A Day in the Life of a USMC Wife

Work, Work, Work...

2010-02-02T09:52:00.002-05:00

Last week I started back to work full-time. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet, but it does feel good to participate in bringing the bacon home. I'm getting used to the drive...an hour+ each way. It's a quiet start in the morning and time to unwind and re-center on the way home. I'm currently working days, but I'll switch to nights in the upcoming schedule. Still trying to find balance with kids, work and home, but I know it will fall into place...eventually??

Back to the Grind

2010-01-14T13:06:00.002-05:00

I've decided to try to get back into blogging. It's been easy to not write anything, but it's just so damn cathartic to blog about whatever to whomever and then, gain some sense of sanity from it all.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Level 1 Crossfit certification at Cherry Point. (For those that don't know about Crossfit, I urge you to google it and see for yourself). I have been participating in this type of workout for just about a year. I am still a total novice at all of it yet I found that there were a couple of men that couldn't lift what I could lift or keep up with the endurance of the group as a whole..."Fran" was the proof. Yes, this is going in the direction of the old Nike ads of Just Do It!

The following article was written by Jon Gilson, one of the trainers at the certification and I believe he says it best...

You Are Beautiful
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 12:15PM

If I were feeling a little more lawless, I’d gather all the copies of Cosmo and Seventeen, douse them in kerosene, and strike a match. I’d throw in reams of print ads from Calvin Klein and watch with delight as Kate Moss’ stick-thin image was reduced to carbon. I’d add copies of Shape and Runner’s World until the flames reached toward the heavens, and then I’d crank call the editorial desk at Muscle and Fitness until they stopped publishing pictures of women on steroids.

I’d get the master tapes of America’s Next Top Model and dub over them with “Nasty Girls”, broadcasting the results on every television station in America. I’d skywrite “CrossFit.com” across the Boston skyline, and gently admonish the hoards of long distance runners trotting along the Charles River—with a bullhorn.

I’d take every woman with mass media-induced ideals of beauty, and I’d show them what it really means to be beautiful.

Beautiful women are strong and powerful. They are athletes, capable of every feat under the sun. They have muscles, borne of hard work and sweat. They gauge their self-worth through accomplishments, not by the numbers on the bathroom scale. They understand that muscle weighs more than fat, and they love the fact that designer jeans don’t fit over their well-developed quads.

They know that high repetitions using light weights is a path to mediocrity, and “toning” is a complete and utter myth. They refuse to succumb to the marketers that prey on insecurity, leaving the pre-packaged diet dinners and fat-burning pills on the shelf to pass their expiration date.

Beautiful women train with intensity. The derive self-image from the quality of their work and their ability to excel. They don’t wear makeup to the gym, and they wouldn’t be caught dead with a vinyl pink dumbbell. They move iron, they do pull-ups, they jump, sprint, punch, and kick, and they use the elliptical machine—as a place to hang their jump rope.

They spend their weekends in sport, climbing walls, winning races, and running rivers. They laugh as they sprint circles around the unschooled, turning the image-obsessed into benchwarmers. Beautiful women don’t care if they’re soaked in sweat and covered in dirt, if their nails are chipped or their hair out of place. They care only about quality of life.

Beautiful women are happy, healthy, and strong, and they’re right there beside me, tossing conventional beauty on the ever-growing flames of what used to be.

Be beautiful.

Adieu 2009! (Woo-Hoo!)

2009-12-30T14:57:00.004-05:00

All I can say is THANK GOD THERE'S ABOUT A DAY LEFT IN 2009! (Yes, I was shouting as I typed that.) Last year as "the ball dropped" to welcome in 2009, I just felt an absolute sense of dread. I knew it was going to be a tough year, just how tough though was not clear yet. Paul was due to leave within the first 2 weeks of January and we were prepared to be separated for 12+ months. This much I knew. I set out to make the best of a crappy situation for myself and the kids, we planned activities, moved into a new house, worked hard to do well in school and work, and adapted to our situation, as many military families have to. In the summer, we promised ourselves to go to the beach at least once per week (which we did), we travelled up and down the east coast to visit family and friends and enjoyed some R&R when Paul was able to come home on leave. He and Fam at a beach house in Emerald Isle for a week, truly a blast! (I hope we can make it an annual occurrence!)

We suffered great losses in 2009, with the tragic death of our cousin, Matilda, in the Colgan plane crash last February and again in August when our Uncle Joe lost his battle with cancer. They left great voids in our family that will never be filled.

Joyfully, we welcomed Paul home a bit early, in October, so we were at least able to celebrate the holidays together, a true blessing. His early return was a wonderful surprise to all of us and was just in the nick of time as Abbie started working on some algebra that required me to go online for assistance. Seriously, she's working on math in 8Th grade that I did in Algebra 2 as a Junior in high school. BTW, has anyone really had a use for the quadratic equation in "real life"? I'd like to see it applied to my household budget please.

Now that we are embarking on a new year, the last year of the first decade in the new millennium, I hope and wish everyone peace for 2010. Happy New Year!

Shopping 101...

2009-12-05T21:31:00.003-05:00

Paul and I just got back from a "date"...of Christmas shopping, (sigh). First, we went to dinner, (I was hoping to loosen him up with a cocktail or 4), and then headed to the shopping Mecca of New Bern; Target. Poor Paul, after nearly 17 years of marriage and 20 years together, he didn't know what I was capable of accomplishing when Christmas shopping sans kids. He was a little shell shocked to say the least. I think he actually had a little bead of sweat form on his brow as the shopping cart filled up in under 45 minutes. (Look, I didn't create these 4 kids by myself...the sweat should have formed long ago, when "two pink lines" appeared on the magic wand x 4!)

In the car on our way home he was dead silent, until this song came on the radio. At first he didn't know what the heck was happening, thinking the radio station was having technical difficulties, but quickly realized it was intentional. He finally cracked a smile, and even giggled a bit, especially at the end when he recognized the last song by Toto?, so here's to some Christmas confusion.

Enjoy.

The Elf on the Shelf...

2009-12-01T20:51:00.004-05:00

While visiting with family over Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law, Christine, introduced my son to, The Elf on the Shelf. For those that do not know what I'm talking about, this is the story of an elf, one of "Santa's Helpers", that visits your home before Christmas. This elf sits on a shelf, or mantle, or kitchen counter, or ceiling fan. He's magic and cannot be touched by children, or his magic may go away and he won't be able to say if you've been good or bad. You see, he "watches" the kids and flies back to the North Pole nightly to give a report to The Big Guy ...all the good and bad. The Elf will be found in a new perch the next morning.

Now, since I didn't have time to shop at the bookstore in VA, I figured I would just wait until I got back home to buy it. I went to the 3 "bookstores" in New Bern, and no one had heard of this Elf on the Shelf. Finally, when I was lamenting to another parent about how I should try to explain this one to my son that won't stop talking about said Elf, another parent chimed in and told me that I could find the Elf at Branch's Furniture in downtown New Bern,(because when you think of a children's book and doll set, you think of an expensive furniture store where you DO NOT WANT TO BRING CHILDREN, or some adults for that matter!)

Once the Elf was discovered by Drew, we read the story that accompanied him. He had to name the Elf...he chose "George". He then became very concerned and wanted to know how long George would be staying with us, and more importantly, when was George going back to his own house.

I could just see him, 20 years from now, reclined on that tufted, dark brown, leather chaise lounge, "talking" to a Freudian psychiatrist and blaming all of his "issues" of always trying to please everyone on poor little George. Ahhhh, the true meaning of Christmas!

Shall We Catch Up...

2009-12-01T20:40:00.002-05:00

Yes, it's been pretty busy...and for Pete's sake, it's December! Thanksgiving was a lot of fun and a lot of food...16 people, 9 of them children and I never forget, 4 of the 9 are mine. Thankfully, my in-laws' home is able to accommodate everyone, including our 2 dogs!

Now on to Christmas! Ugh...

Keep Laughing...

2009-11-24T14:27:00.000-05:00

Let 'em in...

2009-11-22T20:28:00.004-05:00

This song always reminded me of my parents house, someone was always on their way over and the best times were when they weren't expected.

As this is Thanksgiving week, a mob will decend upon my in-law's house. Similar to beach week, but with more clothes. We will be 16 people...9 of them children PLUS 2 dogs.

My saving grace...it's a big house and the blender will always be on "stand-by".

Just a Thought...

2009-11-17T09:28:00.001-05:00

*T'was the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday !*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet during the
holidays a
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christmas Season!

Arm Candy...

2009-11-16T20:12:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday!

2009-11-16T19:34:00.003-05:00

Our oldest is 14 today. Again, bitter-sweet, she's a complete teenager now, and it's definitely obvious.

This also means that...I'M THE MOTHER OF A 14 YEAR OLD GIRL! AHHHHHH!

Bitter Sweet...

2009-11-12T12:27:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, my husband and I decided it was time for Charlotte to go to a "big girl" bed. So, the crib was dismantled, the single bed was assembled, bedding was purchased...complete with rhinestones and princess sheets, safety rails were installed and Mommy's heart aches...slightly.

Just for Today...

2009-11-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2009-11-12T08:00:00.003-05:00

Rain, day 2, Craven County Schools closed, but thankfully, not The Epiphany School. Seriously, it hasn't stopped raining since late Tuesday...and it's now Thursday.

The Oldest and The Youngest??

2009-11-11T22:48:00.003-05:00

Balls...

2009-11-11T08:57:00.003-05:00

Yesterday marked the 234Th Birthday for the USMC. This year Paul and I are attending two birthday ball celebrations, one took place last night at the Taberna Country Club, and the other will occur on Saturday at the "Shilton" (was the Sheraton, now it's the Hilton, no one can get it straight),in downtown New Bern.

Last night's event was particularly fun. There was the usual pomp and circumstance, beautifully dressed ladies and gentlemen, a table set for the Marines no longer with us, a lovely dinner, followed by a traditional USMC birthday cake.

For those that don't know or have not experienced a traditional cake ceremony, the cake is escorted to the front of the ballroom to a slow rendition of the Marine Corps Hymn...it's very moving. Then, a slice of cake is presented to the oldest Marine present followed by a piece to the youngest Marine present.

Let me first say that in the last 18 years of attending Birthday Balls, Paul has NEVER had the honor of being the youngest or the oldest Marine in attendance. He narrowly missed being the youngest when he was a 2Nd LT. We were recently married and attending a ball in Okinawa. He was "saved" by the arrival of a slightly younger officer that joined our squadron, MASS-2, a couple of weeks prior to the ball. It was not a job anyone wanted, the Marine had to watch over the the squadron insignia, (which was apt to be stolen to mess with him as soon as his guard was let down).

Paul is now at the point where he is narrowly missing being the oldest Marine present. Last night, my 39 year old, Lt. Col. husband, was in fact, the youngest Marine present. The oldest Marine was a "China Marine"...served in China prior to WWII.

To put it into perspective, this year at our MTACS ball on Saturday, the youngest Marine was born in 1990!

The Weekend...

2009-11-08T18:12:00.002-05:00

Soccer, goodbye to starter on truck,tow truck, auto shop, more soccer, ballet rehearsal, school talent show, sleepover, work til 9:00 am.

Church, pick up sleepover kid, ballet promo photos, laundry, nap anyone?, more ballet, house destroyed by children, cooking, homework, Giants please, cocktails, kids to bed, DONE!...til tomorrow!

Trick or Treat...

2009-11-05T07:34:00.002-05:00

Obsession...

2009-11-04T21:19:00.003-05:00

I know, I've been kind of "slogging"...not blogging. It's been one of those weeks, and it's only Wednesday. Part of my issue is that I've become a bit obsessed with my new toy, a beautiful Nikon camera I received for my b-day a couple of weeks ago. I've spent MANY, MANY hours reading the manual, watching the video instructions and demos on Youtube, and learning about the software, Capture NX2, Nikon Transfer and View NX. I just discovered that my camera did NOT come with software capable of creating slide shows to share, via the web, with friends and family. I'm now on a vendetta to find some. Suggestions are welcome! The sooner I get this locked down, the sooner my kids will have clean underwear!

Boo!

2009-10-31T13:14:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween! Check out this website for some fun food for tonight! Mummy Hot Dogs, Watermelon Brains, etc. Maybe the kids will eat dinner if you make it spooky??

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/hot-dog-mummies-715031/

Cabbage Night...

2009-10-30T21:28:00.002-04:00

Long, long ago, in a land far, far away, October 30Th was known to all in the area as "Cabbage Night". Children of all ages, good ones and bad ones, big ones and little ones, received a pass, so to speak, to TP, chalk, egg, onion, flour, apply shaving cream and get all wild and crazy in the neighborhood.

We would wait until dark and let loose on our own houses and those we knew expected it and didn't care. Stores stopped selling eggs to minors in the days leading up to the main event. Pumpkins were brought inside for the evening, so they wouldn't be smashed in the street, (there were always trouble makers.)

The next morning, Halloween, one could see the damage...the entire town decked out in toilet paper, dried shaving cream sprayed on trees, cars and houses and anything that would stand still, contra ban eggs dripping down the aluminum siding of many houses and chalk outlines of the kids that did the deeds. This was the perfect backdrop for trick or treating, which by the way, began immediately after school or if it was a weekend, as soon as breakfast was over and continued until late in the evening.

I have to say it was a blast...and I NEVER saw a cabbage on Cabbage Night.

Question...

2009-10-29T07:31:00.002-04:00

What do you do when your two year old refuses to change out of her "new" Cinderella nightgown, and to show her discontent, screams like she's on the receiving end in the vaccination clinic...for all vaccines at once?

Answer: Let her wear the *&@#$%! Cinderella nightgown over her regular clothes, out on the town and if anyone dares to comment, hand her over to them.

Back to Normal?

2009-10-27T15:18:00.002-04:00

I mean, are we? Life seems like it's going in that direction. Paul has been home for a little over a week now. He had to go to work everyday last week, then like all the other Marines that returned, he had a "96"...a 4 day weekend. How did we spend that time? Aren't you just a little curious???

We went to 2 soccer games on Saturday, ran a bunch of errands after that, I cooked...a huge dinner, we had our neighbors over for dessert. Oh, did I mention it was my birthday and I did receive a lovely gift, which I'll "post" about at a later date.

On Sunday, I worked the dayshift, came home to football on TV and kids trying to get ready for school the next day...when I finally sat down to enjoy my regular scoop of cookie dough and glass of wine, someone else also took a scoop of dough!!!! I believe I mentioned in a previous post that I don't like sharing this little indulgence.

Monday and Tuesday prooved to be 2 more days of running errands, taking 2 cars in for service and house cleaning with a touch of laundry.

I guess things are back to normal...

Oooh-Rahhh!

2009-10-23T09:32:00.002-04:00

Best of luck to all of our friends headed up to D.C. to participate in the Marine Corps Marathon this Sunday! Remember...Motrin and bananas.

Adjusting...

2009-10-22T07:54:00.002-04:00

The adjustment period is never what you planned in your head...there are always expectations of how you want things to be and how things actually are. We have our separate routines and need to mesh them again. This is exacerbated by the fact that he's been at work everyday this week, and will need to go back tonight to see some of his Marines off to Afghanistan...ON POTTERY NIGHT!

Everything is actually great. We always adjust well after a deployment because we know there's going to be an adjustment, on both sides. I'm more than happy to hand over the checkbook and bill paying responsibilities, (gets me a little closer to my dream of being a "kept woman"), and he's more than happy to help with the kids and house, etc.

Now, if I could just get him to remember which way the hangers face in the closets, all would be perfect.