Me and My SoldierMan

Friday Randomness

2012-01-27T01:09:00.001-06:00

Pardon the lack of bulletpoints.

SoldierMan came home from the field a day early. I'm very glad for that. In related news, I'll have a fun picture-filled puppy post soon. And I'm laying awake because I can't sleep and I can't stop thinking. First and foremost the verse from Proverbs is on my mind: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." I'm still reading/studying about the book of Proverbs and we haven't gotten that far yet. But that verse has been sticking in my head in relation to a specific area of my life. And so, I have been actively trying to trust in the Lord with all my heart and to acknowledge Him, at least privately, in this area. It's requiring me to walk by faith (not by sight) in a fresh way. It's funny, because the last few weeks, God has really shown up in my every day life in a very personal way. Like, I speak to Him about an area where I have a concern or just need help, and within hours, that need is met, help arrives. I would give an example but it would mean talking about others without their permission. But, say I tell God, "I'm so burnt out and feeling unappreciated regarding X, I just don't want to go on." A day later, someone out of the clear blue contacts me about X and expresses appreciation. They had no idea they were a direct answer to a prayer that God answered before I prayed it (when I look back on the timeline of events). It's been so wonderful and a balm to my soul, reminding me to trust in Him in other areas.

It's been a long time since I've really spoken about the things of God on here. Much too long, really. I don't have an excuse, but I do have am explanation, and I hope I can make this make sense, even in a random post written in the middle of the night.

As you all know, we still haven't found a church. We've visited many throughout the last year, and I really didn't think it was going to be this challenging. But no matter where we've gone or how much we've *wanted* to like a place, it just wasn't where we were supposed to be. Yes, sometimes I wonder if we have set our standards too high. We visit one church and they basically sit around and pat each other's pet ministries on the backs. We visit another church that has great worship but leave out half the Gospel, the part that says you need it. We visit another church that actually offers an invitation to follow Christ, but the entire sermon is on the life of Helen Keller, not Jesus. We visit another church that has a high view of outreach but a low view of the Lord's Supper, allowing people to invite cursing upon themselves. We visit another church...and another...and another....and then here we are a year later wondering, where are we supposed to be? What are we doing wrong? And worrying, keenly aware of the stagnation that sets in when you aren't actively a part of a local body of believers. For months I've been praying that someone will just invite us to church somewhere, and in a year that hasn't happened. Unless you count Jehovah's Witnesses. Which I don't.

All that to say, meanwhile, I've been struggling. I won't speak for SoldierMan, but I know he has too. Without the accountability and the guidance as well as the opportunity to work with others, you get stale. You plateau. And it's so hard to fight that off, even as a couple. And so, many times I've found myself wanting to talk to someone or share on here, I see someone I know and love hurting and I know that what they need isn't more counseling or more sympathizing or more medication, what they need is a transforming relationship with Jesus...but how can I say that to someone when I am not even a really good example of that myself right now? Suppose I did share that with a friend, and they were receptive, where do I lead them? How can I try and tell someone that this is the most important part of a person's life and affects every other part and so if this part is off-kilter, everything else will be...when I don't even have a church? I don't even have that first duck in a row, let alone the rest of them. I'll be honest, and this isn't false modesty, but I have never felt more unworthy of testifying to the Truth in my life. And I've let it hold me back. I say this to my shame.

Maybe that is an excuse, but it's the truth.

So that's my random post for today. I have no conclusion. Only that all I can do is keep going, keep trusting, and hope that by being real and sharing this with all of you, maybe someone going through something similar will read this and be encouraged that they aren't alone. And to say that I'm going to fight being held back, particularly on here. But that's a post for another time.

Sorry for the typos. I did this on my phone and didn't get to proofread.

Who likes to party?

2012-01-25T01:01:00.002-06:00

This will probably be nothing like what you’re expecting. Please read to the end because I seriously need some help!

I’m planning an FRG party for Valentine’s Day, since the great majority of our soldiers will be gone. I’m not the best party-thrower – I tend to fall back on old college habits of just ordering pizza and letting people do their own thing – but I really want to make this a fun, big, puffy pink heart deal. Not only will we be distracting ourselves from our soldiers being gone, but this will be the first real spouse event for our FRG. I want to make an impression.

I really hope that doesn’t sound as insecure to you as it does to me.

Anyway, I had some thoughts like setting up my studio photo-booth style and letting people take fun pictures, but I don’t have much in the way of props. Well, anything. I will probably see if someone wants to head that task up, and depending on if someone does, go from there.

I’m also going to get my pinterest on and work up some fun, girly guilty pleasure food. Such as:

Source: velveteenbaker.com via Jaci on Pinterest

I've been wanting to try these for SO long

Source: thenovicechefblog.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Don't those look amazing?

Source: evokingyou.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Assuming I can find strawberries in January, of course.

And of course, we have to have our chick flick (or flicks, we’ll see how late people want to stay up on a Tuesday!) I also want to have a game. And I thought I could try and merge the two. So, what came to mind?

Chick Flick Bingo.

Instead of numbers, you have little squares with stereotypical chick flick moments randomly arranged, and as they pop up on the screen, people cross them off. Only thing is, I’m having issues coming up with 30+ squares (so that every sheet is different).

Here are some ideas so far:

makeover
airport scene
first kiss
caught in the rain
mistaken identity
make-up scene

I’m sure part of the difficulty I’m having in coming up with ideas is that I’m not a big chick-flick person. Yeah. All my favorite girl movies are from the 80s and 90s and usually have either Robert Downey, Jr. or Molly Ringwald. No, let’s be honest, they’re really from the 30s and 40s. And that’s a completely different genre, really.

So, anyway, I seriously need help.
What would you put on your bingo card?
(And let’s keep it PG-13, cause that’s all I’m showing)

Have you heard about Daphne?

2012-01-24T12:56:00.002-06:00

Daphne is a precious little girl who was born with a rare genetic defect, Trisomy 18. If you don’t know, Trisomy 18 means that she has three pairs of chromosome 18 rather than the normal two. Most babies with Trisomy 18 are not born live. Few ever leave the hospital.

Not so with Daphne.

In what can only be described as miraculous, she is heading home with her family to live out her final hours surrounded by people who love her. This is nearly unheard of with Trisomy 18 babies, and a huge blessing for this family. To read her whole story (bring some tissues) click the button above.

First of all, praise Jehovah Rophe, God the healer, for letting this family spend time with their little girl they never thought they would have, for healing this child without surgery and giving her parents a chance to hold her and love on her.

But for a second, I want to take a step back and talk about a bigger picture. This past Sunday was Sanctity of Life Sunday, for which many churches chose to speak out and affirm the fearful and wonderful creation of human life. Yesterday was the March for Life, where over 500,000 people marched through the state capitol to stand for those who were not allowed to be born. These are the two largest pro-life events (not anti-abortion, they aren’t synonymous terms) in America every year. And yes, they occur to protest legal abortion, but also to stand along side those who are born with genetic conditions and congenital defects, to state that all life is precious and special, even if in our eyes, it wouldn’t be much of a life at all. Thanks to prenatal testing, Daphne’s family was prepared, as much as any parent could be, to say an early goodbye to their daughter. And they still chose to meet her.

I truly believe that God is blessing Daphne and her family because of their decision to give birth to her and allow her to experience as much of life as she possibly can. She’s a living witness of the healing hand of God.

She’s not out of the woods yet. The doctors gave Daphne anywhere from hours to days as far as life expectancy, but she has already defied the odds, thanks to God’s favor and in answer to the prayers of many.

So today, I’m joining many other bloggers asking you to share Daphne’s story by putting the button below on your blog. Join all of us in prayer that Daphne will be given as much time with her parents as the Lord allows, and that her story will reach far and wide and lead people to the one true God, the Great Physician and the Maker and Giver of all good things.

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
~ Psalm 139:13-16

Blog Design Giveaway Winner!

2012-01-23T01:01:00.000-06:00

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway last week. Sorry for all the hiccups with the Rafflecopter form. That was my first time using them, and I will again. It’s much better than going back and counting 140 comments! (Yes, we had 140 entries!) Rafflecopter is very user-friendly, but obviously not idiot-proof. Next time will be better. Promise. :)

Anyway, enough of all that! You want to know who the grand prize winner is. Who gets a spiffy free blog design courtesy of Crafty Hippo Designs. Whose name magically appeared at the push of a button when I clicked “Add a Winner!”

The lucky winner is:

Amber F.

Yay Amber! I will email you this afternoon and give your email to Jeanette, who will be in touch with you shortly.

Be sure to stay tuned for future fabulous giveaways!

Friday Randomness

2012-01-20T10:20:00.003-06:00

To the newbs:

Usually on Fridays I like to compile my favorite things I’ve run across this week, random thoughts, informative articles, maybe an interesting video.

But I’m pretty much brain-dead right now thanks to a certain husky puppy waking me up at 0300 this morning and not letting me get much sleep after that. Of course, the little stinker had to go and get all sick later so I can’t be mad at him.

Anyway, since I don’t have the mental energy to scour teh interwebz for actual helpful information, you’re getting a glimpse of my activity on pinterest this week.

Source: etsy.com via Jaci on Pinterest

By a good friend and fellow BB. The pin links to her etsy store. Aren't those the cutest?? And right now, she's running a fantastic deal on them on her blog! Be sure and check it out!

Source: shopruche.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Seems like a good project.

Source: amazon.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Love this, except I really would want a drawer or something.

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Jaci on Pinterest

In case you're like me and not creative enough to come up with it on your own

Source: sweet-verbena.blogspot.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Too cute! I envision several of these in my wardrobe this summer.

Source: haircolorsideas.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Oh yes, this is happening, or some variation that works with my current cut. LOVE red!

Source: Uploaded by user via Jaci on Pinterest

This is what my hair looks like in my dreams.

Source: Uploaded by user via Jaci on Pinterest

You know me and my nail polish. This is actually me from last week. The nails have since been filled.

And now for some randoms:

Source: stream.pleated-jeans.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Hope you have a great weekend, and feel free to follow me on pinterest through any of those links. (sorry about the weird justification on everything. I'm too lazy too fix it this morning.)

Classic Beauty

2012-01-19T01:01:00.000-06:00

If you’ve been following me any length of time you know that I am a major classic movie fan. Fanatic is a better word. I’m that lame friend that, when it’s my turn to pick a movie for movie night, picks a black and white one and begs you to “just give it a chance, I promise you’ll love it.” I’m usually right, too. :)

One of the reasons I love old movies are the movie stars – calling them “actors” is inadequate. They were stars. And they really don’t make them like that anymore.

I read an article the other day that in the fashion industry, Size 6 is now officially considered “plus-sized.” How ridiculous. For a while on my pinterest I’ve been collecting press photos of classic actresses that were at one time considered to be the epitome of beauty…and would today be sent to one of those celebrity weight loss reality shows.

Jane Russell

Source: landlessness.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: myvintagevogue.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: xfinity.comcast.net via Jaci on Pinterest

Esther Williams

Source: upload.wikimedia.org via Anna on Pinterest

Source: my-ear-trumpet.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Kim Novak

Source: classiclegend.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: alisonkerr.wordpress.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: lh5.ggpht.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Ann Margaret

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: style.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: forties-fifties-sixties-love.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Judy Holliday

Source: megooligan.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: ilakid.blogspot.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: beautybombshells.wordpress.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Ava Gardner

Source: lafenty.hubpages.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: listal.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: latinamericana.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Kathryn Grayson

Source: gossip.whyfame.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: doctormacro.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Rita Hayworth

Source: lottieloves.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: classichollywoodforever.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jaci on Pinterest

And my personal favorite,
Jean Harlow

Source: bombshellbettiesvint.tumblr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Source: classichollywoodbios.com via Jaci on Pinterest

Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate our definition of “beauty”

Source: Uploaded by user via Jaci on Pinterest

New Brother

2012-01-18T01:01:00.001-06:00

I’d like to have the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey playing right now,
but you’ll just have to imagine it in your head

duhn…..

duhn….

DUH-DUHN!!!

I might be freaking out a little, still. My mom bought me my very first sewing machine for Christmas. It took me a while to pull it out, what with getting everyone settled in at home and getting into a routine again. But once I did…man, you can hardly pull me off that thing now. I have it set up on the kitchen table because A) we never use it anyway and B) I can sew and watch TV. Doesn’t get much better than that.

It’s pretty sweet. It came with all sorts of accessories and instructions on how to do pretty much anything, from quilting to monogramming to things I can’t even spell. And it’s got a computer with over 100 preprogrammed stitches, so I’ve barely even looked at my basic straight stitch (which is good, because decorative stitches seem much more forgiving.) Plus, I don’t have to control the speed with my foot, which I love. The foot pedal basically just gives it power, you control the speed up top on the unit.

This thing is like something out of Star Trek. Just my style.

After spending a few hours making random stitches on quarters from Walmart, I decided to go ahead and try a project. A machine cover. Cause you need one of those, right? Especially here where you can write your name on my dresser in just two days worth of dust. (Sorry for that mental image.)

So I found a pretty simple tutorial and went to town. Considering all I have at this point is one spool of thread and some fabric scissors, well, I think I did okay….

Yes, I know it doesn’t fit. I have this problem with eyeballing things like 1/2” – somehow I think my seam allowance was actually a full inch or wider on the side panels. But that’s easily adjusted next time. Structurally it turned out (almost) perfect. Meanwhile, I’m going to make some handles and just turn that into a bag. So it’s not a total loss.

And no, I’m not normally into the whole tattoo/skulls/pirates thing, but I loved the pink and black dots and that was the only other fabric Walmart had that went with them really well. Yes, Walmart. I didn’t want to spend $$$$ on a practice project. I’ll save the real nice fabric purchasing for later.

Anyway, that’s my new toy. Now if it was only self-threading…..

Don’t forget to enter my free blog design giveaway!!

Book Review: Myrna Loy - The Only Good Girl in Hollywood

2012-01-17T00:01:00.002-06:00

Myrna Loy is hands-down my favorite classic movie actress. I have many, many that I love (as any of you who follow my pinterest know) but she tops them all. So I was super-excited when I received the very first biography on her for Christmas.

I've never read her autobiography, released back in the '80s, but so much from that book is included in this one that now I don't feel I ever need to read it. And Leider fact-checks the autobiography, clearing up places where Loy chose to be vague or even silent.

The title comes from something a producer said about Myrna when she wouldn't have an affair with him, when most other actresses had no problem (apparently) floating from affair to affair in one of the earliest "free love" micro-cultures. The book covers not only Myrna's history but Hollywood history, from the silent era forward. And when you read the accounts of those who lived it, the social lifestyles of the rich and famous then aren't all that different from now.

I've only read a few biographies, mostly because they can be deadly dull unless you are already fascinated by the subject. Many times, it seems, biographers are more interested and just putting facts down on paper. But Leider tells a story with those facts. There were parts that were more interesting than others, to be sure - I care far more about Myrna's film career than her stumping for the United Nations - but even then, we're carried along with her on the journey, not just reading facts out of a textbook.

The only part I found a little odd was Leider's obsession with Myrna's sex life as a young woman. It seems like a very, very big deal that the first "adult" relationship she was in was in her late twenties. To Leider, this appears to be a sign of some sort of stunted development or over-dependence on her mother. To me, it was obvious that it was Myrna's observation of her friends' disastrous love lives and her decision to enter into that lifestyle very judiciously. Part of the reason so much of the account deals with that is that, while Myrna was living at home with her mother and not dating, she was playing mistresses, sexy spies and femme fatales who seduced men and either ruined their lives or killed them. So I can see why the contrast with her personal life is anecdotal, but I didn't think it was worth a mention on every page.

Like I say, the book revolves around Myrna Loy's life and career, but Leider also weaves in plenty of history, so it's a fascinating account of the rise of Hollywood, the atmosphere leading up to WWII and the political climate of the 50s and 60s, when Loy was most active as a liberal Democrat who literally worshiped FDR and JFK.

If you have any interest in classical Hollywood, or one of the greatest actresses of that era, I highly recommend this biography. And if you'd like to see Myrna Loy in action, I'd recommend watching Then Thin Man, The Best Years of Our Lives or The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. (Try Netflix)

Blog Design Giveaway!

2012-01-16T00:01:00.003-06:00

I am very, very excited to once again be hosting a giveaway sponsored by Crafty Hippo Designs!

The design you would be entering for is the Luxurious Design Package.
It includes a custom header, blog background, coordinating text colors, reader's choice of blog template/layout, installation, plus all available extra design elements – a $70.00 value! These extra design elements include a navigation bar, custom fonts for sidebar widgets and post titles, sidebar and post title background images, signature, divider, social networking icons, and more!

Jeannette Aurora is the designer behind Crafty Hippo Designs. She is so talented and obviously very gracious. :) Jeannette believes that a makeover is a luxurious and relaxing event, so why should your blog makeover be any different? She offers unique, beautiful, and affordable blog designs to fit your needs. With Crafty Hippo Designs your blog makeover process will be a pampering experience. Let her cater to your every need!

Crafty Hippo Designs offers Facebook welcome pages, Twitter and BlogFrog backgrounds, Etsy store banners and avatars, and three complete blog makeover packages: the Relaxing Design Package which includes 5 points worth of extras, the Glamorous Design Package which includes 10 points worth of extras, and the Luxurious Package which includes all her possible extras. She always offers a 10% discount to military bloggers. And she also offers a 10% discount for returning customers and for a referral program which stack. You can read all about it at the bottom of her terms and conditions page here.

To enter, simply follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below:

If you're checking back in, I fixed the email entry

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~Good luck! Entries will be accepted until midnight next Sunday, the 22nd!~~

The entry form closed early and I can't figure out how to reopen it. I'm sorry.

Friday Randomness

2012-01-13T01:01:00.001-06:00

This is so exciting!! Swagbucks is making, today, Friday the 13th a lucky day this week, as they hold a Swag Code Extravaganza, which means more opportunities to get reward points towards free stuff – like Amazon gift cards! You know how much I love my Amazon gift cards! I’ve probably gotten somewhere between $200 and $300 thanks to Swagbucks, and you can use them on anything on Amazon!

The Swag Code Extravaganza starts at 7am Eastern Time - throughout the day there will be 8 different Swag Codes, and if you can get them all, you'll have an extra 60 Swag Bucks in your account. So if you haven’t yet signed up for Swagbucks, click either of the links above and get started!
(Full disclosure: those are my referral links)
I have to share this with you: I’ve started using Windows Live Writer for blogging. It’s pretty awesome. One of the things I was getting used to with this new blog design was the wider column and making the pictures look good in it. As I’m sure you know, when you upload a picture through blogger, the sizes are preset, and if you go in and try to change the size on the html side, it degrades the quality of the picture.

Just trust me.

However, through Live Writer, I can write up my blog post (it links directly to your blog on blogger, Wordpress or most any one it looks like) and you can upload and size pictures however big or small you want. I.E.:

Okay, that may not be the best example because the person to took the picture wasn’t focused correctly. But I think you get the point. And yes, that’s SoldierMan getting his EIB. It happened the day we left for Oklahoma so I ran out of time for a blog post on it. But yes, super proud of my EIB soldier!

Anyway, Live Writer lets you keep your picture quality, plus since it’s linked to my blogger account, I can still schedule pre-written posts and tag them and everything. Do a google for Live Writer and give it a try. I’m never going back to writing from blogger!
This afternoon I’m going with friends to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D! I remember seeing Beauty and the Beast when it first came out in theaters many moons ago, and I think it’s a perfect choice for a 3D project. It was revolutionary in its use of computer generated animation, long before Toy Story, giving it a deep multi-plane appearance even in regular 2D. 3D will only make this better. I can’t wait to see that library in all its 3D glory!
In case you missed my most important post this week – this year – here it is: Stop SOPA
Have you signed up for Blog Nation yet? If not, you should check it out! Click the link to get added. Looks like a great way to find new BBs!
Hope you have a great weekend, and for you millies, a fun LONG weekend!!

Home Again

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-06:00

Or: two of the most stressful days of my life.

Remember how we went home for Christmas? And how while we were there, we were housesitting for SIL who was on her honeymoon? Maybe I left that part out.

Anyway, we were house AND dog sitting for her golden lab, Leroy. Yes, we had Achilles, Jeb and Leroy.

At first, it seemed like a match made in Heaven. We needed a puppy-friendly place to stay. They needed someone to take care of their doggy. Our schedules melded perfectly.

We move in and the dogs get along perfectly, like they all grew up together. (Thankfully, Leroy is very laid back and didn't mind our insane pups taking over his yard, his toys and yes, even his bed.) We get everyone settled and happy, and head back across town to our family's to hang out. It's around 9:30 and we get a phone call. From SIL. On her honeymoon.

One of the neighbors has called her. They found Leroy out in the neighborhood. We had to get back - pronto! Unfortunately, we were about 30 minutes from the house. We ran to the car, raced back to the house - red lights may or may not have been observed.

And the whole time I'm freaking out. SIL didn't say whether or not the neighbors had found Jeb and Achilles. They just said Leroy. And if the dogs got split up, why has no one called us? The boys have tags with both our cell numbers. I'm barely holding it together. Why haven't we gotten a call?

We get about five minutes from the house and my phone rings. Same neighbor, saying she has all three dogs. Apparently we had left the garage door up when we left and the dogs got out through the doggy door. But they put them back in the garage, closed the door, and the puppies were nice and safe waiting for us.

Phew. Crisis averted.

The next day, we put the dogs in the backyard when we go into town. We had to go shopping, meet up with family, pretty much run all across the earth. But hey, NBD, right? Put the puppies in the backyard where they have plenty of room to run and play and hang out.

We're talking with my parents about what to do for dinner when we get another phone call. SIL again. Different neighbors. Saw the dogs wandering around the neighborhood. Crap. Another rush home. In the pouring, freezing December rain.

We get to the house and the dogs are nowhere to be found. SoldierMan drives around the neighborhood looking for the boys while I stay at the house in case they double back. Maybe ten minutes later, he comes back with Jeb and Leroy.

No sign of Achilles anywhere.

But he wanted to drop off the other two so he could keep looking without having to worry about them in the car. As soon as he pulls up, he gets a phone all from Home Again, the service the puppies' microchips are registered with. Someone else in the neighborhood found the dogs, saw the tags said "El Paso" on them, and thinking Achilles had just made a cross-country trip on his own, called the number on the microchip tag. Turns out, Achilles had sneaked in his garage while the neighbor went outside to get the mail. It looks just like SIL's house, so I think he thought he had found his way home and was just one street off.

We get the boys home and Leroy is pretty chill. Jeb is non-responsive, almost catatonic. I think he was more traumatized at losing Achilles than at being lost himself. Achilles was pissed. At me. Somehow, in his mind, him getting wet, cold, lost and kidnapped was my fault. Everything horrible about his life is my fault. That's just how he rolls.

But, we got them home. I wouldn't have even thought about microchipping the puppies when we got them if it wasn't the law here in El Paso (which I don't really like, I mean, where in the Constitution does the government have the authority to tell me to surgically alter my pet?) however, after this experience, I will never have a pet without a microchip. Because even if their collars had broken off, those microchips would still link them to us.

Moral of the story: microchip your pets. Here, our vet did it for $25. We pay an annual fee of $25 for the registration service. A small price to pay for that kind of peace of mind.

Sub-point: whenever you find a pet without a collar, please take the pet to a vet and have them check for a microchip before you take it upon yourself to rehome it. Just because they don't have a collar, it doesn't mean they don't have a home.

Oh, right, epilogue: Turns out, the second time, the puppies had dug out of the backyard, thanks to all the rain that weekend. So, since we couldn't trust them in the backyard anymore - and couldn't trust the pups not to demolish SIL's Christmas Tree left to their own devices - Leroy got to spend his home alone time in the house, and the boys got to go in the kennel. Which I felt okay about because A) it was only for a limited amount of time for a couple of days and B) they pretty much took to it right away, since they were in the same one and had plenty of room to move around. That got us through the trip. Pretty sure the puppies were even more excited than we were to come home. :)

Stop SOPA

2012-01-11T00:01:00.003-06:00

Do you know what SOPA is? SOPA is the Stop Online Piracy Act, currently scheduled to be voted on on January 24th. Like a lot of really dangerous legislation, it's got a nice name: stopping online piracy. But what will it really do, and what does that mean for you and me?

I could write a really long breakdown for you, but instead, here is a short video that explains it perfectly (I promise, it's short):

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Did you catch that? If, say, someone uploads a video to facebook and there is music or a movie playing off screen, in the background, this bill gives the government the right to shut down facebook. Not just that person's facebook account. Facebook. All of it. Which, okay, yes, doesn't give us food, but also isn't breaking any laws. It shouldn't bother you because it's facebook. It should bother you because it's egregious.

Or, how about another example. We post youtube videos of songs to our blogs all the time, right? And you know how, often times, they aren't "official" videos? They're songs we like with slideshows or just a still shot of an album cover. Technically, those are illegitimate copies (though I prefer the term "unofficial"). If you've ever posted one to your blog, this bill would give the parent corporation who owns the rights to that song the ability to sic the FCC or DHS on you and shut down your blog, erasing all your memoirs, forever. Don't think they wouldn't, either.

The government has already shut down blogs under the false pretense of copyright infringement without SOPA. The page that that link goes to is long, but it details just what happens when your blog is seized, and how nearly impossible it is to get your content back. Think it couldn't happen to you? Look at the blogs they shut down and think again.

This is a big deal, guys. SOPA will change the internet. This has NOTHING to do with stopping people illegally buying and selling content. For corporations, it's about controlling and eliminating competition, using the government to do it. For the government, it's just another form of censorship.

Contact your senators and congressmen and let them know they will face the music if they vote to support SOPA and quash your freedom of speech.

Book Review: Inheritance Cycle

2012-01-10T00:01:00.001-06:00

Maybe if I called them "The Eragon Books," you'll know better what I'm talking about? Really seems like a marketing fail to name the series something unrelated to any of the titles or main characters.

Anyway, the Eragon books. I actually finished these last month, after waiting for months for the final book to be released. When I think about these books and how to evaluate them, it's really hard to ignore the fact that Paolini began publishing these as a teenager. It makes the strong parts seem stronger and the weak parts seem weaker.

If you saw the movie, "Eragon," you've got a decent idea of the basic story and main characters. Frankly, I think it's a shame that more movies weren't made, as the story only gets more complex and they had a great cast. But that's a different story.

The story begins with Eragon finding a dragon with whom he bonds, Saphira. Through the four books, they both grow from sheltered adolescents to powerful warriors fighting to free their country from the tyrannical King Galbatorix. Along the way they align with a colorful mix of characters - humans, dwarves, elves.

With any multi-book series, you have to admire how patient Paolini was to have his main characters grow up and claim their roles in their world. Eragon starts as an illiterate boy who's never been further than a few miles from home, and then in the forest. He has no exposure to the outside world or the politics that wind up taking over his life. By the end of the story, he and Saphira find themselves interjected into the inner political workings of cultures they had only before heard about, and that the hope of freedom for millions rests on their shoulders.

They aren't the only ones. The story revolves around several main characters, each of whom find themselves thrust from humble or background positions into the eye of the storm around them. I'm probably projecting, but I wonder how much of that is autobiographical for the young author.

You can definitely feel the influences of other works on these stories: the giant landscape and long travels of Lord of the Rings, the quest after quest after quest after quest of an MMORPG. That's neither a positive or a negative in my book, just an observation.

The parts where I felt the books faltered aren't minor, though. Throughout the story, conversations and Eragon's own introspection touches on some big issues: individual freedom vs. collective good, where "we" came from, what ethics should be based on, whether there is a god or gods. Unfortunately, none of the ideas are really explored or realized by the end of the story. Again, could be projecting, but I wonder if that could be because the author hasn't found those answers yet, either.

The other aspect where I thought the books fell flat was in the romance. There is so much unfulfilled romance, you can't even enjoy the bittersweet nature of it. And one of my major pet peeves is the whole "woman falls in love with her abuser" meme, almost always used by male writers. And it's used in a big way here, not at all convincingly.

Overall, I enjoyed the stories and will probably read them again, but I didn't get the feel that every re-reading would glean new insights into the characters or story, as with other fantasy novels. And I still wish they had made more movies.

We Traverse Afar

2012-01-09T00:01:00.002-06:00

Whew...Christmas wrap-up a little late. In my defense, we were just gone for Christmas. In fact, it was quite a trip. We left as soon as SoldierMan was released for Christmas block leave. We loaded up the Exploder with laundry, presents and puppies and headed north to Oklahoma. We stopped overnight, which is a story too long for this post and may or may not have involved a dog-fighting ring (I'm still not sure).

Anyway, we finally arrive in OKC with just enough time to get settled in and cleaned up in time for SoldierMan's sister's wedding.

If you look closely, you can see us on the right. It was one of the most beautiful, fun weddings I've ever been to. She was gorgeous, glowing and the happiest I've ever seen her. It still chokes me up to think about it. You know that old saying about being happiest when the people you love are happy? That's what it was like.

The rest of the week leading up to Christmas was filled with shopping, chasing runaway puppies (post to come), Mazzio's pizza, yellow queso and spending time with family.

Finally, Christmas Eve came. The biggest day of the year. We went to lunch with my grandparents for their 58th anniversary, at their choice, Golden Corral - which has a chocolate fondue, in case you weren't aware. And a cotton candy machine. It's high-class.

We went to my mom's family's Christmas Eve party, where we had almost 60 people...and quite a few missing! That's always a fun get-together. It's a big pot-luck with all my aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, cousins-multiply-removed.....it's a blast.

The feature event, of course, the the Mickey's Christmas Carol Sing-along video.

It's the best 30 minutes of the season. The whole family sits around the TV and we pop the tape into my parents' old VHS player and sing along with the bouncing Mickey head.

Sister and Fiance

Brother and Girlfriend

Me and Soldierman

After the video, we said our goodbyes to the group - yes, all 50+ of them - and ran over to SoldierMan's family's Christmas Eve celebration. We got a couple of new in-laws on that side, and we have four nieces and nephews, it always makes for a good party with SoldierMan's five siblings and their families. We play Secret Santa on that side (Am I allowed to say "Santa"?) and that's always fun. This year we got an extra surprise: One of SoldierMan's sisters - they're all really talented and creative - she made the rest of us customized aprons, commissioned by my MIL.

Yes, mine is Gryffindor! How awesome is that? That's all of us in our aprons (MIL is wearing the Bride's, who was still on her honeymoon). Pretty sure I was squee-ing for a whole 24 hours :)

Christmas Day my dad's family met at my mom's for lunch and Dirty Santa. (All these pictures were taken by my aunt. Somehow my camera never made it out of my purse...imagine that...)

Dad "fixing" the cakes

Cousin, Brother and Mom

And playing bell chimes....

The next day we were on our way home. We loved being home and seeing everyone, and never got enough time with anyone, of course. Can't wait to go back.

Fresh Face

2012-01-06T00:01:00.002-06:00

How awesome is this, y'all??

I've been wanting to get a new blog design for months but just haven't been able to pull the trigger for one reason or another. A new year seemed like the perfect time for a facelift! (Not to mention some extra Christmas money ;))

As usual, I could look nowhere but Dirt and Lace Designs. I love, love, love Stephanie and her style, which is professional, personable and versatile. And patient! I took forever to make up my mind about all my elements, not to mention the hours I spent agonizing over which theme to choose. Thanks so much to dear Brianna for helping me there! And I changed my mind over and over throughout the design...let's just say, Stephanie is a saint!

BTW, Stephanie also just completed Brianna's new blog design as well. Click the button below to see. I'm not sure whose I like better, hers or mine! I'm serious!

I cannot be happier with my new facelift! (And I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a new coordinating Twitter background before too long, too!)
If you want a blog design you will love, head over to Dirt and Lace Designs!

Calling All Y'all!!

2012-01-05T14:57:00.004-06:00

Do you have an etsy shop? A blog design service? A home-based business? A fun crafty hobby?

I'm looking for giveaway sponsors for the next few months and I'd LOVE to feature one of your wares here on Me and My SoldierMan!

If you're at all interested or just curious, please leave a comment with your reply-to email set (or email in the comment) and I'll be in touch!

Guns Don't Kill People

2012-01-04T00:01:00.005-06:00

Now that I have your attention.....

The last few weeks there have been a couple of online kerfuffles that I think are worth rehashing at this dawn of a new year.

The first happened on facebook. Someone I know on facebook "shared" a status of a friend of theirs. This friend, a mother of a teenager, was beside herself because her teenage son had unwrapped and re-wrapped all his Christmas presents and she had caught him. She said she had stopped speaking to him for the last two weeks, was about to return everything she had bought, and hadn't ruled out beating him senseless (based on the tone of the status, she was not being hyperbolic, it did seriously sound like she was actually contemplating physical violence against her son).

The person who shared this status had only this to say about it: "I'm sure glad my parents didn't have facebook when I was growing up." I thought that was very insightful. Lost in that story, which I'm sure has moms everywhere seeing red, is the fact that this was an in-house problem that this woman decided to share with all of her family and friends, permanently affecting their perception of her family. I understand the woman was upset, felt betrayed and disrespected. But I agree with my friend - facebook statuses are not the place to air things like that.

There have been plenty of times that I have had salacious material for my blog - stories involving SoldierMan, friends, in-laws...all our lives involve drama. And with a few major exceptions, most of it is short-lived.

However, as I like to remind people, the internet is forever. Once it's out there, it's out there. Forever. Yes, I need to vent sometimes, too. But I have a few very select friends I do that with, and privately. Not my blog. Not my facebook.

The other incident is probably more familiar to you, and is pretty controversial since I know people who fell on both sides of this one. Last month, a millie got an article posted on CNN titled, "I'm glad my husband served in Afghanistan, not Iraq." I and many others were offended by it, even after the author's explanation, mostly because I have loved ones who did serve in Iraq - multiple times. I understand the author says she didn't mean to be disrespectful, and that still others felt that she was speaking for them.

We live in unprecedented times, where we as the military community have the ability to affect and control the media narrative surrounding our military members' service. Some millies might say they have no interest in that, but I'm sorry, that's just not possible to avoid. As long as we write about our experiences, our servicemembers, and what affects them, we are contributing to that narrative.

And again, the internet is forever. By posting negative remarks in a major media outlet about our servicemembers - either intentionally or unintentionally - the narrative that affects how the public perceives our servicemembers has been affected for time and eternity.

I agree that, as bloggers, we have an obligation to tell the truth. The truth about our experiences and our feelings about those experiences. But I also believe that we have an obligation to protect our families. The internet, facebook, blogs - it's all wonderful. But these are tools, and we choose what effect they will have, not just on others, but on our own lives, families and military community.

And as long as each of us choose to utilize these tools, we need to wield them responsibly. That means being judicious in what we choose to post, and then accepting responsibility for the ripple-effect of what we write. "You just didn't understand what I meant to say" is one of my biggest pet peeves as a writer. Either write what you mean or just don't write. Sorry, rabbit trail.

I'm not claiming perfection in this area. This is as much for me as anyone else. As we begin a new year, let's keep in mind that we have at our fingertips the most powerful weapon in human history: the power of the written word, individual expression, freedom of speech. It can be used to build up or tear down. Let's use it wisely.

My Daily Bread

2012-01-03T10:52:00.002-06:00

So, for 2012, I'm starting a daily Bible reading plan called The Bible Read Plan for Shirkers and Slackers. You can click the link to read more about it, which I really hope you do, especially those of you who are still looking for a daily reading plan.

Basically, rather than having a set reading for every day of the calendar year, you read from a different section of the Bible each day of the week. For instance, Sundays you read Old Testament Poetry. Mondays you read from the Pentateuch. Tuesday you read Old Testament history, and so on. The idea being, if for whatever reason you miss a day, you don't have to read eleven chapters in one day to catch up. If I miss a Sunday reading, I just wait and read it the following Sunday rather than trying to catch up with both Sunday and Monday on Monday.

I can't tell you how many times I've started a yearly reading plan with good intentions, only to find myself somewhere around March with 15 chapters worth of catch-up to do. I know to some people, that might not seem like a lot, but it's overwhelming to me. I think this plan will be a good way, not only for me to get a nice variety in the reading, but (most importantly) to develop the discipline to actually read the Bible on a daily basis.

I've started a new blog to help keep me motivated. It's called My Daily Bread. (How original, I know!) My goal will be just to write a little something every day reflecting on what I've read. It won't be formal. I probably won't even go back and spell check it. Just a stream-of-consciousness log to help me stay consistently reading.

If you decide to try the reading plan with me and want to join the discussion, hop on over there and check it out. Like I say, it's nothing fancy, just a way to help keep myself motivated and accountable for what I'm reading.

Do you have a reading/study plan for the year yet? What plan are you following?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T13:33:00.002-06:00

It's a New Year, y'all.

(Yes, I know it's the 2nd. I don't blog on Sundays.)

Something about buying a new calendar and starting at the beginning is refreshing, renewing. Personally, I appreciate the Chinese custom of getting up to watch the first sunrise of the New Year, literally being able to start from the beginning. (Uh, no, I didn't. I said I appreciate it. Not that I would be participating.)

Instead, we stayed in Saturday night and watched movies and ate some yummy homemade chicken enchilada roll-ups (thanks, pinterest!) and some store-bought queso.

And I got a little excited about playing with two of my new Christmas presents: a real tripod and a remote shutter release:

Still working on hiding the remote. And yes, we sit on the couch and watch movies while on our laptops. It's 2012, after all.

I'm facing the new year with mixed emotions. Thanks to the Army and the world in general, SoldierMan and I won't be seeing a lot of each other the next 18ish months. I'm one year closer to turning 30, which I guess other people find exciting, but it's never been the carrot on the end of my stick. We should be able to actually go back to Disney this year. I could very likely have at least one book completed by the end of the year.

Up, down, up, down. But rather than let myself go full-speed on that emotional roller coaster, I want to start 2012 fresh and forward-thinking.

Dani at Hard Corps Love started this 11 in 2011 goal list last year, and I've decided to join her for 2012. Most of these are self-explanatory, many have specific numbers attached. And every month at the end of the month, I'll do an evaluation to keep myself on track.

1. MIND | Read at least one book a month, new or old, fiction or non-fiction. Memorize one Bible verse a week.

2. BODY | Work out 3x a week, minimum. Meal replacement shakes 1-2 times a day.

3. SOUL | Stick to a Bible reading plan. (<-- That's the one I'm doing. Click the link if you'd like to join me.) Find a church. Do a daily Bible study. Pick a verse for the year.

4. PLATFORM | Write at least 2 articles a month for the Bigs

5. BLOG | Post 3-5 times a week. Host one giveaway a month.

6. LOVE | Follow "Power of a Praying Wife" every month for one year. Plan more creative date nights.

7. TIME MANAGEMENT | Plot out to-do lists for the week every Monday. "Stop feeling guilty when people you don't know ask you to do something you can't do."

8. STEWARDSHIP | Record spending and stick to the budget. Work the couponing like I'm being paid (because I am). Tithe consistently. Seek out charitable opportunities. Maximize my Swagbucks efforts (might conflict with TIME MANAGEMENT.)

9. CREATION | Get current on scrapbooking by the end of the year. Learn how to use new sewing machine for more than pot holders. Make something I want to wear. Plan and actually execute Christmas baskets this year. Take one picture every day, preferably with my camera.

10. KINDNESS | "Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty."

11. KEEP IN TOUCH | Regularly update email, photos, Facebook, & twitter.

12. WRITING | Edit NaNoWriMo2010 project. Complete NaNoWriMo2011 first draft/Continue research. Participate in NaNoWriMo2012

If you want to join in the 12 Goals fun, click the link above to go to her blog and copy the banner for yourself! You should think about it! It would be so awesome for us all to get to December and be able to share our completed lists together!!

Here's to a wildly successful 2012!

Are you ready?

2011-12-27T13:46:00.002-06:00

This will be a quick one, mostly because I don't think many of us are on the blogosphere full-time yet. I probably won't be until January, to be honest. But I did want to throw this out there.

We are facing a major election year. I don't need to tell you how much the goings-on on Capitol Hill affect us millies, not after three potential shutdowns mired in subterfuge and gamesmanship. I hope it became clear just how important it is for us to not only be informed about issues, but about candidates, because those candidates get elected and create those situations that literally mean the difference between putting food on the table and not.

As 2011 winds to a close, I strongly encourage all of you to get online and begin the process for registering to vote. We vote absentee in our home county. Our voter residency is registered to my parents' house, which is in the same precinct and county as our first house was, so we know the people, the area and the relevant issues. Our forms are "due" by the end of the month, but realistically, you can register at any point in the year and begin receiving your absentee ballots. But why wait?

First you have to determine your residency. Which state do you file your taxes in? Because we kept ours at my parents (for both voting and tax purposes) I go to their county election board's website. Just do a search for "Cleveland County Election Board" (whatever yours is) and it should take you right there. If that doesn't work, find the state election board and they can help you out. All military members and dependents are able to register to vote absentee in every ballot election.

Then throughout the year, you will receive your ballot in the mail. Fill it out, get it notarized and send it back in. Easy-peasy.

This is one of the most major election years we are facing, particularly those of us with primaries. Don't wait until it's too late. Start the ball rolling on getting those absentee forms filed. If you have any questions, let me know and I'll help the best I can.

I Love 'Em Anyway

2011-12-25T11:54:00.003-06:00

Cassandra took a breath. "But people still have to die in war. Men and women, eighteen-year-old kids we send over there who never come back. Do you think He's happy about that?" She had a hard time keeping the taunt out of her voice.

Jet looked down. "No, of course not. But I also know what God thinks about sacrifice. He looked down and saw this ugly world, with all it's brutality and it's horror and it's cruelty, He saw how awful men can be to each other. He saw the way we enslave each other and use each other and steal and kill, and He looked down and said, 'I love 'em anyway,' and sent His own Son to die for us so that we wouldn't have to be caught up in that ugly sin forever, so that even before we go to Heaven, while we're here on earth, we can be free from the evil in this world.

"I know that God understands that sometimes, people have to die so that other people can live. And I know that He understands what the families who lose their loved ones are going through, because He had to watch His own Son be tortured to death, even thought He - Jesus - hadn't done anything wrong. He only died because He loves us, because He wanted us to be free."

property of blog owner

"For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." ~ John 3:17

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-06:00

12 Days of Christmas

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

Now, this should need no introduction, but briefly: this is the original recording of the best version of the 12 Days of Christmas in human history. If you haven't heard it yet, prepare to be amazed!!

I'll Be Home For Christmas

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

Grab your kleenex. But most of you probably already saw this coming.

Youtube has this version blocked, so this comes courtesy of some Russian website. But really, is there any version more poignant? Even before the Army was a thought in our lives, Josh Groban singing this song with messages from servicemembers overseas to their families just sent me over the edge. (I really hope this plays...if not, you MUST download the song. It's everywhere songs are downloadable.)

I especially love this song this year because two of our dearest friends are having their soldiers come home for Christmas R&R. Can't wait till they're all home.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

2011-12-21T00:01:00.002-06:00

I have to be very careful when this song comes on, particularly Emmy's rendition. I know her style isn't for everyone, but it just tears me apart...in a cathartic way, if that makes sense. The year I discovered this version, I was listening to it when we found out a family we'd known and loved for years lost their only son at a young age. Ever since then, whenever it comes on, it reminds me to say a prayer for all the families who have loved ones in Heaven for Christmas.