The day my husband cried

and it went a little somethin like this... 

me: we need to get rid of the mustang 

to which he typically responses with: 

"I have a buyer lined up. A kid a work..."

(crickets chirping)

A little back story 

We bought the Mustang at the worse possible time; right before a PCS and buying a house. We didn't need the car, we wanted the car. It was a 'welcome back from deployment #839, we missed you. Heres a cool car to show we care.' kinda thing. Completely irresponsible and impulsive and exactly what the military tells you NOT TO DO. And man was it fun... for a little while. Then reality set in. The military only allows you  2 vehicles if living on post (which we were in post housing at that time) and only compensates you for 2 vehicles during a PCS move. We had to come completely out of pocket for the trailer to pull the car across country causing many delays in our travel here. It was a huge pain in the booty. Then it sat in the garage. Just sat there. Started regularly, but we put maybe 20 miles on in it the past year. It was a pointless added expense. 

Yea, it was cool. Yea, it was all manly and he loved to brag about having it, but it was POINTLESS.

Fast Forward

{Yesterday}

me: we need to get rid of the mustang 

him: sell it

(crickets chirping... keyboard clicking) 

me: a guy will be here in 2 hours to look at it.

him: wait, what? what did you do? ... 

me: you told me to sell it. I did. 

awkward silence.... 

{Just like ripping off a band aide, it was over before he knew it} 

A kid, smiling from ear to ear, showed up at our door with his parents. Once we started up the car for them, it was over. The guy was in love. His dad was in love. And his mom couldn't control her smiles as she watched her oldest son and husband beginning to bond over this classic beauty already. It melted my heart to see them all so happy.

Ironically, the kid is an 18 year old new recruit to the Army. He saved up every penny from basic training to buy a car before leaving for AIT.  I can't put into words just how perfect the whole experience felt. Here my husband is, an 'old vet' at this point, and on crutches to top it off, handing over the keys to his beloved 1969 Mustang GT to a brand new soldier. It was a sad day for the Mr.

"Treat her well, kid. Treat her well." 

I'll leave you with this catchy tune to start your weekend.
The song currently on repeat on my phone because my kids FREAKIN LOVE IT!

Eels - Flyswatter

oh is that stuck in your head now? you're welcome :)

Home ownership - one DIY at a time

I feel like a snail on the treadmill of life. 

There is SO much to do to this house. I'm trying to document everything on here so I can look back later and be proud of our accomplishments. But blogging about painting a light fixture or replacing a door knob seems so tedious. 

   Oh well. 

   So Far We Have:

•  Lime green paint in the sun room
•  New light switch plate in the sun room
•  Planted Morning Glories out front
•  Added a lattice for said morning glories
•  Dug up all cactus in the front yard
•  Fresh paint for the entryway
•  New light switch plates in entryway and hallway
•  Fresh paint in the living room and dining room 
•  New refrigerator
•  Convert & painted wet bar to a built in bookshelf
•  New Carpet in living room
•  New tile in dining room
•  Replaced light fixture in hallway
•  Repaint light fixture in sun room
•  Replaced master bedroom door knob
•  Removed dead palm tree from the front yard
•  Replaced toilet handle & faucet in hall bathroom (here)
•  Fresh paint in the hall bathroom
•  Laundry room makeover

Ahhh its so ongoing. Our to do list is fooooorever long. blah. All this work just to list the house for sale as soon as we get orders to PCS somewhere else. 

DIY Upcycle Kitchen Curtains 

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.

SPOTLIGHT 2

The SPOTLIGHT shines bright on Jessica from Sweet Green Tangerine. 
This chick is not only my bloggy bestie, but my real world bestie as well. We have been through a lot together in our moderately short friendship. In five years, we have endured multiple deployments each, friends coming and going, and every emotional roller coaster you could imagine.  Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other special (and not so special) occasions spent merging our two families together as one. 
If something was to happen, I know without a doubt, she is the kind of friend who would rush to my house, empty my nightstand and delete computer history, no questions asked.  Good friends are hard to find. After both of our husbands came down on orders to pcs, and we are both starting fresh in different states, I am learning more and more every day how hard it is to find a good friend you can connect with and count on.Thanks for being that friend, Jess! XOXO

1. When was the last time you played air guitar? Just the other day actually.  Why?  Because my 6 year old said he wanted to take air guitar lessons.  So he received a 5 minute private lesson from yours truly.  I think he meant real guitar lessons, but I had fun with it.

2. Say you had to change your name, what would you change it to?  I'd love to be named after a song.  Like Prudence or Cecilia.  Technically, there is a song called Jessica by the Allman Brothers, but I kinda hate it.

3. What was the last movie you watched? Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.  It was Extremely amazing and Incredibly awesome.  I cried like a baby.  Tom Hanks & Sandra Bullock are two of my favorite actors and even they were upstaged by that little boy.  Incredible all the way around.  Two thumbs up.

4. Do You believe in psychics?  Yes. Unfortunately I never had the chance to see one with my friend (ahem) even though we kept saying we would. It's on my bucket list.

5. What's on your bucket list?  I have split up my bucket list & created a Year List of things that I can/will actually do this year.  As much as I do want to kiss the Blarney stone, I have to be realistic.  On the 2012 list is...1. Eat Sushi...2.Read The Hobbit (before the movie comes out)...3. Go to Bonnaroo (or any music festival will do).  

Less Hell, More El

Did I die and move to heaven? 

Fresh bread brought to my house by a neighbor. Does this even happen anymore? 

I am still in shock, or awe, or shock & awe. Whatever I am, I am amazed.

We may not know anyone in this weird and wonderful new city, but my new neighbors have gone above and beyond to make us feel 100% at home and welcome in their community. So much so that I have even started a journal all about our new home, city, and the wonderful people we meet. Honestly, I had to. There was no way I was going to be able to keep all their names and occupations straight. 

If I turn into a Stephford wife, someone shoot me. 

RECONNECTED & it feels so Nice!

I am back from the dead, or so it feels... We are in our new home in HELL PASO, Tx. I am still sad to leave my Savannah behind, but a girl must do what a girl must do when the Army gives orders. But I am back & ready to get at it!!! 

That being said, I regret to inform you that Raw Potatoes will soon be no more. 

I have a new blog name and design in the works! The wonderful designer from Scenic Glory has been whipping us up something grand!! Expect lots of changes & lots of fun after the 1st of September!! Muhahaha 

Ahhh I'm glad to be back, can ya tell? 

things I never thought I'd be shopping for...

I want this! Who wouldn't? 

err My hubs. 

He has vetoed the zebra throne.

This is just one of the many odd things I have found myself pricing and shopping for in recent days. 

We are so close to closing on the house I can feel it in my bones!! 

Have I mentioned how excited I am to finally get a home of our own? Yes, well even more on that to come :-)

the start of something beautiful

This time next year 

The Hubs & I will be 

poolside, grilling, and watching our

♥ kids ♥ 

celebrate our 

Independence 

in our very 1st house. 

No More Post Housing!!

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

Here are some inspiring 4th of July themes that caught my eye & I will try to incorporate a little something from each next year

click on the pictures to go to the sites where these were created :)

T minus 38 days and counting

Holy smokes its almost time to do this thing!

We have the inspectors coming on 

Thursday morning for the 

House inspection

Termite inspection

Pool inspection

That's Right! We are getting a house with a 

freakin pool ! 

I think this pool is the only reason we are 

looking forward to our move.

I still cant believe we are actually leaving Savannah.

But on the upside, 

NO MORE POST HOUSING!!!

Here is one sneak peek of mi casa

Diamond in the Rough

Ok y'all, we are doing it. We are biting the bullet and made an offer on a house. Waiting for the paperwork to finish and inspections to start... Ahhh. Can we say stressful?! Oh, and did I mention that all this is being done WITHOUT either my husband or myself in the state that we are buying said house? Yea. We are clearly out of our mind.


Our future home has a bit of a homely appearance to it. I, on the other hand like to think of her as a Diamond in the Rough! Once everything is all said and done I will update with before and after pictures as well as tracking our progress on here. 


After all, PCSing is an adventure, right?! Go BIG or go HOME..er...or... Go BIG & make it your HOME.


HOOAH- ugh, did I just do that? Dang, time for sleep, I have shamed myself.

Hectic House Hunting

Embarking on a new journey.

Soon we will be moving away from our home of over 9 years (which is basically unheard of in the military) and moving over a thousand miles away. Thus far, we have mostly lived in post housing, but I am hell bent on having privacy. Privacy- just thinking 

about it makes me smile! Once and for all we are going to have our own place! 

I am so excited I could pee! .. but I wont :) 

Now comes the hard part. We will likely have to buy our houses 'site unseen' this scares the daylights out of me, but we will do what we have to do. 

Here are a few hopefuls  we are looking into:

House 1- 3b 2.5 bth. on a quiet cul-de-sac!

I like it alright, its kinda to "cookie cutter" for my taste, but its in a great area.

 

House 2- Much LOVE FOR THIS HOUSE!

It was built in 1912

small, but charming and totally my style

I love this house so much I cant stand it, buuut it recently went UP in price, boo :(

House 3- Nice. Love the yard. Would buy it because of the kitchen & yard!!

ahhhh any advice?? 

Update- House #3 is currently 'under contract' - this makes me sad. Ugh, let the emotional roller coaster that is house hunting begin. I am genuinely sad about this news. I foolishly allowed myself to fall in love with this home.

Operation Elimination

Operation Elimination has officially started. 

Kicked it off with selling the kids 

Step2 Neat & Tidy Cottage. 

Sheesh, I sure thought they'd miss it more than they do. Why didn't I do this sooner? 

{That thing took up A LOT of space}

today I took some kid clothes to Once Upon a Child 

then listed  about 4 more things on Craigslist.

Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.

Unlike most military families, we've been at the same duty station for 9 years. 

Therefore, I have accumulated a lot of junk.