tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39544057734254260022024-03-12T17:27:55.294-07:00Countdown to Homecoming!memoirs of an army wife, her deployed soldier
and their two army bratsritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-79649102878314307252011-02-25T11:48:00.002-07:002011-02-25T12:02:43.478-07:00Fill in the blank Friday!<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">So here is my attempt at the Fill-in-the-blanks-Friday questionnaire as seen on fellow army wife's blog <a href="http://guinnandbareit.blogspot.com/">"Guinn and Bare It"</a><br /><br /><br />1. <b> I am currently obsessed with</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> <a href="http://cosprings.craigslist.org/">craigslist</a>! lol with the pending house purchase going on, i'm going to my ever so brilliant craigslist everyday to find stuff to fill up the house!<br /></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "lucida grande",tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;"><br /> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"></span></span><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">2. <b>Today I am </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> nervous </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>because, </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> I am yet to receive a reply from the seller of the house saying they will fix stuff that came out in the inspection report, & if they dont agree to fix we have to walk away from the house :(<br /></span></span></span></span></div><br /><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">3. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><b>The age I am is </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 23</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>and the age I feel is </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> 30, i dunno, at 23 i feel like i should be out hard partying, ,making mistakes & exploring the world..however im saving all that for my menopause phase, at least then i'll have an excuse! hehee</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">4. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><b>My favorite place is </b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/">ikea</a>! i love ikea! can i live in ikea??? :)</span></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">5. <b>Something I have been procrastinating is </b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> folding laundry!! omg i have about 8 loads of laundry to sort & fold & I hate it!</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">6. <b>The last thing I purchased was </b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> a <a href="http://www.redbox.com/">dvd rental</a>.."you again" - horrible waste of $1.09</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">7.<b> The thing I love most about my home is </b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> the comfort it gives me, there is definitely no place like home.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"></span></span></span></div></div>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-19308652099973645782011-02-21T18:35:00.005-07:002011-02-21T19:39:10.129-07:00Chanelling my inner HGTV Designer..or trying to..I love watching the HGTV channel! sometimes it's my absolute guilty pleasure to just watch all day! I get so inspired by all the home makeovers & renovations & also the new things I learn about designing, real estate, all that good stuff!<br /><br />Hubby & I have recently purchased a house, or rather in the process of, we made an offer it got accepted after a few back & forth negotiations, now we're just waiting on the home inspection to be done & we will close in a few weeks. Exciting!! :)<br /><br />I am always responsible for our home decor, furnishing & everything else lol I think of my design style as simple tropical modern yet homey kinda style..???.. yeah me too. lol I've been looking through the HGTV website for some inspiration. I would have really liked to incorporate some elements of our homeland (FIJI) into our home, right now all we have is a war club lol but I think that will have to wait till our next trip back home (I dunno when, maybe I win the lottery)...<br /><br />Since we have a main level area and a basement level area, I have quite a bit to think about. For our main level living area, which consists of a living room, dining & kitchen, I am going to go for a light calming effect. My color palette would hopefully be within the beige/tan, chartreuse, mocha wood accents group. The basement level has a large family room/den (or man cave as my husband calls it) I would have to put all my existing furniture in there so the color palette would be dark brown, tan, reddish accents, sleek black..more of a cosy warm feel.<br /><br />When I think about what furniture & decor I have to buy I always think about three main things.<br /><ol><li>Price : above all else, I usually do not compromise on this area because I know if I cannot get something for a price I want, there will always be something else, I can always find something within my budget, I just need to be patient.</li><li>Durability : I have 2 girls who are crazeee lol If the item is not child proof its unlikely to be in my house, for instance our sectional is microfiber, easy to clean..cushion covers are able to come off & machine washable, slip em back on they look good as new!<br /></li><li>Function & Style : I don't like to have too much things crowding up the room, the less the better & if they serve a purpose or even multi purpose that would be awesome for example, we have an ottoman,rectangular bench like, made with leather or pleather whatever you call it, put a tray on it 'voila' coffee table, also top opens up so its a storage for my girls toys & if we have guests with not enough sitting room 'voila' again sitting bench..and it looks great!</li></ol>I'm one of those people who walk into a room and my mind is already wondering about all the endless possibilities I could do with the room and I can almost see my family living in there..when I first walked into the house we bought, I just had this feeling that this was going to be it! My mind was already thinking about color palettes, furniture, wall hangings, family dinners & what not..I'm excited to move into a place that is finally ours & start making it 'our' home..and once my husband gets back, it will be complete! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTTsQddpEnFR0-VyTM0krt-tPMyN20bsF1tMUFvG7LDtIudY0wlUU6HBdiS2kgaO1DMatxQw4QLct5ICQihGRnaL5-Un519kfOikvL9g5D5V3vYSvAFZ__r67N7nP43yKQEjKievOgVNv/s1600/kim_familyroom_lg.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTTsQddpEnFR0-VyTM0krt-tPMyN20bsF1tMUFvG7LDtIudY0wlUU6HBdiS2kgaO1DMatxQw4QLct5ICQihGRnaL5-Un519kfOikvL9g5D5V3vYSvAFZ__r67N7nP43yKQEjKievOgVNv/s200/kim_familyroom_lg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576336216806979794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIqoLfCIC7feofRLbOBDuk1QfQ43kV6yv5yeRXtmw-6M1hibtdihfcMFHDNtfynKqOFTTGLXfR5TUqEXzTFT4Bn4VJxqBnOJeW7zvJmk2hqPWE61IY4mHSIudEqsb6n-HYBHHE1nQ6Kww/s1600/Photo_Video_24388831934518888023157_medium.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIqoLfCIC7feofRLbOBDuk1QfQ43kV6yv5yeRXtmw-6M1hibtdihfcMFHDNtfynKqOFTTGLXfR5TUqEXzTFT4Bn4VJxqBnOJeW7zvJmk2hqPWE61IY4mHSIudEqsb6n-HYBHHE1nQ6Kww/s200/Photo_Video_24388831934518888023157_medium.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576336227137527906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtlL-7r59gd4GzkBdBGV8hBIbd8I7DwGUYRHQrwGXBwLmwggMZrSyKX3t17l4DLqAup8LsVOLBDV1AYHf7AkwRTMfJbaAMR_eatMoFZVyMcMF5vkzvhj8wlWXjdzl8U67qfHqd_GOUhZU/s1600/DP_beasley-family-room-plants_s4x3_lg.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtlL-7r59gd4GzkBdBGV8hBIbd8I7DwGUYRHQrwGXBwLmwggMZrSyKX3t17l4DLqAup8LsVOLBDV1AYHf7AkwRTMfJbaAMR_eatMoFZVyMcMF5vkzvhj8wlWXjdzl8U67qfHqd_GOUhZU/s200/DP_beasley-family-room-plants_s4x3_lg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576336219029220098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Peace & Love!ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-10077779304504423942011-02-14T22:26:00.003-07:002011-02-14T23:09:12.993-07:004 years ago..<span style="font-style: italic;">If you take a quick peek on my lilypie counter timer thingi on the right, you will see it says we have been married for 4 years! 4 crazy ass years!! :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">On this day 4 years ago, Valentines day, as cheesy as it gets my hubby & I tied the knot! no big ceremony, no flashy reception..not that we didn't want a celebration but at that time our budget could only stretch so much..</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">the day before the wedding, I called my boss asked for a day off because I was getting married (big shocker for her..Hi how are you? can I take the day off i'm getting married tomorrow ohh ok thank you!) lol I bought my dress the day before lol and I think I invited my witnesses the day before lol</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's weird because I did think about what my wedding day would be like growing up and if you're a girl & you say you didn't ..yous a liar!! lol and what I had was way different from what I dreamt about (besides I knew Justin Timberlake was taken)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As I stood in front of the wedding officiant beside my husband and the time came to recite our vows, I was so overcome with emotion, something I didn't expect and I remember thinking "wow this is really happening!" and "so this is why people cried at weddings" (I never really understood that till that day) Commitment was never an issue for me but man..to stand with this one person in front of your family & friends and commit to each other, nothing can explain that feeling you get..and yes as cheesy as it sounds..it felt magical..</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Maybe its all these different feelings coming together..happiness, nervousness, anxiety, excitement, fear, courage, hope, faith, caution, optimism, joy! so many thoughts going through my mind and the thoughts were so extreme they turned into deep felt emotions, emotions I couldn't control & I felt them reciting those vows, looking into my husbands eyes holding his hands, barely speaking clearly trying to hold back my tears..Damn!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Looking back on that day and seeing how far we've come, all the ups & downs, our triumphs & disappointments..we're still here holding on, and I'm not going to lie, marriage is so hard to hold onto after a couple of years but we are determined to make it last come rainstorms and rainbows, because four years ago I put my hand in his, looked into his eyes & gave him my life & heart to keep and four years later...he still has it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Peace & Love</span><br /><br />*Happy 4th Anniversary babe, even though I know you probably won't read this..I still love you*ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-41771512025943892722011-02-05T00:30:00.002-07:002011-02-05T00:57:51.643-07:00Too proud to beg?If you live in the states, there are SO many federal & state programs that assist families that are.. how can we put it..not related to Mark Zuckerberg?! I can admit & am not ashamed to say my family is working class, lower working class? at least that's what the state qualifies us as, one income household, stay at home mom & 2 kids..yep we are blessed :)<br /><br />There's the common food stamp program, unemployment and WIC..I'm sure there's more programs but these are the common ones I hear about..we don't qualify for food stamps or unemployment but we do qualify for <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/">WIC</a>, Women, Infants & Children.<br /><br />Another friend of ours had told us about this program, you get checks every month, which you can reimburse for food items as specified on the checks. We thought, hey why not? little did we know the amount of money we saved on basic stuff such as milk, vegies, baby formula..they basically give us almost $200 worth of food for free every month and we don't even use up all the checks.<br /><br />The issue I have noticed, some people are actually embarrassed to say that they receive WIC benefits. I mean I can understand how some people like to portray a lifestyle & being on WIC of course that shows your income isn't that substantial or not as much as you would like people to know. It's cool, I always believe in the saying "to each his own"..I on the other hand..<br /><br />I come from a country where I seen people don't have food to eat, kids don't have meals for school or families subjected to having meals that are not nutritious due to the high cost of groceries and forget it if you think the government would give people checks every month so that they can improve the nutrition of women & children..we were not fortunate enough..so to come to the states & find that we can get help (save money as well) from a federal agency, I am far from embarrassed..I am extremely appreciative.<br /><br />So people can look down on us, or agree with us all they want, sometimes we learn that where we come from definitely affects where we go & to appreciate all the help you can get..getting help is not a bad thing, it is a blessing, knowing with all the suffering & unfortunate people around the world its OK to put your pride away & humble yourselves..<br /><br />Peace & Love.ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-80634630708729843512011-01-31T17:24:00.004-07:002011-01-31T17:52:00.834-07:00while the cats away....so over the weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kjcjM7inP7-LrW6Vj42BgHvX0AraolkH2NFpMhSGA8qmyQdMM-r8CCVXBADq19EdKOTtrDglntYf79exqhj9xbUiMykH9L9_vD2hpNx_c7KCwrz1ZsF7EAeK2JQlEkqi9PY3wBs7JepZ/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kjcjM7inP7-LrW6Vj42BgHvX0AraolkH2NFpMhSGA8qmyQdMM-r8CCVXBADq19EdKOTtrDglntYf79exqhj9xbUiMykH9L9_vD2hpNx_c7KCwrz1ZsF7EAeK2JQlEkqi9PY3wBs7JepZ/s200/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568516580245265202" border="0" /></a> I went out with a few of my army wives for a "ladies nite"<br /><br />or so I thought...<br /><br />i don't know bout most of ya'll ladies but it seems like the clubbing scene is just a place to hook up & look for mr. or mrs. right now. I personally love to go out drink, dance & have fun..not go look for people to play with. I was very annoyed that some of my friends were leaving us quite a bit to "go to the bathroom" when all the while they were out scouting for guys to "play with" ..ay to each his own, but don't come out for a ladies nite if ya want to play around with guys, nxt thing you know random guys are hangin around our table coz they apparently found out our husbands are deployed so that means no man around & sexually frustrated women! F U! we don't need a deployment boyfriend!<br /><br />& the nerve of some single soldiers out at the clubs! man you guys are cold! haven't you heard "karma's a bitch?!" Imagine if you're out deployed in some war ravaged country worrying about your life & imagine some soldier doing the same thing you're trying to do with your wife back home? don't like it huh? idiot..<br /><br />actually it isn't the guys fault..men will be men..especially single men..but if you're a married wife? you don't need to be going out to a club & saying you wanna look for a guy to mess with & leave your girls half the time to go look for them..that's not a good look, have some dignity in yourself, I'm not trying to be on any high horse or anything but it's about time women start portraying themselves as strong real women & not Lil girls playing games.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h3qcoL6J50tU98Z0tEGV2c893Kt3_llzOSlNzJhrNxlw933m-trvOFvEJNuPOejBycxEv7pPG8l2XPdb9aD14RDkvNoq8ckgzhA09Xn_yA03s61Qvf6dynemMWSAbGNN_IEd5qAYiF29/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4h3qcoL6J50tU98Z0tEGV2c893Kt3_llzOSlNzJhrNxlw933m-trvOFvEJNuPOejBycxEv7pPG8l2XPdb9aD14RDkvNoq8ckgzhA09Xn_yA03s61Qvf6dynemMWSAbGNN_IEd5qAYiF29/s200/057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568516592198458226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and of course that's the last time I'm going to go to a ladies nite..well I can't say that, I still love to go out, just not with the little girls..I'ma go out with the real ladies..the ones who don't need male attention to get them excited..(unless its our husbands) ;)<br /><br />Peace & Love!ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-12232149989324118152011-01-28T23:33:00.002-07:002011-01-28T23:52:33.607-07:00I'm not that weak!For the past how many months, I have been without a man, I think I've been doing ok..considering all the shit I have to put up with and yes, while I may rant ever so often about how I can't handle it all the time..that's exactly what I've been doing - handling it!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">what is 'it'?</span><br /><br />well a couple of us army wives, have decided to go out on the town tomorrow nite..get loose get drunk have fun etc etc..and then one of the girl's cousin's (who is also in the army and promised her deployed husband he would take care of his family esp wifey)..anyways so he asks where we are heading out to..I gave a club that was hosting a ladies nite promo event, & so we're told that place is dangerous, fights happen all the time, not to go there blah blah blah..great now the other girls are scared. OK first of all, bitch is from Fiji, I have seen many club fights in my lifetime lol<br /><br />second of all, wtf who is goin to the club to frikin fight? I'm jus sayin if some guys wana hash it out at the club doesn't mean I'm going to be dumb and jump in the middle of it, I ain't into drama like that..I can be drunk as a skunk & still know to get out of the way..<br /><br />I don't know it kinda irked me that we were getting instructions on how & where to go out..I understand the protecting his fam part but I ain't no kid & I don't go out with any..& have they seen the clubs out here? there's like ten cop cars parked outside every club & st lol<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I love the thought of having a strong male 'bodyguard' by our side but I like to think that the men know we can handle ourselves for a few hours without them...<br /><br />time to bring out the rebel ;) I'm goin to do how I always do, have fun when, how & where I want..just don't hang up if I'm calling from jail lol I'm kidding! G'nite!<br /><br />Peace & Loveritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-38179112889660572352011-01-17T20:59:00.002-07:002011-01-17T21:12:05.518-07:00yep this is another deployment rant!I would just like to say deployments sux balls!!!! The crap you have to deal with while they are away & especially when they are away, it's just frikin ridiculous. I gotta deal with this whole "deployment husbands away poor you" shit & of course frustrated in so many ways emotionally, physically & most importantly sexually! & its not only the crap we have to deal with on the home front but I gotta deal with what my husband is dealing with as well, which means I get the brunt of all his frustrations out there & it sux but why do I feel like I would rather bear the brunt of his frustrations then have him let it out on his workmates & potentially get him in trouble? & because of that I get frustrated with him & of course he gets the blame & its just one big circle of love..or rather lack thereof. Man I swear it's just not right to keep men away from their families for a whole year & give them only 2wks off, c'mon can't they spare at least 6 out of 52???! I for one am not embarrassed to say I cannot cope with deployments, I'm not army strong right now so what?! It's like living 2 different lifestyles & the transition time between them isn't cutting it...so GOD PLEASE GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO SURVIVE THESE TIMES CAUSE HE KNOWS I'M TRYING MY HARDEST OUT HERE.<br /><br />(goin to take it out on the elliptical & a nice hot cuppa green tea) Goodnight!<br /><br />Peace & LOVE (lots of it)ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-71565358682667556102011-01-10T18:31:00.003-07:002011-01-10T19:06:39.691-07:00mai kana!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdz4gpotD0WcEPiCdRPFeT9tja7KV0BNzDlH7T-fZo6-NzHx_9Kw7OEszJ6tdFceUmX9CKFSKBZpCmelXA1SExXGuoD3FvZOlxxCXvU-g0VxqBLayMyglufvS3S_MSep-RogBzoiTSIKC/s1600/biscuit.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdz4gpotD0WcEPiCdRPFeT9tja7KV0BNzDlH7T-fZo6-NzHx_9Kw7OEszJ6tdFceUmX9CKFSKBZpCmelXA1SExXGuoD3FvZOlxxCXvU-g0VxqBLayMyglufvS3S_MSep-RogBzoiTSIKC/s200/biscuit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560742634827326418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPpR4kuOHEiKzJxEjy8DGj1djQD6wt235tE1KOlnsB2htCw951Lx_Y0MV7qhB3Ay91WYVHZvo-V5_fVwI1taamq1wW_TmlKaNMJ77eEgNKREwtCnX8slNvVuPK7WVh3gRlqc46blBqvaW/s1600/lovo.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPpR4kuOHEiKzJxEjy8DGj1djQD6wt235tE1KOlnsB2htCw951Lx_Y0MV7qhB3Ay91WYVHZvo-V5_fVwI1taamq1wW_TmlKaNMJ77eEgNKREwtCnX8slNvVuPK7WVh3gRlqc46blBqvaW/s200/lovo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560742648983995938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AvxkWFqEuNaXgGy1vIztUOmkiMg71b6WJtNi-56AqGzzIZq9wYMolhkGhK9Lc3ZDTXMiPKGdkKHX98poFkFG-NlPhfLUIupHGR2at_CZYWxD_tdKvDMB14pi8PrnsSXnCosZpNR0SztW/s1600/long+loaf.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AvxkWFqEuNaXgGy1vIztUOmkiMg71b6WJtNi-56AqGzzIZq9wYMolhkGhK9Lc3ZDTXMiPKGdkKHX98poFkFG-NlPhfLUIupHGR2at_CZYWxD_tdKvDMB14pi8PrnsSXnCosZpNR0SztW/s200/long+loaf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560742644965688994" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvcP7tWTn0DDJsex6WisDDd_52SzQeUG8GkgU1-nN7kFYIcfo8wMKz_GlaCg6OdNxrcDNVVpmKn9XO34iOUMEkCmIEvZYaAS3NPvm8EJooUFk6ic_tjFnVMrs7WNhUGkpxVZdCUgrcLfd/s1600/noodles.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvcP7tWTn0DDJsex6WisDDd_52SzQeUG8GkgU1-nN7kFYIcfo8wMKz_GlaCg6OdNxrcDNVVpmKn9XO34iOUMEkCmIEvZYaAS3NPvm8EJooUFk6ic_tjFnVMrs7WNhUGkpxVZdCUgrcLfd/s200/noodles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560742638146497570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">mai kana</span>" ..Fijian saying which translates to "<span style="font-style: italic;">come eat</span>"<br />something you will commonly hear back in Fiji while walking by someones house..<br />I remember walking to school & I always walked extra slow by my dear friend Anaseini's (RIP) house, her mom always had a huge breakfast waiting for them, pies & cakes & tea (for breakfast?!! i know right?!!) & of course Ana's mum would always extend the invitation to "come eat" It isn't a suprise that us islanders love our food, we take pride in our food & how it brings everyone together whether its for a celebration or just hanging out with friends at school during lunch hour, all putting in money to buy a serving of food to share..and all the odd meals common in almost every house, maggi noodles eaten cooked or raw (similar to Ramen) long loaf (tastes like french bread) breakfast crackers which is commonly known as biscuits (not the southern biscuits they have at KFC lol) and for special occasions "LOVO" (similar to the hawaiian "imu" or earth oven). What inspired me to blog about fiji food is when I went to the Asian Pacific market today & I found guava jam, which instantly took me back to my aunty cooking jam in her kitchen the aroma filling the whole house & everyone waiting for afternoon tea with biscuits, butter & guava jam..just Heaven!! Its funny how back when we were at home we never really appreciated all the comforts of these different foods, not until we travel halfway across the world, live away & when we see something in the shop that almost resembles the original back home, only then do we realise how much we miss the food & how its a definite part of our culture & our lifestyles. Like they say 'there's no place like home" I add on "there's no food like Fiji food"!<br /><br />Peace & Love!!ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-71898092399005040762010-12-16T09:42:00.002-07:002010-12-16T09:52:07.640-07:00when he comes home(our recent discussion on the phone)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">when he comes home..</span><br /><br />I'm goin to drop off the car at the airport..or he can catch a cab (maybe cab is better)<br />we'll wait at home, kids will have no idea he's coming<br />there will be a big box waiting outside with a bow attached already<br />he will then come in & place himself in the box<br />and let me know when to bring out the kids<br />(note to self: make a door latch thingi on side of box)<br />kids will come out, see a huge box with a bow & begin to open it<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">and then....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">that will be one of the happiest days of our lives!</span><br /><br />Peace & Love!ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-61317722402579814782010-11-28T02:21:00.004-07:002010-11-28T02:54:37.903-07:00different day same shit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lu3Bi3p8Xqgdahbl2hIaATrscmBc0RmzY7lxbarqLmCBm3PFpzd-M6KOsuL4mIc_q2jiD_kUXgB8ao4dhpxYTcMjzWGSFzSm2SWKmDnID_Dy8S_f5ep1ibmwz6qSSKLDjdq9isaZ2RGk/s1600/rihanna+loud.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lu3Bi3p8Xqgdahbl2hIaATrscmBc0RmzY7lxbarqLmCBm3PFpzd-M6KOsuL4mIc_q2jiD_kUXgB8ao4dhpxYTcMjzWGSFzSm2SWKmDnID_Dy8S_f5ep1ibmwz6qSSKLDjdq9isaZ2RGk/s200/rihanna+loud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544536674973009602" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Slt72jYixUC050Wh7orLjQcw-9VYE2Dz6zO_WaU373b4SLZOG69TcoEhm4B0hrbBmvSE4Km5HJnG4bzXE-MycqpbOlNaXlpUL_aIyGBVLQF3YjsO2ebGTOfQGMg9jnAt29h_CVRlYuCF/s1600/nicki+minaj+pink.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Slt72jYixUC050Wh7orLjQcw-9VYE2Dz6zO_WaU373b4SLZOG69TcoEhm4B0hrbBmvSE4Km5HJnG4bzXE-MycqpbOlNaXlpUL_aIyGBVLQF3YjsO2ebGTOfQGMg9jnAt29h_CVRlYuCF/s200/nicki+minaj+pink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544536435581378226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />its me again..been MIA for a while, does it really matter tho? :)<br /><br />So its about 0230hrs & I'm wide awake..thanks to the hubby. every now & then we'll have lil arguments, over some of the smallest shit lol, why is it funny? well, becoz its kinda getting old, its come to the point where I'm not even upset about it anymore, its like now I'm just like OK see you later (well not literally). he text's me to get online so we can chat, 5 mins later he's blowing up becoz I'm just asking a few questions. He has no patience & every time he's deployed, i find it doesn't take much for him to loose it. That is another thing I hate about deployments, my husband is surrounded by men & all that constant interaction with them & the way they talk around each other, how they deal with each other, he tends to do the same with us sometimes..and I have told him countless times not to treat us the way he treats his work mates but I know its hard especially when he's around them for a whole year. So as an army wife I do what most other army wives do..just deal..(for now).<br /><br />Anyways I started volunteering on post at our ACS (Army Community Service) office. The kids get to stay in the childcare in the same building, which is one of the benefits of working with them, I don't have to pay for care as long as I'm in the building. Met new friends, learning a few new things, mostly clerical work & all that boring office stuff..but I've been learning a lot about the post & a lot of the services offered and also a lot more about the army, much more than I would have learnt on my own. So many info out there but because I didn't know where to look & now that I get to interact with people working close with what happens on post I've learnt much more. I'm glad I get to do something & my kids get to interact with kids & also I get certified experience & of course if I go look for a job I now have a credible reference. which explains why I been lagging on my blog..I been kinda 'busy' lol<br /><br />I did have time to update my music library & I'm so impressed with Rihanna's new album LOUD & Nicky Minaj's PINK FRIDAY & also Lil Wayne's I'M NOT A HUMAN BEING. Andddd did you see Gwyneth Paltrow on GLEE? I LOVED her version of Cee-Los song!<br /><br />ehh..its almost 0300hrs, i better get to bed, i got to get up & feed kids screaming for milk! ;) G'nite/G'morning blogosphere!<br /><br />PEACE & LOVE!!ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-76540218008215796102010-10-29T23:15:00.003-07:002010-10-29T23:20:06.788-07:00one line thoughts<ul><li>I miss my husband... :'(</li><li>I'm working next week..for free..volunteering on post</li><li>I feel bad for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">laggin</span> on my elliptical</li><li>I still miss my husband</li><li>I got a cocktail shaker! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">yay</span></li><li>I'm going to bed now <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span></li></ul><p>Peace & Love!!!</p>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-61732736447399850102010-10-25T21:38:00.002-07:002010-10-25T22:15:28.022-07:00teen mom<em>..so today after all my running around & sorting out stuff I managed to squeeze in some 'teen mom' on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">comcast</span> demand..& i gotta give props to those girls, yeah sometimes you wanna slap the shit outta them & scream at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">TV</span> like they going to hear ya but i do understand how much they are going through, & even though <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> not in most of their situations (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">uhh</span> Amber <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">wth</span>?!) I can definitely agree that being a mom, esp a teen mom isn't easy at all..</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I gave birth to my first child when I was 19. I did finish high sch. I met a guy, we started hanging out, one thing led to another & we had a child together. At that time, I was working, I had my own place, own car, i had a lot of freedom & a lot of responsibilities! Every <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">wknd</span> I was out partying all over the place, meeting new & old friends & having a blast. so when I found out I was pregnant..it was just shock & disbelief, like how did I let that happen?</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I wouldn't say I was a wild child, my family knew I loved to party & have fun, but they also believed I was very responsible & getting pregnant was probably not what they thought about me doing. I was scared to let them know because I knew they would be so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disappointed</span> with me & I never wanted to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">disappoint</span> anyone even if it hurt me.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>With all the drama that came with being pregnant, it all changed the minute <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Madyson</span> came into our lives. suddenly all was put aside & we all came together to witness the miracle of childbirth & the joy of a new family member (esp a cute <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">fam</span> member!) then somehow you realise, we always tend to sweat the small stuff & never think to enjoy the bigger better things in life. All the tears shed, heartache & anger never was worth it because it never did matter in the end.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>One afternoon, we were all sitting around at home just playing with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Mady</span>, while she was entertaining us with her baby antics & we were laughing at some new trick she had learned. My <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Aunt</span> then said "children bring so much joy into our lives, if Mady was not here, we would not be sitting here laughing & smiling away" she was so right! If I could picture that exact moment without <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Mady</span>, we would not be laughing..probably just siting watching <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">TV</span>..just to think of how much she added to our lives, laughter, happiness etc..priceless, simply priceless!</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Peace & Love!!</em>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-12969731984803907132010-10-22T10:47:00.002-07:002010-10-22T11:19:39.743-07:00feel the cold coming<em>it is the end of Oct already, which means pumpkins & <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span> stuff everywhere & rain & cold & of course the sickness season starts. I've been with my girls trying to sort out stuff from schools for both me & my daughter, childcare registrations, medical appointments, stuff to do with the car, debt consolidation & the usual homemaker stuff. I need a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">frikin</span> holiday from this so called holiday. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span> costumes have been bought, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Mady</span> is princess belle & melody is a butterfly. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Madyson</span> has recently gotten into the 'princess' phase, everything she wants has to be princess approved..i honestly thought she was going to be a tom-boy but she has a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> pink in her all along! Melody <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> still waiting for her teeth to pop out..shes 6<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">months</span> now & she has been introduced to cereal & baby food (loves her food except for peas..just like her momma <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>) oh & husband has been..uh..the same? nothing much changes for him out there, just trying to survive & get his tour over with. we have been talking a lot about what happens when he gets back & when times comes for him to get out, which is roughly in about a year from now. plans are sort of in the planning <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">process</span> i guess, nothing pretty solid but the direction we would like to take is pretty clear although we have to wait & see, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> the beauty of the military, you always have to wait & see, cause anything can happen at a moments notice & pretty much can change everything. its been three months since hes been away, which is exactly how old my blog is, cool huh..not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>. after <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span> gets done its just thanksgiving then <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Xmas</span> then hello 2011, super surreal how time flies! and me & my girls will be here in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Colorado</span> for yet another snow season..man <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">sooo</span> not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">looking</span> forward to that! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> going to be indoors all the time <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">coz</span> i hate driving in the snow esp with all the crazy drivers out here! i guess we'll have to survive as well on our end of the world. we'll be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span>, we'll always be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span>, you have to always look at everything as half full (or is it half empty?) who cares! live like its the end of the world (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">uhh</span> 2012? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">iaaa</span>) such a random blog entry..ah yeah random blog <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">ahh</span> yeah *<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">pauly</span> D voice* <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Peace & Love!!!</em>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-85410902256011045122010-10-13T21:27:00.002-07:002010-10-13T21:43:50.416-07:00hello again!<em>I definitely been avoiding my blog for a while now, not good rita!! sometimes when you take a leave of absense, you tend to overstay in my case over-leave (dunno if that makes sense, if you got it, good job guyy!)..so since my last blog..</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>we're back home, san francisco was ok, was rather hectic & as soon as we reached home, for the first time it was just me & my 2 girls, no MIL, no friends, no family & more so, no husband :( its been almost 3mnths now, wow, time sure did fly (a little) we're ok, just takin each day as it comes & just hanging in there..havin the husband not being able to call for a week while they're out doin missions where there isnt any phones is def hard, in Iraq we were very fortunate to be able to communicate every day..but as every week goes by we're finding out more & more that Afghanistan is very different compared to Iraq..it sucks but what ya gonna do?</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>whenever hes away on missions, i find myself not sleeping well, the anxiety sometimes is too much & I have super weird dreams! yeah, i did have a dream where he was injured & we had to go see him, i think i woke up with tears..also had a dream about some weird competition i won..lol. Im not the person who believes dreams carry psychic messages, i just think we tend to dream about stuff we think about during the day, maybe things that the mind knows we worry about..i dunno. I always forget half the stuff i dream about but sometimes in my sleeping/dreaming state im thinkin to myself, dam this dream is so interesting lol i wish i could remember every detail of my dreams..why do we forget what happened?</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>anyways enough about the dreams, I hope you all have been well & happy. tonite, as you go to bed please say a lil prayer for our troops & have fun dreaming! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Peace & Love!</em>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-86794404839540224362010-09-10T21:10:00.003-07:002010-09-10T21:32:26.755-07:00San Francisco Bound<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM86Gg7ubSZyx5ADk8x69tLC5dVsqkZuO47l8wcSIDmSUmSen3_Lwenmyqsx24cIXASW6SISqjosVvEMgRIPBHkmBV64xltUQBjs2I2uVdRwRrmVu-P4W64pSMkSU_eKBTXEPGPGUBo6x/s1600/gg.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 131px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515508298136469250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM86Gg7ubSZyx5ADk8x69tLC5dVsqkZuO47l8wcSIDmSUmSen3_Lwenmyqsx24cIXASW6SISqjosVvEMgRIPBHkmBV64xltUQBjs2I2uVdRwRrmVu-P4W64pSMkSU_eKBTXEPGPGUBo6x/s320/gg.jpg" /></a>I've finally finished with packing, clothes, shoes, IDs, chargers, baby bottles, diapers etc lol I will be gone for a few weeks so my blog may be at a standstill unless I get the chance to post from there..who cares, i don't have a lot of anxious readers waiting for me to post anything anyways lol I don't mind though, I like to blog because it feels like I'm kinda writing a journal & just getting stuff out, esp now that my husband is gone & my lil munchkins would be bored to death with my ramblings..honestly though I like to read my own blog, I like to look back & reminisce about everything that's happened so far, I'm sure other bloggers do too :)<br /><br /><div>SO <em>anyways</em> SAN FRANCISCO! city by the bay! My mother in law is still with us so I'll be taking her sightseeing around the bay, we'll go see the golden gate bridge, fisherman's wharf (clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl uh yessss!) of course the city, Chinatown (pork buns hehehe) crooked st, ocean beach, & some other places. I really love the vibrancy of the place, so many interesting things to see & do. I think SF is a place rich with culture & heritage & def a lot of personality! </div><br /><div></div><div>I also hold SF dear to me because that is where I met my husband :) we were friends hanging out & one thing led to another, now we have 2 beautiful girls! I def remember all the places we used to go hang out by ourselves when we were dating, the city offered so many lovely places to enjoy each others company. I remember we used to drive up to this look out point some mornings, with breakfast from McDonald's & have breakfast together while looking out to the city, so beautiful out there..it made it feel great to be in love..good times.<br /></div><div></div><div>I do believe once our army life is over we will be moving back to the bay. Most of our families & friends live there & despite the high cost of living, SF is a great place to raise a family. I just can't wait to get me some of that clam chowder! hehehe G'nite. Peace & Love!</div>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-89551653915639412732010-09-10T13:19:00.007-07:002010-09-10T14:27:01.351-07:00Fiji..where we call HOMEMy husband & I have been living in the USA for almost 5 years now, we've come to accept this country as our home but where we came from, Fiji, will always be our true home. When people ask me where I come from & as I reply Fiji, the common response I get is; <em>Where is that?</em> or <em>Fiji? as in Fiji water?</em> lol First of all, Fiji is a little south pacific island nation & yes that's where Fiji water comes from.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515388410620132754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBvghrSURt1bOYEYs-jdA5FYxoqWNJmb7FKB-joACsbcy8YNfSLXUR0i6rPkjTBEXsOwBOhwGBChHz-imCxOC4ew39bQjlJjKy8WpCfkoIU_Oj4SyzhpgTYzn7DUKUxYh-6sCh0bUOlIf/s320/fiji1.jpg" />I loved growing up in the islands, the environment, the people, the weather, the culture, the FOOD! oh how i miss the food :) Fiji is a multicultural country, with the population mostly created up of the indigenous Fijians (which I am a part of) & the Indo-Fijians (Indians who were brought over from India ages ago as labourers). There are also Asians, Pacific Islanders, Americans etc etc etc. Fiji was once under British rule, thus the union jack on the flag but is now an independent country, & the common language spoken is English.<br /><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 95px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515393574442236434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvYpI9gUObiG8iwXPG44v1K0rQLmsUtgZa-yvFMF-LwAyIj-ZbW_vuVoHHRFoy6xNSlI7UVEiNsyqoNNMDa6Bc7Gky6XN1nG__uCUvAImVLoDdhJoDTbnj1LX_zre70N0fqaoOlZK1z4p/s320/fiji2.jpg" />I just miss the relaxing vibe of the islands & the beauty of the people & place & I sure do miss a nice warm beach to swim in! If you're ever planning a holiday soon, try FIJI, flights fly out of LAX on <a href="http://www.airpacific.com/Default.aspx">Air Pacific </a>every week & there are numerous hotels to stay, budget friendly like <a href="http://www.nomadsskylodge.com/">Skylodge</a>, to the more pricey like the <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=485">Sheraton Fiji </a>or <a href="http://www.fijibeachresortbyhilton.com/">Hilton</a> & don't forget to take a cruise, <a href="http://www.beachcomberfiji.com/">Beachcomber</a> is a popular one! (oh lawd I'm dreaming of a vacation now!) Soon hopefully, once the girls get a bit older, we'll be able to have $ saved up for a nice family vacation ..sunshine,cocktails on the beach,family & friends..ahh..I can already see it :)<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515398936971337106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKhMKpty1Z0nqDI1OAZGQWjzUikC6q4MSY_UEHz-yQ2suz18HtMTr4LuTCGVejLHNjPhg3-EWVioxf0wL8ZsN8AxMRJ5iICHF99j7_gaUZ8qBlNJk115l3Ad3uXqXCds49FOVz59mCRdh/s320/thumbnailCAO5R3JW.jpg" /></div>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-12970355640669499622010-09-09T08:35:00.005-07:002010-09-09T23:08:07.534-07:00I AM a DEPLOYMENT SURVIVOR<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglU7NwZRvr9fiXDI0zlvPyvfZOOTn180H-e8r7uPxyXGc3xnabXAH-IbZ6dOk8G3tefufuKo9xQsFFYzpTDXqMproT9aFb8v7KImZzwV4yWbYui_ztDnq6P61-jcyqZX032EhhG0SY9xA/s1600/41081_468090304902_202829319902_6578963_6649626_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514938740194992274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglU7NwZRvr9fiXDI0zlvPyvfZOOTn180H-e8r7uPxyXGc3xnabXAH-IbZ6dOk8G3tefufuKo9xQsFFYzpTDXqMproT9aFb8v7KImZzwV4yWbYui_ztDnq6P61-jcyqZX032EhhG0SY9xA/s200/41081_468090304902_202829319902_6578963_6649626_n.jpg" /></a> Browsing through the MIL spouse blogs, I came across this entry at <a href="http://mydeploymentjournaldearmatt.blogspot.com/2010/09/deployment-survivor-button-up.html"target="_blank">goodnight moons </a>blog.<br />So it is a bunch of other mil spouse <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">bloggers</span> sharing their thoughts about being a deployment survivor, the good & the bad! once you follow the link be sure to read the others blogs as well linked to her blog entry..read the <em>awesomeness</em> of Mil Wives & the <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">un</span></em>-<em>awesomeness</em> of deployments!<br /><br /><strong>MY STORY</strong><br />My husband is currently on his second tour overseas, first time he deployed to Iraq, & this time to Afghanistan. Deployments are definitely the hardest times of our lives together. We try so hard to keep our marriage together, there has been times where we were ready to throw in the towel & just call it quits but we always sought out the strength to keep carrying on & every good day that goes by, we are both grateful that we still have our family, we still have each other to get through the bad days.<br /><br />Every Mil wife, knows we have to be strong to be able to survive, we made that commitment the moment we said "I Do" but we all know the pain of those lonely <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">nites</span>, crying & missing your other half..and not forgetting worried for their lives that when you don't get a call, stomachs start to turn a little, head starts to sweat & just panic sometimes engulfs you to almost insanity!<br /><br />I look at our 2 girls & I thank god for them, I know my husband misses them tons as well, during deployments my kids have been such <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">heaven sent</span>! even with all the tantrums & meltdowns they keep me from constantly going to that dark place where you just want to crawl up in a ball & shut the world out, they keep me occupied & I love to share those little moments with them & of course I wish their daddy was here to see them, thank god for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">YouTube</span>! :)<br /><br />Deployments never get easy, doesn't matter if its your first or tenth, I read all these Mil blogs & sometimes the posts relate so much to me that I think hey you know <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> not the only one & I definitely won't be the last. I realise how much we sacrifice for our families, for o<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">ur</span> husbands & I appreciate myself much more because I am a Deployment Survivor & I will always be, for my kids & for the man I love, no matter what!<br /><br /><em>Peace & Love!!!</em>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-16160655364145936772010-09-09T08:08:00.002-07:002010-09-09T08:27:01.491-07:00Religion & WarI hope the pastor in Florida, Terry Jones, seriously thinks & prays over his intending actions. My husband along with thousands of other soldiers are out there fighting the war against the Taliban, they do not need some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Church's</span> help to prove any point! one man & his flock of 50 people against the whole world!! First of all, does he preach <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Christianity</span>? because <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> pretty sure his intentions are not teachings of the holy bible. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">OK</span> yeah some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Muslims</span> have done harm to Americans & other nationals but does that make him any different? He as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Reverend</span> should absolutely know better! and there is nothing no one can do to stop him because of the constitution & his rights. He has those rights because he is an American, uphold your American values Mr Jones! If any as 1 American in the world gets killed because of retaliation I hope he knows that life will be on his head, that was his wrongdoing to provoke unnecessary violence against the Americans especially our troops. Yes we are all tired of some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Muslims</span> & their radical acts which they do in the name of their holy book but that is why we have our troops out there fighting for us, for him! If he goes through with his ridiculous plans he is no better than the terrorists & should be exiled & stripped of his US citizenship because he does not represent or uphold what a true American is. Peace & Love.<br /><br />IF THE PASTOR DECIDES TO GO THROUGH WITH HIS PLANS, PLEASE SAY A PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS & ALL AMERICANS AROUND THE GLOBE.ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-4375903488159592412010-09-08T20:47:00.004-07:002010-09-08T21:08:24.418-07:00they grow like weeds!! lol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNRz-tfYJtwnob58lri0Wjw2UiwhrRIr1l4coMJn88WIvXXHFNo6t730wJ1-K33DRVr3QKXU4SYjYutwc7tG8229x1_H40Fo1D522XCsVVW878ZWCfcaMj8HLjFQObQj4waMJZGyzY2yT/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514760166860162146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNRz-tfYJtwnob58lri0Wjw2UiwhrRIr1l4coMJn88WIvXXHFNo6t730wJ1-K33DRVr3QKXU4SYjYutwc7tG8229x1_H40Fo1D522XCsVVW878ZWCfcaMj8HLjFQObQj4waMJZGyzY2yT/s200/030.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0qm-uF1qobpH93Njcq0yz9R3SNNlnGzWrbxyX6LGXT07NG4NQqNs1EkS8Tl-cgc9rJsgwJ_fWLVFRE-56wddD43Xk6L9GO5qgiNCMPbdMzd5r-s5_i9WF2uEGFFJRSPhNYCJZcCNkfTc/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514760163639107154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0qm-uF1qobpH93Njcq0yz9R3SNNlnGzWrbxyX6LGXT07NG4NQqNs1EkS8Tl-cgc9rJsgwJ_fWLVFRE-56wddD43Xk6L9GO5qgiNCMPbdMzd5r-s5_i9WF2uEGFFJRSPhNYCJZcCNkfTc/s200/040.JPG" /></a><br /><em>If you want proof of how life & time flies just have kids! they grow everyday & one minute you're screaming your head off in the delivery room next thing you know they're full grown <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">chubbers</span> learning to sit & babble away in their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">jibberish</span> which eventually morphs into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">English</span> in due time. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> a 22yr old & I already have 2 kids! :) I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> judge age on anything (unless of course you're a minor, like way below 16..I dunno that's a bit too young) but sometimes there comes a point where you just stop & look around & just think like "what in the world just happened?!!" wasn't I just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">poppin</span> bottles in the clubs (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">under aged</span> yea yea so..it was in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Fiji</span>!) now <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">poppin</span> baby bottles! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span> no matter what other's may think or say, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> very happy with my youth years gone past, I'm content with staying at home on the weekends just chilling with my girls maybe once in a blue moon I'll have a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> drink here & there, nothing too crazy, I'm pretty much pledged to being a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">moma</span> now, I mean just because your kids are growing & its more about them, I always try to think about me sometimes..maybe I'll go get a new dress for when the hubby eventually wants to go out with me..who knows..all I know is everyday I get to witness the miracle (& headache) of raising children, all the funny,sad,happy,angry times & finally understand what my parents (& every other parent) went through back in the day! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">G'nite</span>! Peace & Love...</em>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-32980392610068390382010-09-06T09:07:00.002-07:002010-09-06T09:15:28.482-07:00If you're ever missing me just listen to this song<object width="200" height="200"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4Pp8lmv_fy4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4Pp8lmv_fy4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-31851293181983786182010-09-02T18:58:00.002-07:002010-09-02T19:17:37.898-07:00September looks gone already!<em>So this month, we have a lot of things already planned out for us..this week we have the balloon classic in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Colorado</span> springs, which I'm definitely taking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">mady</span> to go see especially the balloon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">glo</span>. Next week I wanna take my mother in law up to pikes peak while we have the rental car & in the weekend we are going up to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Denver</span> then jetting off to the bay area!!! 3 weeks of sightseeing, going to meet my husbands uncle who is coming in from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Canada</span> to see his sister (my mom in law) & I also have to fill in some hours for my cousin, doing nanny work, while she is on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">vacay</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ka</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ching</span>!) then we farewell my mom in law as she heads back to the islands & we also have a birthday party to attend while in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Cali</span> & by then Sept will be over & in early October I board a plane for the first time ever alone with the girls (so looking forward to that..not) I for one HATE travelling, and just the thought of going through with a toddler & an infant, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> dying already <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>..then we'll get home and I'll be ready to kick start schedules for the girls, start off with my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">weight loss</span> (which I will create a page on this blog to document my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">weight loss</span> journey!) & get ready for a cold winter (ugh) and I also want a bedroom makeover! (and hopefully do the same with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">madys</span> room) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> also still <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">counting</span> down to when the hubby gets to come home for R&R, which will be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">next</span> year (quite a while to go) but at least gives me time to loose the weight b4 he gets back ;) ..<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">coz</span> god knows I NEED the time <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">lmao</span>..oh & <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span>! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Melody's</span> first ever <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span>! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> thinking of throwing a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Halloween</span> party for the girls & invite the neighbours kids..oh Toys R Us have the cutest costumes for babies! & I've always wanted to make the punch with the dry ice to have that smoking effect! yeah I'll just invite the kids over to have fruit punch <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> smoking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span>..we'll see. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> trying to keep myself busy..I have to, otherwise I will loose my insanity (I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR SINGLE PARENTS!) as an army wife with kids, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, feel like we're single moms & dads. Having a life while you're married but separated geographically is not the easiest thing to do, hey we survive & make it but it never gets easier no matter how many times they have to leave..I think that's why they came up with that slogan "ARMY STRONG" because if you are not..well then the army life is not for you. Peace & Love!</em>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-1615221259113575012010-08-31T21:51:00.004-07:002010-08-31T22:19:58.672-07:00What would you do if Army Officers in class As came knockin?<span style="font-style: italic;">As an army wife of a deployed soldier in a very violent country, I must expect the worst. Even though deep in my heart I don't believe anything will happen to him, the logical side of me tells me I must not picture fields of sunflowers & sunshine all the time. I remember once before DH deployed to Iraq in 08, we were talking about the possibilities of death..I asked him how he would make his presence known in the afterlife, he said he would blow gently into my ear every time he was near..I smiled..it was a bit comforting to know he would always be around even if he left, although I did warn him if he ever tried to haunt me or the girls in a scary way I'd exorcist him back to Iraq lol of course he made it home from Iraq..now he's in Afghanistan. Lately the news concerning the casualties of the men KIA is unsettling with me. I don't even know how to handle all of this. I remember a friend asking another army wife what she would do if the men in class A's showed up at her door? she said she would run. I remember seeing all the sad tribute videos on youtube, heartfelt songs along with heart breaking pictures of widows & kids..I wonder..will that be me? what would I do if I saw men in class A's walking up to my door? he always said to expect the worst & hope for the best..it's way easier said than done. I remember thinking if he ever left me & the girls I would never forgive him, he knows he has a family to take care of..but as a soldier, they all do. Every soldier fallen had someone to come back to, they all had stuff to take care of, in a time of war nothing is certain not even life. So what would I do if an officer came up to my doorstep? I hope I never find out. G'nite..Peace & Love</span>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-41283895425363590212010-08-27T14:28:00.004-07:002010-08-27T14:39:46.850-07:00potty training success = proud mama!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUFg2pCpVR55_QLJ6IYab4fhC3knljopTRYuL-2EKjDZ1luETuV8ON6iiU1MwCeuwuLOmmenaPSB5ajgxKQqe_s1ktaHd9Ci9xPOVRtWwlLAvJtagyhcDTsOQhjoKh0UDAS_-CZhA28SZ/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510207117449170434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUFg2pCpVR55_QLJ6IYab4fhC3knljopTRYuL-2EKjDZ1luETuV8ON6iiU1MwCeuwuLOmmenaPSB5ajgxKQqe_s1ktaHd9Ci9xPOVRtWwlLAvJtagyhcDTsOQhjoKh0UDAS_-CZhA28SZ/s200/003.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadSqS-i8XNsLDZYad1CAOBIG4VjasF_9dx76jMeiB4fZh3MlqLaiRGr0wRGIsxwIpDc0ynA0607fpftqxSVmKhZQDPYHhNUk7_g1VlLTv5DjdAfvTYVwOPxOHwsZ9tZeDbmIyftPFtRTc/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 185px; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510206069863285442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadSqS-i8XNsLDZYad1CAOBIG4VjasF_9dx76jMeiB4fZh3MlqLaiRGr0wRGIsxwIpDc0ynA0607fpftqxSVmKhZQDPYHhNUk7_g1VlLTv5DjdAfvTYVwOPxOHwsZ9tZeDbmIyftPFtRTc/s200/005.JPG" /></a><br /><div><em>my lil mady finally is potty trained, 3rd day today & so far no accidents today!!! (the first day she had 3, one in the post office..oops) so i baked her a potty cake lol with all her faves chocolate & sprinkles!! so proud of her, wish her daddy could have seen her. (oh & melody got her first ever sunglasses! $1 from target cool dude!) :) peace & love.</em></div>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-33102720179790017922010-08-27T14:03:00.003-07:002010-08-27T14:22:10.116-07:00life decisions over the phone!having your partner away makes it hard to plan together, having them away for a whole year, thats another story. this year 2010 in Nov was suppose to be our last as a military family, but my husband extended another year so that he could join his unit as they deploy to afghan, he had been training with them so what the hell then, we're still faced with the decision whether to stay in or leave, i know for a fact he's tired of the army life, being away from his kids for a long time & he isnt the only one, I too have had it with him being away all the time & feeling like I'm a single parent & having him gone almost all our married life..its just not for us. the one thing i absolutely hate is that we have to make these decisions & plans over the phone whenever he can get time to, i think these decisions need to be face to face & more personal than a phone call..but military families have been doing this for decades if not centuries! the army has been good with providing us with healthcare & other benefits but at some point we have to realise the army isnt the only one that can provide & that our family will always comes first & that means growing, living, learning & building together. yeah i'll admit there are times when im thankful he's a thousand miles away from me but that doesnt compare to the days I dont or the days when mady wants to see her daddy. once we get out, I expect its going to be a struggle but Im hopeful we will get through & look back at our military days as an experience that taught us the value of love, life & the strength of a familyritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954405773425426002.post-57134963424965839542010-08-24T21:36:00.002-07:002010-08-24T21:52:02.134-07:00when fear takes over<em>..just read an article about a soldier from Ft Carson killed in Afghanistan 2 days ago & he was deployed for less than a month! every time i hear or read about someone dying out there, I always question, why? ..my religious beliefs always tell me never to question gods plan..but my human side tells me, try to find answers! this kind of news hits very close to home because i fear for the life of my husband over there, and it just makes me realise anything can happen to anyone at any time..and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I'm</span> not ready for that to happen to us, i <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> think anyone is ever ready. you know sometimes i pray & i hope, just let there be peace, please god help us all live in peace, enough with the bloodshed..I hurt for the families who lost their loved ones, esp for the kids, yes your daddy/mummy died fighting but I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> think that it makes it any better because truth of the matter is that they're gone. It hurts every time I think that my girls could loose their daddy, its not fair for them..its not fair for me, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">that's</span> why when I hear about a soldier dying, i <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> pray, I beg & plead, dear lord not him, not now, not ever. we still need him & every morning when I get a call or email from mark I know god has heard me. Peace & Love..please.</em>ritalvmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16238784310196598477noreply@blogger.com0