Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Small Christmas Miracle
Luckily we got a phone call today saying that they'd be here FRIDAY! Which happens to be the day we wanted!! We are having most of our stuff packed and put in storage until we figure out where we will be headed. But for the time being, it's back to his hometown until he gets a job. Don't know where we will end up, and we don't really have a preference. Just wherever he can get a job.
Now if we could just have Santa come and clean our apartment for us, that'd be a great Christmas Miracle!
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Changes
I want to thank you for following me on our journey, it's been a fun 4 years. I hope everyone has a great Holiday season!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Dinner Disaster
See, I made the Meatball Sub Casserole, and I didn't read the recipe very well, so the frozen meatballs weren't thawed. I also think I should have only used 1/2 the bag of meatballs. I also know Steven doesn't like Cream Cheese or Mayo, but I left the Mayo out. The recipe said to use an ungreased casserole dish, but the bread stuck to the bottom.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
50-ish Days
Steven put a waiver in to try and go either IRR or Reserves, but that was denied, not sure why. But he started ACAP this week and has given his resume to 3 recruiters and is going to be putting a packet in for a job in his hometown. We are hopeful he'll get something soon.
The outpouring of support has been awesome. And we are so grateful for everyone and everything! So thank you!
In a little over 50 days we start a new chapter. And that is both exciting and nerve-racking!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
House Divided Wreath DIY
*Disclaimer - I bought way too much red & yellow and a little too much black, and this is what I have left over of everything* |
This is what it looked like before I put the team fabric. |
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Next Steps
We won't find out our official separation date until Steven gets the memo, which knowing the Army's "Hurry up and wait" mentality, could be a few weeks to a few months. Until that we're kind of in limbo. He can't start ACAP until he has that date, and he can't start applying for jobs until he fixes his resume, which he was hoping to get help with when he went through ACAP. He could write his resume now, but it would probably not help him too much since most of his marketable skills are all military related, and he isn't sure how to translate those into the civilian world. It'd kind of be a waste of his time and the other persons time right now.
So for now, he's trying to decide what he wants to do, where he'd want to do it, and how to go about doing it.
My plan, I'll wait til we have a better idea of the region we're going to, and start looking for jobs then. Until then, I'm trying to figure out what it is I want to do as well. I should also work on my resume, it's been a while since I updated mine.
So that's just our next step, for now...
Friday, August 9, 2013
The Clock has started
Thursday, July 18, 2013
7 Months
What we've done:
- We've had 2 birthdays (mine & his)
- 3 Trips to Dahlonega & Chattanooga, 2 to Atlanta
- Florida to see my father's side of the family I hadn't seen in over 10 years for my Uncle's 80th birthday
- We went to Charleston for the 4th of July
- Myrtle Beach for the day to go to the Ripley's Aquarium
- Steven went to Charlotte with his father for the Coca-Cola 600
- I went to Charlotte with Emily for the KNOTB, 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men concert
- Just started our 3rd cycle of Basic
- Steven had his wisdom teeth removed
- My sister came to stay with us
- We did our first cycle of Clomid, it worked, but unfortunately we didn't get pregnant
What we're going to do:
- I'm about to take my sister back to Chattanooga, and then we'll go to Daytona Beach with Emily and her daughter
- Another round of Clomid
- Finish up this cycle of Basic
- Hopefully Steven will get promoted (the list comes out next month, we hope)
Friday, May 10, 2013
MilSpouse Day & Weekend Plans
We're making our way to Dahlonega today (whenever Steven gets back from doing a few things at work), he is doing a GORUCK Light Challenge in Atlanta tomorrow, so we're going to see his family for a night, and then he'll go to Atlanta, and I'll just chill in Dahlonega. He has to be in Atlanta at 7am, and I don't want to get up that early, so I'll spend the day there.
Friday, May 3, 2013
5QF 5/3/13
That last question, I asked it =P To play along, get the questions and link up here
1. What is your next home improvement goal?
Next week I have professional organizers coming to help unpack and set up the dining room and living room. If we have time, I'm going to have them help with our bedroom and one of our guest rooms. We need HELP!
2. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? No religious texts (ie Bible, Quran, Torah, etc, etc)...
This is a tough question, I don't think I could pick just one book. Maybe a series, but not a book, and the series I would pick would be either Hunger Games Trilogy or The Twilight Saga, or The Sisterhood Series (by Fern Michaels) (because there are 21 of them! Ha)
3. What is on top of your refrigerator?
Breakfast foods (cereal, pop tarts) and our paper towel holder
4. What are your favorite or most used phone apps?
Favorite & Most Used are basically the same - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Starbucks, Been Together, Big Day, CocoPPa
Games - Fish Out Of Water, What's the Phrase, What's the Word, Ruzzle, Diamond Dash
5. What's the one thing you hate most about your spouses job?
I love my husband's job, and I am so proud to be an Army Wife, but right now, I hate it, I hate that he works until 8pm or later every day, he leaves the house at 5:15 every morning btw, at this point with how little I see my husband he might as well be deployed or in the field for a month. I'm also sick of people not taking care of their responsibilities. Just because you are on the way out of the Army does NOT make it okay to just stop telling people what is going on, and leaving it to my husband to clean up your mess. And that my friends is all I'll say...
Friday, April 26, 2013
5QF 4/26/13
Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP!
Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN!
Questions for Friday, April 26th: (Special thanks to Pam (@trooppetrie) from Troop Petrie, Kate (@KatieB38) from ~Kate's Life~, Kristina (@KristinasCackle) from Kristina's Cackles, Lady Ga-Gas (@gasfamily) from The Gas Family, Megan (@megstidbits) from Tidbits from My World for these 5QF question suggestions! I would love to link you in a future 5QF, so follow me on Twitter (@5crookedhalos) and/or like my Facebook page and watch for my Thursday
1. Who drives when your family is together, you or your spouse?
It depends on which car we take, if we take his car, he drives, if we take my car I drive. It also depends on time of day, I don't like to drive at night, I have a hard time seeing at night. It also depends on where we are going, where we are, and who knows the area better. When we would go visit our families while we lived in Hawaii we would rent a car, and he'd drive in his home town and I drove in mine.
2. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
I tend to be a little of each, I enjoy making friends, and I have a great time when I do hang out with them, but there is really nothing better than spending a night in with a good show, movie or book. Plus I hate big crowds.
3. Are you married to an introvert or extrovert?
I think he's a little of both also.
4. What's your favorite type of social media?
Facebook, I'm a sucker for those games, even though I've kind of taken a break from them.
5. What's your favorite way to "recharge"?
A nap, a good book, a day in away from people, a get away, cuddles with my hubby!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Menu Planning Confession
I have a confession to make, I've been a menu planning failure. The last 2 weeks have been really hectic, and crazy. We've had some family issues that have affected (or is it effected) me and rocked me to the core. The week before last we left for Chattanooga so that threw Thursday and Friday off. We came back on Sunday, and so I moved what we were going to have to Monday & Tuesday. But Tuesday things took a turn, and I just could not cook, physically/emotionally could not cook. So I moved Tuesday's meal to Wednesday. Which then messed up the rest of the week, and then Friday I decided I didn't feel like making Chicken Divan, so I decided to do chicken nuggets and french fries, but the Hubs never came home, so I ate alone.
Tuesday: Filet's wrapped in Bacon. (I found them at Walmart yesterday when I was picking up Monday's dinner) It is one of the Hubs favorite steaks. We are LOVING those Parmesan Potatoes from Foodraf, so I'm going to make those and some fresh green beans.
As for the rest of the week, I'm not sure, but I think I'm going to give menu planning a break...I might be back later this week with what we'll have.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Menu Planning
For those of you who follow me on Twitter and Facebook know that we had to take an emergency trip to Chattanooga. We were going to leave Thursday, so I gave the marinated Steaks to a neighbor. We ended up leaving Friday due to the bad weather Chattanooga was suppose to get, and that was headed our way, plus the Hubs didn't get out of work until 8pm, so he brought home pizza.
We were extremely lucky he was given Friday off. And I was so glad we were able to go home. My sister really needed me. I'll post about that later though, please continue to pray for us, but now it's time for our menu for the week.
Monday: Chicken Bundles - found this on Pinterest from TidyMom, made them a couple weeks ago, and Hubs really liked them. We'll have a Knorr's Rice Side Chicken Broccoli
Tuesday: (all these are from Pinterest) Bourbon Street Rib-Eye, from All Recipes, Roasted Mushroom Medley from Italian Food Forever, Parmesan Potatoes from Foodraf
Wednesday: Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
Thursday: Hamburger Helper....
Friday: Chicken Divan & Rice
Monday, April 8, 2013
Menu Planning Monday, on Monday, wow....
Wednesday: (all these are from Pinterest) Bourbon Street Rib-Eye, from All Recipes, Roasted Mushroom Medley from Italian Food Forever, Parmesan Potatoes from Foodraf
Thursday: Chicken Bundles - found this on Pinterest from TidyMom, made them a couple weeks ago, and Hubs really liked them. We'll have a Knorr's Rice Side Chicken Broccoli
Friday: Red Lobster's Crab Stuffed Mushrooms from Secret Restaurant Recipes (going to use bigger mushrooms), left over Parmesan Potatoes and green beans
Now to make my grocery list and head to the grocery store!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Low Key Weekends
He had to work Saturday. They picked up a new cycle of S.I.Ts (Soldiers in Training) Saturday. So he'll be super busy until they graduate June 13!
So needless to say, we didn't do much of anything this weekend. And I hope next weekend we can do a little more. The weather is warming up, so maybe we'll go to the state park or something.
Hope ya'll had a great weekend!
Friday, April 5, 2013
5QF
Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post to get you through!
Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP!
Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN!
Questions for Friday, April 4th: (Special thanks to Pam (@trooppetrie) from Troop Petrie, Melissa (@Melissa_M80), Brooke (@HallBro) from Brooke and Michael, Kate (@KatieB38) from ~Kate's Life~, and little ol' moi for these 5QF question suggestions! I would love to link you in a future 5QF, so follow me on Twitter (@5crookedhalos) and/or like my Facebook page and watch for my Thursday
1. Would you go to your high school reunion?
My 10 year is this summer, and I'd like to go, but I don't want to go alone, I'd like my husband to go with me, but with his new job, it's hard to plan things, and since we don't have an exact date it makes it harder. Sure there are people I could care less to see, but there are some I'd love to see. Every time I'm in town I'm so busy with family, and we're usually not there long enough to meet up with everyone. I don't think it's a surprise to anyone when they hear I hated my high school, until senior year.
2. What's something that you've recently splurged on; either for yourself or someone else?
I fixed the damage on my car. I used part of our tax return, and went through the insurance, so it wouldn't cost us a whole lot, and I had 3 things fixed, 2 of which went through insurance, the other was under our deductible and won't count against us. And we have accident forgiveness, and since we've been long term customers the second claim shouldn't raise our premiums too much.
3. How do you handle your child's fever?
Don't have kids yet, so I don't have any clue! Haha!
4. What's the nicest thing to happen to you lately?
We went to Florida to see some of my family that I haven't seen in 10+ years. Got to spend the weekend down there, and my husband got to meet them for the first time.
We took a day trip to Myrtle Beach, got to eat at Joe's Crab Shack, go to the Ripley's Aquarium and eat at the Hard Rock Cafe. We will definitely be going back for longer. There was so much to do, and it'll be neat to go when it's warmer, it was pretty cold to be at the beach!
Another neat thing, on twitter, Josh Wolf (@joshwolfcomedy), a comedian from Chelsea Lately, replied twice to a couple tweets I replied/retweeted. He is seriously one of my favorites from Chelsea Lately, I've always thought he was cute, and he likes the Red Sox, and I'm reading his book right now, and it's making me like him even more. Seriously, check out his book - It Takes Balls - Dating Single Moms and Other Confessions from an Unprepared Single Dad
5. What is your current favorite song?
and
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
1 Year Ago
Waiting for them to get there, I am NOT good at waiting! |
That first hug was AMAZING! |
He's home! And my awesome decorations! |
I made some amazing friends while he was gone. We had so many awesome get togethers, and girls nights, and dinners, and just hanging out. People I could go to if I got overwhelmed, people who wouldn't let me get overwhelmed! I sure do miss my ladies! I have met a few ladies here, but none of them have compared to the ones I met in Hawaii. I think they set the bar way too high!! I do like the ladies I've met here, and I look forward to getting to know them better, and meeting more!
Had to get a picture with the sign I made! |
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Menu Planning Monday (on Tuesday)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Debuting the new design
One was Jane. Turns out she lived down the street from me and her husband was also in the Army. Jane and I got to know each other, I regret we didn't get to hang out nearly enough, I tend to be a really bad friend sometimes. But she just started a new design business. I saw some of her work, and LOVED it! Seriously, everything she has done has been AMAZING! So I asked her to make a new design for me since we moved and I needed to change the Header.
So, if you need a new design for you blog, please consider Jane!
She also did my twitter - and I love that too!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
What’s Up?
First, Husband and I went to Florida this weekend, I wrote all about it on my other blog, Life After Placing, click on over to read about it. Figure that’ll be easier than typing it all up again!
Second, Jane at Jane Whitney Designs is working on a new look for this here ole blog! Check out her work, it’s all really great. And I’m not just saying that because she’s an awesome friend of mine. Seriously, I haven’t seen a design from her I don’t like!
So, Emily and Kynlee came to visit, and we went to the Zoo. We had a ton of fun! We also had a little early Easter Egg Hunt. Husband hid the eggs for Kynlee and we hid them for Husband!
These are just two of my favorite pictures from the zoo! Love this little girl with ALL my heart! Super proud Aunt!
This was right after they got here, Kynlee was not in a good mood. She doesn’t really like Husband, she’s really shy around him, plus we woke her up from a nap, but this is typical Mandi & Emily!
Not the greatest pictures, and for that I’m sorry, this is Kynlee looking for her eggs!
This is Husband looking for his eggs, and Kynlee helping him, she was so cute. Again, these aren’t the best, I guess since it was dark outside.
So this picture is sweet, because Kynlee came over to me, and gave me a kiss from her
Easter basket and told me I couldn’t eat it until I missed her!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Busy Bees
The next 2 weekends are going to be BUSY! Plus next week is going to be crazy for the hubs as it will be the final week of this cycle!
This weekend Emily & Kynlee (best friend and her cute daughter) will be here! They’re coming Saturday evening, so I have an awesome day all planned out. It’s going to be in the 70’s this weekend, actually my phone weather app says the high is 79 for Saturday and Sunday, but it’s 46 right now, and has been for a couple days, this weather is seriously bipolar, and I’m so ready for summer…Anyways, since the weather is suppose to be AWESOME, and the hubs has been wanting to go to the zoo since we moved here, I figured we’d go. I know Kynlee will LOVE it! I went to the zoo a few weeks ago, it is huge and only got to see 1/3rd of the zoo, seriously, not even exaggerating. They even have a botanical garden. It’s Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC, and they were just ranked 4th in the U.S. by Tripadvisor! They have a ton of interactive exhibits and fun things to do. My favorite, of the few we saw when I went, was the Kangaroo exhibit, you get to walk through their exhibit. The hubs is excited to see the Komodo dragons! Other than the zoo, I’m not sure what we’ll do, I think that’ll be an all day adventure, so we’ll see!
Then the next weekend we’re going to get to see my father and grandparents, along with, hopefully, most of my father’s side of the family. We have been planning to see my father and grandparents since before we left Hawaii because we weren’t going to be able to see them over Christmas. So it just happened to work out that there will be a family reunion in Florida for one of my Uncle’s 80th birthdays. I can’t remember the last time I saw some of these family members. It has to have been at least 10 years. So I’m so excited to see them, and for them to meet the hubs! Cannot wait! We will only be able to go down for 3 days, because the hubs starts some class on Monday (I’m sure he’s told me what type of class, but I seriously can’t remember)
Now I need to finish getting things ready for Emily & Kynlee!
Indecisive much
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Trying New Things
I’ve started getting creative for dinners, I’m kind of tired of the same ole things every week. And a friend of mine, Jane, loves menu planning, so I’ve started doing that. I went on Pinterest and found a few recipes that I’d like to try. Plus we got a new crock pot with the Christmas money my grandparents in VA gave us to Kohl's (and we earned Kohl’s cash to buy a new deep fryer, so win win!) I’d been using, and will continue to use, the crock pot the LT’s grandmother gave us. But this one is bigger, and I can make more in it, and then we have lunch the next few days! So here is what we’ve had for dinner this week, and will have the rest of the week (because well it’s Thursday after all…)
Monday: Honestly, I cannot remember what we had, LOL
Tuesday: Crockpot Beef Stew from laaloosh.com (I found it on pinterest)
It was really good, I left out the black beans, because I only bought one can and that was for another recipe. I think next time I’ll use different meat, or more. And I’ll put a smaller can of green peas (because I hate them, and the LT loves them!) I had gotten a bag of frozen soup veggies a few weeks ago, and added those as well, it was carrots, potatoes, onions and celery.
Wednesday: We cheated, and had fast food, I know, I know, horrible…but I didn’t feel like cooking nor did I have time to since I unexpectedly had to baby sit.
Thursday: Clean Eating Slow Cooker Southwestern 2 Bean Chicken from The Gracious Pantry (another Pinterest find)
I don’t think my version is very “clean eating” as I’m not using organic ingredients. But it’s chicken, tomatoes and salsa, Kidney & Black beans and corn. That’s it, in the crock pot for a few hours…it took all of 3 minutes to throw together, maybe 5…
Friday: Poppy seed Chicken, we use to eat it at my dads house, and I found a recipe on, you guessed it, Pinterest. The recipe can be found at Cupcake Diaries, and she calls it Ritz Cracker Chicken.
This weekend I’m not sure what we’ll make, since we cheated Wednesday I have stuff to make Chili, so I might make it. I also have chicken and ground beef I can use. And then I’ll plan the next weeks menu. It seems to help to plan out what we’re going to eat. And I think I might just document it at the beginning of the week instead of the end of the week. Makes more sense that way anyways!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Negs Relaxin’ at Jackson
Not really sure about the new name, for now I’ll leave it. I decided on the name because Fort Jackson is known as “Relaxin’ Jackson” and I thought a play on it would be cute. I also thought it would be funny because the LT hasn’t done much “relaxing” since he started working.
I’m not sold on the name, let me know what you think.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
New name
That's right folks, you read correctly. We PCS'd! We are now at Fort Jackson in South Carolina!
The LT is working in a Basic Training unit as the Company XO. Works 6 days a week. And one week a cycle he gets to go to the field. For a whole week.
We left Hawaii Dec 17, landing in Columbia, SC on the 18th. Rented a car and drove to our apartment, signed the lease and moved the few things into our place. We had 5 suit cases and 3 boxes that we checked on the plane. Along with 2 carry ons each and a blanket. We then drove to Charleston and got the LT's car and drove back and turned in the rental.
Three days later we headed to Dahlonega to see his family, then to Atlanta for Christmas, then Chattanooga to see mine, back to Dahlonega and finally arriving back in Columbia just in time to relax a few days before the LT had to report.
Our HHGs got here shortly after he reported. And he was granted permissive TDY to take care of that. My car also showed up! So now we have the fun task of unpacking. Which I have had zero motivation to do. Needless to say both our guest rooms aren't even remotely close to being ready for visitors. One of them we couldn't even get into if we wanted too. But that's what happens when you go from a house to an apartment. Now to just get motivation!
We had so much trouble getting my car registered. And then getting the LT's straightened out. And USAA didn't change over our insurance policies in the computer or was still reporting to Hawaii so we got a notice his registration was going to be suspended. And we'd owe them even more money. Luckily USAA fixed it and we did not owe money. Now we are needing to get his title figured out. It has seriously been the most stressful PCS ever.
Anyways, that's what's going on with us now. And I am trying to come up with a new blog name. I am taking suggestions.