Oh, how I love the summertime! It is finally warm in the North Country and the pups can spend plenty of time outdoors enjoying our new backyard. The new puppy, Gaius, is learning all the tricks of the trade from Tyberious and we couldn't be more pleased. At this moment, we are also taking care of Charlie and Lucy so our house is very full or puppy playtime and excitement. Definitely a blast this long weekend!
I have taken the opportunity this summer to spend time around the house with my husband getting things settled and turning this house into a home. We have made some decor decisions: furniture has been rearranged; artwork has found a home on the wall; items are being sorted and organized... progress, friends, it is so delightful. We are completing projects around the house and I am confident that by the end of summer our home will be complete.
My most recent project was to create a personalized chalkboard for the kitchen. We purchased the chalkboard spray paint, a wooden Y, a small dowel, and a nifty plank with the bark still on the sides. I taped the board so the bark wouldn't get paint on it and spray painted the rest of the plank with the chalkboard spray. While that was drying, my husband cut the dowel to make a little ledge for the chalk to sit on and I sanded painted it and the Y white. Once all the paint was dry, I hot glued the Y and ledge onto the chalk board and fastened a saw toothed hanger to the back. The little chalkboard fits wonderfully in our kitchen and is a nifty accent to our evolving decor. I am proud of my little craft project and have also begun to work on homemade french memo boards. Hopefully this bit of inspiration lasts for a while and we can really feel at home.
For now, we are just enjoying summer days.
Happy Independence Day, friends! Take time to celebrate and remember; have fun and be safe.
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day
Today is a day of opportunity to honor those brave men and women who have defended our freedoms and made the ultimate sacrifice. Many will host cookouts and gatherings with family and friends to celebrate, yet let's be sure to remember the reason for this holiday and offer a moment of silence for those lost. Enjoy the day off and offer a prayer for all those who have died in the defense of our freedoms that we experience today.
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy
Monday, February 14, 2011
Love and Deployment
Today feels just like any other day during deployment because every day I miss my soldier. All this talk of flowers, candy, and chocolate is ridiculous... all I really want is a hug and kiss from my husband. To feel his warmth would be a delight. The thought of his homecoming is what sustains me. But I know that I am not alone; all over this country there are incredible men and women apart from their beloved because the mission comes first. Barely legible letters, midnight phone calls, bruised care packages - these are the ways we say "I love you". And, I truly believe that these magnificent moments make separation bearable.
Each day I pray that my husband and all our soldiers return home safely; asking St. Michael to bless them and keep them from harm. I remind myself that love is patient and endures all things; love never fails. I believe love conquers deployment with ease.
To my friends who are far from their loved ones, hold strong and remain steadfast. Your tears are welcome and embraced, so long as you wipe them from your cheeks and remind yourself of the many blessings in your life.
To my friends who have been reunited with their soldier but wait patiently for full recovery, the circumstances may not be ideal but be thankful you are with him and he will be well soon enough. Your fears are understood, your anxiety understated, your strength inspiring.
To my friends who are able to touch, smell, and taste their lover - do it! Your happiness is beautiful and should be celebrated.
Happy Valentine's Day, friends.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflates, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Each day I pray that my husband and all our soldiers return home safely; asking St. Michael to bless them and keep them from harm. I remind myself that love is patient and endures all things; love never fails. I believe love conquers deployment with ease.
To my friends who are far from their loved ones, hold strong and remain steadfast. Your tears are welcome and embraced, so long as you wipe them from your cheeks and remind yourself of the many blessings in your life.
To my friends who have been reunited with their soldier but wait patiently for full recovery, the circumstances may not be ideal but be thankful you are with him and he will be well soon enough. Your fears are understood, your anxiety understated, your strength inspiring.
To my friends who are able to touch, smell, and taste their lover - do it! Your happiness is beautiful and should be celebrated.
Happy Valentine's Day, friends.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflates, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Goodnight, old friend, 2010
Goodnight, 2010. It was a pleasure - we had blast.
We started together and ended apart. Finished graduate school and OCS. Spent Easter in Atlanta. We moved across the country - twice! Spent the summer in Arizona. Enjoyed my first MLB game. Adopted a puppy. Engaged and married. Made our first home in New York. Successfully tackled Thanksgiving with the family. Survived our first round of puppy pukes and poops. Said goodbye in the snow. Sent packages and letters. Made new friends all along the way. And wait with baited breath for 2011 and our reunion.
It would be unfair if I didn't share with you exactly how the last few days of 2010 unraveled. Unraveled is the most fitting word because they, quite genuinely, fell apart as the first decade of the new millennium came to a close.
I arrived home after a wonderful Christmas with family and set off to the kennel to retrieve my puppy, who greeted me with such excitement that I was instantly warm and fuzzy. We returned home to find that the Garage Cat was back. (For those who don't know, this little cat has been living in my garage off and on for a number of weeks and I was told that I must capture it in order to surrender it to SPCA.) I suited up in what protective gear I had on hand and set forth to capture the Garage Cat. During our struggle the feline bit my hand through my glove, so I did what any reasonable person would do... I shoved him into one of my husband's Army duffel bags and locked it in the bathroom. I thought the hard part was over. I was mistaken.
I called a dear friend with loads of animal experience; she scared the hell out of me and I rushed to the Emergency Room. Being new to town, I had no idea where I was going but I found my way to the ER and received treatment. I don't mind needles or pills or X-Rays or anything of that sort, but I really don't care for hospitals. After three hours of sitting around and listening to the staff discuss my feline predicament I requested to be discharged because I was starting to feel rather anxious. I then vomited on the floor. Immediate talk of quarantine and admittance and contacting the Red Cross to inform my husband down range. I put my foot down. No one would alarm my husband, cause him panic or distress over a cat bite and an anxiety attack. As I walked out of the ER, I felt a weight lifted and I was calm. Like I told you, I don't do well in hospitals. After a shower and some deep breathing I was off to bed, my pup at my side, The time was 0130. The Garage Cat remained in the duffel bag in the bathroom downstairs. The next morning I called Public Health and Dog Control; they handled the situation and the Garage Cat was surrendered. The stress of my first night home was over and the puppy and I enjoyed a well deserved nap.
Then I set about tying loss ends before the end of the year.
On the final day of the decade, Ty and I ventured to Petco (his first time, ya know). He has outgrown his kennel and he tore apart his bed and chew toy while kenneled over the holiday, not to mention he was almost out of food. He was apprehensive at first, but with some encouragement and the cunning use of positive reinforcement he started to enjoy his first adventure in commercialism. He picked out a new toy, sized up a new kennel, and selected his new dog bed. Keeping in mind that the vet guessed his final weight to be approximately 65 lbs, we made sure there was room to grow. It was an expensive trip to Petco, but it was wonderful to bond with my little man. He even got to ride in the front seat on the way home!
Our evening was quiet and calm. We snuggled on the couch and watched a movie, then realizing that neither of us would last until midnight we called it a night. Goodnight, old friend, 2010.
2011, I look forward to making your acquaintance.
We started together and ended apart. Finished graduate school and OCS. Spent Easter in Atlanta. We moved across the country - twice! Spent the summer in Arizona. Enjoyed my first MLB game. Adopted a puppy. Engaged and married. Made our first home in New York. Successfully tackled Thanksgiving with the family. Survived our first round of puppy pukes and poops. Said goodbye in the snow. Sent packages and letters. Made new friends all along the way. And wait with baited breath for 2011 and our reunion.
It would be unfair if I didn't share with you exactly how the last few days of 2010 unraveled. Unraveled is the most fitting word because they, quite genuinely, fell apart as the first decade of the new millennium came to a close.
I arrived home after a wonderful Christmas with family and set off to the kennel to retrieve my puppy, who greeted me with such excitement that I was instantly warm and fuzzy. We returned home to find that the Garage Cat was back. (For those who don't know, this little cat has been living in my garage off and on for a number of weeks and I was told that I must capture it in order to surrender it to SPCA.) I suited up in what protective gear I had on hand and set forth to capture the Garage Cat. During our struggle the feline bit my hand through my glove, so I did what any reasonable person would do... I shoved him into one of my husband's Army duffel bags and locked it in the bathroom. I thought the hard part was over. I was mistaken.
I called a dear friend with loads of animal experience; she scared the hell out of me and I rushed to the Emergency Room. Being new to town, I had no idea where I was going but I found my way to the ER and received treatment. I don't mind needles or pills or X-Rays or anything of that sort, but I really don't care for hospitals. After three hours of sitting around and listening to the staff discuss my feline predicament I requested to be discharged because I was starting to feel rather anxious. I then vomited on the floor. Immediate talk of quarantine and admittance and contacting the Red Cross to inform my husband down range. I put my foot down. No one would alarm my husband, cause him panic or distress over a cat bite and an anxiety attack. As I walked out of the ER, I felt a weight lifted and I was calm. Like I told you, I don't do well in hospitals. After a shower and some deep breathing I was off to bed, my pup at my side, The time was 0130. The Garage Cat remained in the duffel bag in the bathroom downstairs. The next morning I called Public Health and Dog Control; they handled the situation and the Garage Cat was surrendered. The stress of my first night home was over and the puppy and I enjoyed a well deserved nap.
Then I set about tying loss ends before the end of the year.
On the final day of the decade, Ty and I ventured to Petco (his first time, ya know). He has outgrown his kennel and he tore apart his bed and chew toy while kenneled over the holiday, not to mention he was almost out of food. He was apprehensive at first, but with some encouragement and the cunning use of positive reinforcement he started to enjoy his first adventure in commercialism. He picked out a new toy, sized up a new kennel, and selected his new dog bed. Keeping in mind that the vet guessed his final weight to be approximately 65 lbs, we made sure there was room to grow. It was an expensive trip to Petco, but it was wonderful to bond with my little man. He even got to ride in the front seat on the way home!
Our evening was quiet and calm. We snuggled on the couch and watched a movie, then realizing that neither of us would last until midnight we called it a night. Goodnight, old friend, 2010.
2011, I look forward to making your acquaintance.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Merry Christmas, friends
This year's holiday season is bittersweet. While I am ecstatic to see my friends and family, I am reminded that my husband is far from home. This is our first Christmas as a married couple, and we are apart. My Christmas day, however, was wonderful! The magical morning started with instant messages from Matt, followed by presents with family, Christmas Day Mass, dinner at Aberdeen Barn, Harry Potter 7.1, and at the end of evening he called from down range. The true magic of the season was present in my family's home... and then it began to snow. As you know, I think snow is beautiful. What a wonderful Christmas. I can't wait to do it all again when he comes home.
Merry Christmas, friends! Special thanks to all those dedicated to service and are therefore separated from their loved ones this holiday season. God bless.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Operation Thanksgiving 2010
Thanksgiving was a blast!
We had a full house. My husband's family and my mom and sister joined us at our new home for the holiday. I would be lying if I said the experience was void of stress and was full of only happy, gleeful moments but rest assured that we enjoyed our first holiday as husband and wife. Our townhouse neatly accommodated all our guests for each meal and much enjoyed family time. Our puppy was sick for the duration but was in bright spirits nonetheless - I didn't raise him to be a party pooper. I needed all hands on deck for this one. After all, this was my first attempt at cooking all things Thanksgiving. True story.
I am proud to report that the food was edible and my husband actually noted that my sausage dressing was "delicious". The turkey was moist and flavorful; the mashed potatoes were loaded; the green bean casserole was classic. And completely on purpose, but absolutely by luck, all the food was ready at the same time. No joke. I couldn't have planned it better if I had tried. Even my family-in-law was impressed. It was a good meal. We laughed, ate, and enjoyed each other's company - and isn't that what it is really all about?
Our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife was a success. Everyone survived. Leftovers were scrumptious. Our house is still standing. My husband, my puppy, and myself - we are all happy. Mission Accomplished.
We had a full house. My husband's family and my mom and sister joined us at our new home for the holiday. I would be lying if I said the experience was void of stress and was full of only happy, gleeful moments but rest assured that we enjoyed our first holiday as husband and wife. Our townhouse neatly accommodated all our guests for each meal and much enjoyed family time. Our puppy was sick for the duration but was in bright spirits nonetheless - I didn't raise him to be a party pooper. I needed all hands on deck for this one. After all, this was my first attempt at cooking all things Thanksgiving. True story.
I am proud to report that the food was edible and my husband actually noted that my sausage dressing was "delicious". The turkey was moist and flavorful; the mashed potatoes were loaded; the green bean casserole was classic. And completely on purpose, but absolutely by luck, all the food was ready at the same time. No joke. I couldn't have planned it better if I had tried. Even my family-in-law was impressed. It was a good meal. We laughed, ate, and enjoyed each other's company - and isn't that what it is really all about?
Our first Thanksgiving as husband and wife was a success. Everyone survived. Leftovers were scrumptious. Our house is still standing. My husband, my puppy, and myself - we are all happy. Mission Accomplished.
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