Be Thankful People Serve So You Don't Have To - God Bless Our Military

I am not going to get on my soapbox about our current President or his "campaign promises" that led so many Americans to vote for him. But in light of his new War/End of War projections..I'd just like to say "All military personnel and their families could have told you this was a big joke on Americans."

In fact, today Obama is to announce his strategy at the sprawling Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, where thousands of Marines are soon heading to another war front, Afghanistan.

That's right silly citizens. All you who voted to "bring our troops home" are getting a good chuckle out of us military spouses. Our husbands will just be going somewhere else in the Middle East. But you won't hear about that on CNN, NBC or ABC.

The men and women who serve you will still be put in danger, we will still have loss of life and we (the spouses) will still have an empty seat at our dinner table for years to come.

Furthermore...in case you were wondering..."Even with the drawdown, a sizable U.S. force of 35,000 to 50,000 U.S. troops will stay in Iraq under a new mission of training, civilian protection and counterterrorism."

Right again you gullible bleeding hearts, we will now be "peace-keeping" in Iraq. What does that mean, you may ask? It means my husband will be over there (in that place Obama said they would all be leaving ASAP). He will be there monitoring their country and making sure they aren't trying to blow up an American building.

I know this is a rant, but it was what I felt most strongly about during this election. I knew people were being misled by this charismatic "leader." The military community knew he wouldn't pull us out completely and he shouldn't. We knew he was shifting focus to Afghanistan. We knew our troops would still be in Iraq (just like we peace-keep in Africa, etc...). And it infuriates me when people (friends and family included) talk about just living in peace. That isn't realistic.

You want realistic? Realistically, my husband would rather be in Iraq than Missouri. My husband emails his buddies in Iraq with jealousy, because he'd like to be there with them. My friend's husband shed a tear when he signed his papers to leave the Marine Corps. They love what they do and they do it because they know the value and importance of their missions.

Sure, I want Mr. Marine home all the time. At dinner every night. Sleeping-in with me every morning. But that's not his job. People don't plan and launch attacks on this country between the hours of 8-5, M-F. And if he isn't going to the Middle East, he'd be on a MEU somewhere in the middle of the ocean ready to take Americans out of Lebanon, or bring food and supplies to tsunami affected islands.

Obama will never bring all of them home so stop believing him or any other lying politician who is just trying to pull on your heartstrings.

You want to hear something truthful? Here is the truth...The military men and women serve...all hours of the day...every day of the year. They serve and they serve so you don't have to.

Be thankful.

Thankful Thursday - Today is Thursday, right?

Life has been kinda rough on me lately and I can tend to fall into a slump without my friends and family around to give me the kick in the pants I so often need.

So today I am going to do as my Mimi advises and "pull myself up by my socks and deal with it." 

So instead of wallowing in a sea of pity, or stressing about things I cannot change...I am going to remind myself of things I am thankful for - the truly meaningful to the truly trivial.

 - First and foremost...I am thankful for Mr. Marine. Sure we argue but I wouldn't want to be arguing with any other man. I married the man that I love and the lifestyle I am tying to tolerate. But as the song goes, "I'd rather live in his world, than live without him in mine."

 - My dearest friend and fellow Marine wife - I have never made friends easily. I don't open up to just anyone and I have been hurt more by "girlfriends" than I have by the men I have known. So when I began the rotten job of moving every few years for the Marine Corps, I was really worried. Then God put this angel in my life and we have become more like sisters than just friends. I miss her everyday...but thank goodness she lives in my hometown so I can see her more frequently. 
 - My dog Riley has been my salvation. Sounds silly, huh? I rescued this dog when I was in college and since then he has seen me through some rough times. Cancelled engagements, hurricane evacuations, dad's failing health, mom's heart attack, relocation to NC and a deployment. He always seems to know when I need him. He has created so much laughter in my life, but he has also sat on the floor with me when I just needed to bawl my eyes out. Plus, who can't love a dog that let's you put him in outfits like this?
 - I am also thankful for Mystic Tan. I used to bake in the sun, and with my Portuguese ancestry, I tanned like no other...Then came melanoma...BOOOO! But thanks to Mystic Tan, I can look good without the skin cancer!

 - I am thankful for my job, or jobs...I wish I made more money, but don't we all? I am lucky enough to work with great people in an awesome industry!

 - Last, but maybe most important (along with Mr. Marine) is my family. My mom and I couldn't be closer. She is my very best friend and I adore every minute I spend with her. My daddy (and step-daddy) are the best. Some people are bitter over step parents...I feel like I got loved by the best 2 men out there! I also adore my in-laws...I couldn't have found better ones!

OK...I am in  a better mood already!

Beautiful Runner...Bleck!

I am a frizzy-haired-blotchy-skinned-red-face-sweat-monger who struggles for every breath...

While she has the nerve to look this good while running...

Uuuugghhhhhh!!!!! 

Dear God...Please do me this one favor and I'll never ask for anything again!

Dear God,

I have a favor to ask. I know I am being a bit selfish, so I am going to show you how fair I am...I am going to give you options! 

Option #1 - My personal fave

Please make me look like her...

Option #2 - If the first request is too much work for such a busy Guy like yourself, I will gladly settle for...

Her...

God, please know that whatever option you choose, I will appreciate. 

Hugs,

Me

P.S. If I wake up tomorrow looking like either one of these women, I will never drink another beer or skip another Sunday Mass (pinky swear).

"Assembly Required" Furniture Should Come w/ Divorce Papers

When I was back home in Houston, my mama and I went shopping at some of the contemporary furniture stores down on Fondren. They had amazing stuff, and I didn't have near enough money to purchase all that I wanted.

However, Mr. Marine and I have been looking for a glass coffee table for our living room. We fell in love with one but it sold before we could buy it. However, I am thankful it did because I found this one in Houston, and they shipped it to me. 

Please remember, we LOVE contemporary furniture (some modern) so this is perfect for our house. My parents have this awesome swing table, and now I do too! 

So...it folds into a perfect square and THEN swings into a 3 tier glass table...

Be still my beating heart! I am always looking for a "conversation piece" in each of my rooms, and this one is just that! 

Now...that is the finished product. Unfortunately, it didn't arrive ready to display. It was the dreaded "Assembly Required." Without boring y'all with a step-by-step analysis of what we had to do, or what Mr. Marine and I were screaming at each other, I'll just say it was a royal pain in the ass!

They say you can judge people by how they treat their mother, and how they handle lost luggage. Well, I adore my mother and treat her like the queen I believe her to be (most of the time) and I lost my luggage in Croatia and was very calm until I wasn't getting my way. Then I started bawling, which led the poor luggage lady to cater to my whim and get my luggage to me ASAP.

Mr. Marine treats his mama like a friend (not super emotional) and he loses luggage and doesn't flinch. 

That explains us to a tee...I get emotional when I lose control and he is steadfast and unwavering in his emotions (which created a fight for the ages this weekend...but that's another post).

So, now that the coffee table is assembled, after I got emotional and he calmly told me to relax...then proceeded to curse like the Marine he is, we are still married! 

Though I am now convinced "assembly required" papers are not accompanied with divorce papers because in the middle of the project...it was a serious consideration. Having the papers right there would have made it far too easy.  

Someone Loves Me and all my randomness!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Ms. Texan Couture gave me my first Love Ya Award...and I love her for it! 

Rules do accompany this beloved award, and they are:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award!"

I choose the following 8 fabulous bloggers:

Another Day In The Same Life

The Ever-Changing Life of A Military Wife

A Belle and Her Beau

Brown Eyed Girl & Her Beau

The Displaced Texan

Simple Pleasures

Little Pink Magnolia

New Girl On Post

Have a great Tuesday. I am anticipating the arrival of our new coffee table and I can't wait to post new pics once we get it all situated!

Magic Wand Brushless Wonder!

"I never wear mascara; I laugh until I cry too often." 

-Jeanne Calment

While I often find myself laughing hysterically when I am on the phone, or in the vicinity, of one my dearest friends...we would never dream of leaving the house without mascara! 

That being said, it is crucial you know that I am pushing 30 and have NEVER found a mascara I wanted to invest my money in twice. It is like the eternal search for the "perfect" little black dress...only I have 10 of those and not one damn mascara that I can turn to in a time of need.

So imagine my skepticism when I found this while perusing the aisles at Ulta, one of my favorite beauty supply stores...

Yes, ladies it is brushless! 

I swear by Bare Escentuals' foundation. The powder gives me a fresh young glow (although it isn't the best for picture taking since it reflects the flash, making the subject look a bit pale.)

So I thought I'd try my millionth mascara and imagine my surprise...

I LOVE IT!!!!

The best part? My eyelashes don't clump. There aren't any brush bristles to rob me of any loose lashes. And the liquid that is supposed to reach my eyelashes actually reaches its destination!

This mascara is the best!!!! Thank you mascara gods for hearing my pleas and sending my eye enhancing salvation! 

Magic Wand, you were worth the wait!

Mild Panic Attacks and 1 Marvelous Marine Makes for a Very Happy Mrs.

I am back from Texas (shedding tears as I type this) but I am excited to be home with my doggie and Mr. Marine. 

I thought I'd fill my favorite readers in on how I spent my Valentine's Day. First, Mr. Marine had to go help recruit other little Mr. Marines so I tagged along and spent the morning shopping in Target (always a fave of mine). After he was done working, and I was done shopping, we headed to Fast Eddie's...an awesome biker-bar...for some delicious shrimp and burgers (and beer of course).

Well, unfortunately we had to stop by the grocery store on the way home and the following episode occurred...

First, let me explain a bit about your shoe-loving blogger...I am a worrier to a fault. I am Type-A, and it is not a good thing. I freak out when I feel out of control. But I have full-blown panic attacks if I feel out of control in an already uncomfortable situation. For example, give me a Nordstrom 3 days before Christmas and I will navigate it like the pro I am. Now, put me in a base commissary around payday and I will breakdown and crumble into a ball by the frozen peas. 

Such was the case on V-day. We stopped by the commissary for a few things, kids began screaming and running around, I was dodging carts and the panic began. I had a racing heart, anxious eyes and the look Mr. Marine knows all too well. So he left me by the fresh seafood, ran and gathered what we needed and we managed to escape before the tears arrived. 

Now that you know I survived the mild panic attack, I am going to make you jealous. Very Very Jealous. 

After we got home, Mr. Marine worked his magic (which led to my own bit of magic later!) He opened our bottle of Dingac wine we had been saving since our trip to Croatia and he served me this...

Mr. Marine cooked me Rack of Lamb encrusted in dijon mustard and breadcrumbs, topped with a shiitake mushroom and rosemary demi-glaze. This was accompanied by roasted garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus!

Yes...I am one very lucky lady!

I am home...Deep in the Heart of Texas!

Aaaahhhhhh. I am sighing with relief that my feet have landed safely on sweet Texas soil!

I am "home" even if just for a short while.

I am going to try and explain my love for the Republic Of Texas but truthfully, unless you are from here...you won't understand.

I love the South, as my family is from Georgia, but I feel at peace when I see the flag with one Lone Star flying high above the city's most beautiful buildings.

I get a giddy attitude when I hear the radio announcer tell me which country star will be appearing at my local honky-tonk bar.

I can not possibly explain my love for this state and its people. They are down-home and respectable people (though they are the meanest drivers I have ever shared the road with.)

My mind and soul are at peace in this place.

I even love it enough that I didn't complain when I sat in Houston traffic for 3 hours today (to go 10 miles...because the roadwork had the freeway down to 1 lane...when everyone was trying to get to the beach on an 80 degree Saturday.)

I will post pics when I get back to my current state (notice...not my home.) It is so hard as a military spouse because we don't really have "homes" anymore since we move when and where we are directed.

However, they say home is where the heart is and my heart will always hum the tune "Deep In The Heart Of Texas."

P.S. I know all you Texans just clapped your hands to the aforementioned tune :)

"You hate her...But I love you" Surprise Revealed!

Me: You hate her

Mr. Marine: But I love you

Those were the words spoken by the love of my life! That's right y'all...Mr. Marine surprised his Celine Dion loving wife with tickets to her most recent concert! 

He instructed me to be ready at 7pm and not to worry about where we were going! Well, I work in the fashion industry and throughout the day all these women were talking about the Celine concert. It didn't even register that's what he had planned. 

He HATES Ms. Dion. I can't even have her playing in the house at all! It is like nails on a chalkboard for the man...so this was such a surprise!

First, he took me for wine and apps, where we had my fave...beef carpaccio!!! Yum Yum

Then we headed off to the concert where I had a ridiculously priced...but very delicious...vodka/tonic with extra lime juice!

The seats were given to the Marine Corps office by the USO (thank you USO) and my wonderful hubby got them and gave them to me! 

I know some of you might be wondering what the big deal is with Celine...but hello!!!! I love this little firecracker of a woman. I love her upbeat songs, I am moved by her slower tunes...and I even love the way she sings the National Anthem (even though she is French Canadian). 

So...that was my big surprise and I could not have been more excited. And since I promised him I would stay mum...pretend I am not telling you that he actually enjoyed her concert. Shhhh!

Because after all..."He hates her...but he loves me"

Mr. Marine = Cupid

Mr. Marine just called and guess what??????

He has a SURPRISE for me! 

Are you curious what it might be? Me too!!! But I love surprises, so I didn't even try and get it out of him. All he said was, "We will grab dinner and a drink and then go."

He then, knowing what's important, gave me the dress code...designer jeans acceptable, dressy top with my new leather jacket. And the snow is finally off the ground so I feel a pair of peep toe 5" stilettos coming on!

I am super super super excited!!!!!

I've been tagged!

First, thank you all so much for your help in determining whether Texas is considered Southern, or if it is simply...Texas! 

Though you proved my husband right (which I hate) the end result was fantastic...TEXAS IS THE BEST and IS BETTER THAN ALL SOUTHERN STATES COMBINED! (that is what y'all said, right?)

Well, speaking of Texas, I was tagged to do a fun little game by Texan Couture. 

Here are the rules:

1. Respond and Rework - answer the questions on your own blog, then replace your least fave question with a new one, and add one more question of your own.

2. Tag 8 other un-tagged bloggers!

Here we go:

Q. Make a list of things you can see without getting up.

A. Stairs, Bar, Fireplace, Dog Hair...I am at home and clearly need to vacuum!

Q. What are you wearing right now?

A. Good thing I am taking this survey during the day, and not late night ;) I am wearing Seven Jeans (dark wash), a shirt from Nordy's and last night's make-up (it was  a late night)

Q. What's the last thing you read/are currently reading?

A. A Danielle Steel Novel "Coming Out"

Q. Do you nap a lot? 

A. When we lived on base, Mr. Marine would come home for lunch and we would nap every day. Now, we never have time for that!

Q. Who is the last person you hugged? 

A. Mr. Marine

Q. What is your current obsession?

A. Blogging

Q. What was the last thing you said aloud?

A. "Tell me what you find out. Love you" (to my mom)

Q. What websites do you visit when you go online?

A. Google, Us Weekly, People, Blogger, Facebook and various clothing sites

Q. What was the last thing you bought?

A. A new kitchen faucet...exciting, I know!

Q. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

A. The ability to get anywhere in the world in just a twitch of  my nose!

Q. What is your favorite weather and why?

A. I love fall. The air is crisp with cool mornings and evenings. Perfect college football weather!

Q. What time do you usually get up?

A. 15 minutes after my alarm goes off. That's 3 snoozes later!

Q. What is your most challenging goal right now?

A. Personal goal = weight loss/toning the body; Family goal = getting Mr. Marine to see it my way!

Q. Say something to the person who tagged you.

A. Texan Couture...I am so jealous of you...I want to live in Texas again!

Q. If you could have a house - fully furnished and anywhere in the world - where would it be?

A. Split, Croatia

Q. Favorite vacation spot?

A. Totally depends. I love Maui. I adore Aruba. I crave Croatia. I miss Texas. I dream of Ireland. I am such a traveler that I can't just pick one fave b/c they all hold a place in my heart for very different reasons!

Q. What is your favorite item of clothing?

A. My Seven Jeans. I wear them constantly. I have dressy ones, ones with holes in them, light color, dark wash...I just adore the way they fit my body.

Q. Name one thing you can't resist, no matter how bad it is for you?

A. Beer. I love beer and consequently love bar food!

Q. Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back too, over and over?

A. My red snake skin Stuart Weitzman's...gorgeous!

Q. What is your favorite restaurant?

A. Sullivan's and Gravitas in Houston, and Cargo in Brunswick GA

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New Question: 

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. Oh goodness...tardiness, picking (nails, face, etc...), slow drivers, bad service in restaurants, I could go on and on...I am easily annoyed! But I really hate inappropriate dressers...don't wear tank tops to church, jeans to 5-star eateries, etc...get an internal dress code people!

I tag:

Grits (cause she needs to have mindless fun right now!)

Drew and Ashley

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage

Random Occurrences in a Daily Life

The Ever-Changing Life of a Military Wife

Blooming in the Garden State

Little Pink Magnolia

Chasing Dreams