Get Serious, Woman!

I always find my way back to this blog that I keep neglecting. I don't mean to neglect it, I just get distracted and busy! The last time I posted, I was the mother of 6. I am now a mother of 7 and I am also a Gramma! I moved from Virginia Beach to Pensacola and back to Virginia Beach. It's been quite awhile. I'm just happy to be back to share where I've been and what I've been up to. Has the Navy Wife Life made me salty or am I still seasoned perfectly? Let's find out. I'm about to get serious about this blog. Seriously! LOL!

Balance?!

To all the military spouses out there, please, take time for yourself. Don't wait! Do something NOW! The compliments of being the "backbone of the family", the "rock", the "number one supporter" are very nice, but there will come a time in your life that you will feel extremely less of yourself.

Or maybe it's just me. Sometimes I am jealous of my husband's accomplishments, because the list of mine doesn't seem to compare. His are just one after another. Mine seem so far and few. Am I not doing enough? I feel run down and exhausted, as if I'm doing more than the average person, but I don't feel like I'm doing anything significant. My husband always says how his accomplishments are also mine and that he couldn't have achieved so much without me. That makes me feel like he's just being nice and sharing like how we were taught as children to share. Almost in a mocking manner, to me, when I feel this blanket of jealousy. (At least once a month)

I have friends who are in their late 30's, early 40's and just now going back to school. They've raised their children and supported their spouses and realized that over the years they didn't make time for themselves. Now, they are trying to work on being what they want to be "when they grow up." I also have friends who went to school early and started careers, but their spouses didn't progress in the military. I guess it can go either way.

Balance is probably the answer. I just have no sense of the word or idea of balance. I feel outweighed with the six kids and chaotic household. I can't seem to create peace and serenity in this house! Gosh darn, I always seem to find a way to pull out my own faults when I'm writing or typing. Okay... so what I am really trying to say is that we should all find balance. Balance in the home. If I had balanced my dreams and my family, I might have actually had a chance at being what I wanted to be "when I grow up."

Okay, folks, just don't let yourself get to a point in your life where you are blaming others for what you didn't do. Don't lose yourself helping others reach their goals and dreams. You can make your dreams come true AND help them along the way.

Finding time for ME!

Golly gee...
Seems like I find a moment and then something comes up. It's been years (literally) since my last entry. I feel terrible because this was something I truly wanted to do. I still want to. I would like to get on the boards and visit with other bloggers on life's fun, funny and even not so funny adventures and experiences. Why not? I'm a military wife with six kids. I meet interesting folks on a daily basis and go through, witness and even create some of the best and worst that can happen in this world.

Since my last entry, I've had my 6th child, AM1 became AMC, my oldest graduated high school, J3 graduated elementary and J5 graduated preschool and is headed to Kindergarten. I've also moved from Virginia to Texas for 8 months, Texas back to Virginia for 15 months, Virginia to Florida (just got here two weeks ago).

We just moved from Virginia Beach, VA to Pensacola, FL. It's quite a change. We've been here for just two weeks and I can't really say if I love or dislike the differences. I'm extremely nervous about the public school system here in Florida. The standards are pretty low and the schools in our immediate area are barely meeting state requirements in core subjects. I'm surprised some of them are still open and operating. I'll be visiting the schools this week and deciding on enrollment next week.

I was posting about my weight loss journey last time I was here. Update on that is... well... I've gained weight. I'm not discouraged. I'm disappointed with my effort, but hopefully all the hard bodies on the beach of this area will motivate me to get my booty moving more. I'm hoping that a food journal and my updates on here will help me. I definitely don't want to post how much weight I'm gaining so if I want something good to post, I better lose the weight, right? Right?! Right!

Me? Jealous? NO WAY!

For the past month or so, we've been in a financial pinch.  Well, I guess we've just been feeling a little bit of "hard times".  We haven't eaten out, been shopping, or done anything other than the usual work, school, home routine.  We're slowly getting back to a comfortable place with our finances so we're spending cautiously and watching where every penny goes.  Not a bad habit, but we should have done this long ago. 

Anyhoot, AM1 is currently "detached".  The jets are flying down in the warmth of Texas.  The first night, AM1 went to eat at some chicken place and when he told me, my stomach fluttered and I felt a slight sense of jealousy.  Being the only person around here that cooks, I am yearning for a night out where someone else cooks and caters to me.  Oh, how I wanted to jump through the phone and slap him.  Is that terrible?  To soften the blow, he says, "Well, I wanted to eat at Jack in the Box, but everyone else wanted to eat at a restaurant."  Really?  I was hit with the same jealous feeling again.  Oh, how I wish that Jack in the Box was even an option for us up here in NO JACK IN THE BOX LAND.  He went on to say how their working hours are an hour later than if they were here, the weather is so warm and nice, after work they were heading to the River Walk.  Okay, stop right there mister!!  Are you on vacation or detachment?  He said they're having a softball game on Monday and catching a SPURS game before heading home.  WHAT?  A SPURS vs. KNICKS game?  You have to be kidding!  When they're out at sea and living in cramps spaces with limited daylight hours, I usually feel bad and try not to do things that will make him feel bad.  Then moments like this, I want to secretly send a request chit for early return to the boat (for him, of course).  Mean, but honest.  They took all their jets and half the squadron to Texas so the pilots can fly with their Air Force buddies and catch tee time.  Why would they need their golf clubs on a detachment?  And softball gear?  Yes, call me what you want, but I want some Jack in the Box or something!! 

Okay, I'm not jealous anymore.  I'm over it.  I just really wanted a Sourdough Jack with buttermilk sauce.  I'm glad he's away for two weeks.  It gives me time to get the house in order and to catch up on ME TIME since it's always AM1 when he's home.  The kids are so well behaved when he's away and the house is always tidy and calm.  He should be the one jealous.  Ha!  I think the kids get a little crazy when he's home because he spoils them.  He does everything for them and they get away with things that I absolutely do not tolerate.  With him, it's fun time.  With me, it's 'get it together or else' time.  I'm all about teaching my children independence.  If they're capable of doing something, they're going to do it.  Well, not the cooking and harder chores.  I mean the simple things, like pouring themselves a drink, taking out the trash, cleaning up their rooms, etc.  When AM1 is home, he usually does it all for them so it gets done faster and so he doesn't have to hear them complain (something they don't do with me).  Complaining gets you nowhere with me.  Just do it and get it over with!  Again, I blogged myself into another change of thought.  He should be jealous, not me.  Hahahaha...

Still no camera.  I'm still trying to decide on which one I want.  I loved my Canon EOS because of the quality of the photos, but I also loved my Sony CyberShot because it was easy to tote around in my back pocket or in my purse.  Okay, have a nice day! 

Japanese Treats & a Camera

Two boxes within a month!  That's spoiling us!  We have great friends in Japan that know we miss the yummy treats we enjoyed while we were stationed there.  They sent us a very generous variety of candies, cookies, and chips.  The kids shared a few with their friends, just to familiarize them as to why they were so excited to open the box that arrived today.  Their friends thought some of it was strange and not to their liking, but they loved sharing in the excitement.  J1's friend brought it to our attention that Japanese pop-rocks actually pop and crackle a little louder and harder than the ones here in the states. 

I wanted to post a photo of the treats, but I'm having camera issues!  Locating my camera would be great.  I've been using the camera on my BlackBerry, but the quality of the photos are terrible.  My Sony CyberShot is hiding from me.  It's old, tired, and barely hanging on.  Since my Canon EOS Rebel was stolen last summer, I haven't come around to replacing it.  It's not cheap and I'm trying very hard to spend less this year.  We'll see!  I NEED a camera.  My kids are into sports and school activities that I would love to have photos of.  Okay, in two sentences I've talked myself into purchasing a new camera.  Stay tuned for the photo updates!  That was easy.  Maybe I should blog about those shoes I saw at the NEX.  Hahaha...

Military Housing Communities

We are living in a housing community just for military families.  It's not on a base, nor is it "secured".  There's no sentry, no gate, no sense of security.  Why do we live here again?  Oh, the reasons go on and on why we have to live here.  [another post]  Anyway, after the summer full of burglaries and vandalism, management decided to finally hire security to roam the area from sun down to sun up.  The security drives through each court and the perimeter of the housing area with BRIGHT flashing lights atop their vehicle.  I'm no criminal, but even I know that if I was going to do something I wasn't supposed to I could do it without security catching me.  I'd see their lights from a mile away and could be done with my dirty deed before they would ever know I was there.  That's the problem.  Many people, including myself, have complained and made suggestions to how the security would be more effective without the "here we come" lights.  Not only are the flashing lights ineffective, but the way they roam the neighborhood is so routine that things could be planned and timed.  It's a joke.  I've checked neighborhood police records and there are still as many crimes as before they hired security.  Who's money is being wasted?  Hire security that will lessen the crimes in the neighborhood.  DUH! 

I've read many of the neighborhood crime reports for or area and it is obvious that military communities are targeted for burglaries and auto theft.  Why is that?  Are the people who are burglarizing members of our own community? The maintenance staff?  For all we know, it could be the security guards.  I've submitted my complaint and my suggestions.  Now I have to wait to see if anything will change.  I doubt it!!  The street light in front of our house has been out since we moved in last March.  Every time we bring it up to management and maintenance they say a work order has been placed.  That's great... almost a year later, still no lighting in the court.

Happy New Year! [2011]

Golly gee... the time sure flew right by.  I can't believe 2011 has arrived and I haven't done all the things I wanted to do in 2010.  How did that happen?  I'll tell you how it happened.  My five children and the sea duty husband!!  I can make excuses or even lie a little, but it wouldn't change the fact that they keep me BUSY!  Brushing my teeth and taking a shower are the only two things I can guarantee myself daily.  Everything else for myself must be sandwiched between Mama duties, Soccer Mama duties and of course, Navy Wife duties.  I am not complaining one bit, however, if I don't brush my hair soon I'll have to shave it all off as the only option!

I tried new recipes and experimented with craigslist.org.  I got rid of a bunch of junk that I'm hoping is now someone else's treasure.  Since my last posting, I've been chewed out by an Officer who wasn't having a bad day.  I found out he's always that unpleasant and nobody has the balls to tell him about himself... except for my AM1 who has my back.  He politely brought it to his attention that it was unprofessional to speak to me the way he did.  Never be intimidated by the higher ranked and higher enlisted folks.  Even they need to treat people with respect.  Some officers or higher enlisted folks attempt to pull rank when it's unnecessary and when it won't change the outcome of the situation.  Those are times you just have to laugh it off.  I say "some", because I've only experienced a few rank pulling people.  And don't get me wrong, there are many lower enlisted who don't know how to act on most days.  I'm just sayin'!

Okay, I have to run now.  Ha... not literally!  I just have to get off the computer before J3 thinks he's off the hook for a shower tonight.  Stinky kid!

September already?

I've been living in Virginia Beach since March and I haven't had a moment to breathe... so it seems.  I want nothing more than to update this blog so that I can look back on time passed.  Just a moment ago I looked back at my previous entries and realized that I'm terrible at this.  Blogging is just NOT my thing.  Though I would love to share my life's experiences, I just don't know how to make it as interesting as it actually is.  My words just don't fill the actual feeling of what goes on.  Maybe I need a lesson or course on this whole blogging idea.  I follow some really awesome blogs and they're full of life.  Rich in color and wording so deep I can imagine myself in the mind of the blogger.  What is going on with me and mine?  I think I'll take some time to think about it and really get a feel for what I want to do here.  When I had my very own website I drew in so many visitors, but I also got to use my artistic talents and web design seems so much easier than a blog.  How is that?  Maybe I share better with photographs and graphics.  My head hurts thinking about it. 

Happy September, folks!  I'll be back later.

Don't be confused

Taking it back to February.
I was supposed to keep this updated with photos and updates of our recent PCS (permanent change of station).  We left Japan on February 16th, 2010.  The flight was scheduled to leave Yokota AB, head to Misawa AB, then to Anchorage, Alaska, and final destination Seattle, Washington.  While we waited in Misawa for refuel and had lunch from a hot lunch truck parked outside, we got news that the flight would skip Alaska and head straight to Seattle.  That was awesome news for us.  Less travel is always good!  The kids were doing great.  No complaining.  They were still excited to be going to a new place.  I was just hoping that excitement wouldn't wear down.  The long flight went pretty well.  It was landing back in the United States that wasn't so wonderful.  Being back in the U.S. was such a great feeling, but the experience was far from great.  Before we left Japan, we made reservations on Orbitz.com for a hotel, which turned out to be a motel type place.  The shuttle was a run down van that was obviously due for a tune up or overhaul in my opinion.  The driver wasn't so bad, but when we pulled up to the place, I already knew I was NOT staying there.  There was a old musty smell at the front door when it swung open.  Yucky!!  We were exhausted so my husband said, lets check in, wash up and find a place to eat.  We got in the room and even the kids didn't want to touch anything.  It was disgusting.  The window wouldn't shut all the way, the linens looked used and the staff seemed like they hated their jobs.  There was dirty dishes on the floor outside of the door of the next room.  I refused to stay there.  AM1 went to the front desk and told them we were uncomfortable there, listed the problems and unacceptable, and requested the driver take us back to the airport.  We called Orbitz.com which was no help at all.  We explained that we didn't want any problems or confrontation because there were thug like folks hanging out with the staff and we didn't need any problems.  The dumb Orbitz.com person called the hotel and told them we were not satisfied and demanded our money back.  We didn't want our money back, nor did we want to deal with the hotel staff.  AM1 already told the staff that we just wanted to go back to the airport to try to catch an earlier flight.  Then the staff brought up the Orbitz.com person and what they told them.  Goodness!  The driver was kind enough to take us back to the airport without any problems.  As we were taking our stuff back out to the van, J1 was holding the door for me to come through and a guy about 19 or 20 years old tries to talk to her.  She freaks out and lets the door go.  We were welcomed back to the states with what will be our reality, I'm assuming. 

We got back to the airport, used payphones to call other hotels and finally found one.  It wasn't much better than the first, but the staff was really nice, the room was a little musty, but we were in walking distance of a Denny's restaurant.  Thank goodness, because we were starving.  AM1 didn't want to leave the luggage in the room, so he sent us to eat and told us to bring him back something.  Our first night in the United States was such a tough one, but we were still glad to back. 

Fishing for... Flounder?

Before getting stationed in Japan, we were stationed at NAF Patuxent River, Maryland.  We used to do some good fishing and crabbing there.  It was so much fun and it was something very cheap to do back then on E4 pay.  We only had the two oldest girls at the time so it was a little easier to stay out longer and the spots were more accessible.  We didn't do any fishing while in Japan, so coming back to the states, we were excited to get new fishing gear and head out to teach the three little ones how to fish.  We also wanted to get them to the beach and teach them about water safety.  They've only had pool experience in Japan, nothing like the ocean, so they need to be out there on the beach. 

We've been looking for fishing spots here in Virginia Beach, but didn't find any places that you can park and fish.  All the spots are far from where you park your vehicles.  It's not easily accessible.  Anyway, we took the kids to Ft. Story yesterday.  This is our second time out there.  We went out there to practice... hahaha!  We're a little rusty!  For J3 just learning how to fish, he did awesome.  He caught a few Flounder.  J2 caught a stingray, some flounder, and some croakers the last time we went there.  Yesterday, we only caught flounder.  We had to throw most of them back because they were too small, but we had a blast competing who would catch the most. 

Ft. Story has beautiful beaches and scenic points, with lighthouses that would make picture perfect postcards.  We haven't brought the camera out there because we're notorious for losing or leaving cameras.  On a non-fishing trip out there, I'll TRY to remember the camera. 

Maybe not today

I had every intention to start filling in the gaps of our relocation from Japan to Virginia, but I got news yesterday of my Uncle's passing.  My Mom's brother, Fredie, passed away after many months of fighting Liver Disease and Kidney Failure.  There wasn't much the medical staff in Hawaii could do for him without him receiving a liver, so they've been doing everything to keep him comfortable up to yesterday when his body just couldn't fight anymore.  He's been in and out of the hospital for days at a time over the past year and it's been tough on his children to see him in so much pain and discomfort.  His son, Fred Lee, is a Senior in high school and is playing his last year on the football team.  He's been visiting his Dad, my Uncle, before his games and practices when he got too ill to go watch him play.  It's been a really tough year for them all, and though it is a sad time and his 5 children will miss him dearly, he is no longer suffering and we all believe he is in a much better place, and now resting.  May God comfort his children as he makes his journey home. 

I'll start updating tomorrow.  New day, new mood, new agenda.  Have a good day!

Am I back?

--- Well, it's been about six months since our journey from Japan to Virginia Beach.  I told myself I'd update the blog as often as possible, and I did NOT lie.  It is now possible.  It has been quite a journey.  And you may think six months is enough time to adjust, but it isn't.  I'm still adjusting to the differences between Japan and the United States.  I think the hardest to get used to is the RUDENESS!!  People here in the U.S. are very rude and it seems as though 99% of the folks around here do NOT like their jobs.  Its rare to run into kind, courteous people here.  Living in Japan for over seven years with friendly, courteous & helpful people was waaaaaaay more pleasant.  I enjoyed Japan, but I wouldn't want to move back.  It would just be nice if the folks here were easier to get along with. 
--- I'm six months behind on the updates, but I am ready to share the experiences we've gone through thus far.  I don't know where to begin, but I'll try to go back as far as the moment we stepped foot back into the United States of America. 

Stay with me!  I have updates on my weight issues also.  Argh! 

Three more for group rates

--- I should have three more children.  We'd be able to make reservations using the
group rate.  I had to purchase airline tickets from Seattle to San Antonio and after
typing in all seven of our names, credit card information and frequent flyer numbers,
the stinkin' thing kicked back with error messages.  Unable to process, etc.  I tried
different travel sites and airlines' sites.  When I finally decided to call an airline, my
head was spinning.  As I waited for a representative, I had to listen to a bunch of
security and airport rules.  I also got the message that if I made the reservation with
the airline over the phone, I'd be charged an extra $25 per passenger booking fee. 
ARE YOU CRAZY?  Anyway, an agent finally came on the line and when I told her
what keeps happening, she told me it's because there are too many names.  She said
it would only let me book up to six people.  Great!  What do I do with the other kid?
She said I could make two reservations, splitting the family up.  CRAZY!  I worked
in the travel industry and I know from experience that doing that could mean taking
separate flights.  There's no way I'd split the family up.  She was huffing and puffing
so I told her, "Forget it.  I'll call another airline, because you seem frustrated."  She
said, "No, I just don't know what you're looking at because my computer doesn't
even show the flight you're asking about."  Okay... the lady couldn't find her own
airline's flight. 

--- Cutting the story a lot shorter than it is, I booked all seven of us on the same
flight, a hotel and I got the special internet fare without having to pay the booking
fee for having them do it all.  Patience and prayer can surely get you through
tough situations.  Aaagghhh!! 

Be right back!  J5 is calling!

Sharing kinda stinks

--- We're all sharing a laptop, due to the recent pack-out.  I could have kept the
desktop here, but we decided to let them pack everything.  We kept one pot, two
pans, a spatula, no eating utensils and no dishes.  This family of seven is roughing it. 
I know you'll think I'm strange, but we've been using plastic forks, spoons, knives.
All of which I wash and reuse.  I've been buying paper plates (the GREEN kind). 
I even bought a few aluminum pans to wash and reuse.  Don't judge me.  This is
actually a lesson being learned!! 

--- Anyway, I don't like having to share this laptop with the entire family.  Okay,
minus J5.  J1 & J2 have end of the quarter/semester reports, projects, and extra
credit due so they've been hogging it for research.  AM1 has been using it to research
vehicles, because I guess we'll need one when we get back to the states.  :)  He's
been looking into safety ratings and ridiculous features.  I told him, stop with all
that silly stuff and find one that fits the whole family without having to tie one to the
luggage rack or bumper.  He's also been looking at the Virginia Beach area for
homes that are for rent.  He said we need to be prepared if housing isn't available.
Again, stop with the non-sense.  We have to go there, get a feel for the area
anyway.  We have to SEE the rentals and areas of the rentals before deciding
anyway, so lets just get there first.  I'm not so much into this kind of preparation
as I am for, let's say, a birthday party for one of my kids. 

--- Oh, yes, back to the sharing subject.  J3 had his surgery this past Friday,
January 22nd.  My little six year old went in for Right Inguinal Hernia Repair
and is recovering great.  Here's an overshare.  The hernia was worse than they
expected and he had quite a bit of fluid around his testicles that was causing the
pain he was complaining of.  He is home from school for the entire week and hogs
the computer while J1 & J2 are at school.  After a while sitting at the table, on
the very uncomfortable loaner furniture dining chair, he gets up for a break and
you'd think I'd get a chance to check mail or pop in here for a quick entry, but
NOPE!!  Little miss J4 needs her daily NickJr fix. 

--- I'm considering a notebook or laptop of my very own.  If you have any suggestions,
please send them.  I need all the input on the newest technology because I'm a little
behind. 

--- I have so much to catch up on.  I have notes in my iTouch from the recent weeks,
so I'll try to get them in here when I find a way to bribe or threaten the family into a
turn on this thing. 

Formatting issues

--- What's going on with my formatting?  I haven't changed any settings, so why the problems?  Help!