Marauder Run

Sunday, we packed the last of Will's gear, watched the last bit of the World Cup that he will be able to see, and took him for a seemingly needless haircut. I tried not to stare awkwardly, but I didn't want to take my eyes off of him before I left him to be 'taken'. I just did what any normal person would do, I took a picture 'cause it lasts longer. I'll most certainly miss that face for the next three weeks, and I won't even be able to text him to tell him.

Army Law, much like Murphy's Law, dictates that the dog is never going to get better, I'll get sick, the truck will break down, and anything else that can go wrong, will. I am simply going to have to live in a bubble, because I CAN'T chance getting into an accident or something where they call him out of training. It's a really good thing that this is only three weeks.

But let's not end things on a negative note. Will did a Tough Mudder on Saturday, and I got the pictures at just the right time to lift my spirits. Allow me to introduce you to Team Purple Rain, the team that in spite of their shenanigans, beat the competition time. Oh, and they did the run twice...as in 10 miles of running, mud, and obstacles in a three hour period. Whodoesthat? Someone should have told them that training hadn't started yet.

If those pictures don't spice up your Monday, then I don't know what will.

You are welcome, blog world...you are welcome.

Anyone Know How To Get Blood Out Of Carpet?

Man, yesterday was some kind of day.

And that was just the tip of  the iceberg. The real fun started when Weiser started puking at 1AM. You can just picture me cleaning the carpet with a flashlight trying not to wake up Will, and then following the mutt around the backyard with the same flashlight checking his poo status. We keep it classy 'round here.

He spent the day at the vet getting pampered, and although we still don't know the exact cause, he's on medicine, we've switched his food {yet again}, and we tiptoed around the house trying to keep him in bed. Do you know how hard it is to keep a Weimaraner from following you all over the house? It doesn't even matter that he's only part Weim or sick, he's a shadow dog and he has us trained a little too well.

I wasn't the only one with dirty jobs, though. We had to take Weiser's temperature 'rectally', and I told Will, "That's all you, champ." Not a single shred of guilt was felt, even if he did grill bangin' steaks for dinner. Fun fact, dogs temperatures range from 98 to 102, so don't freak out like I did. But seriously, how do you get blood stain out of carpet?

While I work on the carpet, feel free to enter Helene's giveaway. She's pretty amazing and I most definitely love Sephora. $200 dolla makes me holla!

 Win $200 to Sephora!

Jordyn : The Fairy Princess Diaries //  Elena : Baby Ridley Bump // Lauren : Lot 48

Nicole : Just The Elevator Pitch // Macy : To Travel & Beyond // Heather : When You're Making Plans // Karli : September FARM

Jamie : The Growing Up Diaries // Janna : Perception is Everything // Emily : Designs by Emily F // Helene : Helene in Between

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A Surprise Blate!

Well, technically, we've had three blates, but Carrie and I only discovered we were fellow bloggers this weekend. Blog, meet Carrie, Carrie meet blog. She's the pretty one in the white dress, top left. {Loni and Meg are pretty too, but they don't blog}

Long story short, she is in Flight School with Will, and she blogs about being in the military, her Army husband, and their travels, including lots of posts about living in Europe. That's right, I totally stalked her blog this weekend. We shared frog legs at Frogz, so our blog friendship is totally solidified and cyber stalking is allowed. It's funny, I was worried about making friends here while not working, but this has been the easiest process ever. I adore all of the women I've come across, and we've already made some great memories.

Saturday was pretty low key, but Will did decide to build a mini gym in the backyard. He loves TRX, and I love watching him work out, so I'm pretty happy about this. Maybe one day I'll try his setup and take a whack at TRX again. I liked it last time, even if I did act all high and mighty when I didn't feel the burn right off, 'cause I was crying a different tune when the pain came the next day. I love the burn!

Other than that, I spent all day Sunday cooking for the USA/Portugal game, and it turned out quite well. My Southwest themed evening was delicious while we all jumped out of our seats at each goal. It would have been the perfect evening if only we had sealed the win and not merely tied, but oh well. At least I will be able to share the cheapest, foolproof, party meal plan to feed six-eight that I have ever come across. 'Merica.

Hashtag not really, hashtag but maybe. Shoes via Target -sold out :(

My Not-So-Nine-To-Five

My boss is a slave driver. He's demanding, sexist, needy, dirty, and makes me work long hours. He's so lucky that taking care of him is the best job I've ever had.

Since beginning this 'new job', I've realized that household duties are not 9-5 like I thought. I assumed that I would get the domestic duties, shopping, meal prep, laundry, etc. all done in time to put on lipstick and meet my hardworking hubby at the door, but boy was I wrong. Instead, laundry is usually done at night when Will needs something particular for work the next day, dinner always takes longer than I anticipate, making his lunch for the next day happens in the dark of night, and I clean whenever the urge strikes even nights and weekends. It's a really good thing I've always operated on a different and flexible schedule. I guess I could try to be superwoman like some of you and organize my time better, but that seems like a job in itself and I think being flexible is the only way I can get everything done and still have my sanity. Oh, and Will does the dishes. That's the other key to my sanity ;)

My boss does give me time for myself, which we have seen manifest itself into a Pinterest fest. Blogging also takes up a large part of my free time, and yet I'm still not able to do it as much as I projected. I had lofty goals of blogging five to six days a week again and commenting on every blog I love every.single.day, but I still can't figure out how some of you do it. Like Helene and Jen...how the heck do they comment on hundreds of blogs a day and have time to reply to every comment on their blog? Nope, not gonna happen over here. I'll just go finish another Pinterest project, like the following:

In closing, my not-so-9to5 is including, but not limited to, nutritionist, secretary, sexetary, maid, chef, personal shopper, and pseudo-psychiatrist. Basically, I have the best job ever, and I have zero room to complain. I'll probably get a 'real' job in the future, but for now I'm livin' large, and Will sure isn't complaining!

Behind The Scenes

Scene Round 2 of the Choctawhatchee River

Behind The Scene I almost didn't go because of the 'face issue' I'm still having.

How sad is that? I keep asking myself when I became so vain that I'm letting this reaction, symptom, acne, or whatever it is, control my life. It's just...I've never even had acne, so now having this at twenty-eight, and not knowing what this is...it's killing me. I've been to my PCM, OBGYN, Dermatologist, and an esthatician, and not one of them has yet to come up with a clear diagnosis. I could go on for days about what they think it could be, the tests they have me doing, trial and error of products, and the list of medications, but that will just cause me more anxiety, so I'll spare you too. I'm pretty sure I've seemed a bit distant lately, and this is why. I've been overcome with feelings of anxiety from the BC coupled with the steroids, antihistamines, antibiotics, tests, and the fact that none of it has gotten me anywhere. I can't sleep through the night because I'm trying not to touch my face or rub it in the pillow, I don't want to go outside because the humidity definitely makes it worse, I can only put makeup on if I want  my eyes and face in general to swell up, and I suffer in silence because I don't want everyone to see how vain I feel. Vain and melodramatic...

As you can see in the pictures, it probably wasn't as noticeable as I thought that day, so I'm happy that I didn't let a few spots on my face hold me back. Obviously, I need to keep that in mind. I have so freakin' much to be thankful for, so I'm trying to focus my attention on the good things- my hubby, Weiser, our healthy family, our new friends, and USA beat Ghana...need I say more? For now, all I can do is soak in the good days, and try not to put so much emphasis on the bad.

My perfect skin is no longer perfect, but if I have to have a health issue, I guess it could be worse. Just cross your fingers this isn't a symptom of PCOS or something worse. I know most of you want us to eventually have babies, and PCOS would definitely be a hindrance in that process. But hey...the struggle is real.

Passionate Sense

I found a quote a few months ago, and it has stuck with me ever since.

It actually takes me back to the beginning of our relationship where Will liked to look at everything 'logically', and I had to inform him on several occasions that  love transcends common logic. As anyone who has loved or dreams of love knows, there is no linear 'sense' in love, and that is part of the magic. When people ask me how I knew our love was real, I now tell them that for the first time, I was truly immersed in passionate sense.

Just remember...it's as simple and as complicated as a mathematical equation. You can't just present the solution, you have to show your work, and it takes both partners to reach a point of symmetry. Love is easy. It's the staying in love part that people have issues with. You must make the conscious decision to rip off the logic and make passionate sense above all else. Passion is what life is all about when you really get down to it, and I love making passionate sense with my husband, even on the odd days.

BOLC: A Gentleman's Course

As BOLC {Basic Officers Leadership Course} is coming to an end, I thought I'd share a few pictures of what has been going on. We are still in the easy part of our time at Fort Rucker, so it has simply been a mixture of new jargon, lots of history, a bit of Land Nav, and a dash of philanthropy. Some have struggled, but our little group continues to make us proud. Mostly, I'm just happy that we have gotten to spend a lot of time together, they keep the families involved, and we've made some incredible friends along the way.

From Team Building BBQ's to Habitat For Hummanity, the Army really does do a good job of creating well-rounded leaders. They create an environment that allows them to be independent, and yet they truly couldn't make it through this course without each other. Sure, they could trim the fat of the course and get it done a lot quicker, but I do believe there is a method to the madness. If nothing else, the memories will last forever.

Notice there is one girl in the class! Hi Meg!

Gotta love his dedication to the finger guns...However, none of them were cocky when it came to Dunker Training. While going through simulations of water crashes, they were more worried about the water going up their nose than their normal shenanigans for once.

They've only gotten to sit in a few helicopters thus far, but each time they are like kids in the candy shop. I can only imagine how excited they are, and I am filled with pride every time the Historian posts pictures giving us a glimpse of the fun. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that this alter Army reality will ever cease to amaze me.

The only thing standing between the boys and their helicopters is SERE, but that is a discussion for another day. For now, we will just be enjoying the time we have together before the Army takes him away for another three weeks. It's time to make summer count!

Also, I feel super special to have an interview on Helene In Between posting sometime today. If you don't know her, you may be living under a rock. I won't judge you, but you better check her out and see my answers to her bloggerific questions. Ciao!

Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut...

Do you ever just not feel yourself? I'm pretty sure my problem has to do with new birth control I was on, but dang, I feel like I'm on a roller coaster. I'm feeling delusional, I've been on the verge of sickness for a week, and I have no appetite. Normally, I would be happy without any cravings, but instead, I'm eating crap food because it's all I feel I want to get down. I obviously stopped taking it now that I think it's the problem, but sheesh. Why can't they just make medicine without side effects? It's a racket, I tell ya. At least I think I've kept it together pretty well considering...I just remind myself that this is chemically induced and NOT the real me.

Allow me to vent, if you will...

+ I feel like crud after falling off the healthy wagon, but it's still pretty delish. At least my go to fast foods aren't really that bad...Chik-Fil-A is practically health food and the gyros I'm addicted to fall into the 'Mediterranean' diet category. If they are wrong, then I don't want to be right.

+ I love braiding my hair because it feels like cheating. I love the way they look, but they are so easy. I finally found a side braid that I like, so I'm pretty much going to wear it out of style.

+ We swore we wouldn't ever have Direct TV, USAA, buy the new Xbox One for full price, or cheat on Costco with Sam's Club, and yet now we have committed all of these indiscretions in a two month span. I feel dirty.

+ I spent $90 on Tupperware, and I don't even feel bad about it. In my defense, I got most of it B1G1, and I'm pretty excited about the Fridge Smart Containers. I can't stand throwing away produce, so hopefully these will help with that and save me a few trips to the store.

+ I don't have a conclusion today, I just hope that this medicine gets out of my system quickly, and I hope that it really is the issue. I just want to be normal again. I like normal.

You can't expect to be old & wise if you were never young & crazy. author unknown, probably crazy.

Linking up with Kathy!

Kind Of A Big Weekend For Us...

Friday was your typical date night in with home cookin' and a movie, but Saturday was the day we officially decided to buy a house. We've been talking about buying property or a house to rent out in Pensacola for years, and we've finally decided that it's time. Well, technically Will has been all for it since the beginning, so I guess you could say I finally came around to the idea after crunching the numbers and weighing out the pros and cons. I won't go to in depth about it yet, but I am pretty excited about the idea now and can't wait to get the ball rolling. Thanks for the input on the subject on Friday, and keep it coming!

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The normal Friday night gang switched it up this week, so Saturday we had a fancy Italian dinner, and everyone knows that means 'wine night'. They just go hand in hand.

However, it only stayed classy through the meal, and then it was party time. It actually turned into one of those nights where everyone got to a whole 'notha level, so I was quite surprised when we were getting texts to go hang out in the pool the next morning. I'm not one to turn down a Sunday Funday in the pool, so off we went.

I'm pretty happy with this little group we've got and the awesomness that this summer is puttin' out. We are definitely going to make the most of our time before the boys {+Megan} go off to SERE school. It'a time to fully embrace summer!

Proud To Be Booker T. Alum

I am happy to say that I am back in Will's arms where I'm meant to be, and I came home to a {mostly} clean house, which is always a nice surprise. I wish I could say I was rested, but last weekend was go, go, go with all the graduation festivities. Whodathunk that after ten years, I would barely remember how stressful that process was? As a matter of fact, this whole thing was a trip down memory lane, and quite fitting that my baby brother's graduation coincides with my ten year reunion from the very same school. Go Wildcats!

As per usual, I turned to Pinterest to create the BEST grad gift, and even got video proof of it's awesomeness. You know how videos don't always get much love on Facebook? This one got a share, comments, and 50 likes! Just watch...

**Tear **Obviously, we gave him lots of advice to go along with the mucho dinero this weekend, but the fact that the following bit allowed me to share a picture of my uncle's cop car made it perfect. In the words of my Prius driving- Chief of police- Uncle...If you drink, you better not drive, Marc. We are all pretty proud of you {4.26 GPA}, so make sure you don't forget to use that brain. We hope that all the graduating seniors have a SAFE and happy summer! Safety first, my friends...safety first.

Uncle Robert says that it goes fast, but since he's the Chief of Police, I doubt he's been in 'hot pursuit' anytime recently. If you ever get a ticket by a cop in a Prius, I will totally laugh at you.
You have been forewarned.

Other than leaving my hanging bag with all my dressy clothes at home, the weekend went off without a hitch. I got creative with accessories and put my energy into supporting my brother instead of worrying about what I was wearing. Plus, now I am packed for our next trip to Pensacola. It looks like we will be going back sooner than I thought because we may or may not be buying a house. Have any of you bought a house as an investment to rent out and/or have any of you used a VA loan? I want all the pros and cons I can get!

This Guy...

I popped into Pensacola for my BABY BROTHER'S graduation, and I miss this guy so much it hurts. I know I sound like a co-dependent twit, but I can't stop-won't stop. When he texts me things like "PAY ATTENTION TO ME", "I don't know what to do with myself when you're not here", and "I just got into bed alone, and I don't like it", I just completely melt.

I'm used to him going to training, schools, and even deployments, but I don't know if I'll ever get used to leaving him. I hate losing time with him outside of the time we already lose, so anytime that I am away from him...I feel like it's wrong. If you've ever heard the phrase, "Live like their deploying", then maybe you understand, but either way, I hope you all appreciate the time you have with your special someone.

My great uncle Tom passed away yesterday, and I know aunt Consuela loved him to the fullest. I'm positive that it is giving her solace, because it gives us peace knowing that she was by his side until the end. There is no such thing as too much love, so 'overuse I love you', hold hands, and squeeze as tight as you can with every hug. The only regret you can have with love, is not loving enough, and I hope you never have that regret.