the evening we had dinner at a newly opened Italian place up the street called Pasta Fresca. They recently moved locations and had their grand opening this past Monday night. Let me just say we were told it was better than Olive Garden and the locals don't lie. They know there stuff and it was fabulous!!!!! We ended the evening at a house warming party with a soldier that the hubbs went to D SGT school with. H and her family just PCSed here and invited us for the evening. She is a hoot let me tell you, thankfully I'd met her twice before tonight so I knew what to expect. So far the weekend is off to a great start just, today was just what we needed to get thing under way and some much needed US time. This week has been so busy and we haven't had much time together, so I was grateful the hubbs had the day off.

This afternoon we also picked up the hubbs picture. Each Drill SGT has their picture displayed in the bay so the BCT's know who their Drill SGT is. Isn't he so handsome, I think so!!!! I'm starting to really dig the campaign hat. lol.

~DAY 218~

Sweet Southern Seniors

This evening one of my co-workers had a gathering at her house to celebrate the ending of the school year. See next Friday is the last day of school then we start our summer semester.A lot of teachers are taking the summer off and coming back in the fall. (I however am not one of those, but that's perfectly fine in my book) I made a Jell-O cake to take, complements of the lovely Crystal. She introduced me to this lovely dessert dish when we were in Hawaii and I absolutely love it. There was about 10 of us there, we sat outside on the patio chatting about how much our children have grown over the past 10 months. And simply getting to know one another more. The school is split in to two halls, a older hall and a younger hall (most the ladies that came work on the older hall). I work on the younger hall with two (3 ladies ~ two in the morning & a third in the afternoons) of the sweetest ladies ever. They are both in their early 60's and will not be working this summer (one will not becoming back in the fall). It makes me so sad to see them go. We've made such a wonderful team, I've learned a lot from them. I enjoy talking with them and hearing stories about their past. We always joke about them being so much older and not being as quick on their feet as me. Or not being able to open jars or cups because of arthritis in their hands. Not to mention the forgetfulness that I teas them with all the time. It's so much fun to laugh and joke around with them, especially because they give it right back to me. Ms. E is like another Grandma to me, she is always watching out for me, giving me advice and checking in to make sure things are going well at home. Ms. G has found love again and is so giddy about her man, we love talking about their weekly (nightly) date nights and wedding talk. I know I will manage and do great things in the classroom as lead teacher (another post on that to come) but I still can't help but worry that I will mess up. I'm still some what of a newbie and learning the ropes of the school. (June 1st will make 7 months that I've been there but only 5 months fulltime.) Wish me luck for a wonderful & successful summer, there's a lot at stake here being the lead teacher.

~DAY 217~

Happy Birthday Mistress!!!!

The lovely Mistress aka Nac. had a birthday about a week or so ago (ok more like 2 weeks ago) HAPPY BIRTHDAY love!!!!!
Due to my lack of planning I ordered her gift a week ahead of time. Not leaving me much time go get it back from the store and shipped in time for her to get it on her big day.
(You may remember my lovely gift box from her, I wrote about it HERE!!!!!)  Well when I ordered her gift, which happened to be a monogrammed necklace I ordered myself one as well. I've been waiting to show it off till she got hers.
This morning I woke up to this beautiful picture of her wearing her necklace along side her lovely mini twin. So of course I had to send her a picture back of me wearing mine. :) It's my newest favorite piece of jewelry, I <3 it!!!!!

The typical way the store does them is to use the persons first 3 initials. 

However in our case I did it a little different. 

For mine I used the hubbs first initial "J" on the left, our last name initial "G" in the center & my first initial "T" on the right. I did N's the same way but with her and her husbands initials of course. I think it turned out really nice. I love personalized things because you know its a one of a kinda and no one else will have the exact same thing. 

I can't wait to get the spouse her's, it'll be a bit different but will fit her classy personality to a T. 

~DAY 216~

in a blink of a eye

This was my view during my lunch as I sat out on the church wall were I work. It was so beautiful outside, the sky was blue and clear as ever. I don't remember when the last time I stopped and really smelled the roses. 

Heading home from the dealer from picking up my car the sky let loose. It turned ugly quick and just down poured the whole way home. The sky's were gray but in the distance was a beautiful rainbow. The traffic was surprisingly not to bad. Unlike in Hawaii or Texas when it rains people drive crazy. So that was a nice welcome change. We've had a good couple storms since we've been here but nothing like the weather here lately. I've enjoyed having the windows open listening to the rain. 

It did manage to die down just long enough for me to go make a trip to the commissary. I was grateful for that because I really needed to go but didn't want to deal with it in the rain. 

Pulling up into my drive way the sun was setting to my left.

 It was beautiful in the midst of the dark gray clouds.

The clearness didn't last to long though, before the storm came a brewing back through.
I hear its suppose to be worse tomorrow, I hope it at least clears up by the weekend.
We want to be able to take the pups out for some fun. (since its our last weekend before cycle starts)

~DAY 215~

Puppy Love

It must have been a long day for all three of them because this is what I came home to this evening.
They love to cuddle and be right up there with you and if one moves the other will move right were he was laying. I really think Bailey thinks she is a lap dog its crazy but still so sweet. I don't know what we would do with out these crazy mutts.
Hopefully the weather clears up before the weekend so we can take them out on a little adventure.
Its suppose to be really stormy this week so we shall see. 

Hope Ya'll have fabulous weekend, I know we did. 
Enjoy the week!!!

~DAY 214~

Our Sunday on Instagram

after spending the morning running around at the lake she was pretty tired on the drive home. 

I hate that our backyard is so small, but we are enjoying the different areas around here were we can take them to run their energy out. 

I absolutely love this little pooch she makes me smile.

after our trip to Weston Lake for some fishin with friends we headed out to lunch. 

Trying a new place again Burger Tavern 77. 

I had a chicken sandwich and let me tell you it was fabulous. We will def. be going back again soon. 

after we got home the hubbs checked the mail, it doesn't run around here till close to 5pm so we normally forget and get it the next day. 

I was so excited to see this "save the date" card in our box!!!! 

I can't wait to head back to Texas here in a few (ok 5) months. One of my favorite chicka's is finally gettin hitched and I have the honor of being one of her bridesmaids. 

after a long day running around playing barking his head off, jumping in the lake, chasing the fishing pole around as if flew through the air. 

This is how he spent the rest of the evening, relaxed laid out on the couch. 

~DAY 213~

Our Saturday Instagram Style

Are you on Instagram, have you checked it out, do you just love it?!?!?!?!?!
Here is our day on Instagram :)

We try to spend a few hours every Saturday at the range. The hubbs really enjoys shooting and frankly I think its a great out let for him. He is like a kid on a candy high. Last weekend we weren't able to go because of the Special Olympics going on. Sunday he sold one of his guns and bought a new one this past week. So today it was all about his new toy and breaking it in. I have to say I cleared a whole magazine out and it wasn't to bad.

Poor guy got a few battle wounds all along his right arm from the shells extracting out. (he's a lefty & they come out on the right) But he's a tough guy and it didn't seem to bother him at all.

After our adventure at the range we headed home to clean up a bit before heading out to lunch. We are growing to enjoy the city and the local shops and restaurants here around us. Working were I do I've been able to learn a lot about the South from my Co Workers & Parents. They've introduced me to several new places that we probably would have never found if it weren't for them. For lunch I picked a quaint little hole in the wall joint that I'd been to once before. It was a first for the hubbs, he was a little skeptical when we got there because its a Deli in the back of a old gas station / convenience store. I reassured him and he agreed to give it a try. He was pleased and we left with full belly's. I've really enjoyed seeing the difference in life here in the South vs. Hawaii vs. Texas. Its surreal how different things are from state to state.

This evening I had a super cute date!!!! I spent the evening with this adorable little boy. He is one of the kiddos in my class at school. I've watched him a time or two before, his momma and daddy had a date night. We spent the evening reading through loads of books and looking at all the pictures around the house. His quote / famous saying right now is "What's That????" so there is lots of explaining every day. He really is a super cool dude, he will be my only boy this summer along with 4 cute adorable girls.

 

It was a short night I was there at 6:30pm and headed home by 9:30pm not to shabby at all. When I got home the hubbs made us Smore's over the stove. I can't mention enough how much I hate this stupid gas stove BUT tonight I was kinda enjoying it for this very reason right here. I LOVE LOVE Smore's they are so yummy, a melt in your mouth kinda sweet treat!!!! I could have one or more a day but that probably wouldn't be the smartest idea. 

We've had a great day here in the South and I'm glad we are slowly but surly starting to find our groove. 

~DAY 212~
PS: follow me on Instagram  ~  drillwifey 

Happy MiliSpouse Appreciation Day

I first just want to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to all ALL my Milispouse bloggers out there and even the ones that aren't bloggers. Being a Military Spouse has got to be one of the hardest jobs. 

So we don't go off to war..........but we are left at home to tend to the family. 

We don't work the long hours.......but we go to sleep alone. 

Our life isn't put in danger daily, but we worry sick because our loved ones is. 

We never have 100% communication with our Soldier when we want.........so we take advantage of the moments we have together. 

We chuckle at others when they complain about their spouse being away for the weekend, and in our head we are thinking "I'd give anything to have them gone for just 3 days."

Our life must go on when they are away as well as our children's life and the rest of our family. 

We are the ones who pick up the pieces and put the puzzle back together when its fallen apart.

 We manage to hold it together when we think things couldn't get any worse and then they do. 

Being a Military Spouse ISN'T for everyone, it takes a STRONG person to fill those shoes. I'm so blessed to be one of them and for each and every Milispouse that has come into my life. 

It's a hard life packing up and moving every couple years, meeting new people, learning a new area, finding a new job, learning a new culture. 

As hard as it may be some times I WOULDN'T change it for the world. 

My Soldier had the day off today so we were able to celebrate MiliSpouse Appreciation Day by having lunch together at one of my favorite places. 

Zoes Kitchen, the hubbs had never been before so I was interested to see what he though. Thankfully he liked it which is good because I don't know what I would do if he didn't.

 (my Zoes lunch date friend may be leaving soon, it would be a bummer if I had to go alone. ) 

Speaking of lunch dates with the hubbs I've enjoyed them quite well randomly the last few weeks. I saddened knowing that they are soon going to end. Cycle break is almost over and its back to reality for the two of us, and life on the trail. I'm not looking forward to it at all.  The insanely long hours, weeks and weeks straight with not a single day off. NOT EVEN A WEEKEND DAY. I've tried to prepare myself for our first full cycle expecting the worse but I'm sure it will be a million times harder than think. Many people refer to it as a deployment the only difference is they aren't in a war zone and they come home at night. Only to shower, change, go to bed to get up in a few short hours to do it all over again. We have 22 months left (that sounds better than a year & 10 months

) on the trail, its a two year assignment. That is if they don't ask him to stay and teach a 3rd year at the Drill School. Even then I know for a fact he would do everything he could to get out of it. He is not at all excited about being a Drill SGT. I still have hope that it will change with time but right now it doesn't look promising. 

~DAY 211~

You got a friend in me

We normally don't go out during the work week, its just more enjoyable to spend the evening at home. Tonight was different though the hubbs picked me up from the car dealer (having some maintenance stuff done to the challey) and we went home to freshin up. We had a 8pm YES eight PM dinner date!!! 

We were meeting up with another couple from our unit at the Flying Saucer. This is the same place were my birthday celebration started a few weeks ago. 

I met G last weekend when I helped with the Special Olympics but not his wife. I was a little nervous just because I can be a bit shy at first and quiet till I get to know you. The hubbs has no problem making friends, he just doesn't get that it takes me a bit longer. 

The first maybe 5-10 minutes (seemed like 30 min.) I didn't talk to A much at all. The guys were talking and carrying on, of course they work together why wouldn't they. I would randomly ask A a question here or there just to try and start a conversation. She was a very sweet down to earth kinda Gal. They are prego's expecting their first bundle of love the end of July. Once the conversations started  it wasn't to bad at all. 

It was a nice random night out, that wasn't planned. Sometimes I think days or nights like that are the best. Slowly but surly we are making friends out here, it just seems to be so much harder here vs. Hawaii. Which you would think it would be easier here because the unit is so much smaller. However its the complete opposite which makes things frustrating. I guess with it being a small unit you get to "know" (from people talking) who everyone is and how they are. 

There's that old saying "don't judge a book by its cover" well does that apply to meeting people as well because I don't think so. I'm generally pretty good a figuring someone out with in the first few moments of meeting them or at least by the end of the night. I've had a difficult time adjusting and meshing with some of the people I work with and I have a feeling its just going to get worse come the summer time. I keep telling myself less than 2 years but still that doesn't make it any easier. I'm honestly a easy going person and try to get along with everyone but if your not going to come back with the same kindness then I'm not going to waste my time. 

I can't help but always think back to the wonderful group of friends we had (still have) in Hawaii. Though some of us have left the island and moved on to new duty stations I still know we will always have our little group. Maybe there it was easier because we all depended on each other so much more since NO ONE had family to run to when they needed help. Maybe it was the environment and the fact that we simply all meshed so well. 

Whatever it was I MISS IT, so much that it hurts. I feel completely lost and misplaced here in the South. I make a friend and then one thing or another comes up and they are gone or life comes along and things change. I spend every possible moment I can with the hubbs which I absolutely LOVE but I miss my girls. I never imagined it would be this hard at the age of 26 to make friends. I know several people here yes but if I left tomorrow and never saw most of them again I wouldn't be heart broken. 

I'm hoping as time goes on I will be able to meet other MiliSpouses and make some strong bonds with them like I did in Hawaii. 

Until then its me and the pups when the hubbs is at work. 

~DAY 210~

School Mother's Day Gift

With Mother's Day fast approaching today we put the finishing touches on our gifts for the momma's. Thanks to Pinterest for this fabulous idea, it turned out lovely. I've mentioned it before but I love doing art projects with our kiddos. Even more so when its for a gift like these were. 

 Each kiddo made a custom pot holder for their mommy with their cute little hand prints on them. Of course we did the writing and wrapping. A random search on pinterest one late night and I stumbled across this idea. It seemed like the perfect idea for their Mothers Day gift.
I just love how they came out.

We also made these cute little flowers out of coffee filters. The best part about giving these as gifts is they wont die or wilt away. Sure they don't smell so pretty but they are pretty darn cute if you ask me.  

They are all wrapped up and ready for delivery on Friday!! 

I'm excited to see what the parents have to say. I really hope they like them.  

~DAY 209~

~Sweet Treat~

Remember all those tasty Strawberries we picked over the weekend?!?!? 

Well today at work I had a bright idea to use some of them to make Strawberry Short Cake. 

After it crossed my mind I couldn't stop thinking about it. I haven't had it in FOREVER. 

I'm not a fan of whip cream AT ALL!!!! I've never really liked it but I LOVE it with SSC.  So on my way home from work I stopped by the store and picked up some Angel Food Cake and Whip Cream. The hubbs was blowing up my phone worried about were I was because I had told him I'd be right there home, forgetting I still had to make a stop. 

Thankfully when I walked through the door with sweet goodies he completely understand and all was well. We normally don't have dessert on the week nights. Mainly because be time we both get home from work, make dinner, do dishes, pick up the house we are to tired & ready for bed shortly after.

This evening was different and we completely dug in and enjoyed a tasty bowl of Strawberry Short Cake. It was so good, I'm hoping we are able to make a trip out to Cottle Strawberry Farm again before they close for the season. 

Do you have a favorite simple "go to" dessert for long work nights?!?!?! 

I think this might just be our latest right now. 

~DAY 208~

Family Fun Day!

 Today was the battalion family fun day at Weston Lake. It was mandatory for the Soldiers to attend but families were optional. The morning consisted of a PT competition and the afternoon was when they had a big BBQ and activities. I chose not to attend only because that would mean I'd have to take off work and I really don't want to right now. Not unless I really need to, I'm trying to save my Vacay days. 

So this evening when we were on our walk with the pups the hubbs was telling me about his day at the lake. It was quite interesting and embarrassing at the same time. I have to say I'm kinda glad I wasn't there, but on the other hand if I was this probably would NOT have happened. 

One of the guys that he knows made the comment that he was so hot from being out side all day. He said he was just going drop his pants because he had his ranger panties on under neither. The hubbs made mention that he had the same thing on as well and I'll let you fill in the blank from there. 

YES, they both dropped there pants right there in front of god knows who. Thankfully the ranger panties are similar to super short silky shorts. Someone managed to capture a picture of the two of them acting like complete retards. I'm hoping with my fingers crossed that it was just for a moment and not a minute longer. 

I'll spare you the full picture ~ here is the cropped version.    

Has your husband ever done anything to completely embarrass you, weather you were there or not?!?!? When he was telling me the story I was completely dumb founded. Then when he showed me the picture I couldn't stop laughing. Men......they will always have that "little boy" in them. lol

I still love him though!!!

~DAY 207~

Just US!!!!

We had a full date day planned for today. We headed out to Shaw Air Force base to check out the Thunderbird Air show. It was pretty cool as it was last year when I saw it in Hawaii. I took a few pictures but instead of boring you with them I've decided to share my favorite part of our day. 

This one above was taken right before we left the air show, I love his smile!!!

From there we headed to the local Strawberry farm, which happens to be just around the corner from post. I've been wanting to go for a while now but whenever we've make plans something would always come up. 

 A couple people I know have been and they tried to explain to me how it was set up but it just didn't make sense. Something you kinda have to see to get. We decided on two small baskets vs. a large bucket to pick and fill because we didn't want to get to many and them go to waste before we made our way through them. 

The field was so large line with rows and rows of Strawberry plants filled with large red plump berries!!!! 

He was seriously on a roll picking, we each went on a different row across from each other. 

I have to say he got some pretty large ones, I was impressed. 

My freshly picked Strawberries, ready to take them home and chow down!!!! 

 Aren't they so PURDY!!!!!!! They were super tasty as well!!!! 

Cottle Strawberry Farm should be open till around the end of May so I'm thinking we might try to make at least one more trip out there before they close for the season. 

The best part about today was it was just the Mister and I. We had nothing planned with anyone else, no worries on being some were by a certain time. It was a go with the flow kinda day and enjoy the moment. 

~DAY 206~