Hats Off!

As a military family, we've been a lot of places and seen a lot of different things.  We've experienced different cultures and people.  We've been fortunate enough to be assigned to squadrons or schools that are outside of my husband's normal job, so we've mingled with all walks of life and learned about the jobs that make the Air Force work and the planes fly.  I really think it makes you a better military spouse and active duty worker if you can see what other people do in the Air Force/other military branches.  Let's call it perspective.  We are also now being indoctrinated into the Navy.  This initially began in Rhode Island, but we had no idea it would lead to this.

I'm learning a lot about the US Navy, and the people I've met so far have been nothing but spectacular.  They've taken this AF family in and shown us how it's done on Guam.  The USN also has quadruple the amount of acronyms, many of which I don't think I will ever learn.  Anyhow, there is a particular group of people here that I am in awe of.  They are probably one of the most forgotten or overlooked groups in the military.  I know I'm used to being on AF bases, so we don't do ships, but I grew up in a Navy town.  My Dad was in the Navy for a while.  I've always been around the Navy, but it's usually been associated with boats/carriers and flying.  This group I'm referring to are the submariners.

I should say that I haven't met many submariners myself, but I have met their spouses.  These are some of the toughest broads in the history of ever.  The submarines are gone (underway is the correct term).  A lot.  They spend weeks without seeing the light of day.  The spouses of these crews are left to be single parents and wives.  A lot.  And they don't have as many means of communication as the normal land dwellers do.  They are remarkable people, and I am so happy to get the chance to know them and learn about their lives.  We often hear about the Army wives left behind, or the floats the sailors and marines go on for months on end, or the AF being sent somewhere to bomb or fight.  Have you ever heard much, if anything, about the submariners?  I certainly haven't, other than the occasional Hollywood production, which usually focuses on World War II battles, or the infamous Cold War (remember The Hunt for Red October?).  I'm sure that's like saying every fighter pilot is Maverick (Tom Cruise), living out the Top Gun persona.  I know they all wish the job was that glamourous.  We spouses know that it is definitely not.  So, my hat is off to the submarine wives and the men in their lives!  I will be a better person for having known them.

Manic Monday

Yes, yes, it's been a while.  It's not that I haven't been manic about anything.  I am happy to report that I have been muy busy UNPACKING!  Shut the front door, we received our household goods a little over a week ago, so I have been trying to get this house together.  It's coming along, and I have to say that we even have pictures on the walls.  That's a record for me.  OK, let the mania begin.

MY HOUSE

Alright, I mentioned before that our house is pretty awesome for a base house.  It's new and a good size, and it's in a great location.  The layout of the front room is kind of weird, but I will make it work somehow.  Here's the deal.  I've been with the hubs for the past 17 years, and we've lived in a variety of houses.  Some had no closets, some no dishwashers, a few without garbage disposals, one with a 2 burner stove and miniature kitchen sink, 2 with dorm size refrigerators, a few without garages, one with a rather useless power shower (this equals zero water pressure...dribble, dribble), a few with the washer and dryer in the kitchen, no air conditioning, horrible heating...and the list could go on.  This house is normal.  It has a dishwasher, garbage disposal, laundry room, master bath with a double vanity, great water pressure, lots of closets, ceramic tile, a fabulous AC, ceiling fans, an oven that gives you the option to bake with convection, pullouts in the kitchen cabinets, a double car garage with automatic openers, a screened-in porch (I admit that we don't really use this since we back up to a huge hill.  Some people close these off with the built in typhoon shutters and make it part of their living space), built in typhoon shutters, a built in humidifier, built in generator hook-up (cause the power does go out sometimes, and it would really suck during a major typhoon) and neighbors we love.  The only thing that's lacking is a pantry.  Believe it or not, I've always had a pantry, even in Europe.  Oh, wait, I didn't have one in Rhode Island.  Anyhow, it's not my dream home, but it's better than many of the other houses we've lived in.  I am definitely not complaining. 

This doesn't suck, either.

EBAY

I love ebay.  Mainly, I love shopping on ebay.  I've recently re-discovered this little morsel, and I've been able to purchase a shower curtain that Bed, Bath and Beyond would not ship to me (they don't ship to Guam, yet they don't hesitate to send you coupons in the mail) and a dress for the upcoming Navy Ball.  Yes, the dress is used, but it's in perfect condition and less than half the price of a new gown.  Happy!  I buy my girls used GK leotards for gymnastics on ebay, too.  Not all sellers will ship to Guam, but I have gotten lucky.

New shower curtain for girls' bathroom

TENNIS

Another re-discovery for me...the game of tennis.  I took lessons with two very dear friends about 3-4 years ago in Florida.  I hadn't picked up a racquet since then...until last week.  I signed up for lessons, and I had such a fun time (and a very sore forearm for several days).  It helps that I can laugh at myself with a new and super fabulous girlfriend.  Our next lesson is tomorrow, and this time I won't forget the sunscreen.  Remember how I said you can get sunburned walking to the mailbox here?  Well, try 2.5 hours in the sun on the equator without sunscreen.  You have yourself a rock lobstah, AKA me.

It's just like the Wii, right?

Happy Columbus Day, my friends!  My day is almost over, and I just experienced my very first earthquake!  A magnitude of 4.6, about 38 miles south of us.  We were definitely rockin', for a few seconds at least.

It Was Only Just a Dream

I had a dream last night.  Scratch dream.  It was more like a nightmare.  I'm not sure what my conscience was trying to tell me with this one.  In this particular nightmare, we received orders. For you non-military types out there, orders are the documents that state where we're moving, when we have to be there, etc.  I've been in Guam all of 2.5 months, don't have my household goods yet, and I like it here.  Some people I know hate Guam and are ready to leave, but I happen to like it here and would like to be here at least 2 years.  I'm looking to the future...the longer we stay here, the less we have to move.

Anyhow, are you wondering what the destination of these orders was?  This is the strange part....ever heard of Vladivostok, Russia, cause that's where my dream nightmare says we are going?  Why Siberia?  I can sometimes make sense of my dreams, but this one has me baffled.  Where the hell did Vladivostok come from?  I think I remember seeing weather reports for this place on AFN (American Forces Network) when we lived in Germany and England, but does the US even have any type of military presence there?  Maybe I watched too many episodes of Ice Road Truckers a few days ago?  I'm so confused.  And worried.  And downright mad at a stupid dream.  How silly is that?  So, if we get orders to Russia at any point, I will consider myself psychic and start charging for my services.  Until then, please pray that that never happens.

I had a dream.

The Wednesday Woo Hoo! No Whine This Time!

Whaddya know, I don't have anything to whine about this Wednesday!  Well, I could whine about the fact that I haven't worked out in three days, but I have nobody to blame but myself for that failure.  Instead of whining, I am rejoicing!  Yes, rejoicing because yesterday I bought tickets for the whole family to go see this:

Can't wait!  Like I said, not a lot happens around these parts, so this little bit of entertainment is providing me lots of happiness this weekend!  I know my kids will love it, too.  Mark will probably want to hang himself, but he'll just have to suck it up and take one for the team.  Lots of woo hooing goin' on around here!

Manic Monday

As I sit here with yet another maintenance man in my house, I have even more time to ponder the things in my life which I am so happy and thankful to have.  Happy Monday, y'all!

THE CROCK POT

The crock pot and I have become good buddies.  It is an absolute Godsend on those crazy days when we have activities until 7:00 PM.  I love that I can just throw all kinds of goodies in it in the morning, and an edible and delicious meal appears in the evening.  It's like magic!  Ta-Da!  Love, love, love it!  And, now we have the Crock Pot Girls on Facebook (or www.crockpotgirls.com), so I am getting all kinds of new and great recipes.  I tried this one (Beef Stroganoff with Cream Cheese) last week.  It is not exactly low fat/low calorie, but I did use reduced-fat cream cheese.  Everyone loved it (and that includes the kids, which is huge).  I even bought myself a new crock pot last week.  I had been using one that Mark bought before he met me, so it was at least 17 years old.  It works fine, and I am keeping it on hand, just in case I need it for a chili cook-off or some other event.

DOWNY WRINKLE RELEASER

This stuff saves my bacon on a daily basis.  If you hate ironing and haven't tried this, I am highly encouraging you to do so.  It may be terrible for the environment or cause animals to have two headed babies, but I don't care.  I am only concerned about my children getting out the door looking only slightly disheveled each morning.  Seriously, though, I do love this stuff.  I often use it as I am taking clothes out of the dryer, especially uniform bottoms.  It keeps me from having to break out the ironing board.  I am a terrible housewife.  

WASABI AND SOY SAUCE ALMONDS

These are my newest go-to snack.  I  ♥ them.  A lot.  Thank you to my good friend, Jody, for introducing them to me.  Tasty and good for you...the perfect treat!  Of course, if you don't like a little zing on the taste buds, then you won't like these.  Give 'em a try and see.  I think I should get paid for this free advertising.

Hafa Adai and Happy Monday!

Happy Birthday to the USAF!

Happy 64th Birthday to the United States Air Force!  Andersen AFB hosted the Air Force Ball over a week ago to celebrate the occasion.  My mandsome and I had a good time, even though we didn't really know anyone there.  We had fun getting to know the people at our table and people watching, and the Governor of Guam and his wife were there.  Oh, and I even won a door prize!  I never win anything!  So happy!  Raising my glass "To the Air Force!" (especially since I'm living in a Navy world these days).

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun!)*
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!**
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!***
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force

The happy couple

Look what I won!

Don't those look like devil horns?

It's the Little Things

I'm so excited!  Tonight is Girls' Night Out (GNO)!  I haven't had one of those in a very long time.  Yes, I did go to Vegas to visit some of my very best friends back in July before we moved here, but that doesn't count, really.  That was more of a "Lori's Zone Out and Have Fun Without the Kids" couple of days.  I miss my Vegas girls so much (see below)!  Anyhow, it's the little things that make life enjoyable, and this little night out is heavenly for me.  I get to meet some new ladies, eat at a yummy local restaurant and see The Help.....I know, I'm way behind, but I'm in Guam.  Cut me some slack.  Viva GNO!

I LOVE these ladies!