blog MD

Irene has now passed and today was hot, hot, hot!  It's too weird how quickly the weather changes.  One hour I was lying in bed clutching onto my blankets in anticipation for the storm to crack my windows open, and the next I was walking to my mailbox in flip flops and a tank top.  Who knows.

Anyway, the storm was fairly uneventful to me, of which I should be grateful.  Never once did I lose power (Wait!  Lie:  I did, once.  For about 3 seconds.) and Danielle and I were able to drive around a bit, bake brownies, play board games, and watch lots of movies.  We both were very restless after two days of staying inside, though, so this morning I bid Irene farewell, and good riddance to her too.

The worst part about the storm was just last night.  In addition to the howling wind, I kept hearing weird explosions and my stomach was turning all night long.  I hadn't eaten anything weird that day, so I shrugged it off as just being nervous; I tend to get nervous belly aches.  At about 2 in the morning, though, I began my laps back and forth to the bathroom to rid myself of some nasty sickness.  That plus a massive hurricane swirling outside my window did not make for a very pleasant night.  I still felt queasy all day today, and woke up with a massive headache this morning.

Which brings me to my subject:  What's the matter with me?
I've been getting sick a lot lately, usually upset stomachs and often throwing up, for no particular reasons.  I went to the ER again the other day because I was up all night with horrible pains again, but they told me there was nothing they could do about it and sent me home, feeling like a tard.  Since I don't want to go back, I'm curious what you all think.
What's the matter with me?  Am I just a Nervous Nelly?  A Hypochondriac?  IBS?  Same ol' same ol' freaky intestine crap?  Just wondering if anyone has any bright ideas or good remedies.

Ireney-Weenie

Coffee: Check.

Magazines:  Check.

Chocolate:  Check.

Wine:  Check, Check!

Bring it on, Ireney-Weenie!

The forcast says Weenie's on its way starting this morning, and we should get the brunt of it late afternoon and into this evening.  Whoo!  After all of this anticipation, I'm ready to see some action.  I have a full tank, some cash, snacks, a bottle of wine, and plenty of water.  Hurricanes are weird because everyone has so much time to prepare and freak out prior to.  The grocery stores were looking pretty bare yesterday afternoon when I stopped by for some last minute treats and batteries.  I won't even get started describing what the gas stations were like.  I guess when your shit's on the line, your true colors really show.  Way to go, Hampton Roaders!

 

Anyway, I did get to hear from my handsome husband hiding in a giant metal box out in the Atlantic.  They're just floating around, doing whatever it is that they do, but I'm always glad to hear just a word or two from him while he's gone.

 

Now I must make an extra pot of coffee, shower, fill up the tub, and get a few things ready for if/when fit hits the shan.  More updates to come, as long as I have internet access.  Thanks for your concerns, I'll be sure to send texts along the way concerning the storm.  

Well, he escaped again.

Due to Irene, the entire Norfolk Naval Station has deployed to the waters to hide from the storm.  The fellas were supposed to go underway next week anyway, so it'll be be another eight days or so.

Not sure that I'm supposed to share that information.

Not sure that I care.

Anyway, last week's underway was no fun because most of my VA friends also happened to be out of town, but now I'm happy to say they're slowly returning within my grasp.  Last night I had the opportunity to accompany Nate and Danielle to their 17 week ultrasound, where I (only I) learned the sex of little baby Bozung.  I got to see the whole shebang: the squishy jelly on the tummy, a video of the little thing squirming away in there, and lots of photos.  I am to keep the gender a secret for the next ten days before their Gender Reveal Party, where I get to showcase special cupcakes with either blue or pink filling in the middle.  I'd never heard of this before, so I'm quite intrigued with the whole process, and very pleased to be a part of such a fun time in these two's lives.

In other exciting news, I landed myself a new job.  I know, I know- again.

Tomorrow I start orientation for Taste Unlimited in Newport News Town Center.  The place looks fun, the woman who interviewed me seemed likable, and the hours couldn't be better.  I'm excited to start something new (yet again) and meet some more great folks.  This should help me to stay busy while Jody's busy off and away, saving the world.

Right.  Saving the world.

Anyway, I have a lot to praise God for, starting with the incredible support system I have found here.  I feel so privileged and so grateful for the friends I've made, especially the other military wives.
Jody and I have also become members at a local church that has really become a big part of my life.  Jody and I attend a community group every Tuesday evening, and even when Jody is out to sea, I've found a lot of comfort in regularly meeting with a group of individuals every week to talk, pray, joke and eat delicious food.  It's good to feel as if I'm a part of something.

In the meantime, please continue your prayers for Jody and I.  We're gearing up for some tough months ahead.  Please pray for Jody's safety and health while he's out to sea and being worked like a maniac, and maybe, just maybe, for me to maintain my sanity.

Foodie McEatsALot

 

I made these this afternoon, and they are worthy of sharing.  Make them.  Eat them.  Then, thank me.  And I'll thank my Cooking Light Magazine. 

 

Jody comes home on Saturday!  He left last Friday, and I ashamedly must admit that I have been incredibly lonely without him.  I've found ways to keep myself busy, through work, baking, running and (shopping), but jeez louise.  Unfortunately, it sounds like he has two more underways before leaving again for a two month period, after which he'll be home for about two months before the big fat one: deployment.  Gross.  We'll talk more about that later, though.  Probably after I've eaten about twelve pistacio-chai muffins and sucked down bottle of wine.  

 

Right now, I'm just happy to have the company of my best friend again for the weekend.

I spent all afternoon walking a five mile loop with the kids today.  What normally takes me just over an hour took us three and a half.  Kids are slow.  They get hungry.  They have to pee.  They talk.  So.  Much.

Important note: These quotes happened before mile marker 3.5 when sore legs emerged and all hell broke 

loose.

The Blue is Jesse, 8

Pink is Abigail, 10 

(in reference to a baby's bottle)

I know why they're called nipples.  Because they look like nipples.  And babies suck out of them.

Only, they need to be a little brown-er.

(To a stranger in the park)

She's exactly like a vampire.  Kayla, show her your teeth.  And she sparkles in the sun.  Also, she likes spinach.

Yeah!  Like a Vampire!  Only, you're not pretty.

 Here, have a tic tac.

 I think I deserve more than three tic tacs.

You just can't win, can you?  Oy Veh.

Home again, home again?

I'm not sure if I just got home, or if I just visited home. 

 

I've got issues.
While I'm sorting through those, you can sort through these:

 Jody, his mom, Chris and I visited Yellowstone Park.  We stopped in Cooke City and ate bison burgers and did some souvenir shopping along the way.  My new favorite item:  a pair of sweat pants covered in bears. They're bearly awake. Ha!  Clever.

Jody went on his long awaited backpacking trip, and his family took myself and Jenny out to Yellowtail to play on the boat.  A few days later, Dad, Jody and Steve took the boat out again to Cooney.  Steve's pretty good about taking photos for me :)

Can you believe this guy is 52 years old?!

 Don't get into the boat when he's driving.

 Cliff jumping

 Cooney

 Yellowtail

Mom, Janelle, Casey and I also went up to Red Lodge for the day.  We ate at The Local Yokel, a fun new amenity to the small town.  It's a trailer/truck thing sort of like a taco truck, only selling local food items such as burgers, salads, soups, fries and all natural sodas.  I enjoyed a lamburger slider and gazpacho soup.  Tasty tasty!

Sweet Casey.
We were able to spend many many hours together during my trip home.  I love this girl more than words can say, and she's been an incredible support to me during the last three years of my life.
Oh,
she also turns 21 next week- cheer's for best friends!

My nephew Sawyer turns two on Monday, but we got to have an early birthday celebration with Reese, mom, Jenny, Janelle, Mason, Smith and Sawyer.  I was pleased to see that the boys weren't the least bit shy with me, and immediately invited me into their play.  We shot guns, played swords, worked with tools and drove trucks.  And then they (we) napped.  God bless you, Reese.

 The birthday boy was very interested in his birthday cupcakes.

Papa D let the boys make their own pancakes on Saturday morning.  Just one will fill you right up!

Sawyer supervised the breakfast making.