Bloggers Day on CPR

This afternoon at 3:00pm CST, Andi and I have the opportunity to talk with Andrea Shea King. You can listen here live. You can get to know Andrea here.

The liberalist

I am curently on the phone with my very liberalist Step-Father-in-Law. He is a Democratic Delegate for the state of Nebraska.

It is a doozy (is that how you spell doozie?)

I am trying to be nice...

On a positive note..

He is distributing flyers for Valour IT.

Dancing....

Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin
We could dream this night away.

~Neil Young
Harvest Moon

This past week while in Texas, I listened to the new generation's concern . I looked out and saw young faces.

I remember being that young. It is a different World now.

They are the "information generation", these young and brave spouses. They get information FAST, some of it accurate, some of it inacurate. Some of it painful. The information is NOW. Sifting must be done FAST. This is new territory, and they are pioneers.

Read the rest at Spouse Buzz

Not Fair

*The Collective, ready for a horrifying roller coaster ride at the state fair*



So we had "ride tickets". Let me pre-empt this with the following. "I myself do not like rides." Nuff said. Sir Rowland, kept scanning rides. He was unimpressed with all of them, especially ANY ride that went into the air at ALL. This includes swings, ferris wheel...anything that went higher than my head.

So I finally see a SMALL roller coaster for kids it is small. So I strap them in, tell them it is going to be fun, and I watch in horror as Pink Ninja holds Sir Rowlands neck.

They are the only children on the ride with white hair. So as the rollor coaster carried them through some sort of frightening hell. All I could see was WIDE EYES, and white hair, and looks of absolute horror. Then it takes off, and it is FAST!! All I can see is Pink Ninja clinging to her brothers neck, Sir Rowland hanging on for dear life, and fighting for air. Fearful of choking to death, but to afraid to let go of the rail to loosen her death grip.

And like a horrible Mom, I could not help but begin to laugh hysterically at my own 2 spawn. I was laughing so hard, I was bent at the waist with tears in my eyes. Thinkig "what in the Hell did I just do, to these kids", "This is not fun for them at all" "Put more money away for therapy"...and I laughed and laughed.

The ride stopped, and DH and I retrieved them right AWAY!! Me trying to wipe the tears, and ridiculous look of hysteria off of my face.

Yeah, that was pretty much "it" as far as rides went. Sir Rowland, did not like the "fast motion, and bumpiness, and noise". Pink Ninja would have went 100 more times, if she had a neck to cling to.


The Merry go Round was a hit, in fact Sir Rowland and I had such a lovely time, it would have been fun to go twice with him...

*AWTM, and Sir Rowland, enjoying the Merry Go Round....*


I am sure I am going to hell....

Tricks or Treats?

*Photo of Sir Rowland, and Pink Ninja, looking like they never fight on Halloween Night.


Halloween was interesting. Like I mentioned before it was DH's first time "home" for Halloween with The Collective. Sir Rowland, did not want to go Trick or Treating. He did not want a costume, or a Halloween t-shirt. He wanted to pass out candy, and turn people into frogs. I managed to get him in an orange Harley shirt....

Pink Ninja, wanted to be Tinkerbelle, who she happens to dress as 25% of the time anyway. It was chilly out, so I did manage to convince Pink Ninja that "Tinkerbelle, wears long johns under her fancy dress when it is cold". It was a hard sell, but it worked.


Sir Rowland, made Pink Ninja practice here at the house, before heading out. She was so excited. Look at the grin on her face!! She was excited that it was ALL about her, and her Daddy!!




*The great thing? DH said all knew she was Tinkerbelle, even with long johns, and a coat on! Because there is nothing worse than being asked who you are supposed to be all night! *

Have I mentioned how much I HATE cardio?

I keep waiting for that one person to give me that "magic bullet" that will get me down to my pre-baby weight. I SERIOUSLY am waiting for ANYONE to say the following. "Oh YOU SOOOO DON'T NEED CARDIO!". `I also know this is not going to happen any time in the future. I know how the human body works. I need cardio. I hate cardio, and my PLICA is giving me fits again...

I have been exercising, I promise I do not have a horrible diet. WE rarely eat out. WE eat balanced meals. My progress has been slow, but it has been progress.

My new fitness program is hard. It is hard. I am working hard, I could work harder, I could increase my weights, I could do more reps. However the new workout has been such a shock. I am sore.

But I hate cardio. I really do. I just do not like it. Never have.

Friday night while in Texas, I had the good fortune of sitting across from this woman.

Guess what I need cardio.

Damn.

Time to get it done I suppose. So I am going out of my COMFORT ZONE, and I am going to go to a cardio class this week.

Putting it up here, somehow makes me accountable right?

This is just a hard pill to swallow, and that is what is hard to explain to people. I was THIN my entire life. I was not fit, but I was always thin. I could eat and eat and eat, and it would be burnt off, by the time I was done eating. I am still trying to figure out what in the hell happenned? And now it is a part of my life to stay under a size 12? Who would have thought. Oh!! And if I would have known this 15 years ago, I would have eaten more donuts, and took more pictures of me in a bikini...

PMS

OK, I am grouchy, and I am sure I know why. I do have a couple of things to bitch about. I think the blog is the best place to do it. Poor Dh might be scared to come home otherwise.

1.) John Kerry: As a proud wife of a Soldier, I was offended by your remark. I do not want an apology from you, because it would mean nothing. One more thing, isn't it great to live in a country where political mud can be thrown around without the fear of death, like Iraq under Sadaam? Thank you for showing us what you believe.

2.)1. Chicos: Please stop sending me catalogs. Your stuff is cute, but I have been in the store, nothing ever looks right. In fact one time your sales assistant--INSISTED I try on a white cotton suit. It made me feel like P-Diddy. (Does he go by P-Daddy still?) Plus, I am 36.


3.) NRA: I love you people you know I do. Sir Rowland, is already a LIFE MEMBER of your organization. My DH has volunteered for you. However stop spending my donated money sending 20 things a week to me. You are preaching to the choir. Please use my donations to educate the uneducated. Oh and stop calling at dinner time. We are family folk.

The Buzz...

Read about the trip to Fort Hood.

And something for aging Goths...

Enjoy

Hallowblogging

This is the first year DH has been here for Halloween since the birth of The Collective. He gets the "door to door" duty with Pink Ninja.

Sir Rowland and I have the honor of schlepping candy to the door.

Normally, we run out of candy every hour. We get a lot of trick or treaters. However it is chilly out tonight, every church, zoo and communtiy center is having some sort of festivity so who knows.


DH just left with Pink Ninja. She lloks so cute. Sir Rowland insisted she do a "practice run here at the house".

OK...
It is 6:30pm

We have had 15 trick or treaters. Sir Rowland is telling people that "this candy will turn you into a frog".

After they leave the porch Sir Rowland says: HA Ha, my evil plan is working, they are all going to turn into frogs!!

UPDATE: Yeah!! As I am chewing a piece of candy and answering the door, my neighbor lady brings her boys to the door...she is very nice. Then she says "oh my husband and I happened to see you the morning you were on TV. I didn't recognize you at first, you looked fat".

Yeah, I will not be eating any more candy tonight...

ughhh...

Are you eligible?

While at the SpouseBuzz Live event, I was introduced to The Phoenix Project

First off...

Cost
There is no cost to deployed service members or combat veterans and their spouse . Travel (air fare and ground transportation), lodging and meals are paid through private donations to the Military, Veteran and Family Assistance Foundation.

Michael J. Wagner, Ph.D., Colonel (Retired) USAR
Executive Director and Chairman

Director, Medical Family Assistance Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Serves on policy committees and working groups to develop assistance services for the wounded and their families; Doctorate in Educational Psychology, (minor in Management and Policy); Masters in Counseling; Fifteen years professional experience as a development and project manager, eighteen years in research, and five years as a counselor; Internationally recognized author; Colonel, US Army Retired Reserves Medical Service Corps; Served as operations officer, US Army Office of the Surgeon General.

Retreats for the Reintegration of the Family

The Phoenix Project retreat provides information and training regarding the effects of combat and the reintegration into the family and community upon return from deployment. In addition, it provides relaxation and the opportunity for couples to regroup and reconnect after separation due to their service.

Attention returning combat veterans

There are still spaces available for the November & December, 2006 Retreats

You can attend the

Phoenix Project Retreat.



For more information please send email to:

phoenix.project@mvfa.org or
Fax application to:

214-341-8774

How did it go?

I am still trying to find the words...

But some attendees are blogging about it!!

Why don't you go over and visit In Training, and see.

There is also the birth of a blogger, after attending the event. (Welcome her to the blogosphere!!)

Way To Go Little Rock!!

In other great news!! It turns out that I am currently living in the AP/ FBI 's 23rd most dangerous city in the United States.

Way to go Little Rock!!

First a dumbass for a President, then a Presidential library that looks like a trailer house, and now this!!

Only 18 cities to beat to get to Compton level violence!!

If I say "Samsonite Gorilla", does that date me?

First off I must say I woke this morning very anxious to get my post up about the SpouseBuzz Live event from the weekend.

Ha...

I was first hit with this discussion...

AWTM: "OK kids, lets get our shoes on, we must get your costumes today."

Pink Ninja: "Yeah!!"

Sir Rowland: (formerly known as Dash) "Mom, I have resolved to be healthy, so I do not want any candy. It is not nutritious."

AWTM: "I see"

Pink Ninja: (Who would love to walk around the house with a feed bag full of sugar around her neck looking at Sir Rowland in amazement)

AWTM: "OK buddy. I guess Daddy can take Pink Ninja, and you can stay here and help me pass out candy."

Sir Rowland: (relief)

~so the good news is, I do not have to run out and buy costumes. Pink Ninja wants to be Tinkerbell, and we just happen to have a Tinkerbell costume. This will be Daddys first Halloween with "The Collective". I really was intending on all of us going out, but this is OK. Maybe I can find a special movie, and pop popcorn for Dash and I tomorrow night. I must say I am a little sad.

So then I was excited, because I seriously had a little tiny bit of extra money saved.

-Hmmmmmm what to do with the extra money. An entire small amount....

and then


WHAM I note water leaking from under my wash machine.

HA!

Just my luck. So I have a look at the darn thing. It is very high speed, I have no idea. Not leaking from any of the hoses.

Leaking under the machine.

Oh great. I just replaced a dishwasher.

I DO NOT have the scratch for this right now.

CRAP...

I am also sure, you the reader, are beginning to wonder what in the hell goes on in the Casa De Dust to cause appliances to breakdown on a whim.

I am certain some of you have a picture of the Samsonite gorilla jumping up and down on shit around here.

Can I tell you, I am good to my appliances. I have no idea what the lesson in this is...

I really do not.

However, tonight I have visions of my Grandma, in her front yard. In her little town of 300. Standing there with her home made lye soap, apron on, scrubbing. It is laundry day, and she is using a ringer washer. The year, 1985. I wonder if my Dad still has the darn thing?

A snake in Wolfs Clothing...

another reason Wolf Blitzer bites...

(besides having a "pretend name")

SpouzeBuzz Evening One

Go over to SpouseBuzz.

Yes, I know its late, I know, I know, but of course my insomnia- along with "being away" seem to feed my monster.

So I am sitting here thinking of this evenings events. Taking moments out of the evening.

Why are we here?

The the local news shows a group from the First Cavalry deploying AGAIN.

I am with an inspiring group of women...more tonight!!

Go over to SpouseBuzz, feel free to place a question.

Whirlwind!!

I met Stacy's folks last night!! Her Momma was pretty and sweet as Southern Tea, her Daddy too. I was met with a HUGE basket of home canned pears, tomato juice, pear jelly, pear butter, squash relish, figs, strawberry figs....homemade fudge that is out of this World (yes I tried it in the truck on the way home). And a LARGE box of home canned goods. The Collective even got gifts!! Even large sacks of candy!! (The Collectives behavior....not exactly ideal or stellar....cough* This is another post all together.)

Stacy's folks are on a "bike ride" across the country, with family. They all have motorcycles!! Poor things, are on a ride to enjoy the fall foilage, and the rain put a damper on things...

DH and I were so glad we met up with them!! I will certainly be making the trip to see Stacy and them, in the future!! Please go OVER TO STACY, and wish her well Michael is still recovering from his motorcycle accident.

Stacy is only 6 hours away!! YEAH, I see a trip in my near future!!

Now I got to finish packing.

Of course I am not done yet, are you people crazy?!

( bI will recap this, this coming week...)

So baby let's sell your diamond ring, Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away.......

~Jennings Waylon
Lyrics for Song: Luckenbach, Texas
Lyrics for Album: Ultimate Waylon Jennings

*note to self, must have Waylon on my Shuffle TODAY!!!

Well I really must get to it today. Weeks go by here at Casa De Dust, and tumbleweeds go by, just our normal routine. And then suddenly.....AWTM is very busy. Odd.

Because of my involvement with this wonderful project, there have been a couple of opportunities come up. And honestly I was not going to put anything up, but than I noted Mr. Blackfive, went ahead and found it fit to read, so here you are a VERY small town newspaper article. . (Yes, the photo was supposed to be "serious"....Good luck in this house being serious, oh and isn't DH foxy in his ACU's. You finally get to mystery man known as DH!) The funniest part was this...a warning to my neighbors..

She doesn't edit her posts for grammar or spelling and she doesn't censor her language either,

HA!!

There was a local morning show as well last week. You all know how I am, I ALWAYS second guess myself, and am unsure what to wear, I fear tripping, or having lipstick on my teeth, or looking like an ass, ad naseum... However I think the interview went fine, DH was with me, and offered great support. The worst part of the interview (other than the TV adding 10 pounds, not wearing nearly enough makeup, because I did not want to look "whorish") was "almost" crying when asked to read my contribution to The Blog of War. It is still hard for me to think of the widows, and missed time, and the changes war brings to us that are involved in it. There are good changes, some families are better, some worse... But growing can be painful. Which is another post all together.

This in essence has brought me to another new interest and project. And that is SpouseBuzz. SpouzeBuzz which has been sponsored by Military.com, but was "birthed" by Mrs. Hell on Heels, Andi from Andi's World. Andi, is really about as gracious, and well spoken as they come. A true lady, and there are many lessons I can learn from watching her. So I am not taking her tutelage lightly. Almost all of us from SpouseBuzz are headed to Fort Hood Texas, to share our experiences as military spouses. It is a project very near and dear to our hearts, and I think The sidebar says it best...

SpouseBUZZ is your virtual Family Support Group, where we can celebrate and embrace the tie that binds us all -- military service. This blog exists because of you. We have authors and contributors to keep the conversation going here, but we need you to become an active participant. Submit your comments, questions and suggestions for topics you would like to see our authors address. SpouseBUZZ will make you think, make you laugh and make you cry. Most of all, we hope you feel instantly connected to the thousands of other spouses with whom you share a common experience.

I think each of The SpouseBuzz contributors, has a unique voice, and style. Most importantly I think Spouses, supporting spouses, by lending a word or and ear, even in the "blogoshere" is a humbling and wonderful thing to be a part of. Because, as I have mentioned a Million times before. It is exactly the blogosphere that saved me at 10pm, when I was ALONE, and the house was quiet, and I hadn't heard from my DH. (Mind you I had no blog at that time)...it was reading other women and letting out a sigh of relief and learning "my feelings" were NOT UNIQUE. AHHHH....and I was able to breathe. I think we want that for others. So thank you Andi. I am pumped and ready to put on my little mouth and BIG EARS, which can be hard. Go here for a free ticket. So tomorrow DH is donning the apron, for the weekend. (he has a very mannish camouflaged apron) I will be headed to Fort Hood Texas . I do want to go and visit the memorial, because DH was attached to the First Cav. During his deployment.

tomorrow, if all goes well, and there are no flight delays, etc...

Andi and I will be on CPR speaking to Andrea Shea King. I need to thank Andrea, and Third Wave Dave for spearheading the fundraising and auction efforts for A Storm in Afghanistan, and talk about the SpouseBuzz live event. So tune in at I believe 4pm CST, and give Andrea a listen.



Ok, so I am taking the laptop, and I am going to TRY my hand at liveblogging, if facilities permit. I should have an update if not here over at SpouseBuzz. So peruse all of these links for the next few days there are a lot.

Wish me luck, heck wish us all luck, a prayer for safe travel never hurt...

I will be back soon. I need to get this place ship shape, and pack. For tonight I dine with THIS LADIES FOLKS!!!

Auction Update....

Third Wave Dave, has been cleverly keeping track of the fundraising effort, and book auction for A Storm in Afghanistan...

The effort has been really amazing, so keep it up folks. I do not want anyone going broke, so do what you can.

Jim Dandy to the Resue...

Actually is was not Jim Dandy, it was Emily.


Emily from Swank

Emily had graciously offerred her abilities for a Soldiers Angels Auction a while , and I placed the winning bid (after hearing my plain pink blogger template was so horrible for the men to look at). So Emily, thank you for fixing me back up today. I notice you threw in a couple of extras!!

I guess the problem was an update to IE7, which btw, I was informed sucks...

Emily lives and works in Florida with her boyfriend and two neurotic cats. She’s always been “artsy”, and her love of drawing and painting took her to Art and Design school where she discovered that being a painter was not a feasible career choice if she wanted to pay her rent, so she chose to pursue the “design” part of her school and became familiar with programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Designing websites started as a hobby when she wanted to make her own layout for her blog, so she taught herself HTML and CSS. Today, she has designed for and has extensive knowledge of all the major content management systems, though she is partial to Wordpress.

When she’s not on the internet (ha!), she prays to the god that is her Ti-faux, and drinks too much Diet Rootbeer. Her favorite food is Mexican, her favorite TV show is Veronica Mars and she's in love with all things Joss Whedon. Is she a geek? Probably. But that's all the better for you. Geeks are really good at designing websites, it's a known fact.

Go over and look at her work...she does a terrific job.