Taking A Walk ......

DAY 31

.....On the wild side of things.

A day out exploring a new park is the way we ended up spending our Sunday. Sesquicentennial State Park is a National park here in Columbia, don't even ask me how to pronounce the name of it because I have no clue we just call it the S park. With a 3 mile trail that runs around the 30 acre lake and another 5 mile bike trail as well as many smaller trails that run through the forest area you can't get board at Sesquicentennial Park maybe lost lol. During the summer months part of the lake is roped off for swimming as well you can rent paddle boats to do a bit of exploring around the lake. The paddle boat sounds fun but I'm not so sure about swimming in the lake it doesn't look so clean.

We had fun following the arrows leading us to the different openings to the lake area, crossing 4 different bridges and passing a few creepy creatures along the way. It would be a great place to take the dogs and let them run around and explore the only crappy part about it is they have to stay on their leash. They have a dog park inside the park as well but the other crappy part about that is you have to pay for a yearly membership to take your dogs there. (same goes for the dog parks out side the S park, you have to pay a yearly membership, granite its not much but still seems a bit strange if you ask me)

I was doing some looking on line when we got home this afternoon and there is a 5K race that runs through Sesquicentennial Park in the spring and I think I might look into running that one.

All in all it was a great day and we took loads of pictures and made some great memories together. :)

"The Gun List"

DAY 30

New toys are aways fun!!!

Gabe has always been in to guns, he loves going out shooting in his free time. Its different when it's not work related and he can really get in to character. While in Hawaii he wanted to purchase one so badly but the process to go through with it was completely horrid so we held off. Once he got back to Arizona over our PCS block leave he was finally able to purchase the HK hand gun that he had been wanting. That only led to a whole list of other guns that he wanted to purchase, that's all I heard about for weeks at a time. How excited he was and how he couldn't wait to get to SC because then we could go to the gun shows.
Our 2nd weekend here there was a show about 2 hours away I knew he wanted to go and we had no plans so we decided to head out. It was a first for me, I've been to several arts & craft shows so I figured it had to be similar to that. And in a way it was and in many ways it was not. There was some good people watching at these things that's for sure. We spent a couple hours there walking around, looking at everything and talking to the different vendors. We ended up not buying anything, which I felt bad about because Gabe found the gun he really wants there and with out me having a job (I didn't at the time) we just didn't think it was the right decision.
This weekend there was another show in town and it was only 20-25 minutes away so not bad at all. We got up and decided to go early so because we had plans for later that afternoon. When we arrived at the location there was already a long line of people waiting to get into the facility, it was only 8:40 & it didn't start till 9:00am. Gosh we though this is going to be a big one, and Gabe was pretty stoked to see the out come of people. Which is surprising seeings he doesn't like crowds. Once we got in we realized that it was smaller than the one before and along with a lot less space between the tables which I quickly got annoyed at because people kept just walking into you & were so rude about it. Thankfully we only stayed for about a little over a hour and then we were heading home. But not empty handed this time, the hubbs found a gun on the list (his "GUN LIST") that he wanted a kel-Tec RFB and after as much sweet talking as he could do I finally said yes. No not really, he kept telling me everything about it and how cool it was and so on and how much he wanted it so I told him to go for it. I mean really how can I say no to that sweet little Innocent face of his. It was a early Christmas gift so it worked out in the long run :)

MIil~Spouse

While enjoying a evening at home watching some old classic christmas movies I was surfing the net and stumbled upon this little Q & A and though I'd give it a whirl.

1. How long have you been a military wife?
Four years this past Wednesday & loving every bit.

2. What branch of service is your husband?
ARMY

3. Active/Reserve?
Active Duty

4. What is his job?
Infantryman ~ Drill SGT

5. How many deployments have you gone through?
TWO ~ a 15 month & a 12 month

6. Camo or Dress uniforms on your man?
I think he looks super sexy in his ACU's but I love the BLUES as well.

7. What do you like about being a military wife?
The chance to experience new places & meeting new people from all around the world.

8. Do you live on base?
We did / do at our last duty station & our current one, seems to work good for us.

9. What is your favorite base so far?
We are on our 2nd duty station and I have to say the 1st ~ Schofield Barracks has been our favorite.

10. What is the hardest part of the military life?
The separation from family & close friends, Hurry up & wait, Not knowing what the future holds, CHANGE!!!!

11. Do you go to the grocery store or Commissary?
The Commissary~ prices are better & its convenient.

12. Do you work or stay at home?
At Schofield I worked at the CDC & plan to do the same here at Ft. Jackson at the moment I'm working part time at a Day School.

13. Do you have a lot of military wife friends?
I have know a good bit of Mili spouses but I have a very select few that I call my friends.

14. Do you prefer Walmart or the BX/PX/NEX/MCX?
NEX when we were in Hawaii but now the PX.

15. How did your husband propose?
After a week visit in Texas we were having lunch at a local park when he asked :)

16. Did you marry him after he joined or before?
We were married on his 2 year mark to the date.

17. How long have you been together?
November 29 of this year will be 5 years.

18. Any kids?
NOPE, just 2 little pooches

19. Any kids yet to come?
No plans at the time but we will see.

20. Is your husband one of those "I am Soldier hear me HOORAH" kind of guys?
No not at all, he def. sticks to what he believes & will tell you how he feels but he does not walk around with a "Im in the army hear me roar" sign/

21. Have you ever done combatives with your husband?
No can't say that I have.

22. How many bases have you lived at?
TWO Schofield Barrack Hawaii & Now Ft. Jackson South Carolina

23. If you could change one thing about the military?
Moving and having to leave all my wonderful friends whom I now consider family.

24. Do you like military balls?
I've only been to one and I loved it, getting to dress up & spend the evening with my handsome soldier out and remembering the ones we lost over the deployment it was a wonderful evening.

25. Where does your family live?
Mine in Texas, His in Arizona

26. What do you do for a job?
Child Care, Banking company (Citi & soon Well's Fargo) Mortgage company

27. Have you ever gotten in a fight with an NCO's wife?
No, can't say that I have.

28. Name one thing you do when your husband is gone.
Spend time with my most favorite girls.

29. Do you think other wives do that too?
I am going to guess some do, it truly depends on what they have going on in their life.

Happy Veterans Day 11-11-11

DAY 29

Thank A Veteran, Remember A Veteran

Today we take time to thank the Veterans from the Past, Present & we Pray for the ones to come. With each passing year this day seems to become more & more important to me. Not to say that it wasn't before but after marrying into the Military family it's more in your blood then ever before. We have had the chance to meet some really amazing men & women that have served in the military. Hearing their stories from their time in the serves is just awesome, sometimes heart breaking & other times completely funny.

I have a few family members that have served & are still serving in our great military now. I am so blessed to live in the land of the free thanks to the brave. A special Thank You goes out to My Love for all he has done and will continue to do during his time in the Army. I'm happy we were able to spend today together and I could truly show my appreciation to him (not that we did much out of the normal lol). He does so much for our country along with the other men & women, I don't think they are ever given the credit for a job well done. So with that being said..................

“On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.” - Dan Lipinski

ps: I didn't take either picture obviously but wanted to show my love for the Veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Staying Warm

DAY 28

Keepin My Booty Warm

Cold chilly mornings & late evenings these little gadgets sure do come in pretty handy. I never though I'd love seat warmers like I do now. I never had to use them in Hawaii & in Texas neither of the cars I owed had them. I am loving it right now, it only takes maybe half a minute to warm up. If I turn it on when I first get in the car its warm & toasty betime I get to the end of my street. (which isn't very long at all) But lets be honest I'd rather not have to use them at all and skip the whole "winter months" if you know what I mean. I guess until then at least I know I can keep my booty warm.

Simply Perfect

DAY 27

Its amazing how much we've been through......

.....over the past four years, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Today we celebrate another year being married, another milestone in our relationship, another perfect day together, another year in the army (our anniversary date is also Gabes anniversary date in the army, today makes SIX years!!!!). It's my favorite day of the year, I love this day more than my birthday, Christmas, Halloween, thanksgiving even valentines day.

I can remember our wedding like it was yesterday it was the best day of my life and I know it was for Gabe as well, because he tell's me every day. Meeting him and falling in love with my best friend was & is the most amazing thing that I've ever been through. We've traveled roads over the last four years that many will never have to go down, nor do I wish it upon anyone. However I do believe that it has made us who we are today and has only built our relationship stronger then it could ever be. Looking back over the last four years it sometimes seems as if we have been married FOREVER and then sometimes it seems like just last month we were saying "I Do". Either way its a wonderful feeling I know that our love it strong, true, ever lasting, perfect......its simply a "one of a kind, kinda love".

I have never been so happy in my life, I never have to worry "what if", there's no fear of meeting that perfect guy because well I HAVE!!!!!!! We complete each other in every way possible and I love that. I love falling asleep next to my husband every night and waking up to him telling me he loves me at 4am in the morning. It's the best part of my day and the part I look forward to the most. I'm always telling Gabe that I got so lucky meeting him, it was by luck that we met and I will never forget that first night we talked. He tell's me that we both got lucky, awh what a way to my heart. I can't wait to see what is in store for us over the next year, the next four year, the next 20-30-50 years. I know it can only get better and better and I know we will only continue to fall more and more in love with each other.

I LOVE YOU BOO with all My HEART YOUR SIMPLY PERFECT FOR ME & I'LL ALWAYS BE YOUR GIRL!!!!!!! ALWAYS & FOREVER & THENSOME 11-09-07

ps: there will be a official 4 year wedding anniversary post to come soon, I promise......I have lots more to share.

pss: the photo above is a pinterest recreation that we BOTH worked on together, it was awesome to be able to do this with my love. It couldn't have come out more perfect, we used it for something else as well that I'll share at a later time. But its officially one of my newest favorite pieces in our home.

The missing piece

DAY 26

Finally decided on part 2

With our anniversary tomorrow I seriously needed to get cracking on Gabes gift. I knew the first part of what I was getting him but still was missing the second part and couldn't figure it out. Last year I got him the Keurig he had been wanting forever. (thank you black friday sales) Ever since getting back on the mainland he has been in Dunkin Donut Heaven, he loves it and could drink there coffee all day long. After finding out that they make K-Cups now he tends to buy a box or two every week or so. That's when it finally hit me, he had wanted a single serving coffee maker for his office at work but didn't want a Keurig there, in the event that people would always use all his k-cups or break the machine. (they can be kinda touchy sometimes) He saw a commercial on TV the other night for the new Hamilton Beach "The Scoop" machine and was just raving about it and talking about how much he liked it. Well this morning I did tons of research on line trying to find out were it was sold in my area and the office name that it was called. We only saw the commercial once and it was quick so I had very little to go by. Much to my surprise after my research I was able to find it in stock at two locations with in 10 miles of post. SCORE!!!!!! I quickly rushed to Target and picked it up along with a supply of......yes you guessed it Dunkin Donuts Coffee. I know he will enjoy having this for work and not having to rely on one cup a day from home. Lets face it Gabe is a coffee lover!!!!

First Impressions

DAY 25

They say First Impressions are everything

Well let me just tell you Gabe made a great one today at his first official day back to work with his new unit. It was his first time doing PT with them and it didn't last long at all. I got a text message this morning around 7:45am "I'm at the Hospital, I'll be home soon but I'm fine & I love you". Really that's all I get I though, so I texted back asking what happen and he responded with "doing Log PT and getting two stitches doc. is here call you when I'm done" Ok I though that in the world could have happened that would case him to have to get stitches. I was on my way to a interview shortly after so I wasn't able to talk to him again till later in the afternoon when I was on my way to work and he was headed home. That's when he told me they ended up putting not two but four stitches in his chin. I guess when the doc. looked closer he decided the cut was bigger then he though. This evening when I got home I asked him to explain to me what happen bc I couldn't understand. I guess this is what happen......he was lifting the log (from the end) to flip it and when he did the opposite end popped back up and hit him in the chin. He said he didn't even realize anything had happened at first and then he felt his chin because it was a little sore, that's when he noticed it was gushing blood out. I asked him why none of the other guys he was doing PT with said anything and he said it was still pretty dark out so no one really noticed till he pointed it out.

He goes back on Saturday to have the stitches taken out. Right now he has it uncovered, they told him when he was home to let it air out but when he goes out and to work to cover it up with a band-aid. We are hopping that it wont scar to badly but the doc said it probably will. I told him scars are just sexy and it would only make him look hotter then he already did.

I am happy that we had our Holiday pictures taken yesterday pre~chin bust. We still would have done them either way, I prob. would have ended up using a picture we already had from our TX trip for our Christmas cards though.

I'll let you know this weekend how the removal of the stitches goes, hopefully not to painful for him.

Many Colors

DAY 24

The many different colors of Leaves

I simply can't get over how beautiful the trees are during the fall weather. I can't remember when the last time I saw leaves this color on the trees in my neighborhood. I though palm trees were breath taking but I can't seem to get enough of the colored trees here in SC. From the vibrant red & bright lively yellow. Every were I go I'm always taking pictures of the trees. I'm sure people think I'm nuts when they see me but hey I've never seen leaves like these ones and I'm just blown away by it. I'm sure you will see more in future post so just bare with me and enjoy the beauty that SC has to offer.

The best part is they are all over post, around the lakes & in peoples yard. It makes the area feel so warm and definitely puts you in the fall mood.

Preparing for a Freeze

Yup your reading that right its freezing cold here and I'm not digging it one bit. Ok maybe its not freezing for say but its pretty darn cold. This only means one thing.................the best meal on a cold day is SOUP, sitting on the couch curled under a blanket. I can't think of anything better than a good bowl of soup to warm up the soul. Shortly before we got to SC Gabe got on a soup kick and I kinda fell into it as well. I love soup and love making it also. We have been trying different ones through out the past couple weeks and never seem to have any left overs. That's a good thing though right.

While thumbing through Pinterest a few weeks back I came across a posting about freezing soups in silicon muffin cups. The idea behind it is to freeze it and then they came be warmed up for a quick dinner or individual servings for lunch or a afternoon snack. I loved this idea and with our busy schedule coming up it would work out perfect. I couldn't wait to make some soups and try this idea out. But first we needed the silicone muffin cups. We made a point to look at the stores when we went out to try and find some muffin trays but we kept coming up empty handed. I searched every store around the area BB&B, Target, Walmart, a Local Kitchen store, World Market, the PX and AAFES online and none of them and anything. The only store that had anything close was World Market, Amazon had them up they were crazy expensive. World Market carried the individual silicon cups not idea but I figured it should work the same way. I bought one pack of six to try it out and see how it would hold up.

We made Black bean soup a few days ago and it was so yummy. I didn't think I would really like it but OMG to die for. There was just enough left for 3 muffin cups and so I filled them up and stuck them in the freeze. That evening before we went to bed I check on them to see how they'd frozen. Perfection, solid as a brick and the holders just peeled right off. I baggied them up, that's lunch for one of us next week.

It worked just as I had planned and now I needed to stock up on more muffin holders.

While out doing a bit of shopping to today we stopped at World Market and I picked up four more sets and a couple soup packets to make. I was excited to get home and try it out with a more liquid soup. Chicken Noodle Soup, it took a bit to make mixing all the required ingredients and following set by set directions. None the less it turned out simply magnificent and filled about 24 muffin cups.


I transferred them to the freeze and once again before I headed off to bed checked them one last time and tadaa. They had frozen over completely and peeled right away. This is going to make for a yummy afternoon snack during the cold winter months. I'm already looking through different recipes to figure out which soup I'm going to make next.

I told myself that if I was going to spent time on Pinterest then I was going to have to put the ideas in to place that I "repin", I mean that's the whole point of it right. So far out of the whatever amount I have pinned I have recreated 4 almost 5 DYI projects. I promise to post about the others soon!!!!!

Gotta love Technology

DAY 23

Nothing will keep us apart.

So the other night Gabe was in to his phone and downloading all different kinds of apps. At one point he asked for mine and then gave it back a bit later. He called me and it was some crazy annoying ring tone but when I answered it was a video of him and we could talk on speaker it was way cool. He told me I would be able to do it with S & N in Hawaii when we wanted. I kept forgetting to tell S about it when we talked and this afternoon we were talking forever and I still forgot to tell her about it. When I hung up Gabe asked me if we did the Fring talk and I said no I forgot. So I called her back right then and she downloaded it and were able to talk and see each other at the same time. So its pretty similar to Skype but it was different as well. We got a kick out of it and called N to have her add it on her phone. Once she finally got it added we were all three able to video talk on our phones and see each other all at the same time and talk. We could have even had one more person in on our chat, there is 4 spots on the program. We could all hear each other and have a conversation at the same time while sitting in our homes. It was completely fabulous and made my day. I miss the girls so much and wish that I could be there with them but this is the next best thing!!!! I seriously love modern technology and how much it has changed over the years for the better. I can't wait for our next Fring date with the girls!!!! & This will be great for when the hubbs goes to Drill School at the beginning of the year.

Meeting my new Doc.

DAY 22

Oh Dear Doctor please don't hurt me

I absolutely hate having to go to the doctor's I don't know why but I would rather not have to deal with it at all. Unfortunately that just isn't the case there will always be times when we have to go make that lovely visit. This trip today was due to work, it was my last bit of in processing if you will that I had to do. I needed a physical done, indicating that I am healthy and fit for work. A clean bill of health you could say. I went in with no worries just a smile on my face, this would be the first time meeting my new Dr. since moving to SC. She turned out to be super nice and a great person. Although she wasn't to pleased with my eye sight, mainly in my left eye. (which I already knew I had horrible eye sight) She wants me to go get them further checked out, eeks really. oh well got to make sure I can see to drive my car lol. I was in and out with in about half a hour vs. any time I went to Tripler in Hawaii it was always a deal and I was there forever. Plus here at Moncrief I don't have to search for parking and the lay out of the building is easy to navigate around. All in all it was a good visit and I'm happy to say I left with a "Clean Bill of Health"!!!

Burr I'm chilly

DAY 21

Baby its cold outside!!!!!!!

Driving home from work this evening I looked down at the gauges on the dash & noticed the temp out side was a bit nippy. YES, 67 degrees that's cold to me and I'm not digging it at all. I hate the cold weather, I hated the cold weather when I lived in Texas and being away from it for three years while living in Hawaii has made me hate it even more.

The only good thing right now about it is, it makes the holidays feel more real and exciting. Wait who am I kidding the reason I'm excited about the Holidays this year is because I get to send them with my Love & my Spouse comes right before Christmas. Apart of me is wanting it to snow for like just a day.....maybe two only because I wanna see the pups play in the snow. Other than that I wish it to stay away!!!!!!!

Living w/ a Chef

DAY 20

Potato Soup from the Heart

I can't say enough about my loves cooking!!!!!!! He is simply wonderful when he gets in the kitchen. Every so often he says "Hey I'll cooking dinner and do everything tonight" which is wonderful. I'll go in the kitchen to see if he needs help with anything such as tonight and he simply says "nope I got it all taken care of." This afternoon when I came home from work he had dinner cooking in the crock pot so when we got back from our walk we were able to dig right in. Potato Soup was on the menu for the evening and it was so yummy. We have been trying to do more soups & stews here lately by using the crock pot wish makes a long day so relaxing.

This one goes in to the "must make again book" we have a over whelming amount of cook books. I don't know the last time we made a "box meal", changing up our eating habits and watching what we eat has been great for the both of us.

The Chairs

DAY 19

Seating for two please

During our PCS leave in Texas we bought a new living room sofa for our home in SC. In our search we only shopped at stores that had a locations in SC and that would deliver from their Columbia store. We found the perfect sofa at Haverty's, we just fell in love with it. It was perfect down filled, tall back and it came with 3 throw pills. There was a chair that went perfect with it as well and we decided we wanted to get two of them. However with a price tag of $1000.00 each we decided we would wait on them and just go with the sofa for now.

Once we got settled in our new home I was looking for every way possible for us to get the chairs sooner rather than later. But the though of paying a thousand dollars for one chair was the hard part. Even harder seeings we wanted two of them for a sitting area in our living room. While out and about around the area over the last few weeks we were always stopping by local furniture stores to check out what they had. (we are looking for another piece for our living room as well.) Nothing seemed to compare to the Haverty chairs, we kept going back to them. Then finally we went to what we though was a small hole in the wall furniture store only to find out it is 3 stories HIGH and takes up a whole city block. CRAZY, we spend about 2 almost 3 hours there looking at everything thing they had. Right when we had given up hope on the chairs we found two that we liked allot and finally decided to go with them. Less than half the price of one H chairs it was a deal we couldn't pass up. Sadly it was Saturday and they couldn't deliver till Monday, darn why don't we have our truck still. (oh well, its better this way)

I just simply love the way the chairs look in the living room, we couldn't have done better. We wanted something different something unique and that you don't see in every ones home. The only thing left to complete the area is a little table for the middle. Our house quickly became a Home were our heart love to be!!!!!