Military Homecoming, the embarrassing truth.

I NEVER go overboard with the homecoming attire (oh how I wish this statement could end here.) However, since this is homecoming number 632 (sarcasm, but not that far off base,) I thought I’d spice things up a bit. Ha. First mistake! I wore a black and while polka dot number with some sexy black wedges -second mistake and covered up the bursting cleavage with a cute crop cardigan buttoned up- gotta keep it PG ladies. I had my hair and nails done in advance and arranged for a friend sleep over at the house with the kids, as it was suppose to be a 0400 ceremony.

He calls me at 1230 saying they were leaving location X and its only about a hour long flight so I needed to start making my way over to the ceremony location, STAT. wtf, over.

The time ended up being bumped to a 0130 ceremony, which totally messed up my time management planning. This should have been a sign that things were not going to go as I had hoped.

So I jump up out of bed (was trying to get a little pregame rest) and quickly got dressed, put on a little make up, flipped my hair over in hopes of bringing some life and bounce back to the curls, then darted out the door.  I stopped in the lobby to talk to the hotel receptionist for a minute, verifying that I’m not actually a prostitute leaving all dolled up at 1am even though I will be returning with a man. She laughed. I needed a little lighthearted humor.

By the time I made it to the ceremony location the parking lot was FULL. Was I the last to be informed of the time change? Man, I miss the good old days of FRG leaders actually making it their duty to make sure everyone knows where to go and called with time changes. Here in 2013 we have to click refresh on Internet browser to see if the webpage has been updated with changes, which it rarely is. So I parked my car, give my lips a little color, tried to tame the now unruly bedhead curls, and I took off in almost a sprint- clearly forgetting I went sans flats this time. Immediately I caught a rock awkwardly with my heel and twisted my ankle. Twisted my fucking ankle and fall in the parking lot at 0130, skinning up my knee a bit on the loose gravel. I was mortified, crushed, humiliated to the max! How could I forget I was 4 inches taller than normal?

With all the courage I could muster, I stood up, brushed myself off, and gingerly headed to the gate with a conspicuous limp. My ankle, now very weak, wobbling, and throbbing, my knee scraped and bleeding, my pride depleted.

I trudged forward.

I had a man to watch exit the plane, signifying the end of a deployment. I am determined to walk it off and not let the throbbing pain interfere. Just as I’m approaching the building, my ankle gave out. It completely gave out on me with no advance notice. There I go, falling again, only this time in front of some 4 soldiers on redeployment bag detail.  At this point, it was all I could do not to bust out in tears. My ankle is the size of a engorged orange, all pride and self-confidence – shattered. I just wanted to get my man and leave. And that’s exactly what I did. I took off those beautiful godforsaken damn shoes, waited patently for him to find me, we both got a good laugh out of my misfortune, and he helped me back to the car.

All the pain and embarrassment I had endured was nothing compared to finally feeling whole again. My partner in crime is back from another deployment. My heart is happy.

Apparently this should be my theme song...
 

Carepackage Idea List

Recently, I've had a lot of friends and family requesting a military carepackage idea list. I typed one up real fast and wanted to share it with all of you looking for something new to send your service member. Remember this is just a list I threw together. Feel free to add suggestions in the comments.

A few care package ideas:

• Oral care: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Floss
• Deodorant
• Fitness/Car/Truck/Gun/Tattoo Magazines
• Deck of Cards/Uno/Dice
• Hacky Sack
• Black/White/Olive Green Boot Socks
• Gold Bond Foot/Body Powder
• Sunblock
• Eye Drops
• Vitamins
• Q-Tips
• Chapstick (tubes only)
• Nail Clippers
• Lotion
• Liquid Body Soap
• Shampoo/Conditioner (2in1 is best)
• Razors
• Kleenex (Travel Size)
• Twin Size Sheet Set
• Bath Towel/Washcloth
• Books
• DVD’s/CD’s
• Headphones/Earbuds
• Word Search/Game Books
• Instant Coffee
• Power Bars/Protein Bars/Granola Bars
• Chicken/Tuna Lunch Kits (Pouches)
• Nuts/Sunflower Seeds/Pumpkin Seeds/Dried Fruit/Trail Mix
• Hard Candies
• Cookies
• Pop Tarts/Cereal Bars
• Bags of Snacks/Box of Crackers
• Gatorade Mix
• Crystal Light
• Beef Jerky
• Jelly Beans/Licorice etc.
• Gum
• Mints

Chapter 2013 Page 1 of 365...

 Peace Out 2012. 

Unfortunately I will spend the majority of the year away from my hubs. I still have a hard time believing that he is actually gone again. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time this go around, but I am. 

Up until now, I have spent the past 37 days mostly doing nothing but willing the next day to hurry up and get here so that it too may pass.  

I was lucky enough to have my sis and niece come spend a little over a week with us. It was a nice distraction to be around family. We took a mini road trip to New Mexico and explored a little over there. [More on their visit to come.]

As for now, it is high time to knock off the Poor-Pitiful-Me BS and get back to reality. He has his own time consuming daily agenda  and I need to get back to mine as well and get out of this damn rut once and for all.

 

So here's to a 

New Year, New Adventures, 

New Friends and Cheap Wine!  

{CHEERS}

December Photo a Day {day 1}

I'm sure Fat Mum Slim had no idea that her first prompt for her photo challenge just happened to be a very important one for me.  At 8 o'clock  we were saying our goodbyes and starting our 5th deployment. 

Goodbye, My Love.

A story to funny not to tell

A little while back, I traded in my gas guzzling monster SUV and I needed something that my 6'3 husband & great dane could both fit comfortably in. I know to look at the Nissan Cube, you may start to laugh and swear to never drive one. Shoot, I did. I only entertained the idea of looking inside one because I had a few minutes to kill while waiting for someone inside the Nissan Dealership in Savannah, Ga. I opened the door on the display car and thought "huh, not bad, not bad at all." Once you get in it, you see all the space in this little car and I bet you start to fall in love, just as I did. 

The kids fit, I fit, the tall Mr. and huge dog all fit.

Everything was right with the world, at least for a minute.

Then we moved to El Paso and chose to live off post. I no longer got to drive my cute car on a daily basis due to gas prices and a 30+ minute drive to Biggs. The hubs has an old dodge pick up and I'm stuck driving 'Big Red' while he had my sweet 'Tallulah'.

*sad face*

Apparently a man can only drive this car for so long while being in the Cav and surrounded by testosterone before reaching his breaking point. 

I loved my car. Loved it. It was quirky, it was cute, it was different and ironic. 

It was so much fun to  drive and I enjoyed giggling at people who would stare as I putt putted past.

~~~~

Let the replacement shopping begin.

*sad face*

After intensive car shopping, we finally found a car we both could agree on. While we were in the middle of the paperwork, and talking to the finance guy I tell him that I loved my toaster and I'm going to miss her.

He stops and stares. "Toaster?" he says. "Yes, my Nissan Cube" I say.

"Wait a minute, that car, the one with the 'Toaster Edition' sticker on the back? The one thats always over here on this side of town?"

"The one and only"

He laughs. Says he can't wait to tell his son that he met the [previous] owners of the Toaster. I guess my car is famous. I had no idea.

This made for a good laugh during a sad time for me.

~~~~~

Now its time to name the new car, cause that's not weird, right?  Do you name your cars? 

Dollface helped with the naming of Tallulah Pancake. I guess I'll let her help with the naming of the new car too. :) Fun Times. 

Love you like a box of kittens

 

Maxwell Poirier via pinterest
((Fricken Awesome Movie)) 
 

I've been thinking an awful lot about the upcoming deployment recently.  It's hard not to when its so close. He will absolutely be gone before Christmas; this we know for sure. We have also heard that he is on ADVON  so if this is true, not only will he miss Christmas, but Thanksgiving as well. 

I hate to think of another year of holidays without him. 

As I was sitting in the pickup line outside the kids school yesterday, I was poking around his ugly old truck when I noticed that he STILL has my blue ribbon from our wedding day attached to his sun visor and  an old ankle bracelet of mine on his 4WD shifter thingy. I'm not going to lie, I teared up a bit. 

These things have been in his truck for 10+ years! Seriously. This man is either sentimental or lazy.  

WANTED: Life Coach or Mental Hospital

I don't think I'm cut out to be a grownup. Ever feel like this? It simply doesn't feel right. I shouldn't be a 30 year old mom of two! Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change any of it for the world, but some days it feels like I'm wearing someone else shoes.

I'm mostly just joking when I say I want a mentor or life coach, but not really. Right now I feel like I'm at an impasse with furthering my education and career choices. I do not know which path to follow. This is especially concerning now that Dollface will be going to Kindergarten all day, this is my time to finish my education. MY TIME. We've said this ever since we started having kids. I know this mess is my fault- I chose to run off and marry the love of my life and leave school way to young.(Kids- Don't be a love struck 19 yr old & get married at 20!)  

Pat and Becky

sitting in a tree:

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

First comes love,

then comes marriage,

then comes baby

in a baby carriage!

We've said all along, that after both kiddos are in school full time, all day, then-FINALLY I get to do the same! MY TIME.

The school I was enrolled in had a BS in Human Services degree & I was working on that. My plan was to finish getting my BS and then transfer to UTEP. At UTEP I wanted work on getting a masters in Occupational Therapy. PERFECT! We are stationed at Biggs Army Air Field (Ft. Bliss) and there is a university right here in town! WHAT! It sounds like it was meant to be, right?! ha Unfortunately I took an almost 2 yr hiatus due to deployment homecomings and PCSing to Texas. In that short time my original school no longer have that program available. Of Course. So now I am trying feverishly to figure out what my next step is. I'm at a loss. A different degree program? A different school? Which school/university? Will my credits transfer in a beneficial way? Oh and there is always that sweet little gem about us only being here for another year or so that plays a huge part too. All the joys of being a military family. Instability at its best. 

***Sidenote: Happy 10yr Anniversary to my Mr.

Oh, El Paso

Its hard to believe that we have been in El Paso, Texas just under a year already. I still miss Savannah and the friends and the memories made during our time there, but El Paso isn't all that bad. We are really starting to enjoy our time here.

Here is mini peak into our experiences here.

EDIT: Jessica at Sweet Green Tangerine just posted this TODAY & guess what. I miss her and Georgia even more all over again! Thanks a lot Jess! No really, Thank you for the memories :)



   Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
   I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
   Night-time would find me in Rosa's cantina;
   Music would play and Felina would whirl.

I-10, I loath you lots.
Mountains Mountains Everywhere!

Always pay attention to road signs

 or you'll end up headed to Mexico

Thank you, PINTEREST!

Finally, my compulsive pinning paid off!

Umbrellas are a must.

Not for the rain, of course, 

but for the sun. 

Oh, El Paso. Just when I think I'm getting used to things here. You leave me thinking WTF yet again.
RedBull: These Wings Aren't Free

GOAL

My goal is to go through and post all my half thoughts/drafts. Here goes nothin'.
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Care to follow me on bloglovin' ? ?  It's great fun.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

How bout Instagram? bgbecky

.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

My kid rocks. And she has mad drawling skills.

Yea, Its Yoda. She's pretty awesome.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 INSANELY Large Pizza!

...................................................................................................................

The Hunger Games means date night with the Mr.
and Jack & Coke

Movie Review: I give it a solid B

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Well wouldn't ya know, more Valspar in the mail for me.

Yippee!! - Pretty sure they know me by name.

Free Sample Color: Fireside

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Check out these rad hand-me-down chairs!

Totally stained up, but they are comfy (sittin in one right now) 

and screaming with potential.

I'm thinking about getting some of that spray on upholstery paint, but haven't found any reviews yet. Have you used Simply Spray Upholstery Paint? 

Care to tell me what you thought?

I'm thinking a plum color :)

Wow, that wasn't so bad and I got a lot cleared out of my drafts.

Win Win.

Thankful

Wow, where have I been this week?! You'd think there was a holiday or something! ☺

This month I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the things I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful for my health and the health of those close to us.
2. I am thankful for my husband returning home safely from his 4th war time deployment, one year ago.
3. I am thankful that he is still home with us and able to spend the holidays together as a family this year. (next year, we will not be as fortunate) 
4. I am thankful for my incredibly candid and undeniably entertaining kids. They both amaze me & make me laugh every single day.
5. I am thankful because no matter where we end up, we explore and find beauty in the things surrounding us.
6. I am thankful to have the opportunity to experience the many different cultures right inside the US. Someday I hope to do the same in another country.
7. I am thankful for family and for friends who turn into family. 
8. I am thankful for my dog. As silly as it sounds, he truly is a good friend to me & to the kids. He is a member of this family and we love him dearly.
9. I am thankful for people who go into public service. Government, Nonprofit/NGO, International, Consulting, Education. Could you imagine how life would be without them? They have to take on a lot with little recognition and pay.
10. Lastly, I am thankful for chocolate pie. During the holidays, my grandma Joan often made a chocolate pie special for me because I never liked the other kinds. To this day, I try to always make one in honor of her.

It was a Marvel Monday

Our Monday revolved around, The One, The Only, The Captain America. 

With kids in tow, my friend Janae and I headed to Freedom Crossing in Fort Bliss, to meet the man of the hour ... along with about 300 other kids. Can we say 'Avengers Assemble!'?

[source + movie trailer]

[marvel.com]

After standing in line for over an hour, it was finally our turn! The excitement was almost overwhelming for the 3 year old, as you can see in the 1st picture. Ah, to be a kid again where everything is a welcomed adventure and balloons cure what ails you. 

- It was a pretty fabulous day & completely kid approved.

“Captain America is not here to lead the country. I’m here to serve it. If I am a Captain, I’m a soldier. Not of any military branch but of the American people. Years ago, in a simpler time, this suit and this shield were created as a symbol to help make America the land it’s suppose to be… To help it realize its destiny. 

Ricocheting from super-villain duel to super-villain duel doesn't always serve that purpose. There's a difference between fighting against evil and fighting for the common good. I'm not always able to choose my battles... but effective immediately I am going to make an effort to choose the battles that matter. Battles against injustice, against cynicism, against intolerance.

Together, you and I will identify and confront America's problems. Together we will figure out what we are and what we can be. Together we will define the American dream and make it an American reality."

 Source: "To Serve and Protect"

*Captain America, I wish you were real.