Can't think of a title!

I thought about a title for like 2 minutes and then thought 'what does it matter'--- maybe I should have named it that!

Anyhow, such a lazy summer but there should always be things that I am busy with, I just choose to ignore or procrastinate!

One of those things was getting Jadyn into the school I wanted-- went as far as getting an appointment with them some time back, but then canceled it. Kinda wished I hadn't because I found today that the school is full!!! And I have to go on a waiting list for next year! So....remember all that crap I talked about the Montessori? Well, it seems like that is where she will be going for one more year. They go to the 4th grade, so she is still welcomed there. I called them today and they were more then thrilled to hear from me. Evidently, they don't read this blog!

Just got done with a project for a friend and it turned out mega cute.

These ones are a little harder for me because I almost hate decopauging now. Done it so much-- but I will get over it especially if I can whip up a demand for it. And I have to use a much higher quality wood to get the sharp edges on the board I prefer when decopauging. But that is sort of a shame too because you don't even see the wood! I may have to rethink this one a bit. But anyhow, I love it.

Keith had this picture taken of him when he flew thru Maine.

There are these people that greet every plane that lands there, takes their pictures for a website and give them cell phones to call home on. It is very nice of them and someone finally found this picture of Keith to send my way. I was thinking that perhaps Keith skipped the photo ops.

Another awesome picture of our trip--- I think I may have this one printed in an 8x10 I love it!

Sunday boredom

Sundays are always boring since Keith has left. Nothing ever much to do. Once church is over, we just kinda stare at each other or lay around. So I thought I would put a few thing up here.

Keith sent me this kinda cool picture
It is of his boss and the village representatives. If you can look closely, you notice that under those tans, most of them are light-skinned and a few have blue eyes. This part of the country converted is Islam only within the last 100 years and are descendants of Alexander the Great.


So, yesterday and today I was awakened by the noise of a saw cutting brick in my backyard...FINALLY! I thought my yard was destined to always be a mess- but the guys finally showed up and got to work. This is what is finished thus far

It is a 2-tier planter right in the back corner of my yard and it is HUGE! They are coming back next Saturday to finish it out. I have to order a dump truck full of dirt to be delivered so they can hook up the sprinkler system in the planters. Now I get to pour over my catalogs and decide what plants I want to order to create this space. Such fun- though it will probably have to wait until fall. It is way too hot in Texas right now. So hot that the only plants that are doing well in my vegtable garden right now is the tomatoes and watermelon-- such a bummer. Next year I will be looking for a way to provide my plants more protection from the sun.

And here are just 2 random pictures of our last trip. The first one is of fuzzy dice we picked up and the second one is the old school house on the Arizona Strip.

Show this to your daughters...like at least 10x

BEAUTY

A couple of more pictures

I am really behind in orders as I have not had much of a chance to work on anything in the last 3 days- so today is my day to get caught up. Thought I would share just a couple more pictures that I have sized correctly for this forum until I can get a few more done.

4th of July-- Bridger eating a super long corndog and lemonade. We celebrated on post and it was actually really nice. Had fun


And Bridger gets to have all the fun--- In Las Vegas I bought him a day pass on the rollercoaster at New York, New York- tried to get a picture of it.


We also went to the M&M store and bought a ton of them in all different colors- it was very cool.


In Arizona at the family reunion we stopped by the one room schoolhouse and got some great pictures- but I only have this one to share at the moment

Notice the 16 year old looking like she is having the time of her life. Don't let her tell you different!

I made this photobox for my grandmother- it has the lyrics of a song about an old house-- made it to match her room. Turned out very cool

And another photobox I made for a local client- I think she had it made for her sister.


Have to get to work on some more of those photoboxes along with 10 other things!
More later

Real Quick

Some of our family has tried calling in light of the recent news and I have not been able to take those calls. Just know that everything is OK! I have spent the last 3 days fielding 15-20 calls a day trying to keep a happy face (voice) and calm the fears of parents and spouses. It is absolutely emotionally exhausting and hasn't let me sleep very well either. I wish I had some great insight to offer each of them, but really, I don't know more then they do. I am just a spouse and mother too.
All I can do is smile voice and say I am confident we are OK-- pray for those who aren't.

BUT, I did get to the gym this morning. Have I mentioned how much I hate my personal trainer? Oh, I really do, can't stand him. Only 3 more sessions and I can be done with him.

I must get work accomplished today..............

Keeping busy...

I feel better now! I think it is completely normal to mourn for a few days (or weeks) right after the soldier leaves. And because this is time number 3 I also know that month 7 there is a weird hump because it feels like it has been an eternity but yet you are on downside of the deployment (hopefully, if it is only 12 months). I go a little crazy or maybe just depressed would be the right word.

But I am planning ahead for my month 7-- it is going to be very exciting for the kids and I and I will definitely share it here when the time gets closer. The only hint is that I got the kids and I passports---hummmmm.......

So, I have been reading like crazy and all my new friends on GoodReads.com have been coming over here. Aren't they like the sweetest people ever!!! It almost makes me want to weep. I appreciate your comments and THANK YOU- it puts a smile on my face every time.

Keith sent me a few pictures this morning and I want to share one here. It is kinda cool because it is of a village.

I wonder how this village gets their food. I can't quite see if they grow anything- though you think they would with being right by the river. But I love the mountains and I know Keith does too.

In fact, before Keith left, we took this trip to Las Vegas, Arizona and Utah and saw and hung out in many mountains. we just love them!

These mountains are so pretty that this picture does absolutely no justice to it whatsoever.

These are some black lava rocks we hiked around in


And then, we played all over the red mountains (all of these are in Southern Utah)

And this is Brittlyn just hanging out-- red and turquiose look good together!

Deployment pics

I heard from Keith today, he is snug as a bug where he is supposed to be. He said the place is absolutely beautiful and the Taliban sent in some nice welcome presents.

Here are some pictures from the morning he deployed. These are standing at the bus that are going to whisk him away any second-- probably about 5am.




So, I guess the cats have not been informed that Daddy is gone and they need to quit acting like hellions! I had a headless mouse on my backporch this morning and I am not happy about it! I thought I would spare you the picture but I did get this picture a few weeks ago.

It is a baby snake and the second one I have found on the porch in the morning. I just know those dang cats bring them over to play and it is irritating. Its a good thing Bridger is not chicken like I am.

Talking about wayward animals, I got a phone call from an angry non-dog owner who was mad about the dogs and their owners who think her yard is the sewer. She demanded a sign immediately for her yard and for Bridger to come over and pick it up. Just the sight of it makes her go kinda wacky. She treats dog poo like I would a tarantula. Anyhow, here is the sign I worked up for her.

Nothing like a woman's scorn to bring in business! ha

What I am sad about today....

Seriously, if you are a military (especially Army) wife, don't read this! We have little empathy for each other because we're always caught up in whose spouse has been gone the longest or how many previous times they have been deployed, or what events (births, anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, funerals) were missed,etc. No matter what, someone always has it harder than you and I realize that.

So here is the egotistical part of me that will probably drive you other Army wives nuts.

I was actually sad doing laundry. Well, that probably makes a lot of people sad because they don't like doing it, but I was putting away Keith's clothes. It was just kind of weird still doing his laundry when he is not going to be wearing this whole closet shoved full of clothes anytime soon. It just gave me a pause.

The first morning he was gone, the jar that holds our toothbrushes stopped me in my tracks. There is only one lonely, purple toothbrush in it now. The blue one disappeared. I really thought he would buy a new toothbrush to take with him and leave his old one here. I might have to send him a new one.

This morning I actually had to iron my own clothes for church..grrr... It is not my thing, but Keith loves to do it. I even bought him a new ironing board upon moving here! I haven't ironed anything in quite some time...months, maybe even a year. He also likes to sweep the floors...they are dirty right now. (sigh)

When Keith is here, I sleep soundly, when he is not the slightest noise will wake me and my mind goes wild with what caused the sound. 2 nights ago I straight up in bed because I was positive I heard someone turn on a lightswitch in the living room. And the turning on of a lightswitch doesn't make a big sound. I layed in bed for 30 minutes trying to convince myself that I am crazy and need to go back to sleep.

I know all this stuff works out over time(give me 2-3 weeks). I know it does because I have done it before. So go ahead, I know you want to say it. I can take it!

Suck it up, get over it, dry it up, put on your big girl panties and move on!!!

Day 1

Last night was just a little sad and a little lonely only because I knew it was going to be one of MANY sad and lonely nights. Sitting out on the back porch and watching the kids swim wasn't as much fun as before. Bridger was trying to be extra helpful by taking out the trash before he was asked to do it and clean the pool just for the heck of it (why is it green already?)

Keith called eventually to tell me that he was in Maine and getting ready to fly out of there. He had an Ambian waiting for him so he could sleep all the way to his next destination. Have no idea when I should expect my next phone call. I know he is traveling many time zones away from here so the sleep schedule will be iffy.

But with that being said, I am jumping back on the Swanky Graffiti (vinyl) bandwagon big time. I have been neglectful of it since June doing only doing what I had to to get by. It is time consuming and I didn't want to spend anymore time away from the family then what was absolutely necessary. And with Keith home early most days I have not attempted to do much.

But I have some goals now, some vacations to look forward too, some places I want to take the kids, a few road trips, etc that I need a fund for, therefore I have new motivation to get back into Swanky full time/ overtime. I assured Keith that I would not spend all the money (why do I say such things?) and make do with what I bring to the table.

Better get busy!

Keith is off

Keith left early this morning for his tour in Afghanistan. It has been a long time coming since he has been home for almost 2 years since this last tour. Anyhow, Jadyn started breaking down early. Though it is hard to watch, this is the story of a military child

And this is pretty tame to how it went the morning when we were actually saying goodby and chasing the buses down the street waving. Bridger was sobbing too and said he has never felt so bad in his whole life. It is truly heartbreaking.

We were home by sun up and I promptly put the kids to bed. They will feel better with a little bit of sleep. A friend took some great pics for us...of course, I will post them as soon as I get them.

I think I am back from my blogging break