Saturday, September 25, 2010

The Man Cold...

Has your man ever had a "man cold?"  You know...the kind of sickness that has them on the couch moaning your name to wipe their fevered brow...  (Fevered being anything that registers above that 98.6 human temperature.)

I was shown this video and its probably one of the funniest things I've seen in awhile....

Randomness...

I got this from a friend on Facebook and parts of it made me laugh outloud...other parts had me shaking my head and saying, Yep...that is SO true...  I found it amusing enough to actually pass on via my blog...

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.


2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is dire need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Mapquest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?) but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Coors Light than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid White Trash" routing option.

21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?


29. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

31. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Dear deployment...

Dear deployment,

I really really really don't like you at all.  In fact, it would be great if you packed up and left my life for good.

Sincerely,

Anna

****************
We got word today of another casualty - Major Paul Carron...  He served with John in the Headquarters Troop, RHHT - 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. 

I don't know his family, but my heart is breaking for them.  I can't imagine what they must be feeling and the devastation that they must be experiencing.

****************

Dear deployment,

You better send my husband home to me safe and sound.

Sincerely,

Anna

Thursday, September 16, 2010

First game of the season

I signed Maddie up for soccer this fall.  She wanted to cheer and I said no.  Mostly because I want her running off all that excess energy that she seems to have in plentiful form.  I promised her she could cheer during her junior high/high school years if she wanted, but she's just too good of an athlete to not play sports right now.



So....practices started a few weeks ago.  And her team's first game was tonight.

We went with our friend KJ...


Maddie has been playing goalie -





Her coach, however, let her play offense for part of the game too.  She did really well in both positions!







Unfortunately, the Vilseck Falcons lost the game - 2 to 1.  And they scored their second goal with just minutes left on the game and Maddie was the goalie.  She burst into tears when they coach called the game over whistle.  She really wanted her team to score a second goal.

The cute little 8-9 y/o cheer team came to cheer on the Falcons!  At the end of the game they ran through the cheer tunnel.  Maddie slipped and took one of them out.  ha ha ha...thats my girl!



GO VILSECK FALCONS!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Drama Queen

I have a drama queen that occasionally lives in my house.  She has decided that life will go HER WAY.  She wants high heels and makeup.  She thinks she should be allowed to do what she wants.  She knows EVERYTHING and I know nothing.  She eats what she wants when she wants...even if its sugary and reserved for lunch treats or desserts.  She has an excuse for everything...and tells tall tales when she needs to.  She does NOT have to listen to anything anyone says.  She WILL stay home and watch movies if she feels like it.  She does not have to participate in our family by helping out with chores or being kind to her family members.  She has a sassy attitude and likes to show how unfair life is with kicking, screaming, hitting temper tantrums.

My little drama queen spent the last 4 days writing lines. 

"I will change my behavior by not lying, cheating, stealing or throwing temper tantrums."

And every time she threw a fit she got an additional 20 lines added.

My little drama queen wrote over 400 lines this weekend.

BUT....

Today I had a sweet darling little 8 year old in my house.  She was polite and respectful.  She was helpful and kind to her sister.  She was obedient and followed direction and asked questions if she didn't understand.  She smiled and laughed and enjoyed fun conversations like, "Tonight, I'm going to dream about daddy on a horse jumping over a cake and falling in and being covered with frosting."  She sang and danced with her sister to their favorite VBS song..."Can you feel the joy does it make you want to jump jump jump....does it make you want to move move move....put your hands to the roof roof roof.  You've got to know that God is always on your side.  When you're feeling down, look around and just enjoy the riiiiide."   She helped out with meals, and cleaning up chores after dinner.  She took a shower and smiled and sang through the whole thing and even blow dryed her hair without anyone having to remind her 10 times.

She had a lovely lovely day.

Attention!  The drama queen has left the building!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

September 11, 2001 - September 11, 2010

Last year I wrote a blog about my experience on 9/11 - you can find it here http://chuckleheads.blogspot.com/2009/09/remembering-911.html  (if you are interested in reading about it.)  I was living in Alexandria, Virginia at the time and worked two blocks from the White House.  I could see the Pentagon smoke billowing from my office window that morning...I had friends working there. 

Today marks the 9-year anniversary of that terrible terrorist attack.  I think all of us have our own way of remembering this day - for some its a fleeting thought...perhaps a tear or two shed.  For others its remembering a loved one who died and feeling that ache in their heart.  For me...its become a day to remember the terror I felt...the helplessness...the absolute fear...and to wonder how people survive in countries of the world that live that terror, helplessness and fear daily.

September 11, 2001 - America was attacked with airplanes filled with innocent people and hatred. 

September 11, 2010 - My husband is in Afghanistan trying to stop the insurgents that would repeat this terrible act if they had a chance.  I am proud of him.  I wish he didn't have to be where he is right now...doing what he does.  I wish that world peace was a realistic and acheivable goal.  I wish that people didn't hate me simply because of the country that I was born in.

Today is a good day to hold close to you the ones you love.  Give an extra kiss goodnight.  Laugh a little more.  Hold them tight if they cry.  And say you love them more than ever.

In remembrance of a tragedy that occured 9 years ago today...

IMAGINE
by Robin Gimson



If flags flew freely, high in the sky,

And loved ones didn't have to cry,

Imagine if they could hold their lost friends and families tight

And give them just one more hug tonite


Just imagine if we had those buildings back

And the world was back on track


It is hard for us to imagine how such an ordinary day

Would change the world in this horrific way


We ask, could this happen again one day?


Imagine September 11th in your own way.





Wednesday, September 08, 2010

What a morning!

It started with a munchkin hiding in my bed after I got out of the shower. 


She was too cute for words...and had a PILE of toys hidden under my covers...


And then...she demanded the camera to snap a self portrait...



And while I was blowdrying my hair she really decided to have some fun with a sharpie...


And finally I got her settled down, but it took every library book in the house for her to sit for a few minutes...


I hear they only get more energy the older they get!  ha ha ha

Monday, September 06, 2010

Fingerpainting!

I couldn't resist getting out the fingerpaints the other day and letting Bella go crazy with them.



She was quite delicate at first...


Then she got a little more bold with swiping the paint all over the place...

And by the end I had quite the mess to clean up...

But it was well worth...her first masterpiece!

Happy Labor Day!

Did you know that labor day was signed as a federal holiday to curb backlash from the deaths of labor workers? I read all about it today on Wikipedia. I don't think I had ever looked up the "true" reason we get this fabulous day on in September.

Spent the day in the sunshine playing - finished a good book - worked some more on my knitting project - played with the girls - had a BBQ with my neighbors.

All in all it was a great day.

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Pursuit of Happyness

I have decided that Will Smith is an incredible actor.  In fact, he may be my #1 favorite male actor...he plays incredible roles and he does it incredibly well.  Tonight I watched Pursuit of Happyness.

Have you seen this movie?  This incredible inspirational heart wrenching tear jerking laugh inducing movie?

It's 1981 and a real man named Chris Garner is living in San Francisco.  His wife leaves him, his investment into bone density scanners goes kaput, he becomes homeless and his 5-year old son live on the streets, in shelters and motels while he tried to win a position as a stock broker with Dean Witter.

And then comes the end of the movie...and I cry every time.




Only, this isn't a movie...this is really some guy named Chris Garner's life.  And I think about his toddler son slept on the floor in a BART station bathroom and my heart just breaks for them.  I mean, now the guy is a multi-millionaire who actually acheived his dream...I just wonder if it really had to take such a hard path for him to make it.  And when you read Chris' real story - not the hollywood version its a little less dramatic, but still quite the story.



And so ensues a whole pile of deep thoughts by Anna...  And I may have troubled dreams and troubled sleep, but I'll be sure to kiss my little girls and thank the Lord most gratefully for what I have in my life tonight.

And I love the quote in the second video - the Chris Gardner interview - "Baby steps count too as long as you are moving forward."

I was just a little emotional after watching the show tonight....can you tell?

Friday, September 03, 2010

Three months down...

Oh my...we've done 1/4th of the required deployment...and time, it would seem, is NOT flying by as everyone promised. 

We did spend a good portion of the past 2 months travelling...and while it was wonderful to see everyone it was exhausting once we got back.  Now school is in session and I know Maddie is loving being with friends and she adores her teacher and she's done so well this first week.

I guess the slowness comes mostly at night...it just takes forever to fall asleep and then morning comes much too soon and the day to day begins again...and it doesn't really seem like we're actually getting anywhere. 

Especially when you think in terms of doing these past 3 months THREE more times.

Ok...whinefest is over...you can cancel the whaaaambulance....no, I don't want any french cries and please don't call whine one one...  I just needed to lament and miss my husband for a minute or two...



Last week I went to the final orientation to be able to start using the free childcare that I receive as the spouse of a deployed soldier.  I went early in the day to pick up the paperwork....Bella came with me.  It was one of the few sunny days since we've been home...


They just happened to have the police and fire trucks at the daycare center so we took advantage of it.  The firemen even gave her a junior firefighter hat to wear.


She wore that hat all day long.  I loved it.