the ramblings of the crazed and confused

Feeling uNcOmFoRtAbLe

2007-03-08T19:18:00.002-06:00

I'm still feeling all around icky usually early in the day and again, in the middle of the afternoon. My clothes are getting a little uncomfortable on me, so I've had to switch most of my clothes out with my old "fat" clothes from when I weighed almost 200 lbs. Oy! So far it just in the stomach area, but I know my butt and thighs are soon to follow. Also, I've noticed that EVERYTHING has a smell...some smells are barely there, but they still exist. I can smell everything. I can tell what kind of detergent people use or even what the garbage can contains (without looking inside of it!). I think that those women who actually say that they "enjoy being pregnant" are either out of their minds or they're lying to everyone...including themselves. I knew it was going to have it's up's and down's, but so far there is really nothing kewl about being pregnant....okay, maybe it's pretty nifty to be buying really cute baby clothes and daydreaming about the baby....but aside from all that, this kinda blows chunks. Literally and figuratively speaking.
Great. It's only 3 in the afternoon and I feel the need for a nap coming on. I probably haven't slept this much since I was little. Nap time. Talk at you all later. Toodles!

MaTeRnItY sHoPpInG

2007-03-08T19:18:00.001-06:00

I just had a Girl's-Day-Out with my friends Holly and Kayla (who recently found out that she is pregnant and due the same day as me). We went shopping for some maternity clothing. I only picked up about 6-7 shirts. I don't know what size pants I'll be needing, so I decided to wait until I'm gonna be needing them. Most of the shirts are pretty dressy, but still semi-casual. I also bought some really cute baby jumpers from Hot Topic that were on sale. SO CUTE!!! They say things like "Cute but stinky. Things even out" and "Born to Rock" and "I listen to Led Zepplin with my daddy." How cute uis THAT??? Oh, one of the shirts I purchased today says "What's Kickin'?" and it's got two little baby feet prints on it. I won't be able to were it until I get a lot bigger which is okay cuz I won't be big enough till fall and it's a long-sleeve shirt.
Us girls have been just bummin' around and enjoying the 86 degree weather. Meanwhile, Matthew and Curtis (Holly's husband) and Matt's friend, Cody, have been fixing Curtis' jeep all morning and afternoon. They had fun doing their manly things while I enjoyed spending time with the girls. Right now, the guys are cleaning-up their greasy, stinky selves so that we all can go to the movie theater. Don't know what we're gonna see, but we know we want to see a movie.
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Take care. TOODLES!!!!!

24/7 sickness

2007-03-08T19:18:00.000-06:00

OY! Today has been a long day. I've been feeling nausiated and super tired all day. Matthew says that I feel like I'm hot as an oven. The doctor says that it's normal to have a higher temp while you're pregnant cuz, apparently, I'm like a giant incubator. Meh...whatever. I just hope that these feelings don't last for too long. It makes Army life EXTRA miserable.
Other than all that, not much going on. I finally was able to turn in the last of my paperwork to get chaptered out of the Army. I hope it won't take longer than a week or so to get approved. Matthew is still expected to go to Ft.Carson, CO. at the end of the month. I hope I'm out in time enough to go with him right away.
By the way. The dates on the previous 2 entries were incorrect. I found out I was prego on my birthday (25 Feb.) and I put the "bun in da oven" on my blog on 26 Feb. And "Army can see" was added on 01 Mar. Just thought you ought to know.
I need to go now. Too tired to type any more words. Peace out!

Army can SEE!

2007-02-08T15:41:00.001-06:00

The Army finally recognizes my pregnancy. Now, starting Monday, I can start my paperwork to get released from the Army. Matthew and I are both relieved that they finally saw that I'm "positive" because we were really worried that we'd end up being separated for a really long time. He's still expected to move up to Fort Carson, Colorado starting 17 March. I'm not happy about that and his unit won't even give him a 30 day extension so that he could help ME move up there. All we can do is hope that I can get out before the end of his 30 days of leave. Pray for that, too, please.
Back to happier stuff. I'm 6 weeks pregnant!!!
The Army nurses say that the baby will be due the 22nd of October. I personally think it'll come out around Halloween or maybe the first week of November. We already have the names picked out for the baby. If it's a boy, his name will be William Scott (Liam, for short). And if it's a girl, her name will be Zoe Rae. I'm not hoping for a specific gender, but I think all women secretly want a girl. Thank you all for your support. We really appreciate it.
Well, that about covers it for now. Take care. Keep praying for us, please. Toodles.

I've got a bun in da oven!

2007-02-08T15:41:00.000-06:00

That's right! Matthew and I are PREGNANT!!!! We don't have a solid due date, but it looks like I'll be due between Halloween and Thanksgiving. We'll get a better idea the further along I get. Right now, I'm just in the process of getting the Army to recognize my pregnancy so that I can get out so that I can at least care for my own child. I have faith that things will go well. I have another doctor appointment tomorrow, so maybe I'll have more news for you after that. For now, I'm just THRILLED that I'm pregnant! Pray for us. Love you all. TOODLES!!!!

tHe NoT sO kEwL jErK

2007-02-07T21:21:00.000-06:00

Things are going about as well as can be expected as far as my new job goes. Sadly, Matthew has been assigned to a new unit which is moving to Ft.Carson (Colorado) in April and he has to go with them. I, unfortunately, cannot go with him. I'm stuck with 4 ID until I can get out, which won't be for another 1-2 years. What really blows some serious chunks is the fact that Matthew won't deploy until MY deployment is almost over...so all in all, we'll be separated for 2 years minimum. We've exhausted all resources but 1 which we talked to today. We've tried going through our Sergeants Major, we tried JAG, now our last hope is G1 who is going to be doing some research to see if they can't make orders for Matthew and I to be able to stay together at least a little bit longer. Please pray for us. We need all the help we can get. I'm about ready to lose my mind. I talked to the Chaplain today and he didn't have any hints for me that I didn't already know about. But at least I was able to talk to someone. Please pray for us.
Nothing else of importance to report. Hope everyone is healthy and doing well. I'll try and keep you all posted on any news. Take care. Toodles.

New Job Going Okay

2007-02-02T09:07:00.000-06:00

Today is a relax day for us. Today is some sort of "Welcome Home, Troops!" party for all of us 4ID soldiers who were deployed. It doesn't sound too bad. They've got a rapper, some latin group and a country singer showing up, so it ought to be interesting. Meh.....I don't think I'll stay for very long. Matthew and I both have a formation to attend today, but that's it for work. It's a "training holiday" today. Hallelujah! We both needed a bit of a break.
My new job is okay. I've got my own desk, so I guess that's a plus. Also, I'm losing some flab in the mid-section due to all the PT my new unit does. So, I guess I'm doing okay. I miss the band still, but I don't miss how they never gave me an opportunity to do my job except for the ceremonies. Now, I've even been given some leadership opportunities. I've got soldiers in my office who I out-rank, and so I get to task them with missions and stuff. It's pretty nifty. Makes me kind of want to go ahead and work harder for my SGT, but I want to time it just right. It'd be nice to get promoted right now, but it'd be even better if I got promoted right before I'd have to deploy again. Nevermind...just more rambling. I'll shut-up now. I've gotta start getting ready for my formation. Take care. TOODLES!!!!!

BuMmEr

2007-01-27T22:09:00.000-06:00

Hello, my dearest fans.
A lot has happened since my last entry. Mostly bad things. On 19 January, 2007, the band (which included me) had to perform for my division's Change of Command ceremony. About an hour or so into the ceremony, I passed-out. Not just fainted; PASSED-OUT! I didn't even come-to until the people who carried me out of the gym had already laid me out on the concrete outside. UGH! How embarrassing. Anyways, to make things worse, my commander and my 1st Sergeant got their butts chewed by the division Chief of Staff for one of their soldiers falling out at the ceremony. My commander was PISSED!!! So, I was kicked-out of the band. Yes, right there, that very same day and everything, I was kicked OUT!!!! I was then sent to another company in my battalion. My new unit is HHC. Oy! They're basically the "mutt" of units. They are compiled of clerks, mechanics, MP's (military police), and other odds and ends. Since being banished to the HHC I have been shuffled around which keeps them from being able to train me to do any specific job, so I'd become a well-paid janitor. That is until yesterday. I was sent to the battalion S-1 office (admin), and I finally have a place. My new squad leader keeps me pretty squared away, and I'm finally getting the hang of HHC's PT. It was really hard, though, at first cuz the band basically just does enough PT to barely squeeze by. Now, I'm doing almost as much PT as I'd done in AIT! Sorry, the Army's got me talking like them. :^) *shrug*
Yesterday was the first day that I didn't cry. I've missed my job in the band, but I think I can hang in this new one. I don't really have a choice except to either have a positive or negetive attitude at my new job. Who knows? Maybe, one day, the band will want me back. Meh....I don't really care so long as I eventually get released from the clutches of the evil military.
On a happier note, Matthew got PROMOTED this past Thursday. Congrats, honey! He is now SGT Houghtelin!!!! :^) No, I am not forced to stand at parade rest for him or anything dumb like that. Besides, if he ever DID make me do that, he knows that he'd get a butt-whoopin' when he'd get home. Just kidding. I'm very proud of Matthew. He's worked really hard to get his E-5 (sergeant), and now that he's got it, he's trying to get over to my battalion. This would be super kewl cuz then we would be deployed to the same camp this time. We wouldn't have to be seperated. YAY!!! Deployment would still suck, but it would suck a lot less if we were able to see each other every day. Well, that's the update. Take care. TOODLES!!!!!!!!!

...snow day continued...

2007-01-17T19:44:00.000-06:00

More pictures from today. Matthew is so sweet...clearing my jeep's windows of the 1/8" ice. Who'd have thunk? Ice? In TEXAS? No way! But here's the proof. We bummed around Killeen for a few hours. Matthew got his watch replaced by a new one at the Killeen mall...meanwhile I took advantage of Bath & Body Works semiannual sale. Bought some grapefruit bubble bath, mang-mandarine shower gel and creme body wash....I can't wait to take a bath tonight. Mmm...citrus. Then we went for lunch at Red Lobster...Matthew's first time there. He had some rainbow trout and I cheated on my veggie diet and had myself some grilled atlantic salmon. Soooooo good! I can't wait to take you there, Goober Pea!!!! After that we got some hot tea at Star-SHMUCKS and got some tuff bins for storage at Home Depot. We also went to Chameleon Encounters to pick Chi-Chi up some dinner. All they had was meal worms cuz their shipment didn't come in due to the ice and snow. They don't expect to recieve their shipment until the beginning of next week. Pretty sad, eh? Nothing else to write about. We've been kinda layin' around the apartment since 5pm. I did clean the bathroom. Yay for me! I've been meaning to do that for the past 3 days, but finally got to it today. I know, I'm a terrible procrastinator. C'est la vie. At least it's done now. I'm gonna end this now. "Cops most wildest police chases" is coming on right now. Toodles!!!!

FT.HOOD SNOW DAY!!!!!

2007-01-17T08:09:00.000-06:00

It snowed last night! Pretty nifty. Yesterday Ft.Hood had a late start due to ice...then we got released early because it started sleeting! It was so icy yesterday that I actually slipped and fell on my bum right outside Papa Johns when I went to go pick up Matthew, Kerr, and I's dinner. Ouch! Everything was quiet last night. Woke up this morning with yet another late start and saw snow outside. SNOW!!! IN TEXAS!!!! Weird. I thought my snow days were over when I graduated high school...but thanks to these Texans, who have no clue how to drive in wintery conditions, I continue to have snow days! Hope you all might have a snow day too. Toodles!

MLK 4-day weekend

2007-01-15T17:12:00.000-06:00

This 4-day weekend has been really nice and pretty fun. It's getting colder. Kinda weird, huh? Last night it froze. Tomorrow morning's PT is gonna suck. PT is always sucky, but it gets worse when it's cold out. Plus, all the roads are pretty icy right now...and it'll only be worse by tomorrow morning.
Back to the weekend's events. It's been fun. We've spent a lot of time with the Kersh's and their 1 yr old baby, Catherine. We went to the movie Primeval, which wasn't what we expected. It was basically about a killer crocodile/ civil war in Africa. Oy! What a disappointment. Then, on Saturday, we went bowling with the Kersh's and then continued to party by getting drunk and playing scrabble with them at their house. Oh yeah...we're a wild bunch! I know what you're thinking...pretty lame, right? We had fun, though. Then, last night, Matthew and I hung out with another of my band buddies, Kerr. We went to Denny's, then picked up a couple of new releases at the movie rental joint and watched the movies until midnight. We enjoyed ourselves. Today, Matthew and I have been just taking it easy. We've watched a couple movies, went grociery shopping, picked up some dinner for our lizard, and now we're just chillin; and watching the History Channel--a nice piece on Houdini. Not bad. I like just chillin;. This weekend has been kinda buzzing. We've been going and going all weekend. It's nice to just sit back once in a while.
Well, nothing else to bore you with . Take it easy. Hope you all enjoyed you MLK weekend.
Oh, next week starts "Change of Command" season. I'll be having to perform at a lot of ceremonies starting this week with my division's Change of Command/promotion of a general/uncasing of the division colors. UGH!!!! It's going to get really crazy around here!!! Take care. Toodles!!!!!

Partying with UTG!!!

2007-01-09T16:40:00.000-06:00

[Top: Matthew and I, hammered, at my buddy's band's performance @ Jesters in Temple, TX. My buddy's band is called Under The Gun (UTG). Bottom: the band is setting up.]
Matthew and I thoroughly enjoyed our leave. Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding. Matthew and I are doing pretty well. It looks like we'll be moving into a different apartment sometime within the next month. Oy! So much to DO!!!! Work is going well. Matthew still has a couple of days of leave left, but then he'll be working, too! *evil laugh* Other than all that, it's the same old, same old. Saw my buddy's band perform down in Austin last weekend and then went to his house for a little after-party...sadly, Matthew got sick, but he's feeling better now! :^)
I miss all my friends (family, too). I can't wait for my next hunk of leave to get here! I hope everyone is continuing to do well. If not, I'm sorry.
I should get going. Gotta get some dinner ready for Matthew. Take it easy. L8R G8R's! Toodles.

Gettin' inked on leave!!! Woo-hoo!!

2007-01-09T16:32:00.000-06:00

[Top: Corky's fresh, mythical Dragon tatoo! Second from top: My sadyr tattoo. Haven't taken a pic of my "Tinkerfell" yet but will do that soon. Third from top: Corky, my mother-in-law, getting inked. Bottom: Me watching Corky get her tat........p.s. all photos were taken by Matthew, hence the reason he is not pictured.]

Celebrating Christmas

2007-01-09T16:25:00.000-06:00

[Top: Matthew playing with the new Lincoln Logs Kayla had gotten for Christmas. Chris is in there, too. Middle: Me, happy, on Christmas morning. Bottom: Me opening a present. Cousins Luke and Bill are behind me.]

an eventful holiday

2006-12-29T09:24:00.000-06:00

Hey gang!
It's been an eventful Christmas. Whew! I'm glad I survived it! Just joking. Anyways, a lot has happened. Of course it was the usual family stuff--spent some time with Matthew's family and a lot of(almost too much) time with my own. Christmas Eve and Christmas day, as a whole, didn't suck. Both days had their moments though. I've gotten to spend a LOT of time with my beloved sister. Gosh, I've missed her so much. And Matthew and i have gotten another tattoo. He got "Crazymofo the Chiuauah" tattooed to his right forearm and I got a flute-playing Satyr (half man half goat) tattooed to the outside of my left calf. Tomorrow I'll be getting another tattoo of a "bad" Tinkerbell (aka "Tinker Fell"). Amber will be getting the same tattoo, but the color schemes will be different. Mine will be blue/green and Amber's will be pink/purple. I'm pumped! Oh, and last night my mother-in-law, Corky, got a mythical dragon tattooed to her upper right arm. It looks pretty bad-ass!
Other than all that I got to see Kat, Rod, and their baby, Paul. We hung out, went bowling, closed a bar and called it a night. It was so much fun and it was really nice to catch-up with Kat. Now, hopefully I'll get a chance to see Angie and her baby, Lizzie, before I leave. Maybe tonight. Who knows? And don't worry, my adoring fan club, I will be posting pictures of the tattoos and such when I download the pics from my camera. Sadly, I need to be going. Gotta get ready for another full day of fun and adventure! I love you guys! Take care and have a safe and fun New Year's! Toodles!!!!!!!!

Good-bye, evil retainer!!!

2006-12-20T10:53:00.000-06:00

Today is the day that I go to get my dental implants (for my eye teeth). I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm a wuss when it comes to pain. But it'll be worth it in the end, I guess. Today will suck, but I'm looking forward to the actual Christmas stuff to be happening. None of this bologna of going everywhere and doing a million things. I'm looking forward to just sitting around, B.S.-ing, eating good food (or soft foods, in my case), and opening presents with family and friends. And when that's all over, I'll be looking very forward to going back to my apartment and playing with Matthew and I's lizard, Chi-Chi. Oh, Matthew and I are going to be getting a Bengal Cat, at long last, from a friend of my Aunt Ruth's. It's a male, neutered, front paws declawed, and he's 5 years old and such a sweetheart! Matthew and I are going to try to find an apartment that'll allow us to have a cat when we get back to Texas. Yay!!! I'm so excited. And I can't wait to go down to Josh's for New Year's Eve. It sounds like it's going to be fun. Gosh, I hate waiting. Well, I should be going. Gotta leave for the clinic in a few minutes and I don't even have my shoes on. Wish me luck. Take care!!! Toodles!!!!!!!

The Big Pink!

2006-12-19T19:05:00.000-06:00

[Top: The Big Pink in all it's glory. Bottom: Chris unwrapping the Big Pink...look at that happy face!]
TA-DA!!!! Pictures of Matthew and I's Christmas with his mom. We tried to embarass Chris, Matthew's little brother, all to no avail. He liked his pink underwear. And he loved the pink fuzzy thing we'd put on top of the present. What a weird-o!! No Chris did not try on his new pink undies...mostly cuz he was afraid that he might enjoy wearing them. hee hee hee Toodles!!!

Home for Christmas

2006-12-19T14:04:00.000-06:00

Matthew and I arrived in Minnesota early morning on the 16th. We've been running all sorts of errands, updating driver's licenses and stuff, bumming around with family. Matthew went up to St.Cloud to see his dad, uncle, grandpa, and little brother the other day while I bummed around Buffalo with my parents, uncle Dennis, my sister and her boyfriend, Kevin. All in all, we've been having fun. We've been being harassed by some of our family members cuz we can't just go out and spend a week with everyone--which inevitably pisses off some people. They'll survive. Matthew and I will be going to his mom's house to celebrate Christmas with her, Dale, and Chris. We're bringing pizza and presents; Americanizing Christmas!! Tomorrow I will be getting my dental implants! Boy, is that an expensive operation. I have to pay for it out of my own pocket because the Army refused to do it. UGH! Luckily, the guy that's doing my operation took pity on me and gave me a 10% military discount. That was aweful nice of him, but it still is costing a fortune! It's a good thing I was deployed or else I'd never be able to afford the operation.
Sounds like Matthew and I will be going to his Aunt and Uncle's house for Christmas on Sunday, and then my parents are having an "open house" style Christmas on the 25th (that's Christmas Day for you folks who have no idea what date Christmas falls on). I just hope that Matthew and I don't run into as many bumps the remainder of our time on leave here in Minnesota. I hope it's relatively smooth sailing from here on out. If not, I guess I'll just have to suck it up and drive on...but I can still hope, can't I.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!!!!!!
Toodles!!!
P.S. LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!!!!!

Two years and a day!

2006-12-14T13:15:00.000-06:00

Hello, fans!
As most of you know/remember, yesterday was Matthew and I's 2 year wedding anniversary. We didn't do anything too special because it was the middle of the week and starting tomorrow, we have a 20 hour drive ahead of us so that we can be home for Christmas and my dental implant surgery. So we've just been trying to be the best bums we can, but we can't even do THAT right. We went Christmas shopping over the weekend to buy the last of the gifts we needed to get for people. Yeah. It was my first time going into Toys 'R Us...now I know why my parents never allowed Amber and I to go there! LOL
Anyways, here's a little Christmas-gram for all my friends and family out there. Just click on the site...it's a kewl version of "Jingle Bells". I think you'll all like it. Just make sure you have volume! www.portalmix.com/club/revista/curioso/jingle_bells_reversed.swf
Well, I should start packing for the super-long trip tomorrow, and we still need to take Chi-Chi to her babysitter. Whew...so much to do and less time to do it in! Toodles.

Rock Steady

2006-12-08T08:17:00.000-06:00

Gonna Rock 'N Roll all night! Wednesday night was awesome! Went to see my buddy's band, Under The Gun, on Wed. night and had a really good time. There wasn't a big turn-out as far as the audience goes, but that's because it was in Austin...they've only played in Austin 1 other time and they always get stuck on the week-day gigs. If it was a week-END day, there would definitely been some mosh-piting. Oh yeah! And tonight is their gig in Temple at Jesters! Woo-Hoo!!!! Gosh, I'm so psyched. I wish it were evening already, but sadly, it's not even 9am. Oy! My first week back at work and I'm busy, busy, busy! I love it!! Oh, and I'm no longer doing the sing-along part of my band's Christmas show...nope. I'll be video taping the whole thing to be televised on public television. Meh. Whatever. I'd be happy to not have to be there, period! But, C'est la vie, right? Oh, and my friend, Sgt Siceloff, has been on leave since the 5th and he won't be back until January. *sniffle* It's too bad he is missing all these Under The Gun shows. He loves them! Oh, well, I guess he'd have waited to go on leave if he was dead-set on going to a UTG show. Hope you're having fun on leave, Nathan. Take care!
I'll be writing more later. For now, TOODLES!!!!!

Time to Rock 'n Roll

2006-12-06T16:35:00.000-06:00

That's right, peeps! I'm going to my buddy's rock concert tonight down in Austin...and it's a SCHOOL NIGHT!!! Heh heh heh...good thing I'm not in school, eh? They're playing down at the Triple Door Saloon. I'm so psyched! I've been looking forward to tonight all week. Then, he's got another concert in Temple, TX on Friday night after my band does their Christmas concert (which is, by definition, GAY). I'm only going to my band's concert to do the sing-along Christmas Medley. UGH! Once again, the young clarinet player gets the shaft. Nothing new, though. I saw it coming. At least there will be great music, tasty wings, and my ever-favorite BEER to sooth me afterward! Other than the rock concerts at night, work and everything in between pretty much sucks. It's nice that Matthew's home though...keeps me from feeling too lonely. Yeah...he's going with me to the rock concerts, too. Well, got lots to do and less time to do it in. I'll write more later. Chi-Chi says "hi". Toodles!!!!

Addition to the family

2006-12-03T12:05:00.000-06:00

Meet Chi-Chi. We don't know if it is male or female yet cuz it's still just a baby, so we went with Chi-Chi since it has some transvestite tendancies. She is a Bearded Dragon. She loves attention and to crawl all over. Oh, and she really enjoys a spinach and mealworm salad. Mmm...crunchy. She's really sweet. We got her yesterday afternoon and she already owns Matthew and I. Pretty sad, eh? Oh, and she likes to watch cartoons...or at least she seemed content this morning when I was watching Ren&Stimpy while she rested on my belly. She's pretty nifty. Gotta run and cater to her every need, now. I'll write more later. Toodles!

Matthew coming home

2006-11-30T10:24:00.000-06:00

Yepper-ski-bob! Matthew is in Bangor, Maine right now and will, hopefully, be here in Texas early this afternoon. I'm pretty psyched!
Gotta get going, now. Gotta get everything ready for his grandios return. OY! Take care. I'll be updating this again soon. Love y'all! toodles!!!

Hubbie home tomorrow

2006-11-28T15:59:00.000-06:00

Matthew will be coming to the states tomorrow evening. I hope he doesn't get back too late at night cuz these early mornings are whooping my butt! Wake up super early to stand in line for HOURS on end! Today I got all kinds of shots and they took some of my blood, which I prefer to keep inside my own body, thank you. C'est la vie. At least I'm back, right? I just am really excited for Matthew to be back. It'll be nice to get to spend some time with him again.

It's a feel-good day

2006-11-26T19:11:00.000-06:00

Hi all.
Today was a feel-good day. It wasn't hot or cold outside...it stayed pretty clouded over (my favorite kind of day). I took an actual bubble bath...with Mr.Bubbles and everything. It was very relaxing. Forgot how nice a good bubble bath could be. Oh, and I finally left my apartment for the first time in 3 days. Not to do anything kewl, but just to see what was all going down at Wal-Mart. I picked-up a Seether CD, some scented oil candles, and a grill lighter. Mmmm...fire! It was nice to just get out and move around. I'm kind of anxious to see what work will be like, but for the first 3-4 days I'll be stuck doing post-deployment briefings. Oy!
Watched a lot of "Monk". It's a good show. I like it. Kinda funny.
Well, nothing much else to talk about. Matthew should be back around Wednesday. Three days. Ain't nothing compared to what I've waited already. :^) Talk at ya later. Toodles!!!

The Joy of Pickled Okra!

2006-11-24T13:31:00.000-06:00

Greetings and salutations.
I'm bored. Hmmm, so lets go on the net and update my blog with a whole lot of NOTHING!
Thanksgiving was about as boring as I'd predicted, but I watched a lot of TV and enjoyed some homemade pot roast. Mmm...even though I was alone, it was better than eating at a DFAC. No more Army food...for a while.
Apparently Matthew's buddy, Cody, left Iraq yesterday, and Matthew instructed Cody to call me when he gets here, so I should have company soon. YAY! I was so bored this morning that I started talking to my stuffed tiger. He didn't say much back, tho. *sniffle*
Other than a lof of TV and piano practice, nothing really going on here. Hope everyone is doing well. I look forward to seeing you all soon. Peace out!

Happy Turkey Day!

2006-11-23T12:48:00.000-06:00

Hey, Fans!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday.
A lot of you have been wondering when you'll all get to see me. Well, you are more than welcome to come down and visit me, but I'll be in Minnesota after the 15th of December. Don't know how long I'll be up there...I'll probably be back in Texas by New Years, though. I'll be getting my dental implants during that first week of leave, but I would love to see as many people as possible.
Can't wait to see you all. Matthew should be returning from Iraq within a week. Can't wait for things to return to being somewhat normal. Love you all! *hugs* Talk at ya later! Toodles!!!

miss my buds

2006-11-21T22:18:00.000-06:00

Hi all.

I've been back for the past two days. Yay! Sadly, my parents will be leaving tomorrow morning and I miss all my buds that I could hang-out with back in Iraq. Buddies like Sgt Siceloff. I did get to visit with him and his wife the first night that I was back, but it wasn't anything like it was back in Iraq. C'est la vie. I've just gotta suffer thru it for another week or so, then Matthew will be back and hopefully relieve some of my bordom. Still don't know exactly when he'll be back. That makes me sad. I'll probably be at work when he gets back, which really sucks. I want to be there to pick him up when he gets back. Damn work! Always getting in my way. UGH!

I've got cable now. Huzzah!!!! Invader Zim was the first TV show that I watched. Heh heh heh. It's nice to be able to just veg-out in front of the TV. Next up is Ren & Stimpy. YAY!!!!! Good stuff.

Almost completely moved-in to the apartment. Whew. Gonna wait for Matthew to get back to try an finish the moving bit. I put up a Christmas tree and some lights. Definitely gives it a homey feel. Had to put it out on the balcony cuz there wasn't enough room in the living room. Meh... It looks better outside anyways. Can't wait to go home on leave. Although, the peace and quiet and alone time is kinda nice right now. I'll be anxious to socialize again soon, though. Hopefully the Siceloff's won't mind me coming over to visit them again sometime soon. We'll see. Miss all of my friends. Hope all is well with you! Take care. Toodles!!!

Layed-over in Bangor!

2006-11-19T09:47:00.000-06:00

I'm ready to go to Texas NOW!!!! I've been stuck here, in Maine since 2030 last night and it is now1045! Yes, it's been 14 hrs and 15 minutes so far and I've still got 4 hours to go. UGH!!!! I can't wait to be done with all this bologna!!!!! It's a scary pic of me cuz that's the way I feel. Totally bummed and pissed-off that people who left Iraq almost 2 days after me, they are already home and probably ahve 2-3 beers in them by now. Thems are all hosers!! *#%$@(!*
Well, I hope all is well for you guys. Take it easy, and all that Jazz. Talk at yah later! Toodles.

Taking the long way home.

2006-11-18T10:43:00.000-06:00

Hey Fans!
I've joined the Army to see the Tarmaks(sp?) of lots of different countries. So far, in one year, I've seen Newfoundland, Ireland, Germany, Kuwait, Iraq, Russia, and Spain! I'm in Rota, Spain right now. Next stop--Bangor, Maine. After about 3/4 of a day's wait there, I'll finally be on my way to Texas! YAY!!!! I miss home so much. Can't wait to see you all. Thank you for all the support you all have given me this past year. Oh, right now I'm acting First Sergeant...seeing as how there are only two people left from my unit...me and SGT Leichsenring (who is now acting Commander). LOL....
Well, my next entry should be from stateside. See you all eventually!!! Take care. Toodles.

smell of freedom

2006-11-15T01:48:00.000-06:00

"And I've seen blue skies through the tears in my eyes. And I realize...I'm going home."
~Rocky Horror Picture Show
That's right. I can acctually COUNT DOWN the hours now. It's still technically days, but I like the hour thing. I'm so close to going home that I can acctually smell the freedom. I'm so excited!! I can't wait to get home.
Nathan Siceloff will be leaving within the next 24 hours. *sniffle* I'm happy for him. I wish that I were going home now, but at least I'll be able to hang out with him and his wife when I get back to the states. That'll be more fun than hanging with him here.
Matthew's situation still has not changed as of yet. At least he'll be home for Christmas, though. That makes me happy.
I need to get going. Take it easy. I hope to see you all within a month. TOODLES!!! Peace out!

Tents

2006-10-28T06:22:00.000-05:00

Well Crystal has now moved into tent city, as we call it. Living in the trailers was a lot better by far. She misses you all and cant wait to get back home. Nothing has changed yet but if it has we will let you all know. Love you all and youll here from me soon. Matt

Packing-up, ready to ship-out!

2006-10-02T14:48:00.000-05:00

Hey, Gang!
Matthew and I are so anxious to be going back to the states. I only have about 6 more weeks to go until I will be "Leaving On A Jet-Plane", heading back to the states. Matthew is pretty much in the same boat as me. He says he'll be following right behind me. I might get back a week before him, but not much more than that. I guess that's pretty good, all considering.
My unit packed it's containers today. It felt so good to do it too. The last time we'd packed them was a year ago and it was in preparation to come out to this god-aweful place. It's nice to know we're so close to freedom. So close to having weekends again! I can't wait to be living for the weekend again. Good times with good friends. Mmmm....and lots of good food! YAY!
Matthew and I will just be so happy to be together again. It'll be so nice to be able to hug him whenever I get the urge. I've been missing him so much out here. It's not fair!!!! *sniffle*
Well, I should be going. Don't freak...I won't have much internet/phone access for the next 2 months. I'll write/call when I can. Take care. Toodles!!!!

Matthew's Combat Action Badge (CAB)

2006-09-22T11:46:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of me and my award for being a seviver of an attack on my convoy with a VBIED (Vehical Born Improvised Explosive Device). It was presented to me on the 15th of this month.The award is a little late but later then never. Im still net getting permoted, the points whent up on me so now i have to do more education courses to add points to my record. Im still in the running tho. Other than that its been same-O same-O.

Back to isolation...

2006-09-13T03:20:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody.
Matthew and I made it back to the desert safe and sound. Well, safely, anyway. We got back to our respective camps in the noche (night) of Sunday, the 10th. Yee-haw. (Note: sarcasm)
We miss you all so much. We were so grateful to see the family (and friends) that we got to see. We never seem to have enough time on leave to do everything we wish/want to do. It's sad. There's so much more we wanted to be able to see and do, but time would not allow it! ARGH!!!!
At least I'm back to familiarity. Sadly, it don't look like I'm going to be getting back to the states as soon as I'd hoped. Sounds like I'll be back in time for Thanksgiving, though. At least it's only a little over a month past what I was expecting, so I guess it's not too bad. Meh..
I'm back to hanging out with my friend, SGT Nathan Siceloff...yep, he got promoted. *applause* And it looks like Matthew might get promoted next month (would've been this month except for some technical errors on his unit's part). Nathan took me out to the Cinnabon by the PX for a miniature "Welcome back to the Desert" party where the whole party consisted of him and myself. It was still nice. He's still trying to finish reading my new Poppy Z. Brite (my favorite author) books. I'd already read them before leave, but he hasn't quite finished them. It's so nice having a buddy that is so interested in the same things as I am. It makes it a lot more fun to hang out with him cuz we're so much alike. Don't start any rumors, now. I love Matthew with all my heart. Besides, Nathan is more interested in...other people. I'll leave it at that. :^)
Everything is the same as always. Butt-ass hot, but not as hot as it was before I went on leave, and still boring. At least I got some more books while I was on leave. I've already read Cut and I am currently reading White Oleander. Both are really hard to put down. I'm almost finished with the one I'm reading.
Nothing to really report. I hope you're doing better, Josh. And I hope your Dad is okay, Zippy. If there's anything Matthew and/or I can do for you two, let us know. Wish we could help.
Thank you, friends and family, for all your support. I miss you, and I know Matthew misses you too, and we can't wait to be back in the states. Just 2.5 more months to go. Maybe a bit less than that if certain dates change. Love you all and take care. TOODLES!!!!!

Le Bet [part DEUX]!!!!

2006-09-05T22:01:00.000-05:00

[Top: Le Bet (aka "The Beast II") and Crystal. Middle: Trunk Monkey(newest in security, comes standard with every purchase from Patriot Auto Sales). Bottom: Crystal fishing at Stillhouse Lake in Harker Heights, Texas.]
Hi-lo!
Hope everyone is absolutely FANTABULOUS. I know that I'm doing pretty good. And I think that Matthew ain't too shabby either! We're not happy that we'll have to go back to Iraq in 2 more days, but we'll live. "We are survivors!"
Yes, that's the newest addition to Matthew and I's little fleet of vehicles that we're accumulating. It's a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4. Isn't she beautiful? I picked her up for just under $5000! It runs really well and it's going to be so much fun to modify. The parts are really easy (and CHEAP) to find down here. Oh, and it came equipped with it's very own Trunk Monkey. What a plus, eh?? I thought so.
Matthew and I went fishing again, today...we got skunked. All the fish were surfacing and eating the bugs, but they just TEASED our lures. What creeps!!!! I got a couple of swirls and lost one of our pearch-colored lures to a submerged log that I couldn't see, but it brought to our attention that the line on my pole needed to be changed, which is good, I guess, in the event that I ever CATCH anything. But, we haven't really done much else. Hope you all are alive and well. Take care. You too, Josh! No more hospitals!!! Take it easy. Talk at you all later. Toodles!!!!!

Six Flags Over Texas

2006-09-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

[Top: Crystal with Wonder Woman. Middle: Matthew with Bugs Bunny. Bottom: Matthew and Crystal in front of the "Spain"-themed entrance.]
Howdy! Greetings from Texas. We're in Texas now...have been for the past 2 days, actually. We went to Six Flags in Dallas, Texas today. We had a lot of fun. We went on the BATMAN ride 4 times and we rode all of the other big roller coasters, such as TEXAS GIANT and SHOCK WAVE. All were very thrilling...and a couple of the rides actually made me sick. I've never gotten motion sickness until I came on leave. I even felt nausious on the plane flying from Iraq to Kuwait...how dumb is that??? Oy!!! I hope I don't turn-out like my dad, who is unable to go on the KEWL rides cuz he get sick on them so easily. I did enjoy the Batman ride a lot...so long as I was able to sit in the back, which killed Matthew cuz he likes to sit in the VERY front. Poor guy. I'm glad he was so willing to sit in back with me. I LOVE YOU, MATTHEW!!!! *smooches*
After spending a wild morning (and most of the afternoon) at Six Flags, we decided that we'd had enough of that mess for one leave, and continued on our trek towards Killeen/Ft.Hood. We stopped in Waco to visit Barnes & Nobles and to catch a movie. We'd seen Accepted with Josh while we were visiting him in Missouri, so we thought we'd see something that wasn't a comedy. We watched The Wicker Man. That movie really gave Matthew the creeps and he didn't really like the "politics" on the island that the movie is about. I thought it was a good movie. Creepily realistic, but really good. It reminded me of The Village, which also had the creepily realistic, secluded idea to it. I enjoyed it. If you haven't seen it yet and you liked "The Village", you should see this movie.
Well, I should get off the net. I've spent so much time on the computer, I think Matthew is getting agitated that I've been ignoring him. Poor baby! (Note the sarcasm :^D ). Take care. Toodles!!!!!

Crystal's Half-Time Report

2006-09-01T10:46:00.001-05:00

Hello, my adoring fan club, and GOOD DAY!!!!
My leave has been going well. I have seen family, friends, and visited my beloved Minnesota Renaissance Festival!!! I couldn't have asked for a better day to be at the Ren Fest. It wasn't hot, it wasn't rainy, and it wasn't too terribly crowded. I loved it! I also was able to get myself a gypsy outfit. It's really pretty colors.
I also attended my 'rents' anniversary party--with class!!! I was wearing a black with purple pleated skirt, with a black 3/4 sleeved shirt that had a low-laying v-neck and the sleeves were really loose. I had my hair down and it was really curly! I think I looked pretty good. It was the first time in a long time that I've worn a dress around family that it didn't involve the Ren Fest! LOL. Anyways...Matthew was pretty hot in his nice khaki pants and bright blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. He looked like I'd cut his picture out of a magazine and turned him to LIFE! He was so gorgeous. What a babe! Sorry...I lost myself for a moment there. I saw a lot of family that I haven't seen since I was little (Uncle Geno, and Byron & Chetty), and a few friends...Ashley Kringle, Kat &Rod Oltman, and Marie Ljosenvoor (sorry, Marie, if I misspelled your name). Thank you everyone for showing up or for trying your hardest to be there. I understand that there was a lot going on during that weekend for everyone. There's always this winter. *wink*
As of now, Matthew and I are still at Josh's house (Matthew's older brother). We saw Zippy, too, but she had to leave the morning after we got here. Last night we went to Grandma Moran's house for a spaghetti dinner...and Matthew and I got a little fishing in from their dock (caught only one little bass, but got a couple of bites!). Other than that, we've just been "jellin' " (as Josh would say) for the most part. It's kinda nice to slow down a bit and just chill. Today, Matthew and I will continue our trek back to Texas as we need to find an apartment for when we get back to the states and we have a few more errands to run.
Thank you, everyone, for making this leave so enjoyable for us. We can't wait to be back in the states to stay! We miss you all so much. I hope you enjoyed our leave too. Thanks again. Take care of yourselves and try to have fun! For those of you attending college, I wish you luck! The next time I write on this thing, I'll probably be back in Iraq, so I guess I'll catch you on the flip side. Toodles!!!!!!!

Ashley's PotLuck Bars RECIPE!!!

2006-09-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

For those of you who came to my parents' 25th Anniversary Pot-luck and enjoyed those delicious nutty bars that my friend, Ashley Kringle, brought over; I now present you with the recipe to those deliciously evil bars. Hope you enjoy!!!!!

1 c (2 sticks) butter, softened (not melted)
2 c flour
1/2 c sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 c (Ashley used a 14 oz. can) sweetened condesed milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 c chopped nuts (Ashley used walnuts

1. Beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Add flour, sugar and salt until crumbly. Press 2 cups of crumb mixture onto the bottom of a 9x13x2 inch pan. Set remaining crumb mixture aside. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden.

2. Warm 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips with mild ov low heat, stirring until smooth. Stir in Vanilla. Spread over hot crust.

3. Stir nuts and 1/2 c. of chocolate chips into the remaining crumb mixture that was set aside. Sprinkle over chocolate filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until center is set.

4. Cool in pan and enjoy!

Another day closer to HOME!

2006-07-24T03:12:00.000-05:00

[SGT Fry and SPC Houghtelin]
Greetings, my Adoring Fan Club.I'm doing okay. Looking very forward to getting back to the states. I'm so sick of this country. I wish I were home every day. I miss you all so darn much! I love you guys TONS!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get back to the states...everything is going to seem so much better!I had fun last night hanging out with my roomie (Phaedra Fry) and 2 of her girlfriends. They came over to do Fry's hair, and since I was there, I kinda "came along for the ride". It was fun. We just talked and listened to tunes. Kinda reminded me of hanging out with my girlfriends back home. Good times...good times.I should be on my way back to work. Can't be on the computer ALL day! :^) Take care of yourselves and thank you for all your love and support thru the duration of this deployment. It has meant a great deal to me.Love YA! Toodles!!!!

Help! I'm being repressed!!!!

2006-07-13T03:18:00.000-05:00

[Siceloff doing the fireman carry with me. What a couple of dweebs, eh?]
Hey Gang!
In about 5 days, my buddy, Siceloff, will be coming back! HuZzAh!!! I'm so excited to have him come back here! I'll have someone to hang-out with again, besides the crazy band geeks that I've been hanging out with since he left. UGH! Just kidding. I've been hanging-out with the kewl geeks, but they're still geeks nevertheless. :^) *wink*

Life is still sucky. Hopefully it will be improving sometime soon here. My unit is already telling us to start packing some of our things to be packed in the conex (which is to be shipped back to the states in September). YAY! That's a good sign. Plus, the 1st Cavalry Division band has orders that would place them here, in Iraq, in October. I might be going home early after all! No matter what, though, I'd be getting home before Thanksgiving. I don't know about Matthew's unit. He might not be coming back to the states until early December. But he will FOR SURE be back before Christmas! :^)

We miss you all so much. I hope you are all doing well. I've gotta go back to that "work" thing. They still haven't realized that I'm allergic to work. C'est la vie. Take care. TOODLES!!!!!

Added links...

2006-07-10T03:45:00.000-05:00

Hello, my adoring fan club!
Nothing to really "report". I've added a lot more links. Angie has a blog site which you should check out. I've also added a link to my buddy's band Under The Gun, which is thru MySpace. They've got a couple of their songs on their Space. Then there's a bunch of funny site like Ill Will Press---check out the cartoon "Neurotically Your's"---and Angry Alien---check out the "30 Second Bunny Theater"---Ebaum's World, and Totally Tom. I've also added a link to a real-live Treasure Hunting site--Geo Cache. They have GPS coordinates for caches hidden all around the globe. I've even found a couple here on my camp in Iraq! It's fun and you should try it if you have a GPS and time to blow.
Well, it's about that time. I've gotta get going and do the voodoo that I do! :^) Love you guys. TOODLES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hap-Hap-Happy Independance Day!

2006-07-07T05:22:00.001-05:00

[Top: Matthew and Crystal celebrating Independance Day. Bottom: 4 ID Band with Her Majesty's Royal Marine Band (Crystal is front row, second one in from the left)]
Hi Everybody!
Got to see Matthew over the 4th of July. That was awesome!! We got to spend a lot of quality time with eachother, which was much-needed. We got to go swimming, eat really good Army-style junk food, walk, talk, meet interesting people (I'll tell you about that one later--can't disclose that info over the net or I might get into trouble), do all the things that married people get to do *wink*, and my band got to perform with Her Majesty's Royal Marine Band. Nifty, eh? Give them a hand...they're British! :^) I've got a couple pics of us (my unit) with them, too! All in all, it was pretty fun. It was the best I could ask for...being deployed and all. No fireworks, but the kind of fireworks I'd get out here, I'm grateful that there weren't any.
In other news, my pal, Siceloff left to go on leave on 2 July. He won't be back until the end of the month, I guess. I'm getting a lot of reading in, at least. Without him around, I'm forced to find ways to entertain myself. I try to keep myself busy enough to stay out of trouble, but I fear that I can only keep trouble at bay for only so-long. C'est la vie, right? I hope Siceloff is having fun on leave. He promised to drink a beer for me...hope you remember that, Nathan!!!
Well, I should be on my way. Hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July! I know I did! :^) Take care. Keep us in your thoughts. Toodles!

NaMe ThAt SoDa!!!!

2006-06-20T03:11:00.000-05:00

Hey Gang!!! I thought this would be fun for you. It's pretty easy. The three cans of soda are written in Arabic. Can you guess what their names are in English? Thought you'd dig it.

I'm okay. Surviving one hellish day after another. I don't even notice the change in heat anymore. I just know that it's frickin' hot---if I had balls, I would've sweated them off by now. Sorry for the visual. At least I get to see Matthew from time to time. It's all the time in between visits that kills me. I miss you guys. All of you. I cannot wait to come home and leave this place behind. I am making one or two friends out here. This guy, Siceloff, is pretty kewl. He loves Rocky Horror Picture show and even played Frankenfurter during a local performance by his high school. I think I already told you that though. He'd definitely fit in as a "fellow freak". He's really anxious to go back to Germany though, so I don't think I'll be able to hang out with him much when we get back to the states. Oh, well. At least I've got someone to help pass the time out here. We watch a lot of Ren & Stimpy. He immitates them so well. I wish you could meet this guy, Isaac. You'd totally relate to him.

I should be going now. Gotta get back to work. UGH!!!!! Only 5 more months left, gang. That's it. Then we'll be able to party all day and rock all night!!!!!!! OH YEA!!!!!! Toodles!

La La Land... :^)

2006-06-08T01:30:00.000-05:00

<---This is just some dragon creature thing that I think is really cute!
Greetings to all of my beautiful, adoring fans!!!!
I feel like I might truly be on Cloud 9! Matthew came to my camp for a visit yesterday. It was only for about an hour, but it was a really nice visit. I LOVE YOU, MATTHEW---my little shnookums!!!!! *smooch* Yeah...it was just such a nice surprise. I wasn't expecting to be able to see him again for a long while, then he called me up right after I'd finished eating lunch and told me he was going to be coming over! WOW!!! Of course, I was scheduled to be on guard duty during the time of his visit, but luckily, my buddy SGT Stevens covered for me for a couple of hours. He's such a nice guy. He's going to be getting married in 3 weeks to his fiancee, Bailey. I'm happy for him; and I'm so grateful that he was so willing to cover for me. Yay!
I'm still eager for some Ren Fest, tho. I can't seem to get it out of my head. I keep thinking about it every time I think about going home. I miss that place...almost as much as I miss everyone else. It was just a really fun event that I would look forward to all year long. Like Christmas...but different. I cannot wait to go home! And Matthew and I keep talking about fishing and all that jazz. We are both anxious to have our weekends back. That's probably going to be the first thing we do when we get back to the states...go fishing. YAY!!!!!!
"Taters? YUCK! Give us a fish....raw and WiGgLy!!! Hee heee heee..." Gotta love Gollum.
Well, peeps...I should run. Gotta save the world one crazy note at a time, eh? Take care of yourselves. I miss you. Thanks for all of your support. Take it easy and feel free to keep writing to me! Love ya!!!! Toodles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sAcRaMenTaL wiNe

2006-06-04T04:25:00.000-05:00

"You're all FRESHNICKET (sp?)!!!! You've been getting into the sacramental wine again, haven't you?!?!" ~Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Hey Gang!
Well, it's communion Sunday--and yes, I did go to church. *applause* I was surprised, but they actually give out REAL wine for communion. I went through the line twice [bad, crystal, bad!!!] *snicker, snicker*....but I didn't get drunk or anything. It was only two sips...and I didn't think they were going to actually let me go up there twice, but they did. Oy!!!! Only Crystal, right?
Anyways, nothing new's been going on. It's been a pretty quiet week...kinda nice, actually. It's been hot as all get-out, though!!! It's like Africa hot. Tarzan couldn't take this much heat!!! If I had balls, I'd be sweating them off!!!! Yesterday it reached 117 degress FARENHEIT with a heat index of 142!!!!!
"I'm feeling HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!"
But, yeah....it's the same old thing, different day. Miss you guys like crazy! Can't wait to get back to the states and party with some non-desert animals!!!!!!! heh heh heh
Gotta run, again.They're telling me I've gotta get off the computer. Creeps!
I love you guys. Take care of yourselves. "Beware the groove......groove!!"TOODLES!!!!!!

Fishyguts, fishyguts, fishyguts

2006-05-30T03:16:00.000-05:00

Hey Peeps!!! Word up, yo!
Not much to report. My ankle is doing better. It's really sensitive to awekward positions though. C'est la vie. At least it's not broken. I can even run on it, now. I ran around the lake here...it's a 3.26 mile run. I was able to run around the whole thing in half an hour! Yay for me. It was the first time I'd run outside since being deployed. I was pretty proud of myself. Hopefully I'll do well on my diagnostic PT test coming up next month. I'm working out about 5 times a week. Recovery from guard duty forces me to not be able to do much more than that. I'll probably increase my work-out to being 8 times a week seeing as how I'll be allowed to go to the gym during my work hours. YAY!!!!!! All this working-out is going to make me BUFF!!! *wink*
I went to the range on Sunday. I did pretty well...although my weapon was missing the extraction pin, forcing me to cock it every time I fired a shot (which isn't something to be doing with an M249 aka machine gun). I got all but 4 shots inside the target. I was so proud. Everyone was calling me "killer". No joke. A lot of guys at the range thought I was a guy until they heard me talk---then they were like, "Shit! That's a chick!!!" Made me feel good.
Everything is the usual. Oh, I got to see Matthew a couple days ago. I think he came here, to my camp, last Friday. We were able to spend 3 wonderful hours together. I needed that!!!

I LOVE YOU, MATTHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well. I should be getting back to doing some work. Take care of yourselves. Keep Matthew and I and everyone out here in your thoughts. Love you guys!!! Toodles.

Is it necessary?

2006-05-20T06:53:00.000-05:00

"Necessary? No! It isn't necessary. Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine?? NO!!! But it's sterile and I like the taste!" ~Dodgeball
Nope. This entry isn't necessary. I don't really have anything to add as of yet other than the fact that my clarinet playing is really coming along. I sound way better now than I thought I would. How 'bout that, eh?
Yes, Jenn. We'll definitely have to do a RHPS night sometime. I always wanted to see a midnight showing of it, but have had to settle with a midnight in-the-privacy-of-my-own-home viewing of the film. Not as kewl.
I would like to make a SHOUT OUT to my friends Sej and Abby! I miss you guys so much! I can't wait to be able to hang-out with you two again!!!! wee-oo wee-oo wee-oo. Wughghghgh! (that was supposed to be the chick voice from Kung Pow)
I would also like to thank everyone who visits my blog for all you words of encouragement, your prayers, and your advice (whether I've asked for it or not). I love and appreciate all of you, my adoring fan club!!! *smooches* Spiritual hugs for EVERYONE!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!
I know, I am a bit weird. Can't help it. Being deployed is making me lose whatever sanity I had left!!!! GRAR!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I've gotta run. Don't go crazy without me. Love ya'all. TOODLES!!!

Damn it, Janet!

2006-05-19T03:38:00.000-05:00

"...The road was long, but I ran it. There's a fire in my heart and you fan it! If there's one fool for you, then I am it. I've one thing to say and that's, 'Damn it, Janet--I love you!!'..."
~Rocky Horror Picture Show
That's right. It's been non-stop RHPS for the past week.
"Hot Patootie, bless my soul! I really love that Rock and Roll!!!!"
I can't help it. I get the songs stuck in my head and then I can't stop singing them...and it makes me want to watch the movie. I'll be sitting in the guard shack while on duty---just singing away. It helps pass the time, boy, I tell you what!
Not much to report. I sprained my ankle really good the other day while playing basketball with the guys. It felt really good as you can imagine. Note the sarcasm. At least my people will have to tone down their incessant prodding for me to do more PT. Now they just jump down my throat about my clarinet playing. They're making me re-audition in July. OY!!! C'est la vie. Nothing I can do to make them stop being retarded. But have no fear, my fans, for I still hold a few tricks up my sleeve. They want to hear me play, well, I'll show them!!!! I've gotten some of my solos that I'd used during AIT, and I'm going to use one of them for my performance piece during my audition. My scales are coming along nicely, so I'm not too worried. Don't fret for me, my dear fans. Although, I won't turn down a few prayers and such.
I've gotta run. The "whip-crackers" are going at it again. OY VEY!!! Toodles!!!!!!!

SGT Klein

2006-05-06T03:22:00.000-05:00

This is my friend, SGT Jason Klein. Amber, you'd asked for a picture of him...well, here you are. He works for the PAO (Public Affairs Office) as a broadcasting journalist. He's a pretty kewl guy to be hanging around. He helps make the time out here go by faster--he's funny. We enjoy a lot of the same movies and stuff. I've recently introduced him to the crazy antics of the Tortuga Twins. Oh yeah! He said they did too many gay jokes, but he said they were okay. Have no fear, I might be able to turn him into a Ren Fest lover yet! He's got potential.
On a different note, I might be forced into making a choice between "a rock and a hard place". I've been informed that I either need to re-enlist for 3 more years in order to move to a different duty station, or else I will be stop-lossed (aka grounded) to 4 ID and be forced to come out to the desert again...I'm kinda hosed either way. I've talked to Matthew about our options and it looks like I might be able to re-enlist and get sent to Ft.Leonardwood, Missouri. That wouldn't be too bad because I'd be closer to home and I wouldn't get shipped out to here again any time soon. So don't be surprised to find out that I'll be in the Army longer than previously anticipated. C'est la vie!
I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you all very much. I can't wait to get back to the states and see my adoring fan club! Thank you all for trying to stay in touch with me while I've been out here. I've been very homesick and it's nice to get letters and emails from you---little pieces of home. Take care of yourselves. Toodles!!!!!!!!!!!!

bAbY sEaSoN!!!!!!

2006-04-26T07:46:00.000-05:00

It must be baby-making season again. It seems like EVERYONE is pregnant! I have 2 guys in my unit, who just returned out here from leave, that just found out that their wife and fiancee are pregnant. And then there's Kat and Rod, who've been pregnant for some time now. And Angie had her baby not too long ago. Denise hasn't gotten back to me yet on whether she's prego or not. And I hear about all these people who work where I do guard duty who have pregnant wives and girlfriends back in the states. And there were 4 females in my battalion who were sent back to the states because they found out they were prego! It's nuts!!!!! No, I'm no where near being prego, so don't even START!!! I am just amazed at how many people are having babies. I'm happy for all of them. Some day maybe I'll have my own...but NOT today!
I hope everyone is doing well. Take care of yourselves. Have a GROOVALICIOUS day! Toodles.

oh-eh oh-eh, oh-eh oh-eh...

2006-04-22T03:22:00.000-05:00

"Oh-eh oh-eh, oh-eh oh-eh...I'm feelin' HOT HOT HOT!!!!!"
It feels like it's a million degrees outside. I've been sweating non-stop for what seems like forever. I start sweating even right after I get done with a shower...no matter how cold the water is!!!! It's crazy!
The rock band's performance was wicked awesome! I wasn't able to take any pictures tho cuz my camera's battery died. UGH!!! I was so disappointed. I still head-banged a little too much...my neck is a bit sore. C'est la vie! Oh, and just to make Jenn jealous, I thought I'd inform you all that the Charlie Daniels show wasn't too bad either. I got an autographed picture of Charlie Daniels and his whole band. I even got to shake Charlie's hand. How kewl is that? Are you green yet, Jenn? Heh heh heh *do note the evil laugh*
Finally heard from Angie. She got married to Nick on 30 March and she had her baby, Elizabeth, on December 12 of last year. Congrats, Angie and Nick. Hopefully she'll email me some pics of her and her family (Nick and Elizabeth) so that I can post them on here for all of you to see.
Still same old stuff, different day, here. Not much to report. It's Iraq. It's hot. It's windy--but it's a warm wind. And sometimes it smells like garbage outside. I miss home. I'm looking forward to going home (to stay) in the next 7-8 months. It seems so far away. Although, I'll have to admit...the lack of weekends has made it seem like the time is moving kind of fast. I'm always working, so the only time I have to myself is usually right before I go to bed every day.
Matthew is still doing okay. He's busy, so he doesn't have much time to sulk either. I guess we're doing pretty well, all considering. Keep writing, though. We like to hear about what's going on back home. We love you all! Take care. I'll write more some other day. Toodles!

my half of a room

2006-04-19T03:28:00.000-05:00

Here are two pics of my room. They are both taken from the door to enter the room. The camo thing hanging down is the entrance to my roomie's little fort. She likes to hide from me...she likes her privacy. Whatever flips her lid, I guess. I just wanted everyone to see where I live. Toodles!!!

Armageddon!!!!!!!!!

2006-04-19T00:58:00.000-05:00

It was like ARMAGEDDON out here the day before yesterday! As you can view from the above pictures. I went to the PX in the middle of the storm with Arizmendi (driver), Agee and Williams (riding and looking scared out of their minds). We're crazy! It was so orange outside. Kinda freaky. Then it hailed like crazy!!!! We had a hail ball fight and then everyone started eating the hail. I thought it was gross, so I didn't eat any. I got a pic of a couple of my buddies (from left: Lowrey, Agee, and Arizmendi) licking a hail ball. Thought you'd dig the pictures. Let you see Armageddon for yourselves. It was really crazy though! It rained a LOT!!! It's still really muddy out from all the rain. Although, the mud is more of a paste now that it's starting to evaporate and stuff, but it's there. UGH!! Walking to work is a work-out.
Oh, and yesterday I ran on a treadmill for over an hour straight! My butt hurts. I can't even walk normal cuz it hurts so much. Oh, well...that's what I get for running so much. And for the record--I've lost 30 pounds since I deployed; and I'm STILL losing weight. Yay for me!!!!!!
I suppose I should end this now and get my sore butt back to work. Take care of yourselves. I'll be adding some pictures of the rock band concert coming up this Friday...so keep an eye out for that. YAY!!! Today's a good day. Toodles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April visit with Matthew

2006-04-17T03:19:00.000-05:00

That's right! I've finally posted a few of my favorite pics from my last visit with Matthew. We're planning on making a movie or two with all of our deployed pics and video clips later on and give them to friends and family, but I figured you'd still like to see a couple good ones.

The first one in upper left is of Matthew walking around his camp...we weren't that far from the gift shops. The other two were taken the morning that I'd arrived at his camp. We were just goofing around. What else is new.

It's hot out, but not too bad. I had to set up the stage for my unit's country band cuz they are opening for Charlie Daniels when he performs here tomorrow (I think the show's tomorrow). Pretty exciting, eh? It should prove to be an interesting performance. For those of you who don't know him, Charlie Daniels is the guy who sings "The Devil Went Down To Georgia". I can almost see the light bulb click on! LOL Take care, you guys. Toodles!!!!!!!

Happy Easter!

2006-04-16T08:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter everyone! Pictured above it the gingerbread Easter Bunny Hutch that I'd made a week ago to help decorate the band hall. Make it a little bit more...festive. I thought it was fun. It was my first gingerbread house of any sorts, so I had to share it with you guys. Isn't it kewl??? I think I did a bang-up job on it. Everyone in the band dug it...they can't believe that I made a gingerbread house out here. They think I'm so goofy. Oh, and apparently I remind them of a muppet!!! Crazy, eh?
I miss you all. I hope you're having a good Easter. Eat some Cadbury eggs for me, would you? It's too hot for chocolate out here.
Take care. Have a FANTABULOUS Easter!!! TOODLES!!!!!!!!!!

Ren Fest Fever!

2006-04-15T03:31:00.000-05:00

That's right! Crystal has got Renaissance Festival Fever once again! Not like that's anything new. I just really want to go see the Tortuga Twins (pictured above) and Puke 'n Snot and maybe even The London Broil!!! You remember The London Broil quite well, don't you, Abby? Heh heh heh...
Anyways, I've found a couple mid-east outfits out here that I think would be totally awesome for The Mid-East Mirage weekend at the Ren Fest. I'm so pumped. I can't wait to get back to the states and frequent my favorite part of summer. The part I look forward to all year long. My beloved Renaissance Festival season. Mmmmmmm...good food, good music, good entertainment, and (depending on who you take along) good company...it's all just so darn GOOD!!!! I'm so excited. I wish that I could go right now. Sadly, I'm stuck here where it's been getting like 100 degrees out and all that trash! UGH!!! I don't think I'll be able to handle the heat this summer. I just want to go have some fun at home.
Does anyone know when the Minnesota Renaissance Festival kicks-off this summer? I know it'll be in August, but does anyone know which weekend? I know some people here, who are going to be back in the states in time to go, who are interested in going, but I need to know the dates for them. Write to me if you find out.
Well, I suppose I should end this now. Stop blabbering on and on and get my butt back to work. Hope you all have a great weekend. Take care. Write to me sometime. Toodles!!!!

I am cute!!!!!

2006-04-12T01:26:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of me at the Pot Luck dinner for Matthew and I last summer (2005). I think I look so cute. Matthew has this picture hanging up in his room over at his camp. I really like this picture of me, so I decided I needed to share it with the world.

Matthew and I are enjoying our time together right now. I arrived at his camp late last night. It's a miniature vacation, I guess. He's got a mission later today, but hopefully he'll be back before I have to leave. It would be nice to say a decent "good bye". We went and had some Turkish Cappacino (SP?) at a cafe called "Amira's Cafe". She was a nice lady. Then, I whooped Matthew's butt at a game of checkers. Hee hee hee. It's really nice out today cuz it's raining. Yesterday was aweful. It reached a whopping 95 degrees yesterday!!!! The hottest day so far. Not looking forward to summer; it's THIS hot already and it's only Spring! UGH!!!!!

We've taken a couple pics out here, but I'll add them to my blog at a later date. Don't want to overload my blog entry with too many pictures all at one time.

Matthew has a MySpace account, now, for all of you MySpacers! His name there is crazymofo97. He's new at it, so if you've got any advice, write to him and hopefully he won't be too "proud" to accept some words of wisdom. :^)

Yes, there was a daylight savings thingy over here. It wasn't too bad for me cuz I was on guard duty when we had to change the clocks, so technically I got to sham out of an hour of guard duty. That rocks!!!! I know you'd asked me about that, Jenn. Sorry that it took so long for me to answer you back. I've been busy like crazy!

Starting next month, I will start performing in my jazz combo for the troops. I'm pretty pumped about that. I've been working really hard on learning some licks on the keyboard. I've also written a chart for my group. It's my own jazzy arrangement of the Temptations' tune "My Girl". It's really kewl. I've never really written anything to be performed in public before. Next month will be my debut!!!!!! YAY FOR ME!!!!!!

I should go now so that I can stop ignoring Matthew. I can tell that he's getting bored watching me type this entry and I'm sure you're tired of reading it. Take care. I'll try to keep you all better informed. I'll try to make more time to write on here in the future. Hope you all have a FANTABULOUS day! Toodles!!!!

High Hopes

2006-03-31T03:38:00.000-06:00

" I've got high hopes. I've got high hopes. I've got hot apple pie in the sky hopes. Every time you're feelin' low, here's the way to go. Just remember that....oh, bullocks! Woops, there it goes...2.5 years of my life!!!!"
Hello people. I'm doing okay today. Really. I've just had that darned "high hopes" song stuck in my head for the past 2-3 days. UGH!! And it won't go away. That, plus the fact that I'm roasting and miserable and far, far, far away from people I care about. I miss you guys. My adoring fan club. I can't wait to see you guys again. To be back on the wagon of shaking babies and kissing hands...um, er...something like that.
I'm still working on getting to Camp Livingroom (aka "civilian life"). I've got some more stuff about getting the Army to pay for my college tuition while I"m out here. Yeah. Now, I just have got to do the paper work and stuff. Oh, well. It's worth it and it'll give me something to help take my mind off of how much I miss home and everyone.
I'm pleased to report that I've finally gotten in touch with 3 friends that I thought I'd never hear from again. Jes Creech, Denise Hagen, and Jenn Stavseth. Yeah! Thank you for writing to me. I can't wait to hear from you all again. This is so kewl. It's like a family reunion, but better in a way. Okay, I'll shut-up now. I'm just so excited about expanding my friend list once again! I love you all!!!!
I really should get going now. I've gotta head back to the band hall. I'll be publishing some more pics on here soon! Stay tuned!
Love ya. Toodles!!!!

temperature's risin'...

2006-03-27T03:32:00.000-06:00

It's starting to get warmer out! I sweat even when I'm not doing anything. It feels like it's the end of June in Minnesota. I kinda like it, but I know that it's going to get a whole lot warmer out by the time summer shows it's true self. Oy! Not looking forward to that part, but I ought to loose some weight, seeing as how it'll probably feel like a not-so-humid sauna outside, right?
Matthew and I are still hoping to be able to do 4 days of R&R out here this coming month (April). His people haven't given him a straight answer on whether he can go yet...they keep saying "maybe". All we can do is hope for the best, though. At least I know I will for sure be seeing him for one day next month. My rock band is scheduled to do a performance over at his camp. YAY!! I get to play 'roadie' again. I can't hardly wait. I'm going to try and take a whole bunch of pictures while I'm there so that I can put them up on my blog, here, and share them with all of you! Matthew is such a handsome guy. I can't get enough of him. *wink*
Speaking of the Rock Band, that's where the two pics above came from. The top one is of SPC Windsor(tbone), SGT Agee(sax), and SGT Williams(trumpet). The pic under them is of SGT Arizmendi. They're all pretty kewl. Windsor is on leave right now, and on Friday this week, he's going to be getting married to a really nice girl from Denver, Colorado, named Natatlie. I'm so happy for them. Agee's already married with two kids--but he's a nice guy and will help out whenever/wherever he can. Williams--well, he's a lunatic. He's great fun and we always enjoy watching him hurt himself. It's like watching Charlie Chaplin or something. Arizmendi is pretty kewl too. He likes to party and play heavy metal/punk music. He's a fantastic drummer...and he's in his own band in the civilian world, who actually has made a CD and has had their music played on the radio all over Texas. There band is called Under The Gun. They are awesome. I've got a couple of their songs on my MP3 player. Someday, I'll figure out how to put tunes on my blog and then you all will be able to listen to them too.
I should be going. Take care. Love you all. Keep writing. Thanks for all the support. Toodles!!!

sugar-pie, honey-bunch

2006-03-23T04:59:00.000-06:00

I got to see Matthew today!!! He had to convoy to my camp, and his people dropped him off right at the band hall!! It was great. He walked into the rehearsal hall while my little jazz combo was rehearsing...he just stood there and smiled at me. I was to excited to see him that I kept messing up my part!!!! It's great that my heart still does flip-flops when he walks into the room! I love him so much. We got to spend almost two hours together. We ate luch together and I showed him the bazaar. We really enjoyed our short little visit. It was just nice to see him and hold him and to tell him in person how much I love him. I'm still all mushy about it, but I can't help it. He just makes me so happy! I LOVE YOU MATTHEW!!!!!!!!*hugs**smooches*
Hope everybody's day is going as good as mine. Take care. TOODLES!!!!!

is that like "Desperado"???

2006-03-21T07:28:00.000-06:00

This is my Squad leader and my keyboard instructor. This is the amazing SSG DiStefano, Josh. He's a pretty kewl guy. Fun, funny, easy going...and sometimes kinda clever and whacky. I really enjoy being around him. He always manages to brighten anyone's mood.

The "is that like desperado" thing comes from this drunken chick that he'd met at a bar once...she was totally wasted, and when he told her his name that was what she asked in between drunken giggles. Girls are so easy. Yeah, anyways...we always give him crap about that. I don't know, I guess it's an inside joke. You'd get it if you ever met the guy, but who knows, maybe you will thru video.

Not much is going on. Still miss home, and I can't wait to see Matthew again. Hope all is well stateside. I look forward to all the mail you all have been sending me. Take care and can't wait to hear from you again (hopefully soon). Toodles!!!!!

WiFe nAgGiNg

2006-03-17T03:55:00.000-06:00

Today, one of my buddies finally called his wife after not calling home in 3 weeks!!! Yeah, she wasn't very happy. You could hear her screaming at him on the other end of the room...he had to hold the phone away from his ear to keep from damaging his hearing! After about 10 minutes of that, he said to her,"Sorry, honey, but we'll have to talk about this later. I've gotta go cuz we're being attacked!" and he hung up the phone. We really weren't being attacked, but I thought it was kinda funny that he couldn't take the heat.
Nothing else happened today. Nothing of importance anyway. Talk to you all later. Take care!!! TOODLES!!!!!!!!!

my favorite rock girl

2006-03-16T03:38:00.000-06:00

This little girl is going to be VERY popular with the punk and rock bands in her future!!!

This is a pic of one of my buddy's nieces. She's a sweetheart, but she's a bit spoiled. I guess they get that way when they're an only child and a GIRL to boot.

I still dig the pic and I thought that you would too.

Take care. I'll probably write more later.

TOODLES!!!!!*hugs*

duty duty duty duty

2006-03-15T02:53:00.000-06:00

Yep! I've got guard duty again tonight. Not really looking forward to it, but not much I can do but just take it and move on. I miss home and I miss being a civilian. I can't wait to get out of the Army...I feel like I've missed out on so much since I joined. I am tired of missing people and things and life!!! I just want to go home. I wish I was Dorothy and could just click my ruby slippers together and go home. Too bad adulthood isn't as easy as childhood, eh?
I don't think I've grown up all that much. I've just noticed a few changes. Some good, some bad. I think the first big change was when I found my first grey hair (JUST ONE) 3 days ago. My roomie thinks it's the stress. I don't know what I think...other than that it would suck if I'm going to have a full head of grey hair by the time I'm 25!!!! YIPES!!!!!!
I'm doing okay. You don't have to worry about me. Matthew and I are taking care of eachother the best that we can. We miss you and can't wait to come home to you guys. Take care. TOODLES!!!!!

sLoW LeArNeR

2006-03-14T03:10:00.000-06:00

Hey everybody.
Sorry that I haven't been able to do anything on my blog for a while. The internet was down for a week and now, it won't let me add pics...the downloading time takes too long. Too many filters and stuff. You know the deal.
It's getting warmer. I miss Matthew now more than ever before. And I keep hoping to see him, but something always comes up. Yeah. Same old crap, right?
I can't wait to go home, but that isn't news either.
I guess the only thing new with me is that I feel like I'm changing. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. I feel myself maturing some, and as much as I'm fighting it, I think it's still fast approaching. Is that how it feels to be getting older???? I don't know, I've just been lost in my own little world for the past couple of days. I've been doing a lot of journaling too.
Well, I should get going. Toodles.

HaPpY biRtHdAy!!!!!

2006-02-25T07:14:00.000-06:00

Happy 21st birthday to Abby & ME!!!!
That's right! Today is Abby and I's 21st birthday. I hope YOU are enjoying your birthday more than I am, Abby! It's not bad, I've got near-beer, and I had a pretty normal day at work...I guess I couldn't ask for more being deployed and all.
We're all going to just have to make it up by having a GINORMOUS party next year!!!!! Oh, yeah...
Hope everyone is doing well. I still miss you guys immensely (SP?). I can't wait to get back to the states and hang-out with all of you. We're going to have so much fun...doing what, exactly, I don't know...but whatever it is that we end-up doing, I'm sure it'll be fun.
My roomie's mom is sending me alcoholic drink-flavored suckers. No alcohol involved...the suckers are just flavored like "martini" or "fuzzy navel" ect.
Well, I should get going. I love you guys. **PEACE** I'm outta here...time to party like it's 1699!

blah...

2006-02-22T05:38:00.000-06:00

Hey people.
I'm feeling a bit "blah" today.
I miss home, I miss Matthew, guard duty sucks, but it's bright and shiny outside. At least it's warm. Really warm. It's like 70 degrees outside. It's really nice. Makes me wonder how long it will last.
My buddy got this robot/doll thingy from his girlfriend. They're punk-rockers! He's totally kewl. You'd all find him great. He has major ADHD problems, so he's pretty fun to watch.
The country band went off our base to go and do a performance somewhere. Bet they're having fun.
I'm no longer in a band...they needed to cut 2 groups, and mine was one of them. Oh, well...life goes on, I guess.
I love you guys. Hope you are all doing well. Take care!!

ON GUARD!!!!

2006-02-18T03:52:00.000-06:00

I just really dug this picture I found in our "Stars & Stripes" newspaper. It's a pic of a soldier (nobody I know) on guard in all his gear with an Iraqi sunset in the background. This is a pic I've been looking for to put on the back of the batallion coin I'm designing. I just thought you might appreciate it as well.
Some things have happened in the last 24 hours that I cannot report on this website, but I'll tell you all about my "war stories" when I get back to the states, safe and sound. No one got hurt, so don't worry.
Other than all that, I'm missing Matthew, guard duty sucks, and I'm really tired and need a nap. Life is okay and hopefully it'll get better. My morale has improved dramatically since my visit with Matthew (as you can imagine). I'm doing okay and I'm anxious to get home. Just over 9 more months left! I can't hardly wait.
Keep praying. We'll be back before you know it! Take care. Later!

VisItiNg MatThEw

2006-02-16T00:14:00.000-06:00

Hi-lo Everybody!!!!!
I got to go to Matthew's camp really early in the morning on 15 Feb. The flight almost got canceled!!! It was my first ride on a Shanook helicopter! It was so KEWL. It was night time so I was able to see all the bright lights of the city that surrounds Matthew and I's camps. It was really pretty all considering.
Matthew greeted me and the rest of the rock band at our bus when we got to his camp. They(my band) released Matthew and I to go and "do our thing". Oh, yeah...life is GOOOOOOD! They even gave us the keys to our very own love suite...a nearby tent a row down from the one my band was sleeping in. Later Matthew gave me the $.25 tour of the camp which took all of 10 minutes. It's not very big, but he showed me the palace, as you can see in the picture, as well as the hogdy (iraqi) shops. There wasn't much to see, but his camp looks really pretty.
I forgot to mention that I was also able to see the sabres. It's really kewl. I'll take a pic if I get to see them again.
We didn't do much else. We ate at his brand new DFAC, watched the movies "Narnia" and "Underworld Evolution" and some "Bevis and Butthead". We were actually able to relax and enjoy each other's company. Too bad I'll have to leave today.
Gotta go. Matthew is pestering me again. Mmmm...life is really good. 'Till next time...Later dudes!

Matt with guns!

2006-02-10T03:38:00.000-06:00

Got your tickets for the GUN SHOW????

No NegEtiVe WavEs

2006-02-02T04:27:00.000-06:00

I got to see Matthew the day before yesterday. We were so happy just to see each other again...it was nice. I'm looking forward to the middle of the month when I get to go to his camp cuz my rock band has a couple of performances over there...I get to be a roadie! YAY!!!! Matthew seems to be doing really well, all considering. I'm envious of how positive he is, all the time.He sometimes reminds me of Odd Ball from the movie "Kelly's Heroes" and his favorite line, "Stop sending me them negetive waves!" Hopefully some of Matthew's positive outlook will rub off on me one day.
I'm no longer being forced to move out of my room. My battallion Sergeant Major instructed my unit NOT to move anybody that doesn't HAVE to move. So my freshly promoted roomie and I are happy that we don't have to seperate!
I've been asked to design a my battallion's coin for out here in Iraq! I'm pretty pumped and honored. I have 2 weeks to turn in a design...all that I'm lacking right now is the TIME to do it, but I'll get it done eventually.
I should get to work right now. Lunch time is over. Take care. PEACE!!!!!

sleeplessness

2006-01-29T00:34:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone.
Sorry for the anger and fury you saw in my last entry. I was really mad when I wrote it, I should've waited until I calmed down before I wrote it. I'm sorry.
I'm really tired right now. I'm struggling to sleep. I think it's cuz I'm so stressed-out here. And what makes it worse, is that everyone is waiting for me to crack. I'm trying my hardest to prove them all wrong, thanks to the stubborness that comes from my grandmother. Thanks Granny.
I'm just ka-poot!!! I want to go home and never come back here! At least today is one less day than yesterday, though, right?
Hope everyone is doing okay. I miss you all. I'm looking forward to being able to hang-out with all of you when I get back.
Matthew is well. He's still just as goofy as ever. It comforts me to know he's doing okay...even if he's faking it.
I need to go now. Take care. Have a great day.

Kicked out!

2006-01-27T05:44:00.000-06:00

I'm being kicked out of my room and being forced to move in with someone from another company cuz my roomie finally got promoted. This pisses BOTH of us off. Me more than her, tho. I'm so upset. I couldn't even eat lunch, I was so mad!!!
And to make it worse, the NCO that was changing my current living arrangments said that he hopes I snap so that I can get sent home and stop bothering people with all my issues! BASTARD!!!!! I'm so ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!! He's lucky that I'd get sent to jail for kicking his ass, cuz that's the only thing keeping me from doing so right now.
Today was a bad day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
"The sun'll come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun. Just thinkin' about tomorrow, wears away the cobwebs and the sorrow..."
Hope everyone's doing better than me right now. Take care of yourselves. Love you all.

mOrE rAiN...

2006-01-25T05:01:00.000-06:00

Hi-lo, my adoring fan club.
It rained some more today. UGH!! I hate the rain. Now my boots are sopping wet and really muddy. It started raining really early this morning and didn't stop until about 1000 this morning. I hate having wet boots...it's so uncomfortable.
I'm enjoying my Jazz combo that I'm in. I get to do some soloing like Benny Goodman on my clarinet. They (my upper NCO's) say that I sound really good for a beginner and that I've surprised them with how good I am at coming up with my own solos. I really only need to work up my scales some more and work on my tone...other than that, I'm about ready to star in my own show! I thought that was pretty encouraging. I've been practicing a lot more now...I want my own show...maybe.
Matthew is okay. He hates the mud too. I'll hopefully be seeing him next month! YAY!!! And his command team already signed the permission slip/form that says we can be together behind closed doors. *wink* Bow chika bow-wow..."let's get it on..."
Other than that...no news really.
Keep the fan mail coming. I really appreciate it. You guys are the best. We're all going to have to party really hard together when Matthew and I get back. Take care of yourselves. I've gotta run. Let's boogie!

2006-01-21T08:08:00.000-06:00

I just wanted everyone to get a pic or two. The first pic is of the place where we performed our new year's eve concert. The second is of me taunting the band guys in the truck behind mine. Good times. They later mooned my truck!
I've learned how to skip rocks on water. I'm pretty proud of my new skill. Sadly, there's nowhere for me to practice my newfound skill...the water's all drying up.
I'm still homesick and I miss Matthew as always. We get to talk to each other more now, but we still miss being together.
Thank you, everyone, for the fan mail. Keep it coming.
Catch ya later!

new year's eve convoy

2006-01-21T08:02:00.000-06:00

mUdDy DaZe

2006-01-11T04:46:00.000-06:00

UGH!!! I hate the mud. It's been raining/sprinkling on and off for the past few days...it's really yucky now. It's a good thing that I tie my boots so tight cuz I'd have lost them in the mud about 10 times by now.
I want to thank everyone for writing to me. It means a great deal to me to have so many people back home who care about me. Thank you. I miss you all so much. I can't wait to get back to the states. We are all going to party SO hard when Matthew and I get back.
Not much is going on. Still doing guard duty, still learning/playing piano, still homesick, and still missing Matthew.
I love you, Matthew!
Thank you, Abby for the pics of you and Adam over x-mas break. It was nice to "see" you again. Thank you, Uncle D and Aunt Ruth for the Christmas DVD. I watch it about every other day. Thank you, Sej, for the xmas card...best wishes to you and Eli as you start your journey down Married-lane. And thank you, Mom, Dad, Amber, and all the rest of my family for being there and helping me out any way you can during this hard time. I love you. And don't think that I've forgotten about the rest of my fan club! I miss and love all of you so much. Take care of yourselves. I'll be back to the states (and back to civillian life) before you know it.
Lots 'o' love to everyone! Keep writing and taking pics! *PEACE*

I was on TV!!

2006-01-03T07:17:00.000-06:00

New Year's Eve was a blast. I missed Matthew, but I still managed to have fun, somehow. My band's performance was televised on Fox News! How kewl is that? I was unable to play the piano, tho, cuz I'd gotten my fingers slammed in a door earlier that day...ouch. But, I sang and danced my heart out! It was so much fun. The Fox News team that was there with us left the camera rolling the whole time and supposedly the band will be getting a DVD copy of the night's festivities. Yay! If I get it, I'll definitely make copies for people! I really had a good time. Next year will be better, though.
Oooh!!! I got to SEE Matthew yesterday afternoon. I only spent about an hour with him, but it was a wonderful hour. I really miss the guy, in case you haven't noticed. It was so nice to see him. He was on a convoy and they came to my camp...Matthew was able to slip away and find me at the band hall. We hung out at the PX---I felt like such a teenager! LOL. We talked about what we've been doing, how much we missed each other, what we were going to do when we get home, etc. It was nice to be able to hug him again. I'm sorry--I'm getting all mushy. You don't want to read that! I'll move on.
Back to talking about New Year's Eve. My squad leader had me taking pictures through out the night on his camera. He's going to let me download those pics onto my computer, which I'll be putting onto a CD and sending home one of these days. I'll let my fan club know when I send the CD or when I get it made so that you can start putting in your requests to see the pics/get your own copy of the pics.
Other than all that, I've been doing a LOT of guard duty. Boring. Hopefully we'll be getting ready for another wicked-awesome concert before too long. I convinced the show band to add more techno/rave stuff to their repitoire <---I'm not sure how to spell that word, obviously.
Take care of yourselves. I'll be keeping you posted! Love, Peace and CHICKEN GREASE!!!!

New Year's Eve

2005-12-31T07:29:00.000-06:00

Hope Everyone is going to be enjoying their New Year's Celebration. I know I will be...as much as possible, anyways.
My New Year's Eve gig is tonight. Wish me luck!
Party Hard!!!!! I would if I could. Next year...oh yeah, next year.
Love ya all!
*PEACE*

Happy Birthday, Amber!!!!

2005-12-30T08:59:00.000-06:00

Today is Amber's 18th Birthday. Happy Birthday, Goober!!!! I'd sing to you right now, but nobody here, in the internet cafe, would want to hear that and I'd probably be banned from the internet cafe thru the remainder of my deployment, so I'll refrain from singing until your 19th birthday---you'd better believe that I'll be belting it out for that one!
Today is a good day, I guess. I got a lot of practice using my superhuman strength...in other words, I moved a lot of heavy stuff repeatedly. It was alright, tho. I got a lot of exercise and at least it wasn't raining outside. Plus, we all got our Tuff boxes...I've missed my computer so much. It's got all my music on it, and now I can also watch my beloved movies. Mmmm...sweet. Yeah, I didn't do too much. I'll be sleeping pretty good tonight! Yay for sleep. I've been missing Matthew a lot lately and I've been nervous about performing tomorrow night's concert...those two combined with an uncomfortable bed = no sleep. UGH! It could always be worse, right?
I miss home. I miss the snow. I miss all my friends and family. And I miss my couch. Oh, well, only 11 more months to go! YIPPEE!!!(please note the sarcasm there.)
I hope you all write to me. I'll write back, I promise. It would be nice to hear my name called during mail call, you know? I like getting those little pieces of home. That's the best part of the day (unless I don't get anything), so please write to me. If you don't have my address, call my parents or Grandpa Houghtelin. They would be more than happy to give it to you.
Take care of yourselves. Catch ya later!

cRaZy 88's

2005-12-28T08:28:00.001-06:00

The piano and I are doing SWIMMINGLY!!! I'm really getting the hang of it. Sadly, I'm the apprentice of a very busy piano man...we just got all new music to learn for our new year's eve show--he's feeling very bombarded. However, the new year's eve show will be my debut! I get to play the piano for the song "Girls just wanna have fun"! I feel so kewl. Tomorrow, the piano man (my squad leader, SSG Distefano) will start to teach me how to do improv on the piano. YAY!! I'm so pumped!! So, yeah, I'm pretty happy...all considering. I'm sleeping really good too cuz I'm also in the Ironettes Dance Team. We do crazy little dances with the songs--Y.M.C.A. is a KILLER, boy, I tell you what! We're doing the YMCA just like the way they did it on "Wayne's World 2", but without the wicked-awesome costumes. *Sniffle* It'll be great anyways. I'm glad that I've had all that practice with making a fool of myself during all those crazy lip sync contests. Yes, those were the days...
Nothing much has happened since the last time I wrote in here, tho. I wrote about 4 letters to Matthew already--I've only had his address for two days. I'm making up for lost time I guess. I still miss him, but at least I'm doing something to take my mind off of how much I miss him. I'm really enjoying myself. I'd enjoy it a whole lot better if I was in the states right now, but I'm stuck here no matter what I say. "Resistance is futile!"
Thank you everyone for emailing me and for checking up on my blog every once in a while. I love my little fan club. You know I do! Keep writing...I love the mail. Take care of yourselves.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, I must leave you...my audience of screaming fans!!! "For those ready to rock, we salute you!"

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

2005-12-25T00:14:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
I'm here and very far away from home and I miss everyone so much. I can't hardly wait for NEXT x-mas to roll around. I'm going to party straight thru from 24 Dec.-01 Jan.! I'm going to make-up for lost time. Sadly, I have to endure this christmas--my first christmas alone...no family, no Matthew, no snow...nothing. It's kinda sad. I hope everyone tries and enjoys their christmas for me! Send me pics! I wan't to cover the walls of my room with pics from home.
As you have probably already heard, Matthew and I are stationed too far apart to be able to see eachother too often. I'll see him whenever my band has a performance on his camp, or the rare occasion when he would have to convoy to my camp for some reason. We'll try to keep in touch thru snail-mail and email. We'll probably get mid-tour leave together...that'll be nice. I miss him though. That won't change, but I say "good night" to him every night before I go to sleep and I pray for God to protect us and to help us find each other when we can. We'll be okay. After all, "absence makes the heart grow fonder", right?
Tonight, my band will be performing TWO christmas concerts for the soldiers here on my camp. It's going to be fun. Last night's performance was really good, so hopefully the word will have gotten out and we'll have a larger audience tonight. I'm looking forward to playing 2nd keyboard for the rock band. That's exciting for me! I've always wanted to play for something like that, and now I've finally got my big chance! Good luck to me!
I miss you all. I can't wait to see you all again. Take care of yourselves and have a very Merry Christmas. I need to end this here or else I'll be late for rehearsal. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Another day in PARADISE

2005-12-19T02:11:00.000-06:00

Yep...that it is...NOT!!!!
I've got 3 more days till I move on to my next location--which is where I'll be for the remainder of my deployment. Matthew is going to still be in the field for the next 3 days, so it's unlikely that I'll be seeing him before I leave here. I hope that I'll get to see him once in a while when I visit other camps to perform for the troops.
I've gotten to experience my first mini sandstorm a few days ago. I can't remember if I wrote about it, but it sucked!!!
I'm so anxious to be done with this deployment already. My journal (hand written one) is filling up with a lot of angst! I don't like it here, and my journal definitely knows it! I can't wait to go home and see everyone.
I'm still not part of a major performing group, but things might change once we get in theater. The future still holds some possibility.
I don't have much time left so this'll have to do for now. Take it easy, my fan-club!

HoW rOmAnTiCaL...

2005-12-14T03:13:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was Matthew and I's 1 year wedding anniversary. We couldn't do very much due to the circumstances, but we hung out a bit. He took me to dinner at the DFAC (such a romantic place *wink*) and then we went on a very romantic stroll in the almost full moonlight thru the Army brown tents, and then we went to the PX in search of laundry bags (no such luck), and finally we ended the evening with another casual stroll through "Tent City". We definately tried to enjoy ourselves. It was about as good of a deployed anniversary as we could expect. We thought about watching a movie at the MWR building, but decided against it as it would interfere with formation times. Yeah. It was beautiful. At least we were together for a bit, right?
Well, in other news, my band is performing tonight. It's a large Christmas show and I got to help with the decorations! YAY!! P.S. I've got my address now, so check your emails. I'll send it out to you.
That's all for now. Ciao!

Saw Matthew!!!

2005-12-06T05:49:00.000-06:00

More Details!
I got stuck in Bangor, Maine on my way here for 20 hours. Didn't get to see anything but a hotel and the airport. We were on "hotel arrest"! UGH!! Anyways. Then we went to Frankfurter-Hahn, Germany. That was pretty awesome. They had gotten 6" of snow the day before so we were all having a snowball fight during our 3 hour lay-over there. That was fun. Now I'm here. I can't really say where "here" is, but it's not my final destination over here, I'll tell you that.
Can't really write anything more. Catch ya all later. Peace!!

Greetings From the DESERT

2005-12-03T18:35:00.000-06:00

Yeah...it sucks. I'm still suffering from Jet Lag. (I'm not sure how to spell that) I hear that things will get better. My battle buddy, Fry, is taking good care of me. She's so funny.
We don't do much. I try to read on my cot, but I usually pass out within 5 minutes or so. I'm so tired all the time. I've been taking sudaphed like crazy cuz all the sand blowing around really bothers my sinus'.
Well, not much to tell right now. I should have a snail-mail address in a couple weeks. Thank you for being so loyal to my blog site. I love you all!!!!
I should get going. It's 4 am now and I should go get in line for breakfast!
Love, Peace, and Chicken Grease!!!

Celtic Cross

2005-11-13T18:04:00.000-06:00

Update on the children... they got matching tattoos at The Skin Kitchen in Watertown, MN... The Artist (Chris), Crystal getting the deed, Crystal's tat, Matt getting inked, Matt's tatt... Chris is definately awesome!!

Few dAyz oF leAve

2005-11-08T22:08:00.000-06:00

Hi-lo, everybody!
Sorry that I couldn't tell all you guys that I was going to Minnesota on leave this past weekend, but I only had the couple of days and I needed to hit the family for the most part. I wish I could've visited with all of my friends, but there just wasn't enough time. I've got a few pics of Matthew and I on leave here in Minnesota. Take a gander, if you want.
We've enjoyed our stay for the most part. We're heading back to Texas tomorrow morning. *sniffle* I'd love to stay. It's so gorgeous up here with all the dead and rotting leaves and the brown grass and the yellow corn stalks...mmm, the smell of decaying things. I love the autumn. I regret that I have to leave...but duty calls. UGH! I love you all. Trust me, as soon as I get back from Iraq, I'll be sure to take plenty of leave--enough for me to see everybody...if possible. :^D Like I said, we really enjoyed ourselves. The trip up here was grueling tho. We didn't think we'd be able to make it in a day, but we managed...had to drink about 10 gallons of coffee, but we made it somehow.
During our visit, we managed to surprise my sister, my aunt and uncle (Denny and Ruth), Uncle Terry, Bill and Luke and Darren, my mom and dad were in on the whole scheme. Then on Monday, we surprised the grandparents and took them out to lunch in Brainerd. We visited with Matthew's uncle Scott and Matthew's dad met us at the lunch in Brainerd. And today we surprised Matthew's mother. His little bro, Chris, was already tipped-off by Matt's dad. Grrr!!! It's been a little crazy, but what leave isn't? It's too bad that we gotta go back to crappy 'ol Texas tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to that. I wish I could stay up here from now on. I never thought that I would actually miss Minnesota until I joined the military. UGH!!!
Well, that's all. It's going to be a long while before I'll be able to update this again. Keep checking in here from time to time. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to add another entry before I head over to the sandbox. Until then, love you all and take care of yourselves.
WORD!!!!!!

Tattoo night!

2005-11-04T15:09:00.000-06:00

Tonight, Matthew and I are getting tattooed! I'll be getting a celtic cross on my lower back. It'll look something like the two pictures you see here. We're both pretty excited about it. It'll be our first tattoo--the anticipation is growing. Matthew is saying that he wants some kind of celtic cross on his shoulder or his arm...but he hasn't pointed out to me exactly what he wants. We'll know tonight, tho! Yay!!!! I'm so excited I could just SPIT. But I won't.
We're looking forward to the weekend. It's been a pretty exhausting week for both of us and we are glad to finally be getting some time off. Whew!
Thank you everyone and GOOD NIGHT!!!!!
"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember: ametures built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic."
-Unknown
"If you can't convince them, confuse them."
-Harry S. Truman

SUPER SQUIRREL!!!!

2005-11-03T11:18:00.000-06:00

Know what we're doing

2005-11-03T10:49:00.000-06:00

If you look at my "links" bar, you'll notice that I have added a few links. I feel that you'll find 2 of these links to be very informative for you. The 2 links I'm speaking of is "Ft.Hood Website" and "4 I.D. Website". By clicking on these sites you'll be able to see what's going on at our duty station here, at Ft.Hood or if you go to the 4 I.D. website, you'll be able to read exactly what going on with our specific division, and in some cases, our particular companies. When I say "our", I am meaning Matthew and I. So, if it's been a while since the last time you heard from us, or if you're just curious as to what we're up to, feel free to check out these two sites.
The "Army Knowledge Online" will do you no good. You have to be in the army to be able to use it.
The other 2 that I have added are "Joe Cartoon" and "Funny Junk". I really enjoy these sites, and figured you might too. They're good for a laugh or two.
Thanks again. Love ya!

LeaViNg thE neT

2005-11-03T10:22:00.000-06:00

Well, I got home around 0645 this morning. It was a very long and very uncomfortable bus ride. BLAH!!! But, I'm back and am happy to be able to see Matthew again. Yay!
Sadly, this will be one of my last posts on my blog site until I get to my FOB (Forward Operating Base) in Iraq. I'm not sure when this will be, but don't count on seeing anything new between this weekend and the beginning of the new year. Sorry. Matthew and I just need to cancel our internet service before we go to Iraq. Besides, there won't be much time to dilly-dally on the net anyways. We're going to be pretty busy just getting things set-up for deployment. So, to all my faithful fans, I love you and I will try to update this blog whenever I get the chance.
Feel free to keep calling me on the telephone or writing to my address. I'll let everyone know what my military snail-mail address is as soon as I find out what it will be. I'll be looking forward to hearing from all of you.
Take care. You are the best! Until next time........

Leaving Colorado

2005-11-02T09:06:00.000-06:00

That's right. I'm leaving today right after we perform our last ceremony at Ft.Carson. I'll be getting back to Texas early tomorrow morning. I'm sad that I have to leave, but I'm happy that I'll be able to see Matthew again. I've kinda missed him over the last few days.
I had fun last night. Yesterday, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith came out, so all of the S.W. fans in the band pitched some cash in and we bought the movie. We watched it last night in the hotel bar on their big screen TV. We really had some fun. I forgot how kewl that movie was. I can't wait for the whole SET to come out. That's what I'm going to buy.
Well, nothing much else to write about. I've gotta get on the bus and start on my merry way. Hope everyone is having a truly FANTABULOUS week. I love you all. Catch ya on the flip side!

...holiday...

2005-10-31T10:38:00.000-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

In Colorado Springs

2005-10-31T10:32:00.000-06:00

Greetings from Colorado to everyone!
Yep. I'm in Colorado. Have been since 1730 central time. It's really nice. It only reached 65 as a high yesterday. The mountains are even MORE gorgeous than I remember. I'm kinda enjoying my time up here. I have the day off today, so I'm going to do as much sight seeing as I can. I'm hanging out with my battle buddies Grady Kersh and Dennis Kerr. They're loving it here, too.
I miss Matthew, but that's nothing unusual. I'm anxiously awaiting this Friday and this up-coming weekend. Oh, and I wasn't trying to "dis" anyone with tat's on my last blog entry. I was just joking around. Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings.
Well, I should get to enjoying my time here. Later!

ParTy pOopeRs

2005-10-29T10:07:00.000-05:00

Today, I'm heading up to Fort Carson, Colorado. Yay for me! I'm going by bus, so it's going to be a long ride...but there's tv's with VHS on the bus, so we'll be able to watch some movies to help pass the time faster. Matthew is going to have some much-needed time to himself. He doesn't have to be back to work until Monday, so he's got the whole weekend ahead of him. I won't be back from Ft.Carson until the 4th of November. He'll have plenty of time to hang with his "homies". He says he's going to help one of his buddies fix their truck...maybe work on the Supra a bit, and give my car a tune-up and an oil change. He's getting more time on his hands now that his unit is closer to getting all their stuff ready to go.
We ended-up not going to my buddy's gig last night. We've been working too late--needed sleep. Curse you, Zzz-Monster!! I heard that it was pretty wicked, tho. Wish we could've gone, but Matthew and I passed-out as soon as we got home from work. DAMN!
I'm looking at getting my first tattoo next Friday. Matthew's getting one too. I'm going to be getting a celtic cross tattooed on my lower back...Matthew is getting something of celtic design on one of his arms. He hasn't decided, but he's going to decide before Friday cuz we're getting tattooed together! We're going to be Tattooed White Trash!!! Yay!!!----I think.
The weather is getting colder down here, and a lot of people are catching colds now. Matthew and I have been getting some serious nasal congestion. We're not lucky enough to be sick enough to get out of work, tho. I suppose that could be a good thing. Just chugging away one day at a time. C'est la vie. So on goes life.

Friendly Farewell

2005-10-27T19:45:00.000-05:00

Denise left this morning at 0600...and what does the "o" stand for? "O, my God, it's early!" Yeah, we had to get up at 0345 to make sure she'd be at the airport plenty early to catch her flight. We've had some good times while she was down here. We did a lot of much-needed catch-up. I'm so glad she was able to come down here. Who'd have thunk that I'd miss people so much, eh? Yeah.
So, I'll be heading up to Fort Carson, Colorado Saturday night. My band has a gig up there. We're casing some colors and doing a retirement ceremony or something like that. Colorado Springs is really nice and a pretty fun city at night...we (the band) always have a good time when we TDY up to there. I'll miss Matthew bunches, sure, but I'll have a lot of time to myself and I'll get to actually DO the job I signed-up to do!!! How about that?! I think it's pretty righteous myself.
Other than all that, it's been the norm lately. Matthew is working late tonight. UGH!!! I've just about had it with this whole working-late thing. My unit is starting to make me work late too. Although, they say that once everything is gone and heading on it's way to Iraq, we'll have a lot more time to spend with friends and family. I just wish we could get done with this work stuff faster so that I can go back to having fun on a regular basis!!! Heh heh heh
MY Halloween night is tomorrow. YAY!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited. I'll be going as a PUNK ROCKER. I've got the funky-colored hair extentions and everything. I'm so pumped. Matthew is going as...well, I don't know what to call it other than a cross between a wolfman and a zombie. It looks kewl and scary-as-shit all at the same time!!! I'm still working on trying to put pics on my blog site, so, as soon as I figure that out, I'll be sure to post some pics of the halloween shindig. Can't leave my crowd-of-adoring-fans hanging, now can I? That's what I thought.
Thank you to everyone who has been looking in on this site from time to time and especially to those who love to leave comments. It's nice to know that people are actually somewhat interested in my thoughts and experiences. I love you all!!!! You are a great asset to this blog and you will go far.

Gotta love Mike's

2005-10-24T19:16:00.000-05:00

Hi All!
Oh, yeah...I only had to be at work until noon today, so I was able to hang with my girl, Denise, a lot today. We went to Bennigan's Irish restaurant/pub for a small lunch. We hung there for almost 3 hours! Good times. After that, we went to the movie theater to see "Domino Harvey"! HELL YEAH!!! That was SUCH a great movie. It was as good as "Fight Club". It's a must-see. It was so good. It's one of those movies that you can just totally lose yourself in. I'll probably see it again if I get a chance.
Now, we're back at the apartment. Matthew was home--he picked-up some more Mike's and some Shiner Bock and my favorite...Disorrono. Mmmmm. Mix Disorrono with some Coke or Pepsi and it makes the soda taste like cherry soda--only better! Heh heh heh
Yeah, so we're all just chillin'. Matthew ran to go and get some pizza. Denise and I are sitting on the couch watching "The Longest Yard" and just enjoying time together. We've only got 2 more days left together. She leaves from here Thursday morning at 0600. I'm really going to miss her. She is making me feel so great. I remember what life was like as a civilian since she's been down here...life is lookin' up!
I put a new bumper sticker on my car. It says, "It's all fun and games until they open the trunk." I put it above the bumper sticker that says, "My other car is a hearse." My car is beginning to show a personality. Yay for me!!!!
That's about all for now. Talk to you all later. *kisses*

Friends

2005-10-23T09:38:00.000-05:00

My friend, Denise Hagen, has been down here, in Texas with Matthew and I since Friday afternoon! We're having a lot of fun together. I didn't realize how much I missed her until I saw her. She's still sleeping right now. We had a late night last night. Didn't really "party hardy" or anything like that...just sat up all night and chilled. Speaking of "chill", I think that Denise might have brought Minnesota's cool weather down with her. Since Denise came down here, it's only reached a high in the low 70's, which is a nice change.
Thank you, Josh for bringing the "annonymous commentors" thingy to my attention.
It's Sunday and there's not too much to talk about. Denise and I didn't DO too much yesterday. We just mostly talked and caught-up with each other. We're thinking of going to Waco today...maybe we'll do something interesting up there, eh? Hope everyone has a good weekend.