The Hunger Games

A little back story for everyong: I never have time to read. With work, kids, school and being a wife by the time I sit down to relax and enjoy a book I usually fall asleep before finishing the first paragraph. Lucky for me my commander and first sgt decided on Friday that I was too fat to be in my promotion ceremony leaving me with the thought: They'll never sign off on my commissioning package so there's no reason to waste all the time and effort putting it together. This has freed up a lot of my time and in the past 4 days I've been able to finish the book The Hunger Games and am starting book 2 today. Although I was upset about the recent events it's been nice being relieved of the stressors of the application. It also helped me decide that I'm going to attempt to crosstrain into contracting. Not only was this an area I wanted to come into at the beginning of my career, but there's a lot of money to be made and I really can't pass the up in our current situation. There's a very nice re-enlistment bonus as well as a pretty high starting salary in the civilian sector. So today I'm trying to figure out the steps and the process and timeline so I can hopefully put in for it, pray that I'm accepted and then get a class date after the holidays so we can head off to a new base after February.

IPhone Taken, Computer Crashed, Car Wrecked.....

   I was doing extremely well keeping up with posting every once in awhile. This was in huge part to my new IPhone. As you can tell from the lack of posting, my phone is gone for the time being. I can't give any more info than that, but once I can ... the beans will spill!!
   So after the IPhone was taken I decided I could still get on my computer and blog when the boys were sleeping. Well... our computer received the blue screen of death and now I can't get past a screen that says... blah blah if you have new software installed... contact computer person... blah blah blah. I was pretty unhappy not only because I can't blog, but also because I am going to school online. I do a lot of my school work at work, but I can't rely on that because last semester I was taking a psychology class that required us to listen to several podcasts a week. My work computer is blocked from those podcasts, so... as for now, no more school for me.
  To make life even better two weeks ago I was driving home after picking up the boys and someone pulled out of a gas station and into my car! They've claimed liability so yesterday they towed my car to a lot so they can appraise it and see if it's totaled or if we're going to get it fixed. We're under the impression that it's not going to be salvageable. We've been talking about a car, but can really afford it right now, so we might be stuck with one ride for awhile.
  On a good note, I'm applying for a commissioning program. The process is long, but self explanatory and will definitely be worth it IF I get in. I'm running into the issue of transcripts costing a TON of money!!!! It doesn't help that I need 4 copies from 4 different schools. One wants $20 for one!! I told them I thought 20 bucks for a piece of paper and an envelope was absurd and I haven't heard back from them... SO we'll see!! If that doesn't work out I'm going to cross train and am thinking about going into contracting... 6 figures in the civilian sector!!! AND it's a job that I looked at when first coming into the military so it's not all about the money.
  I've started a new diet... HCG.. there's a lot of sceptics, but if I can lose a large amount of weight quickly I'll be able to be more active and keep the weight off. I've lost 4 pounds in 3 days, so I'm not about to stop because people think it's crazy to not eat starches or sugars for a few weeks!
  I still haven't found time to get out the sewing machine, and now that I'm on this diet cooking has become a little more grill and salad oriented so things there are pretty boring!

27 is coming to a close

I may have wrote about this before, but hey it happens. Today is my last day of being 27 years old. Many things have happened in those 27 years, both good and bad, but I've decided to start out my 28th year on the right foot. I'm ordering HCG drops which are pretty much a diet supplement. I haven't been putting forth as much effort as I could into losing weight, but I really need to. Not so much for the sake of the scale so much as my health. I'm uncomfortably overweight right now and things that were easy for me are just too difficult right now because of my weight. That's what inspired my 100 day challenge post. I was on the right track for about 30 minutes as usual when either the smell of something great hit me or I got so involved with work I forgot to get up and go work out. To make this a little easier yesterday when the boys and I went grocery shopping I bought fruit and veggies to snack on and when I planned out my menu for the week I added healthier choices than I normally would and for one night I put broccoli and cheese caserole because it's to die for and if I give up everything I like/crave I'll never get where I want to be.
On a side note I usually give something up for lent (usually junk food). This year I gave up being lazy. I've been doing pretty good overall, but I feel like I'm missing out on some quality time with my kids because I'm always cleaning or doing something so I don't feel like I'm just sitting around. Well, since my birthday and Easter are so close I've decided to continue with my "not being lazy" venture, but tomorrow I am going to start doing things that will make me feel better. I like to be busy and active, but ever since Noah came I haven't wanted to do anything. Mainly because 7 months later I'm still 45 pounds overweight. So right now I'm going to finish my Mt Dew and snack on some chips and dip because tomorrow is a new day, a new year and a new me.

Wordless Wednesday

100 Day Challenge

The other night while I was "blog stalking" a came across a person that is doing a 100 day challenge. The first one was 100 days with no soft drinks. The latest was no junk food. I think this is terrific idea and have decided on a 100 days 40 pounds challenge. Now I am a realist and know that I will probably not lose 40 pounds, but I think it's a good goal and a good motivator. In all honesty I'm not really worried about losing weight so much as being healthier. My biological parents and grandparents have all died very young, due mainly to heart conditions. Although I can not change genetics I can use what I have to my benefit and get myself in gear and take care of my body and mind. If not for myself, but for my children. To start my challenge I am participating in "the dirty 30" crossfit at 1430.... Fingers crossed I don't die.

Sewing Machine

I have the best neighbor ever. My husband has been painting her house on the weekends for the past few months. Last weekend he had mentioned that I want a sewing machine for my birthday, but we really don't have any where to put it and he wasn't sure if I'd actually have time to use it. So, as a test run, she's letting me borrow hers because she never uses it, and I'll have a chance to do some relaly fun projects I've seen out here in the bloggosphere. I'm trying to adjust my work schedule so that I'll actually have a lunch break during the day and I can come home and sew for an hour or so! It would be so enjoyable to have that hour to do something I enjoy and time for myself. First I need to make it to the store to get some material. Once I get going I'll post some projects!

Strep Throat has Struck

Monday night when I was laying down for bed I had a slight sore throat. I wasn't too concerned because I had fallen asleep on the couch and a lot of times I'll sleep with my mouth open and the air from the fan will cause a sore throat. Then Tuesday I woke up and I was still hurting, and some more cold symptoms started. Head ache, fever, cold sweats, achy body... you know all the good stuff. So after a long day of work ((setting up a hanger for a luncheon of 300 people)) I went home felt like crap and just relaxed. Wednesday came along and I was sitter-less so I went into work for about 2 1/2 hours to make sure the luncheon went well and then came home and napped. Thursday went to work and felt awful all day so finally on Friday I decided to suck it up and call the Dr. He felt my swollen glads and poked his tongue depressor on my painfilled tonsils and then we learned I have strep throat. I don't even remember having it as a child, but hopefully the 2 perscriptions will help me out and it won't hurt so much pretty soon!!

Everyday should be a "holiday baking" day!

Today I decided that we should bake for every holiday like we do for Christmas. Yes, I do realize that this is not realistic mainly for the number of calories I would consume. However, this meant today Aiden, Noah and I made a St Patty's Day cake and chocolate chip cookies!!

Blog app!!!

I read in a magazine that people that write in a journal or blog tend to focus in the negatives that happen through out their life. Looking back in my journal and blog I tend to fall in this category. I posted a positive #1 and that is where it originated from. I am determined to try to keep up with my blog and to reflect on the positives going on. Most Saturday mornings Aiden and I snuggle up on the couch and watch movies or he plays his WII and I will usually look through the blogs I follow and see what's been going on with everyone. Today I was reading through my oldest and dearest friends blog when I realized her mother is also a blogger. I stumbled upon her blog and spent the morning reading through it and I was reminded a lot of my childhood and it was really an enjoyable read.

Positive #3 happy childhood memories flooding my head today. This is a positive for me because too many times the past is brought up because of sad memories and today was a wonderful change if pace.

New Year New Attitude

Positive number 1: SOT went very well and we're on the perfect track for success.

Positive number 2: I got to spend some great time with my boys today! Watching movies playing WII and dancing and singing around the house.

Todays Coupon Plan

I've always been a coupon clipper. In the past few months I've been taking advantage of my resources and stockpiling a few things we use all the time! I know people think it's crazy, but Ive always felt theres no reason to spend more money on something than I need to. So here's what we're looking for today:

Store 1:
Pocket Pack Advil $1.29 (coupon $5 off 3) = 1.29x3=3.87  $5q-3.87=1.13overage                                  times 6 offers=6.78overage
Gillette Proglide Razor $6.49-$4/1q=2.49 times 4 offers= 9.96
Gillette Fusion Shaving Cream 1.99-free when you buy Gillette Razor=free times 4=free
Scotch Magic Tape .78-$1q=.22 overage times 40offers=8.80overage
Total: -6.78+9.96+free-8.80= overage of 5.62
Total Retail: advil: 1.29x18=23.22 razor: 25.96 shaving cream:7.96 tape:31.20= 88.34 X .05 surcharge=$4.41 overage 5.62-4.41surcharge=1.21 overage

We'll see how it goes! They usually don't have everything I plan on so we'll see!

Ready to Bake

Prior to finding out that Baby Snizzle is a boy, I read all of the old tales and chinese calendars out there that predicted that baby Shaposka was going to be a girl... One of these extremely reliable ways of knowing the gender is craving sweets or salts. I've always been a huge salt snacker. I'd rather have a bag of chips than a candy bar. Well I've been craving cake, cupcakes, chocolate and oreo's!! This is suppose to mean girl... LOL maybe instead it means that baby Shap is going to be a sweetheart!! Cause the doc is saying all boy!!

Point of the story: Aiden and I are going to make some yummo chocolate chip cookies and attempt some upside down pineappe cupcakes today!!

Happy Saturday

Well, we're back from the beach and it was a really great trip! We spent the days on the beach and in the pool and the late afternoons/evenings shopping and eating! We took Aiden to Medieval Times and he absolutely loved the horses, then Grandma and Pap Pap took him on a boat ride and he was thrilled with the "big fish." Some of us call them dolphins, but either way he loved it! I would like to send a shout out to some of the people in Louisiana with zero common sense and zero ability to run a shop :) Because of them we had to come back 3 days early so that David could work yesterday and today even though there were plenty of other people to work and very little to do. Apparently even if someone requests a day off work months in advance if someone that's been there a few months longer wants that same day off the newer person gets bumped and has to work. Even though that person is required to be at work no matter (won't spread all their stuff on here cause that just wouldn't be nice) but I'm just sayin' he was suppose to be at work, not out galavanting around the town!

Career Path

I was surfing facebook this morning and a friend of mine posted pictures of Venice Italy. All that know me know that Italy is the number one place on my bucket list, but anyways I just couldn't help but thinking how the Air Force truly can make or break a person. I've always been a believer that we make our own destinies and life for the most part doesn't just "happen" we make it happen. Yet when I look at the past year I'm going to say that the Air Force has made it happen for some and kicked the rest of us to the ground and just keeps on kicking.
A ton of us left for basic training on 23 Feb 2010. We graduated the same day and left for tech school the same day. Then 9 of us started the same tech school on the same day, and 7 of us graduated the same day. From there the Active Duty folks went on leave/to their respective bases. That's when things started to go in different directions. My "brother" and I sit here in Louisiana hating the base more than anything. Mainly because we work with miserable people and are looking for anyway out of here. Yet our fellow classmates and wingmen are stationed in England and TDY'ing to places like Venice... Others are in places like Iraq which seems scary to some, but right now in the current state over there the worst part is the heat.
I'm not complaining about not getting to go overseas I'm just pointing out how similar things start and then how the military forces your decisions for you. So many people would make great military leaders but end up at awful bases, which makes them get out after their first term.
My plan.....graduate from school. 3x's then use those skills to the best of my ability where it'll pay me the most!

Bargain Shopping

People are finally realizing there are many many ways out there to save money and not have to pay full price for things. Now I'm not an extreme couponer like some of these people, however if I went and bought ink for my printer well then I could probably save a ton of money. I like bargains, and I love not paying full price for things!! I don't see the point. Now to find a coupon to not pay full price for an ink cartridge and go buy a news paper... Those are the goals for today!

Well Sure

For starters. See you all freaked out over nothing. We're still getting paid, the right and on time. Just in 2 increments. Of course I was also annoyed about not getting a full check, but until these things actually happen do what you have to do to cover your butt and wait and see. It'll be okay.

Next. I'm not even sure why I'm so annoyed about this, but here it goes. I made a list and asked someone's opinion and they gave me their opinion but it completely changed everything. I know I don't have to agree to it, but it really bothers me that I said I'm pretty positive about these things --- and a little unsure about these things --- and the feedback comes back with completely different things. I guess it's just at the point where I don't fit in that world and I never have and I'm not sad that I never will. We aren't who we use to be and it's stupid to pretend that we are. We came from the same place but took two totally different paths and now we're on complete oposite ends of the world and I don't see the point in pretending other wise. I think I might just hand over the reigns and back out. I think it will be much easier. I'll go to my cook out with beer in the backyard and you go sip your Martini's in the grand ball room maybe one day our paths will circle back around.

Pay Day!

Alright, so blogs are a place for venting right? Well here goes in an effort to not upset anyone I'll vent on here rather than my facebook status like everyone else. Okay so the gov't might shut down tonight at midnight and as a result we the military will only receive half of our pay. Does this suck? Yes of course it does anyone that works and doesn't get paid for it should be pissed off, but pay day hasn't happened yet!!! So the gov't shuts down and a ton of stuff closes (including the comissary, OMG), but does this really effect us until the 15? NO! Yes go look at your LES and it'll say that you're only getting half of your pay check. BUT then realize that it isn't pay day yet and DFAS can access your account anytime any day, and therefor can put in 2 allotments on pay day. Your first weeks pay and your 2nd weeks pay. So shut up! Just shut up!! Nothing has happened yet! Am I pretty freaking unhappy that I might not get paid? YES But is it the end of the freakin world. NO life will go on and we'll all figure out how to make hot dogs and mac'n cheese for the next few weeks!!

McDreamy Got Me

Random Fact #1: When I was at Basic Training David started to watch Greys Anatomy. I teased him and called him a bandwagon jumper. When I returned home he was watching it and of course I got sucked in and now I love Greys. I just can't help it! When it's on Aiden will come in the room and ask what we're doing. I usually tell him watching doctors and he says "Aiden watch doctors too." So he'll sit on the couch with me and watch "doctors" with me. Oh, and yes he talks in 3rd person. He's getting better but for now it's just absolutely adorable.

Wait For "Happy Birthday"

For those that don't know yet! We're expecting #2. This is peanut at 9 weeks. We're excited and nervous! We find out next month if it's a boy or girl, but of course the only thing that matter's is if he/she is healthy!! The doctor asked me last week if we wanted a boy or a girl. My answer: we want breathing and kicking!

Now some pictures of the boys:

Aiden and Daddy at Bass Pro Shop

Altlanta Aquarium

Playing Outside

Thanksgiving Headdresses

His Ginormous Wagon Made by Pap Pap

Since Aiden's birthday he keeps saying "Happy Birthday!" I kept telling him that Mommy's Happy Birthday is next, and he kept ask "And Aiden's Happy Birthday?" I tolld him he would be here too, so yes he would have Happy Birthday too.

Yesterday I took him to meet Pap Pap so he could visit at Grandma's house for the weekend. Aiden said "Wait for Happy Birthday!" So my birthday is on hold until Monday, or at least Aiden thinks so.

Every year people make New Year's resolutions and give up things for lent. I instead USUALLY give up something around the begining of ive up something around the beginning of February through my birthday. This year life has been crazy and I didn't even think about so my Birthday resolution this year is to blog more. At least once a week that way if there's anyone out there reading they'll have something to read. Not to mention one day when I'm 90 I'll have something to laugh at with my great great grand children.

Good Guy, Bad Guy

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/032709_Philly_Police_Officer_Arrested_As_Drug_Dealer

I do feel sympathy for the officers families who have died in the line of duty. Just as I do for all of our military men and women and anyone else that takes on a life risking job. But on the other side of the police department we have drug dealers.... I just can't say more than that. Read the story.