I Got Scammed

Buying second hand is an amazing thing, but there is always a chance you get a dud or worse...a scam. I'm usually very diligent about comparing the pictures from ads with the expected product and buying from specific sites that I trust, but I let my game slip since we were in Dothan and I found a great deal on an Ergo Baby Carrier. 

It wasn't a 'too good to be true' scenario, so I didn't question anything. Even after meeting the woman and physically holding the carrier I was satisfied with the quality. However, when I got back in the car I noticed the Chinese writing on the box and felt that sinking feeling in my stomach. I should have said something right then and there before she got too far away, but I was embarrassed, blamed myself, and simply believed that I would never get my money back. We even made it all the way home before I voiced my concern to Will, who immediately looked up the counterfeit information and confirmed I was right. He suggested I contact her, and I figured what have I got to lose? Surprisingly, she agreed to meet us the next morning and give us our money back while playing the victim herself saying she didn't know it was fake. She was a dern liar and I could see right through her, but I played along all the way up until I had the money in my hand and said 'deuces'. So here are a few tips to avoid this scenario:

#1 Giveaway: The box will not be in Chinese. {Duh...Janna}

#2 Giveaway: The padding won't be as thick on the straps.

#3 Giveaway: The Buckles will say 'STEALTH'. Although some fakes still do.

. Find even more tips here and here.

It's sad we live in a time where people peddle fake baby products, but to be honest, it was a really good knockoff. I think I would have kept it if she had charged something more like $25, but I'm thankful we will now have a carrier that I know will be safe and warrantied.

Will Spills All: What A New Dad Is Really Thinking

I've had my dear husband on the blog multiple times when he so sweetly entertains my interviews, but it's usually upbeat and mostly a joking tone. When I came up with a few questions that I thought we would all be interested in a man's perspective, I assumed he would approach it in the same manner. However, I found tears streaming down my face very quickly and in complete shock that he took it so seriously. I'll just let him do the talking...

1. How surprised were you when I told you?
I was pretty much flabbergasted (sweet word, right?), the possibility of you being pregnant literally never crossed my mind. You just kept complaining about how big your boobs were getting, so I naturally kept pretending to be upset too, haha.

2. What were you thinking when we found out how far along we were at the first US?
Definitely pure shock, because it honestly didn't feel real up until that point. Being told is one thing, and seeing it is another...Seeing an almost fully formed mini-me inside you made it very real, very fast. Followed by "What the hell do we do now?"

3. How do you really feel about this pregnancy? I won't get mad, pinky promise.
It's honestly been the first time I have ever thought about money in the long run. She's gonna want fancy stuff and need even more, and we both know that I love toys- the more expensive the better, haha. I also feel kind of left out with school, homework, or studying to do, so I leave you at home all day to plan everything and make decisions for her. Now she's coming in less than two months, and I have no idea how to be prepared or what to do.

4. What makes you the most nervous?
With us finding out so late the doctors gave us several speeches about how not taking prenatals and other medicines that you had been prescribed could affect her growth and development among other things. I am just very thankful Janna isn't a drinker and we are very healthy other than that. My only hope is that she's healthy, and so far she's perfect.

5. What was important from your childhood that you hope to share with our daughter?
SPORTS, lots of SPORTS! Not that I want to force her into anything she doesn't want to do or make her a Tom boy, but I feel sports will help her build self confidence and a positive self image.  Be it from soccer or chess club, I don't care. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I find watching sports boring, I will gladly play any sport at any time, but watching them is just dull aside from the big events. However, growing up playing sports kept me mostly out of trouble, and also made sure I had friends everywhere we went when my family moved every two years with the military. Other than that, I want her to be self sufficient. I was a latchkey kid from about 4th grade on. My parents were gone when I woke up and came home after me in time to make dinner. This forced me to take care of myself, get to school on time, get cleaned up after practice, and make myself snacks when I wanted them. I want her to rely on us, but also be capable of taking care of herself.

6. What are you looking forward to the most?
Probably to her being a toddler, because at that point she will officially be my little minion to train and unleash on the unsuspecting masses, MUHAHAHAHA! Also, Janna seems to have some skewed vision that she has some say in whether or not she becomes a daddy's girl. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how that lifelong battle plays out, should be fun, haha.

7. You've come up with a daddy daughter name, would you like to share?
CHUCK! I know, I'm a genius. I figure she will be around thirteen when she starts begging me to stop greeting her with "What's up, Chuck?" in front of her friends and in public. So of course I will begrudgingly agree to stop, only to absentmindedly continue and blame it on old age.

8. Anything else you'd like to share?
Pizza should be it's own food group. That is all...

I'm going to get really real here...I felt really guilty that Will felt in the dark. I know a big part of it is that he spends every bit of spare time learning to fly helicopters, but I also realize that maybe I underestimated how involved he wanted to be, not to mention I'm terrible at asking for help. I'm sure it's a combination of just being a doer, but I'm ashamed to admit that I don't always trust other people. Part of it is 'If you want it done right, do it yourself', but a big part of it is that I don't trust that people actually want to help when they offer. I figure if they really mean it, they'll just step up and join in like I will, and since most people aren't like that I do a lot by myself. Will steps up a LOT, don't get me wrong, but there are many times I want to ask him to do things, and I don't because I don't want to add more to his plate. He tells me over and over that he will do anything I need, and I should have been trusting him when he said that.

It's still strange for me to refer to Will as a Dad, but he is and I love saying it. Dad, DAD, DADDY!! He has even proven it when he sold his precious GTO to get a Volvo, every time he makes dinner when he can tell I'm tired, when he's attended baby classes, checked out baby books from the library, researched the perfect jogging stroller, helped me pick out the fabric for the crib set, and a million other little gestures. I happen to think that he's probably more prepared than a good bit of expectant fathers, but I have still been working harder to make him more included since I read his responses last month. I know hardly anyone is ever really ready, but I think we've both come along way in a very short time and that's more than enough.

The Secret To MY Easy Pregnancy

This post is strictly about my experience, helpful knowledge that I have found, and advice I've been given. There is no denying the benefits of fitness and nutrition, but I realize that every pregnancy is different. Just want to make that clear ;)

I must admit, every time someone has said "Don't be intimidated by the pregnant chick running faster than you" or "You make me feel inadequate when you outrun me", it's a BIG ego boost. Not that I'm trying to outrun anyone these days and I'm certainly not running as fast as I used to, but it's an amazing feeling to be defying everything I've ever heard about pregnancy. I truly believe that between fitness and my healthy eating habits, I have found the formula to the perfect pregnancy {FOR ME} and I think all you non-preggers need to take note before you are faced with morning sickness and back problems. Yup...I've avoided all those pesky symptoms. 

The trick is starting these habits well before you get pregnant to have the most effect and to be SAFE.  You want to know the biggest secret? While Will was deployed everyone talked about how easy it is to get pregnant when the boys return, so I started working out with the mindset that if I accidentally got pregnant I would be fit and ready. Some may say that was my biological clock ticking, but all I knew was that I didn't want to end up like friends I've had that were lethargic, miserable, and in some cases bed ridden because their bodies were not 'primed' AS THEY PUT IT. That being said, here's why you should start now and keep going on strong:

1. Any fitness routine for any reason will boost confidence, improve body image, make clothes fit better, and up your immune system along with a long list of miscellaneous benefits. Yadda, yadda, yadda... I know this has been shoved down your throat for years.

2. When you have an established routine, your doctor will tell you to keep on keepin' on if you get pregnant. There are a few restrictions that must be considered, but my OB told me that my pregnancy and labor would be a LOT easier if I was able to maintain a routine. Even if you have to slow down, modify your routine, and take breaks, you are still burning major calories cooking a baby and working out. Matter of fact, they say a pregnant woman laying  on the couch burns more calories than a body builder. Hence why any activity has even more effect than normal. Good bye every ounce of fat and water weight on my body, and hello healthy pregnancy!

3. Just as a good massage helps balance hormones, exercise does too. They say that massage during pregnancy helps to regulate the hormones associated with stress, relaxation, and mood: norepinephrine, cortisol, seratonin, and it has been found that exercise has the same effect! My doctor asked Will if I had any mood swings up until five months and he really couldn't think of any. Sure I've gotten a tidge bit weepy lately, but 99% of the time I'm overly happy and 'love everything', i.e. the watermelon cake, how nice people are to pregnant women, how sweet my husband is, etc...I can even tell a difference between the hormones when I work out and the recovery days. Plus they say the regulation of these are said to help with complications throughout the pregnancy and leads to an easier delivery. Please be true...please be true!!

4. Remember I mentioned water weight? The fluids that you gain during pregnancy are actually what make women 'blow up' {well, other than ice cream and other terrible cravings}. Your body DOUBLES the levels of blood and other fluids to make a baby, so between that and natural water retention you can easily feel bloated and even develop pregnancy complications. But alas, there is hope! Even 'easy' pregnancy friendly exercises that have never exercised before can prevent water retention. I had feared this the most, because honestly, I've always retained water. Other than detoxes and clean eating, I've never even seen my abs or my real arm muscles, but now that I'm working out while pregnant I've dropped EVERY BIT of water weight I carried! If that's not a good enough reason to get going, then I don't know what is.

5. I don't know if this is concrete fact, but I read that nausea could be associated with sugar levels, and that makes sense to me because I've been managing my Hypoglycemia for seven years with fitness and nutrition and I never even got nauseous once. I also think that these practices have had some effect on controlling my cravings and allowing me to make healthier choices, which could be the magical combination for an 'easy pregnancy'. 

Now I know this sounds unappealing and daunting to those that aren't about that 'fit life', because I was you a few years ago, but I can promise you that if you get pregnant you will regret not getting started as you think of this post if you are part of the unlucky group that lives in the bathroom and simultaneously gains 60 pounds. More importantly, think of your baby. I could care less about these bonus benefits because I know that I'm being healthy for her. This is also why you need to speak with your OB about your personal fitness and know how to do it safely. As much as I LOVE running, I made the decision yesterday that I ran my last mile of this pregnancy. It's putting stress on my lower abdomen even with a maternity support belt, so I'm sticking to core workouts to keep her safe. My motivation is to be the best wife and mother that I can be physically and mentally, and I'm completely okay with that.

Until getting pregnant, I would look in the mirror and see things I still needed to work on. Now, I look in the mirror and think "Look how my hard work has created the perfect vessel for my baby." Because I sweat, she will be healthier, because I condition, she will be stronger, because I am dedicated, she will enter this world ahead of the game, and that's what keeps me going.

PS. I am very interested in hearing experiences of other pregnancies out there, good and bad! Especially personal experiences, and how it affected your labor and delivery.

Dear Sweet, Wonderful Hubby

I have to admit that my hormones definitely showed up this weekend. I mentioned that I wouldn't mind going to 'town' to run some errands on Sunday and Will was fine with it, but come Sunday...no Dothan. I had it in my head that we should go early with things closing early on a Sunday, but he had planned to organize the garage first {for me, I should add} and when the day got away from us and we ended up spending zero time together my hormones came out to play. Luckily, I just got weepy and mainly got in my own way while Will was being so sweet and accommodating, but there was no denying what was going on.

Cue to this morning and on a surprise Tuesday off, he asked me on a day date to go to Dothan for lunch and baby shopping! It was a gorgeous day, he participated in the decision making but didn't complain when I got lost in the clearance racks, and I ended up with the afternoon off, so it even turned into watching movies, napping, putting together baby furniture, and to close out the day I even got to watch him play softball with the gang. I had had a to-do list a mile long, but I'm glad I just let spontaneity take over while we still have the chance. 

Dear Will,

Some people wish they had someone to cook and clean for, take care of, do laundry for, someone to laugh at their jokes that aren't always funny{I'm referring to my jokes because yours are always funny}, and I hope to never take that for granted. Thank you for being on a healthy kick which is helping me make the right choices, for wanting to be healthy to live longer for her, not noticing the big belly in between us when you 'check me out', and simply the patience you have with me including spending hours baby shopping. You have helped more with the nursery than you know, and this creative side I've seen coming out in your ideas for her has been truly sexy inspiring. You keep holding me when I'm emotional, and I'll do my best to be mindful of anymore hormone swings so I don't take it out on you. We haven't had much of a learning curve, but I think we are doing good. About a month left, and WE'VE GOT THIS.

Happy Halfway To Me!

Welp, I've made it to the official halfway mark in this pregnancy, and yet it feels like it just started...Maybe because there was a party in my belly that I just caught on to, but that's neither here nor there. I'll have to start taking real progression pictures, but I was thinking I should 'pop' before I got serious with them. Who knows when that will happen, so perhaps I'll just get started and maybe it will help me see the difference. With less than five months left...it's time.

For now, you'll have to settle for the pictures I took right after finding out I was 19 weeks. I see what could be a bump, but I'm pretty sure it was just bloating. Don't worry, I probably won't be inundating you with bare belly pics often because I don't know how I feel about them, but if you were going to see any semblance of a bump, bare was the only option. Don't judge me ;)

Nonetheless, I have a lot more on my mind than silly pictures today, because we are driving to Mobile, Al. to see a Specialist about this crazy pregnancy. As of last week, the baby was 10oz with a strong heart beat and all of her extremities, but they need to take a closer look to ensure that everything is as it should be after 18 weeks of not knowing I was pregnant. I honestly don't really understand it all, but I know enough to be STRESSED to the max about hoping for a clean bill of health for her. I mean she's already perfect in my eyes no matter what, but I don't want to find out anything that could complicate the pregnancy or hinder her growth. It's pretty nerve-wracking, but I know I'll feel better once this appointment is over and lab/test results are all done. Boy, this baby growing responsibility is harder than one might think.

Positive thoughts, positive thoughts.

I'm Not 'Military' Enough

I've always been interested in Freelance Writing even before I began blogging, and I even had a poem published when I was in middle school. Since I started blogging I realized how easy it is to write on the interwebs, and I've been blessed to branch out with my writing. I pursue free and paid writing based on what I have a passion for, and in spite of getting less jobs than I apply for, I truck on because I know that a 'no' isn't always a bad thing. However, a few months ago I applied to write for a Military blog/website that shall remain nameless, and I was quite surprised when they told me that my blog wasn't 'Military focused enough' for their liking. Um...Essssqueeeeze me? I feel like I overdo it talking about military life AND I was offering my services for their site. Not mine.

I'm pretty sure they didn't even visit my blog, because you all know my world revolves around Will and therefore the military, but even if they did they could have at least asked for a writing sample or given me a chance. I was offering to write for FREE for gosh sakes. I've been turned down countless times, but when it's by other military spouses telling me that I'm not 'military enough', it's pretty hurtful. They claim to be an amazing site for military families to provide support, but they don't practice what they preach.




Maybe I let it bother me too much, but when Lauren and Jo mentioned that we should all speak out against spouse shaming, this was the first thing that came to mind. It's just an example of how some spouses have this hierarchy that they judge all MilSpouses by and it bothers me. We should all be supporting each other instead of comparing rank, claiming one branch is better than another, judging others for not having kids (and vice versa), labeling anyone a dependapotomous, or telling someone that they aren't 'military enough'.

I dedicate this to ALL the wonderful military spouses I know. I try to answer all military related questions and probably offer up more advice than I should, but I want to make sure that I can share my knowledge and love in the way that I've been shown. However, I would also like to thank all of you reading because your kind words and support help me more than you know. This life isn't easy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Warning: This Is A Sappy, Sad Post

I wasn't ready to talk about this on the blog {if at all}, but I got a concerned call from Weiser's previous foster mom and it touched me. It was with a heavy heart that I messaged her with the news that he's finally gone, hoping that would be the end of it. I mean, I felt obliged to inform her and thank her for sharing in his life, but I really didn't want to rip the wound open all over again. However, thirty seconds after I hit 'send', she called me and turned it all around. She actually thanked Will and I for giving him a chance when no one else would and reminded me that he had been shuffled through shelters and foster homes for months before we came along. First off, I can't imagine how anyone could say no to this sweet face:

But the most touching thing she reminded me of was that Weiser came into our lives at just the right time. As if he were sent to us, he appeared in our lives just in time to be with me while I endured Will's first deployment. He kept me safe, kept me busy, and gave Will the peace of mind that I wasn't alone. "It's those amber eyes," she said, "those are the special souls that are here to take care of us. Even if that makes me sound batty, it's what I believe."

I'd like to believe it too. I'd like to believe that he was here for a purpose, he fulfilled it, and now he's off to help someone else. In my mind he's the Timothy Green of dogs, and he filled a hole we had in our life that we didn't even know we had. I can only hope that we repaid him with enough love, and at least we can say we spoiled him rotten.

As cheesy as it sounds...we don't save rescue dogs, they save us.

Okay, now that I've cried for the umpteenth time and you probably all think I'm loony, it's time to get to bed. I'm ready to wake up and start a fresh new week, because last week was a doozy.

Is Your Life As Good As This Kid?

I'm super 'hip' these days with my DVR, and as I was catching up on Rachael Ray last night, I was blown away by a boy up against all the odds. Little Ben is losing his eyesight, and instead of letting it get them down, they have created a bucket list for him of all the things he wants to 'see' before he loses his sight. Most people never finish their bucket list, and this kid will have done everything before he even reaches adulthood. We should all be so lucky, and kudos to his parents. They are raising a truly happy, sweet, humble kid.

via

I can only hope to live life half as full as that little guy. So let's talk about what's really been going on these days...you know, the stuff that probably isn't blog worthy, but I feel the need to gab about it anyways.

+ Will and I were on a billboard! Well, technically it was just the back of his head and the top half of mine, but I'm pretty stoked about it. The best part is that we are in the running to win $1,000 smackers. I don't know exactly how we win, but it probably wouldn't hurt if people 'liked' our photo here on the Durden FB site. Only if you have a spare minute.

+ Anyone remember when my wrist was hurt? Well, three months and a Cortisone shot later...I'm HEALED!! I'm now a dork with doctor ordered wrist guards when I lift, but I'll take it. I love running, but I've actually missed burpees and pushups.
Remind me I said that when I'm cursing them next month.

+ Am I the only person that has my life flash before my eyes every time I go through the iPhone update process? I was actually two updates behind, and I blame Will. He asked how he was supposed to know I was behind, and I told him it's because he didn't update it for me or have me whining to him that I didn't know what to do, which usually always indicates that I haven't done it. I'm pretty predictable when it comes to this stuff, dude.

+ But the most frustrating thing...The newest meds my doctor is 'trying' on me have some crappy side effects. First side effect was just loss of appetite, which wasn't so bad, but then I would make terrible food choices because the only foods that I could make myself eat were not so good for me. On top of that, I started getting nauseous {cue a fear of being pregnant}, which just led to eating more crap if I could even get it down. Luckily, it didn't take me too long to figure out what was causing it, so byebye third round of meds that didn't do crap for me. Plus I refuse to take antibiotics. I would rather still have 'spots' on my face than mess with my immune and microbiome system. I think I've gotten better, but it could just be that I'm used to it. My face doesn't look shiny and clear like it used to, but it could always be worse.

Okay, now I feel better. You just can't go wrong chatting while eating homemade Blackened Shrimp Tacos. They were yummy for dinner, and even more yummy as my late night snack. Oh, and I will be eating them for breakfast too. I know it sounds weird, but I love leftovers for breakfast, and I'd rather have breakfast for dinner. I'm weird, get over it ;)

My Three Favorite Words

If you've ever been or ever will be around Will and I, you will probably hear us say 'I love you' ten-fifteen times...in an hour. Well maybe not that many, but we do say it quite often and in spite of people claiming that it cheapens the meaning by overusing it.

NEWSFLASH:

YOU CAN'T OVERUSE I LOVE YOU.

The trick is that each time you say it, you have to truly love the intended more than the last time you said it. For me that's easy, because every day I wake up and am surprised to find my heart harboring more love than it did they day before. I know it sounds like a fairy tale, but after four and a half years of  marriage I'm starting to believe that fairy tales are real. With love, compassion, and humility anything is possible.

We also use it as a sort of love language. Sometimes we say I love you at the end of a conversation, with a question mark at the end to ask if everything's okay, definitely before we go to bed, and most importantly...when we are in a fight. Those three little words really are the most powerful in any language and can reduce a fight to nothing in the blink of an eye. I guess you could say it is an implement for peace in a world full of sticks and stones.

"Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you." Tell your family, your friends, tell a stranger by simply sharing a smile. Just believe that it is impossible to overuse I love you as long as you mean it, and in case no one tells you today...I love YOU! Mean it ;)

I'm Feeling the Effects Of The Holidays...Already

I don't know about you, but I'm really feelin' the effects of all the candy and sweets from last week. I kept telling myself, "You'll have time to work it off before family pictures at Thanksgiving", and now I'm regretting that. Especially since I'm limited in my workouts with tendinitist in my wrist AND a new tattoo on my foot which impedes my running.

Birthday tattoo!!

A photo posted by Janna renee (@jrbogert) on Oct 10, 2014 at 6:40pm PDT

In the nick of time, sweet Meghan told me about a #21 Day Challenge she is hosting with Herbalife, and she generously said that we could jump in late. So I'm wondering who wants to do it with me? It's basically for anyone wanting accountability while developing a new habit.  It's super simple-- order a container of Formula 1 (Meal Replacement Shake) in your favorite flavor, and then snap a photo of you + your shake DAILY for 21 days and share it on social media with the hashtag #alive21dayshakechallenge or just tag Meghan in it as proof. If we complete all 21 days, we will a) lose those sneaky lbs. and b) receive a coupon code for a discount off our next purchase. They are already $1.59 a shake waaaayyy less than shakeology, so a discount on top of that is pure insanity.

If you really want to go all in, Meg has a four week weight loss challenge buy-in that you can do with or without purchasing a dang thing!  It would be $35 to enter and $30 goes into a pot to be split among the winners. You get FREE nutritional info three times/week, weekly weigh ins, and you can lose the weight ANY way you want. They even have a sweet BMI/Protein Calculator that can tell you EXACTLY what you need to do to lose weight, and if you talk to Meg she has so many resources to help us. Who doesn't love free nutrition advice?

For me, it was a toss up between Pumpkin Spice and Pralines & Cream, which are the two most popular limited editions. In the end, I knew I could make a LOT of yummy recipes with the Pralines, so that's what I picked. Normally, I prefer whey protein {which they have} for after workout, but as a meal replacement, soy protein works just fine and that's what I was going for.

I can already say, I do NOT regret my decision. I haven't even gotten to all the recipes I found on Pinterest, and I'm already loving it. Exhibit A, is the Caramel Apple smoothie I whipped up. Tell me that doesn't sound like heaven. Having delicious options AND good nutrition that helps you with your goals feels like cheating.

Okay, so let me know if you are in. I need some amigos for inspiration, and helping you stay motivated is the best motivation for me. I'm willing to go above and beyond to help anyone that joins us, and Meg is AWESOME when it comes to this stuff. Email her IMMEDIATELY if you want to do the #21daychallenge, or just email her if you have any questions <megiles09@gmail.com>. I guarantee she will hook you up.

The Marriage Advice I Live By

I have been given a lot of advice in my life, and unlike most, I soak up every bit of it. The good as well as the bad can teach you about life and humanity, as long as you can decipher between the two. My favorite advice, though, involves anything to do with marriage. No matter how much love you have, it takes effort and communication to find the fairy tale.

You may find this hard to believe, but a preacher bestowed this gem upon us:

"When you and your spouse are in a fight, juuuust get nekid. No fight can last when someone's in their Adam & Eve suit." Amen to that brotha'!

And the other bit that runs through my mind constantly is the idea that Our husbands aren't out to get us. When I first started blogging I followed a lovely blogger named Megan, and one day she retold a story about a fight she had with her husband. She shared it because it made her come to the realization that her husband was not out to get her, even though we all seem to jump to that conclusion. It makes marriage so much easier when you connect the dots and realize that your spouse isn't trying to piss you off when they do things like leave the dog food container open, leave his drawers on his dresser wide open {ahem...obviously my pet peeves}, or any old thing that happens during an argument really.

To add my two cents, I list off the wonderful things about my husband when I'm upset, which allows me to calm down before I 'communicate' my issues and maintain a level head. Try it, it's really hard to be mad at someone while you think about how hard they work for your little family, that they work on your truck, pose for all your couples pictures, do the dishes, and specifically ask to have dinner and date nights with you while other husbands go to happy hour. I'm not saying you should just forget about your problem, but don't approach it with the mindset that he's 'out to get you' or even wrong. There is no right and wrong person in a marriage as long as you put each other first and care about the needs of one another.

What is your favorite marriage advice?
Linking up for #Blogtober14!

I Got Volunteer Of The Month!

I'm happy to report things are looking up since my last venting sesh. I got some much needed family time, a girls night out, and I found out I am the Volunteer of the month for the FRCSC!

That is nuts to me because I just started this volunteer thing. I didn't even know there was a volunteer of the month when I started painting those owls, and now I've gotten this awesome recognition. To some it may not seem like a big deal, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up a little. I've been working my butt off lately, and it's really nice to know that it's not going unnoticed. As a matter of fact, I mentioned to Will that he gets all these special homecomings, and I get nada when I come home. He needs to recognize I'm VOM now ;)

Girl time is also getting me through these days. I haven't really had many 'girly nights out' since I've been married unless Will was deployed or in training, but the paint party we just went to at All About Art was a big stress reliever. Wine, painting, and girl talk? A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

It was awesome that our group took up half the room, but I don't think our teacher liked that very much. In the words of Carrie, don't tell us to bring wine and then get mad when we end up drunk tipsy. Let's be real...all that matters is that we can maintain a paintbrush.

Whatevs...our paintings turned out great, and even though I didn't really want to paint a peacock they were really cute, I made that ish my own, and my teal color scheme totally worked. I don't want to make a habit of losing time with Will, but there will definitely be another painting party in our future. Hhhmmm...maybe I should just make them all come to my house and have them help me paint/stain my benches, coffee table, and sofa console. I won't even charge them the $30 bucks! What about y'all? Any takers?

A Little Venting Sesh

“A happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn't let them get her down.” - Marie Dressler

Man, Fort Rucker is keeping BOTH of us busy these days. I know, I know, the whole world is busy. What's new. However, I was so busy that I ended up with 'severe dehydration'. I'm on a new stupid medicine (for hormones) that is a diuretic a.k.a. 'drink tons of water or you get kidney stones', and I guess I didn't take them as seriously as I should have. Thankfully, I do not have kidney stones {yet}, but I did start puffing up like a blow fish with pain so bad in the mornings that I couldn't use my hands. It's official. I'm getting old.

My truck broke down twice last week, and three times if you count last month. I just typed out a paragraph about what was wrong with it, but realized no one would read it or understand, so all you need to know is that I correctly diagnosed my truck twice! Toyota-0, Janna- 2

Everyone keeps giving me crap now that Will is an 'officer' saying I need a fancy car, but I am still rocking the shizz out of my truck, and I have a sexy mechanically inclined husband, so there is no way I'll buy a new car that will eventually have repairs that will cost more money than my whole truck. Ain't she a beaut'?

We've been so busy that we forgot to celebrate We-Man's birthday. Just kidding, we've never actually celebrated his birthday. However, it did just pass, and we should have celebrated it because of the heart murmur we recently found out he has. It's not life threatening, but we are now spending more for him in meds than an eighty year old man. I'm just happy that we figured out his heart problems were what was causing him to have coughing fits where he sounded like a seal. Poor thing was pitiful, and we felt helpless.

He's SO lucky to have his Aunt Katie here in Enterprise to take care of him. How cute is this? They put his picture on his meds, and she writes little love notes. I just love this girl. If you love animals, you should check out her Instagram.

Somehow I've managed to have dinner on the table every night, but I'm loving when I can find an easy option. I've been craving a Cobb Salad lately, so I decided that would do. It covers most of the food groups, it's purdy to look at, and you can make it your own.

Romaine Lettuce || Ham ||Turkey || Bell Pepper || Onion || Cheddar || Bacon
 ||Avocado ||Dressing || Optional: Hard Boiled Egg, Cucumber, Tomatoes, etc.

You are welcome, and more importantly, thank YOU for allowing me to ramble today. It's just one of those days that I need to get it all out. You know? Now don't forget about the Blog Auction. It goes live at 9AM Central Time, and on that note...Good night, moon.

Corks And Cattle

Remember that fight I was having with myself? Well, we finally got it all talked out, and my wonderfully sweet husband surprised me with a Thursday night date last week. We've been wanting to check out a local  wine and meat chop called Corks and Cattle, so he told me to dress fancy and whisked me away on an impromptu date.

We drank wine, shopped their great wine selection, and enjoyed the ambiance until we got hungry. We weren't paying $24.99 for a plate of cheese, so Will took me to my favorite place in town for my newest obsession, Taj Gyros. I was happy as a clam already, but THEN he set out candles and Jazz music for some living room slow dancing. Be still my heart...We have been lacking in the romantic moments category with everything going on lately, but not anymore! Slow dancing in your living room should be on everyone's date night list, and I can suggest a few bottles of vino to spice up the night.

This is a picture of me ecstatic that Corks & Cattle has two of my favorite brands, and subsequently inspired me to share said favorites with you. Now, you can't go wrong with Pinot Grigio or a Reisling, but that's just the beginning. I've moved on to drinking Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah, and I'm always discovering new wines that surprise me. I used to only check the alcohol content, but after visiting Napa I got a little spoiled and enjoy it on a new level. You can make any wine taste okay {Sangria, Spritzer}, but if you are in the mood for a party on your palette, you need to try the following.

Honig Winery || You see two Honig bottles above, and that's because it is my favorite! They have amazing wines made using honey, which yields the only dessert wine I'll ever drink. I'm telling you, that tall skinny bottle is worth every penny they charge {hint: It ain't cheap}, but the other wines they offer are much cheaper. Find in specialty shops and World Market.
Cakebread || I'm sure you've all heard of Cupcake wines, but I'll tell you a secret.. it's a knockoff of Cakebread {Gasp}. This is mainly because Cakebread isn't as available as I'd like it to be. I was actually surprised to find it in a store, because typically they exclusively distribute to restaurants. Needless to say, if you like Cupcake, you will LOVE Cakebread.
Conundrum || Is a go to brand for us. We know that it will always have a smooth taste, lots of flavor, and a reasonable price tag. I love that it's pretty available in stores and restaurants.
Opus One || I saved for last because it is $200+ a bottle. I'm sure you can find a cheap version that is just as good, but I sure haven't. Maybe it's the memories attached to it, maybe it's the grand vineyard that transports you, or maybe it's just that they make a damn good wine. Anywho, it must be on the list because this is my list, and I love it. #winesnob

If you ask me whether I'd like to go out or stay in, I will almost always choose staying in for a romantic evening. The wine is cheaper, it's more relaxed, and it takes less time to get to the boudoir. However, this was a lovely way to have the best of both worlds. These intimate moments are what make marriage worth it, and I live from moment to moment.

My Husband...Spending Time On The John

The weekend is here and we had grand plans for the weekend. Had being the operative word. We were supposed to have family dinner, karaoke, and even hit up Panama City Beach, but you know what? As Will wrapped his arms around me and broke the news that the plans were ix-nay, I couldn't have been more happy. How could I be upset about spending more ALONE time with my husband and maybe even finding time to relax. I think we both need it.

Especially since we had a little miscommunication this week, and things got kinda weird. I learned that I cannot hold him to promises made after we imbibe with friends without at least confirming said promise once his mind has become clear. Otherwise, I end up having a fight with myself because he has no clue there is even an issue. Do you know how hard it is to have a fight with yourself? I don't recommend it.

This picture has nothing to do with this post, but there is just something entertaining about sitting on a toilet in a random backyard. Shoe-less, mind you. Gah, I just can't stay mad at that face! He's just plain ol' amazing and I can't wait to 'make up' tonight. He asked me on a stay-at-home-date, and I expect to be romanced ahemcoughcough.