Change (or in this case, Assumption) of Command ceremonies are a touch more elaborate at the General Officer level.
Complete with bands and canons and lots of sub commanders, not to mention several tents.
I got to sit under one of them - in the reserved section even.
I probably shouldn't have worn jeans.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Oh and FYI
I am in love with Hobby Lobby today.
I found a free how-to-knit flyer, everything I needed to start to learn to knit that was clearly marked. (Not sure why, but I could NOT for the life of me figure out what I was looking for at Michael's.) I also picked up a little birthday gifty for a friend, 2 cards, and a hostess gift for John's aunt for Thanksgiving. The hostess gift was 80% off!!
I got everything for under $25!!
It was the largest Hobby Lobby I have ever been in. It's like the stores that I visited in Denver were smooshed into a smaller space (and if you've ever been into these stores you know that they aren't small!) but this one was huge! It didn't feel as cramped as other stores. And they had loads of crap. I mean, loads of stuff that I wanted to purchase! (John would roll his eyes and ask why we need these things. So I didn't buy everything....but it was tempting.)
Yay Hobby Lobby!
I found a free how-to-knit flyer, everything I needed to start to learn to knit that was clearly marked. (Not sure why, but I could NOT for the life of me figure out what I was looking for at Michael's.) I also picked up a little birthday gifty for a friend, 2 cards, and a hostess gift for John's aunt for Thanksgiving. The hostess gift was 80% off!!
I got everything for under $25!!
It was the largest Hobby Lobby I have ever been in. It's like the stores that I visited in Denver were smooshed into a smaller space (and if you've ever been into these stores you know that they aren't small!) but this one was huge! It didn't feel as cramped as other stores. And they had loads of crap. I mean, loads of stuff that I wanted to purchase! (John would roll his eyes and ask why we need these things. So I didn't buy everything....but it was tempting.)
Yay Hobby Lobby!
Humph
Army life.
They say things are always changing and you never know what's going to happen next. (John likes to point out that we have no idea where we'll be two years from now.)
The latest example of this is that there will NO LONGER be a Holiday Ball!
Boo!!!
I won't be able to look fantastic in my bee-yoo-ti-ful dress!
Ah, but I will have way more time to work off aforementioned back fat.
Instead, they are having a holiday party on post, complete with ugly sweater contest. Sooo, I'm thinking it's safe to say that it's more casual than the dress code.
(As an aside, I do very much realize that *this* small change of events is a 1 on the scale of 1-10 of inconveniences that Army life can provide, and is in no way meant to be a valid complaint. I do, after all, still get to sleep next to my husband for a while in the foreseeable future.)
I just kind of wanted to wear that dress. Oh well. There is always the Army ball in June. That one never gets cancelled!
Another cool perk they are offering this week is free family portraits for Active Duty Members. I think John and I are going to have our picture taken this week. Yay!
You can carry on with your day now.
They say things are always changing and you never know what's going to happen next. (John likes to point out that we have no idea where we'll be two years from now.)
The latest example of this is that there will NO LONGER be a Holiday Ball!
Boo!!!
I won't be able to look fantastic in my bee-yoo-ti-ful dress!
Ah, but I will have way more time to work off aforementioned back fat.
Instead, they are having a holiday party on post, complete with ugly sweater contest. Sooo, I'm thinking it's safe to say that it's more casual than the dress code.
(As an aside, I do very much realize that *this* small change of events is a 1 on the scale of 1-10 of inconveniences that Army life can provide, and is in no way meant to be a valid complaint. I do, after all, still get to sleep next to my husband for a while in the foreseeable future.)
I just kind of wanted to wear that dress. Oh well. There is always the Army ball in June. That one never gets cancelled!
Another cool perk they are offering this week is free family portraits for Active Duty Members. I think John and I are going to have our picture taken this week. Yay!
You can carry on with your day now.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The closet situation
Our master closet is full. Mostly with my clothes. John has his side, and I have my side, but my side is better utilized as I fully employ the use of the shelf above the closet rod for jeans, sweatshirts, and sweaters. I think John has a shoe box and some shoes and a hat box on his shelf.
Our guest closet looks like this.
Our guest closet looks like this.
Head to toe Army gear. The hangers on the left are reserved for Army Uniforms (ACUs) currently in the wash. The floor and the area behind the door is stacked with gear he may need if he has to be sent somewhere in a hurry. The rest (and there is TONS) is in storage down the street.
Our linen closet is totally full. In fact, it was overstuffed and unusable until I broke out the space bags John bought and compressed several blankets and pillows.
Which leaves only one space available to hang our diving wet suits. John has 2 wet suits, a 3 ml, and and a 7 ml. I have a 3 ml and a skin. They are currently hanging in our entry way closet.
Which makes all of of other outer wear smell like neoprene.
Just some useless facts for your Sunday night.
Wifey things
It has been 5 months (ish) of wedded bliss. (And I promise I will stop talking about our wedding eventually. But I still watch wedding shows. I'm turning into a wedding lover. In fact, I'm turning into a girly girl! But more on that later.)
Five months, and there are a lot of wifey things I hadn't really anticipated. Some of them Army related, some, not so much. First of all, with the holidays coming up, I have had to urge to make all kinds of holiday related goodies. Probably too much. Good thing we are headed out of town next week to share them with other people! Secondly, on the holiday note, my MIL has asked me to give her a heads up about what we might want for Christmas. She asked about things we hadn't received on our registries (which we kind of closed up ourselves with the exception of a few towels), any linen requests, the dimensions of our dining table (which we don't use at the moment, but it would be good to have something nice), my sizes (yikes), and my colors.
What?
That's right, the color scheme I've settled on for the master bed and bathrooms.
Um. I haven't really. We live in government housing with white walls and brown carpet. Our duvet is a blue/gray with brown stitching (and not very much of it). And our bathroom? Well, it has sunset pictures in it. And a Disney lithograph of Aladin that I've had for freakin' 17 years. Give or take...whenever that movie came out on VHS. Yes. Pre-DVD.
The bottom line is, it was hard to move into John's house with all my stuff when he had already "decorated" with all his stuff, trying to meld all our stuff especially knowing we would be moving again soon. The theme equates to filling in the blanks. And finding places for random crap. Nothing is really uniform except for a wall in the living room that has a bunch of wedding stuff on it.
So, what do I tell my well meaning MIL? That I absolutely have no clue how to properly set up a traditional household? I have no idea what kind of gifts to ask for from anyone, actually. We've been so "gifted" this year...almost overly so between showers, weddings, and birthdays! I just don't have an answer for her right now. What kind of gifts go on your list as a married couple?
Along with the holidays, we have the holiday ball. Yay! Since I lost weight before the wedding, I decided my two dresses from previous balls would not fit. I know one of them wouldn't fit since it was HUGE on me for the St. Bab's Ball and I had safety pinned the back. Honestly, I bet the black one I had would have worked fine. BUT, I had an excuse to go dress shopping. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of social dress stores in the QC. We have a David's Bridal (which I have since sworn off) and a Von Maur, which is nice. Fortunately, Nordstrom's has online ordering. And so I got this.
My size, pretty and on SALE! Lovely. I got it last week and I LOVE IT! It works magnificently. There was just one thing I noticed on this dress more than other dresses I have worn due to the fabric..and that...
was back fat.
Right in that space between the top of the Spanx and the bottom of the strapless bra. Oy.
You see, the reason that other black dress probably would have worked was because I have actually gained back 10 of those pre wedding pounds previously lost. I blame The Pioneer Woman. And the thought that sprang up somewhere that a good wife has to cook lots and bake lots and eat lots of goodies.
(I just included that last part because it made me feel better.)
Honestly, with the lighting, and the duration of the event (and the fact that the dress happens to come with it's own scarf which I can place strategically around my back at the bra line), I doubt anyone will notice but me.
In light of that, I have stepped up the workout routine. Which led me to a fascinating discovery on Friday. I have used running in my workout repertoire for a while, but for the past few years, I have been shuffling more than running. Trying not to push myself too far too fast. Friday I actually ran. And found out how far I should have been pushing myself all along. It was an eye opener. Time to get back into it. Especially since I felt like a rock star all day Friday and yesterday.
(Disclaimer: I am still in no way fast or graceful while running.)
Another wifey thing relates to Army life. We have a commissary on post, although it's frickin tiny. (compared to other posts) It has fairly good brands, although a weird selection of things. In the produce aisle I can't find fresh herbs, but I can find Kim Chi. I'm assuming it's for those folks who were stationed in Korea, found they liked Kim Chi, and the commissary has an overwhelming number of requests to carry it for when these people got a hankering for it. They also don't have a large selection of meats, but do carry the best bacon I've ever tasted. It comes right out of Davenport, and I can't find it anywhere else.
However, I like to shop there. It's convenient, and I don't have to leave the island, and is wayyyy less expensive than your typical grocery store. (You'd be amazed at how much I enjoy bridges, but hate having to use them unless I am leaving the island for more than one thing or destination. I will plan out errands to get them all done at once because I will be leaving the island anyway.)
The thing I can't get used to is the fact that since the commissary is open to vets and active duty members, and since a lot of the senior officers also live on post, I will FREQUENTLY run into someone I know there. I can't get used to it though. I always tell myself it's OK to run to the commissary real quick looking like crap...I doubt I'll run into anyone I know. And it happens EVERY TIME! Usually the Command Sergent Major's wife, Karen.
It's really a minor thing, but I'm amazed that I haven't learned yet.
The last wifey thing? I want to learn to knit. My mother scolded me saying that I had her (a seasoned knitter) at my disposal for years and now that I've moved away, I want to learn. However, I had a business to run then. Now, I just have time on my hands. And a fourteen hour drive to South Dakota coming up. She said she'd call today to get me started with some simple pointers. Like, needle size, yarn type, etc.
It should also give me something to do when bumming around John's relative's house. I am going to SD for a week. We leave on Saturday. John leaves me with his aunts (and possibly a cousin) on Sunday. He, along with his uncles and his dad, are going pheasant hunting and not coming back until Wednesday. His mom has decided that the drive is too far for her and she won't be coming at all. I have met these ladies, his aunts, once at the wedding. I think I said hi once. So it should be a great time to get to know them all, right? I hear Charlene knits too. Maybe I can pick up some pointers from her. We may also do some touring of the area, but I honestly do not know what to expect. I'm kind of nervous. It's like a little indoctrination to his extended family. I kind of wish he was going to be there for it.
The best thing to look forward to? Hot stone pedicures with Sarah on the Friday after Turkey Day! Woot!
(Note: I edited this 5 times because of my substandard grammar. I also decided I want to write a book with all of my spare time. I'm trying to figure out how to do that with my substandard grammar, lack of fleshed out story, and the fact that sometimes my story telling skills....suck. More later on that as well.)
Five months, and there are a lot of wifey things I hadn't really anticipated. Some of them Army related, some, not so much. First of all, with the holidays coming up, I have had to urge to make all kinds of holiday related goodies. Probably too much. Good thing we are headed out of town next week to share them with other people! Secondly, on the holiday note, my MIL has asked me to give her a heads up about what we might want for Christmas. She asked about things we hadn't received on our registries (which we kind of closed up ourselves with the exception of a few towels), any linen requests, the dimensions of our dining table (which we don't use at the moment, but it would be good to have something nice), my sizes (yikes), and my colors.
What?
That's right, the color scheme I've settled on for the master bed and bathrooms.
Um. I haven't really. We live in government housing with white walls and brown carpet. Our duvet is a blue/gray with brown stitching (and not very much of it). And our bathroom? Well, it has sunset pictures in it. And a Disney lithograph of Aladin that I've had for freakin' 17 years. Give or take...whenever that movie came out on VHS. Yes. Pre-DVD.
The bottom line is, it was hard to move into John's house with all my stuff when he had already "decorated" with all his stuff, trying to meld all our stuff especially knowing we would be moving again soon. The theme equates to filling in the blanks. And finding places for random crap. Nothing is really uniform except for a wall in the living room that has a bunch of wedding stuff on it.
However, I wouldn't say I'm really a "color scheme" kind of person. I went for neutrals in guest bathroom - for simplicity really. And only was motivated to "decorate" (throw some things on the wall and get a grown up shower curtain) after I learned my folks were going to visit. I found some sepia toned hydrangea prints on canvas at Kohl's for half off. So maybe our theme is "discount." I tend to drift toward items that have a personal story behind it like photos or things that were made for us, or canvas paintings we pick up in Aruba 2 for $35.
 |
| This is a crappy picture of them, I admit. The light in our house sucks. The tree on the right is a Divi tree and is sideways due to the trade winds that blow CONSTANTLY. They're pretty cool. |
So, what do I tell my well meaning MIL? That I absolutely have no clue how to properly set up a traditional household? I have no idea what kind of gifts to ask for from anyone, actually. We've been so "gifted" this year...almost overly so between showers, weddings, and birthdays! I just don't have an answer for her right now. What kind of gifts go on your list as a married couple?
Along with the holidays, we have the holiday ball. Yay! Since I lost weight before the wedding, I decided my two dresses from previous balls would not fit. I know one of them wouldn't fit since it was HUGE on me for the St. Bab's Ball and I had safety pinned the back. Honestly, I bet the black one I had would have worked fine. BUT, I had an excuse to go dress shopping. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of social dress stores in the QC. We have a David's Bridal (which I have since sworn off) and a Von Maur, which is nice. Fortunately, Nordstrom's has online ordering. And so I got this.
My size, pretty and on SALE! Lovely. I got it last week and I LOVE IT! It works magnificently. There was just one thing I noticed on this dress more than other dresses I have worn due to the fabric..and that...
was back fat.
Right in that space between the top of the Spanx and the bottom of the strapless bra. Oy.
You see, the reason that other black dress probably would have worked was because I have actually gained back 10 of those pre wedding pounds previously lost. I blame The Pioneer Woman. And the thought that sprang up somewhere that a good wife has to cook lots and bake lots and eat lots of goodies.
(I just included that last part because it made me feel better.)
Honestly, with the lighting, and the duration of the event (and the fact that the dress happens to come with it's own scarf which I can place strategically around my back at the bra line), I doubt anyone will notice but me.
In light of that, I have stepped up the workout routine. Which led me to a fascinating discovery on Friday. I have used running in my workout repertoire for a while, but for the past few years, I have been shuffling more than running. Trying not to push myself too far too fast. Friday I actually ran. And found out how far I should have been pushing myself all along. It was an eye opener. Time to get back into it. Especially since I felt like a rock star all day Friday and yesterday.
(Disclaimer: I am still in no way fast or graceful while running.)
Another wifey thing relates to Army life. We have a commissary on post, although it's frickin tiny. (compared to other posts) It has fairly good brands, although a weird selection of things. In the produce aisle I can't find fresh herbs, but I can find Kim Chi. I'm assuming it's for those folks who were stationed in Korea, found they liked Kim Chi, and the commissary has an overwhelming number of requests to carry it for when these people got a hankering for it. They also don't have a large selection of meats, but do carry the best bacon I've ever tasted. It comes right out of Davenport, and I can't find it anywhere else.
However, I like to shop there. It's convenient, and I don't have to leave the island, and is wayyyy less expensive than your typical grocery store. (You'd be amazed at how much I enjoy bridges, but hate having to use them unless I am leaving the island for more than one thing or destination. I will plan out errands to get them all done at once because I will be leaving the island anyway.)
The thing I can't get used to is the fact that since the commissary is open to vets and active duty members, and since a lot of the senior officers also live on post, I will FREQUENTLY run into someone I know there. I can't get used to it though. I always tell myself it's OK to run to the commissary real quick looking like crap...I doubt I'll run into anyone I know. And it happens EVERY TIME! Usually the Command Sergent Major's wife, Karen.
It's really a minor thing, but I'm amazed that I haven't learned yet.
The last wifey thing? I want to learn to knit. My mother scolded me saying that I had her (a seasoned knitter) at my disposal for years and now that I've moved away, I want to learn. However, I had a business to run then. Now, I just have time on my hands. And a fourteen hour drive to South Dakota coming up. She said she'd call today to get me started with some simple pointers. Like, needle size, yarn type, etc.
It should also give me something to do when bumming around John's relative's house. I am going to SD for a week. We leave on Saturday. John leaves me with his aunts (and possibly a cousin) on Sunday. He, along with his uncles and his dad, are going pheasant hunting and not coming back until Wednesday. His mom has decided that the drive is too far for her and she won't be coming at all. I have met these ladies, his aunts, once at the wedding. I think I said hi once. So it should be a great time to get to know them all, right? I hear Charlene knits too. Maybe I can pick up some pointers from her. We may also do some touring of the area, but I honestly do not know what to expect. I'm kind of nervous. It's like a little indoctrination to his extended family. I kind of wish he was going to be there for it.
The best thing to look forward to? Hot stone pedicures with Sarah on the Friday after Turkey Day! Woot!
(Note: I edited this 5 times because of my substandard grammar. I also decided I want to write a book with all of my spare time. I'm trying to figure out how to do that with my substandard grammar, lack of fleshed out story, and the fact that sometimes my story telling skills....suck. More later on that as well.)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
More wedding details.
When Mom and Dad came to visit, it was really the first time we had had a chance to chat (in person) since the wedding. After the wedding was the wedding brunch. And Father's Day. And my birthday. The day after that we packed. The day after that, John and I left. It was quite a whirlwind, now that I think about it.
Well, Mom mentioned something interesting. We were talking about my bridesmaids and how great they were. Specifically, I think we were talking about Sarah's toast and how great it was. Sarah - Mom said she got *so* many comments from her friends about how great your toast was and how original, funny and sweet they thought it was.
Anyway, I was a lucky bride to have such great attendants. Mom even mentioned the super glue incident. And how I didn't know about the glue on my dress.
But I knew. The beading (whether from frequent handling or the cleaning process) had come unstitched from my custom made cap sleeves that my alterations lady did for me. My maids were ever on the ball, requesting super glue (from Mom, but eventually getting it from the venue) and fixing the bead incident before I even had a chance to freak out. Apparently, it was mentioned to Mom to not tell me because I didn't need to know. I even recall Jenna telling me something about "nothing's wrong, we're taking care of it" in a way that I wasn't to realize what was going on. Diffusing a problem before there was a problem.
But I knew. I refused to freak out about much that day. I was too ... I dunno. Focused? In the zone? Waiting for it all to happen? I may have been so stressed I refused to let anyone see how stressed I was. I believe Alana calls that a "good game face."
Thinking back on the day and the pics, I remembered there was a pic of me messing with this stupid string.
And here it is. So see, bridesmaids? I knew it had broken. But I also knew I didn't need to worry. I had great friends helping me out.
And making funny crazy toasts. Sarah recapped our IM conversation the night that John and I had our first date. Which. was. hilarious. Lots of "OMG he's so cute!"s from me and "awwwww"s from Sarah.
He's still pretty cute you know.
Awwwwwww.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)