Military Monday Bloghop!

It's Military Monday!

I started my NCLEX class today :) I decided to go to the Starbucks on the corner before heading in but daaaaamn were they busy! The drive-thru had a long wait and they were packed inside. Instead of opting for my usual grande soy 1 pump vanilla latte (for the sake of time, because I only had 10minutes before the class started) I opted for a grande Pikes Place instead, because I could that instantly lol. Unfortunately that didn't do the job, because I'm still ridiculously tired.

I enjoy this class, though. The main instructor is hilariously vulgar, and that makes it even more fun. As tired as I am, I'm even more motivated now :)

♫ I'm coming home, coming home... ♫

Today I drove nearly 12 hours from Fort Leonard Wood back to my home in OH-IO. I left by 0840-ish (definitely took my time...when I was leaving to go to FLW, I was up and ready by 0500 lol) and got home around 2030.

The past 4 days went by soooo fast. It also didn't help that I came on a week when Eddie was busy with BOLC stuff. I pretty much saw him in the morning when he got up for PT (at like 0500 lol), went back to sleep, then got up around 0700 when he came back. He would hang around until around 0740 and then went off to his classes. I saw him for lunch, and then I had my evening time with him. Between then I would just kind of hang around lol...I made several trips to the PX and commissary and then ventured off-post to the huge super Walmart (there is *SO* much to do in Fort Leonard Wood!) and just patiently wait for him to come back home. Yesterday was our only "whole day" together but regardless I'm just so happy I got to see him and spend time with him. I can't wait to go back there again and this time I'll stay longer. Thank goodness February is a short month :)

I'm also starting my NCLEX review class tomorrow. Is it sad to admit that I'm actually kind of excited for this? haha. I have been trying to motivate myself to study on my own and although I've been doing a good job, I don't think I'm doing as well as I should. I'm hoping this review class will help motivate me more and put me on the right track as far as studying goes. There's soooooo much information that we're required to know and it can be really overwhelming. This will also make me one step closer to becoming an RN, which I should hopefully have my March :D I'm still waiting on my ATT, though.

On the flipside, once I get my RN, I'm pretty sure my job won't let me work as a tech anymore, which sucks because I'll be unemployed and who knows how long it will take for me to find an RN job! I still have wedding shiz I need to pay for too, plus rent and other bills. I'm hoping they'll let me slide since I'm getting licensed in Texas and not Ohio, but we'll see. Maybe I'll just keep my mouth shut about it!

The Versatile Blogger Award!

I want to thank Stephanie @ a fairytale with dogtags for picking me for this award! This is my first blogger and getting this made me smile! Go check her out :)

Now for the "rules" of this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award

2. Answer 10 questions

3. Pass it along to blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy

4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

The 10 Questions...

1. Why did you create this blog?

Honestly, just because! I wanted a blog to talk about my days. And even though we're still kind of stuck in Army limbo at the moment, I also wanted to use this blog to document my days and experiences as an Army wife.

2. What kinds of blogs do you follow?

I follow a lot of milspouse blogs along with beauty and nursing blogs.

3. Favorite make-up brand?

Urban Decay!

4. Favorite clothing brand?

I pretty much shop wherever (and I like to hunt for bargains!) but I noticed I do a lot of my shopping at American Eagle and Express.

5. Indispensable makeup product?

mascara (and eyeliner!)

6. Favorite color?

purple is my absolute favorite. I also like pink and aqua blue.

7. Favorite perfume?

Vera Wang Princess and Armani Diamonds.

8. Favorite film?

Forrest Gump is probably one of my favorites. I have a lot, though!

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

China, Japan, South Korea or Thailand. I have a love for Asian culture (because I'm half-Asian myself!) and also their food haha.

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?

oh definitely blush.

I'm passing this award on to
LTArmyWife @ Stetsons, Spurs, and Stilettos
Lauren @ Killer Words from a Queen
The Peacock's Tale
Beckie @ Turn For the Nurse
Nicole @ An Army State of Mind

:)

Milspouse Friday Fill-in #9

For more information, head over to Wife of a Sailor's blog!

1. If you were a famous movie star, what types of movies would you star in?

I love all types of movies (even horror!) but I would probably have to say romantic comedies.

2. What is a vacation you would like to take if money were no object?

Either Hawaii or Fiji, the Dominican Republic, Bora-Bora...any where that is beachy and tropical! I'm hoping we can maybe go to one of those places either for our honeymoon or 1 year anniversary :) (for our honeymoon we'll probably just stay somewhere in Texas and go to South Padre Island or Corpus Christi or something)

3. Did you have pets growing up?

I had a black lab/rottweiler mix named Mesha (it means "teddy bear" in Polish). She was huge and weighed 110 lbs - that's how much I weigh! Some people thought she was scary looking and looking back on old pictures I guess she kind of was lol *BUT* she was such a sweetheart and just one big puppy! I miss her!

4. What do you do for exercise?

Honestly, I don't really exercise, but I'm trying to change that. I did yoga for awhile when I was still in college but then I couldn't make it to the class they had at the rec due to my school schedule so I stopped going. I've been wanting to find a yoga studio somewhere by me but they're expensive.

I work a lot, though, and at my job, I am always on my feet and constantly speed walking up and down those hospital halls, so in a way I consider that my "exercise." I've always wanted to strap a pedometer to my scrubs and see how many steps I take during a shift and figure out how many miles that is. One nurse did that and walked the equivalent of 15 miles!!

5. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received from a MilSpouse?

As of now (because I'm still kind of an Army wife n00b) - be flexible, because you honestly never know with the military! Things tend to change, even at the last minute. Also, don't worry about anything if it didn't happen. And if you haven't talked to your spouse in awhile, assume that "no news is good news."

pointless survey

Are you ready to get out of this town?
Out of Ohio? Oh yessss. I'm going to miss quite a few people, but I'm ready for a change.

Do you find the opposite sex confusing?
At times, but less confusing than the same sex tends to be haha.

Where is your cell phone?
right next to me.

Are you happier now or four months ago?
now, but don't get me wrong, I was very happy 4 months ago, too.

Do you miss the way things used to be?
sometimes (such as seeing Eddie a lot more than I do now)

How's your love life lately?
Great :)

Are you open with your feelings to people?
Sometimes.

Can you read other people's expressions?
Yeah.

Name something in your past that you'll always remember.
Too much...

Would you rather take a relationship really slow or really fast?
I say just go with the flow

Did you have a good birthday this year?
I guess. It wasn't like exciting or anything lol

Does anyone completely understand you?
I don't think so.

Do you prefer to call or text?
usually text.

Expecting something to change in the next month?
get my ATT...pass my NCLEX...become a REAL nurse (RN) :)

You're thinking about someone, aren't you?
always.

Ever like someone older than you?
I have before.

Do you still pinky promise?
haha yeah I make Eddie pinky promise me...he does the same to me, too!

Are you waiting for anything?
waiting for Eddie to come back!

Would you ever get a tattoo. & where?
I've thought about it, but idk where...

When is your birthday?
October 6th.

Do you get along with guys or girls better?
Guys, I think. I think it's because I share the common interest: video games.

Do you use smiley faces on the computer a lot?
too much sometimes.

Would you live with someone without marrying them?
I kind of have, considering I practically moved in to the ROTC townhouse after I decided I hated my roommates (they were a bunch of bitches) and during Eddie's last year at UA I practically lived in the Thayer house

What color are your eyes? brown.

Are you taller than 5 foot 7 inches?
Nope I"m 5'2".

Are you a patient person?
very.

Will this weekend be a good one?
yes and no. Eddie will be free because he doesn't have class on the weekends, but I'm also leaving Sunday to drive back to Ohio :( I'm looking forward to this weekend but at the same time I'm not...it's bittersweet.

Which is more romantic: sunrise or sunset?
sunset

Are promises important to you?
yes but I realize that are promises that can't be kept.

Do you like to cuddle?
I LOVE it.

Do you find smoking unattractive?
yeah.

Name something you hate.
When people complain about not being able to see their SO for OMG A WEEK. Alexis Jovan Chervony explained it so well in his tribute to military girlfriends/spouses video :)

You just drank 52 shots. What would you be doing?
omg I seriously would be dead. 3 drinks would probably land me a spot in the ER haha

Do you think your past mistakes made you into a better person?
I think so.

Do you ever listen to country music?
Not a fan.

This time last year were you single?
Nope.

Who's the biggest asshole/bitch/fag you know?
Greg Diamond

Have you ever kissed a blue-eyed person?
Eddie has such pretty blue eyes that I absolutely love ♥

Are you afraid of losing the last person you talked to?
yes.

Is anything bothering you?
not really, other than the fact that I feel weird. I hope I'm not coming down with something.

Is there someone that makes you happy every time you see them?
yes :)

Whens the last time you had a headache?
right now.

Who was the last person you had a conversation with on the phone?
mama bear.

Is there anything that you are craving for right now?
some Korean food. We're getting some tomorrow :D

What are you most anxious/excited for?
the wedding in May!

Are you satisfied with what you currently have in life?
yeah

What were you doing at 7:00 am?
waking up

Last person you kissed?
Eddie

How many hours of sleep did you get last night?
idk like 7-8. I'm on Eddie's BOLC sleeping schedule (but I do not get up at 0450 for PT haha)

Randoms

I cannot figure out for the life of me how to change the background on this blog! I found a really cute layout from The Cutest Blog on the Block and I'm following the instructions but it only sort of works, and I have no idea why!

So far I haven't done much today ha. I went to Starbucks at the PX this morning and decided I would be productive and make lab value note cards (NCLEX stuff), then I decided to go to the other PX to look around. That one is set up much like a Walmart and everything is discounted by at least 20% and non-taxable. They had like a mini Ulta/Sephora (carrying Smashbox, Too Faced, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden & Philosophy stuff, + fragrance and drugstore makeup), they had Bath & Body Works stuff, Coach/Dooney & Burke purses and Vera Bradley! Of course they don't carry EVERYTHING but I thought it was pretty cool that I can get this stuff on post. I wanted to buy a Coach handbag sooooo badly but I still can't afford one at the moment lol.

I went looking for "military pride" things. I ended up just buying this water bottle lol, but I love what it says and I needed a new water bottle anyway haha:



And speaking of other military pride things, my keychain from Just Initials came in:

Honestly, I've seen keychains like this that are made better (and better quality!) than this...this one is just a single piece of fabric with embroidery. I have not, however, found a business with keychains similar to this that make Army-themed ones. Regardless, I still love it!

I also wanted to showcase Melissa's Marvels. She makes really cute custom-made military-themed jewelry! I've been meaning to order a charm bracelet from her, I'm just waiting on $$$. Definitely check her stuff out, though :)

For now I'm just hanging out in Eddie's room until he comes back for his lunch break, whenever that will be :)

Fort Lost-in-the-Woods

Well I made it to Fort Leonard Wood! I left yesterday at 0630 and stopped twice - once to pee (lol) and once for gas. The next time I stopped was when I got to Fort Leonard Wood (to pee and for more gas lol). My car did very well on the way down here, considering it's like 600-some miles. The drive itself wasn't bad at all, just looooong and boring. St. Louis was probably the worst part because it was so busy. I thought about stopping by to see the arch but I didn't want to risk getting lost and St. Louis is also the worst city in the U.S. and I swear the part I drove through on the way looked kind of shady haha.

I did get lost right when I got here, though. I got off the highway, went down some winding roads surrounded by trees and questionable houses then came to a security gate (which was definitely NOT the main gate). Then my GPS took me off-roading (literally) and before I knew it I was on base. Totally bypassed the big main gate haha. I drove around and eventually made it past the main gate and then went off post...and found a gas station. I was stressing because I had to pee sooooo bad and I was just about on E at that point from aimlessly driving around! I made it though :) I met up with Eddie at some random building and he decided to pay (lol) for my stay here so that I can get my own room key - it would just make it a lot easier because I came during the week and Eddie has class.

I'm so happy to be here and so happy to see him and be with him. I missed him so much <3

Eddie got me a PoA so that I could enroll in DEERS and get my military ID card. I know everyone has told me something different, but this DEERS office wanted my birth certificate and SS card...so instead of mailing around important documents I figured it would be easier for me to just come here in person and do it (and of course spending time with Eddie is a plus!). So that got taken care of, I got my military ID card (and I *HATE* my picture lol) and now I can access the PX and Commissary. I decided to just go to the PX because they have a Starbucks there lol. Oh, and I have Tricare now, yay! But of course now I have to decide between Standard or Prime and I have no idea which one to get (I have Standard right now).

bridesmaid attire update

I went dress shopping with the other girls today! We decided on the strapless dress and as for shoes...I spoke to the other girls and they prefer comfort over really high heels lol which is fine...so we opted for these:

Which are the same exact shoes I'm wearing, but mine are the dyeable white color to match my dress. The girls will be wearing silver. There's a little bit of bling on the straps - I think it will look reeeeally nice the the lapis color! Everything will also look really nice with the calla lily bouquets I plan on getting for the girls :)

As for jewelry, so far everyone seems to be leaning towards pearls, which I also like, but it's trying to find something that everyone will like! And then of course there is purple jewelry...I don't know what to do! I guess I still have some time to think about that lol.

I'm getting really nervous about driving to Fort Leonard Wood by myself. I think I'm more so worried about my car, even though I had it inspected and everything is fine. It's still 11 years old. I also like to sleep in cars...so I might get sleepy...and 10-11 hours is a long time but the end result will be worth it :)

wedding update post

Click to enlarge pictures :)

I keep looking at wedding cakes and this is the one that I keep coming back to! It doesn't really go with the "calla lily" theme because those flowers obviously aren't calla lilies but there is something about this cake like I love...maybe I love it for its simplicity and elegance. I would need a 3 tier at most. I also really really really want to substitute fondant for marzipan, but I have yet to find a baker who can and is willing to do it. If not, I might opt for a smooth buttercream icing with an almond flavored cake with either strawberry or raspberry filling. Or I might opt for an Italian cassata cake instead!

I randomly came across this on Google. I LOVE it! I was originally just going to do some glass bowls with purple glass marbles at the bottom, fill with water and put some floating tea light candles in them, place the bowls on a piece of mirrored glass and decorate with purple flower petals or more tealights or both. But I also really like this centerpiece, too.

I decided I MUST have these flowers until I find something else that I like lol. I just loooove these calla lilies with the purple center! The left is the BM bouquet and the right is the bride's bouquet. The girl who is doing my flowers said she would substitute the purple hydrangeas for cheaper (and better looking) almosteria flowers. I'm doing real flowers for the bouquets.

Now, onto BM wear!
Shoe option #1..called Snappy. Obviously they would have to be dyed in the needed color. I love these shoes!

Shoe option #2....Maribelle. My roommate didn't get her shoes yet because she wanted to see what the other girls thoughts are. One of my other girls saw everything and said she loves the dresses (#2 better than #1) but then she told me "as for shoes...umm...idk." Now, I hate telling people "you have to wear this!" and I truly want everyone's input and everyone to be happy with everything, but I just thought that was kind of rude. It is *my* wedding, btw.

Dress #1. Looks great in person. Great for us girls who are lacking on top lol, because dress #2 would constantly be falling off. My roommate went with this one.

Dress #2. Doesn't look all that special in the picture but it looks reeeeally nice in person. Everything is pretty reasonably priced in my opinion.

I'm thinking about getting jewelry for my girls as gifts along with other things, but I honestly don't know what. I suck at accessorizing haha. I've been looking on Etsy and they have a lot of cute things but I just don't know! I also need a necklace for myself, but I just need to find something that doesn't hang too low (because my dress has a straight neckline) and also something that will look good with my dress. So far I'm liking:

This crystal flower & pearl necklace,

This pearl drop necklace

Another pearl drop necklace...I would either get purple or blue (and that could be my "something blue!")

This "simple delight" necklace...It's different. But I kind of like it.

This necklace/earring set...David's Bridal had something similar to this but this one is sooooo much prettier. The problem, tho? I don't have pierced ears anymore haha

And another pearl drop necklace.

Etsy has a huuuuge selection. I'm still looking, but this is what I've come up with so far.

For my girls, so far I've come up with:

These amethyst earrings.

These stardust/dark purple earrings.

These pearl/Swarovski crystal earrings. I would get purple.

This cascade crystal necklace, but I don't know. it almost looks kind of cheap.

I also love this bracelet!

And this isn't wedding related, but I came across this bird necklace and I thought it was so cute!

It's officially official! :D

I survived the grad application clearance process and got my diploma today:

Yay!

♫ all that I'm after is a life full of laughter ♫

Trying to get my bridesmaids together to all agree on both a day and a time is a daunting task. We were originally going to go BM dress shopping this Tuesday but one of the girls is having a bunch of car problems (totally not her fault)...the other one had the wrong date written in her planner this entire time, and we have talked about this/been planning this for awhile now! I'm kind of annoyed with that. I scheduled an appointment with David's Bridal for this upcoming Sunday (Jan 23rd) at 1:30pm. Hopefully that works, because I can't wait any longer to do this!

My brother's birthday is this upcoming Thursday and I have NO idea what to get him. Neither does my mom. Any ideas on what to get a growing 29 year-old? lol He always loves his Caribou coffee but I feel like a gift card wouldn't last him long if I got that for him. I don't know.

I also ordered an Army Wife keychain! I got it from Just Initials.

I was tossed between the camo and the large polka dots one, but I got opted for the latter. I basically got the last keychain in that picture with a 5.5-6" strap that will fit on the wrist. It was only $11 with shipping and I think it's really cute! Can't wait to get it! :D

The Making of a Military Wife

When the good Lord was creating Wives, he was into his sixth day of overtime.

An angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble with this one. What's wrong with the standard model?"

And the Lord replied, "Have you seen the specs on this order? She has to be completely independent, but must be sponsored to get on post; have the qualities of both father and mother during deployments; be a perfect hostess to 4 or 40; run on black coffee; handle emergencies without a manual; be able to handle flu, birthdays and moves around the world; have a kiss that can cure anything from a child's torn Valentine to a husband's weary day; have the patience of a saint when waiting for the Unit to return home; and have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her hand slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way!"

And the Lord answered, "Don't worry, we'll make other military wives to help. Besides it's not the hands that are causing the problem, it's the heart. It must swell with pride in her husband, sustain the ache of separations, beat on soundly when it's too tired to do so and be large enough to say, "I Understand" when she doesn't, and 'I love you' regardless."

"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve gently. "Come to bed... finish this tomorrow!"

"I can't," said the Lord. "I'm so close to creating something unique. Already I have one who heals herself when she's sick, can feed three unexpected guests who are stuck in the area due to bad weather, and can wave good-bye to her husband, from a pier, off a runway and understand that it is important to his country that he leaves."

The angel circled the model of the military wife very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed.

"But tough," said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this woman can do or endure."

"Can it think?"

"Can it think? It can convert 1400 to 2 p.m."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"It's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear."

"What's it for?" asked the angel.

"It's for joy. Sadness. Disappointment. Pain, loneliness and pride!"

"You are a genius," sighed the angel.

The Lord looked somber and replied, "I didn't put it there."

~Anonymous

Well, that's it. He's gone. He's on his way back to MO (just talked to him and he's actually only about 100 miles away!)

We really didn't sleep at all last night. We woke up at 0700 and his mom made us some eggs over easy & sausage and biscuits and gravy. And a full pot of coffee. We relaxed for a bit, Eddie did some more last minute packing and by like 0815 he was out the door and on his way back.

The past 9 days went by too fast. Christmas was wonderful, and so was NYE, even though it was uneventful - we didn't go out to a party and get wasted off our asses. I just enjoyed spending time him.

There is a possibility that I will see him later this month, otherwise I probably won't see him again in person until late February/mid-March, which seems like foreverrrr from now. In the mean time, work, taking my review course and studying for my boards as well as additional wedding planning will keep me busy. Once my work lets me go though (which will probably be in March, when I get my RN) I have no idea what I will do between then and May.

And let me just say, I really hate it when people complain about not seeing their SO's for a few days or like a week. Like my roommate. Her fiance is on his way to Thailand for a missions trip for just a week and she is so upset. I'm not trying to sound whiny because Eddie left today too and I'm not sure exactly when I will see him again, but there are a lot of people who have it so much harder and have to wait WEEKS or MONTHS before they can see their SO's again. Some may never see them ever again. Overall I'm doing okay, probably because I know Eddie isn't on the front lines atm or anything. I'm sure I'll be a nervous wreck when he deploys but for now I'm just taking everything a day at a time. ♥