our home decor

One of my favorite questions from Matt was when we "got" our apartment. He was moving in, I think it was the end of that September and would be tending the place to himself, except for a couple months with my cousin, Matt, until I moved in on our wedding day. The question was, "Can I decorate (maybe it started with, what would you think if I decorated) the apartment first? Then you can tell me what you think and can change it when you move in." He said he wanted to try it first. I'm really not being sarcastic by saying that's one of my favorite questions. I was excited....interested to see how he, a man, would decorate. I remember the first time I came to the apartment after he moved in, looking forward to seeing his skills. I walked in and looked around. "So, when are you going to start decorating?" "I did!" I was a little confused since I didn't see anything really "around" except for his stereo equipment and xbox...some clothes. Matt was actually referring to his arrangement of the furniture. Oh, he makes me smile. I'm sure he did a fine job arranging, but I honestly can't remember (so it couldn't have been that bad...just kidding). He's pretty good at that actually. (Before I go any further, I want to make it clear, whenever I talk about my husband, it is out of love. Sometimes I point out our oddities, but I try to find the humor in it. I am not in any way trying to put down my husband, my Matt. I love him so much, orange/brown socks, big speakers, and all!)

Being a young wife and in our first place together, I have really enjoyed finding my taste in decorating, or maybe lack-there-of taste? It's a work in progress. It has been a challenge to my creativity to work around/with Matt's huge homemade speakers and a bench he made as a youngster. Those pieces of furniture at first were a little bit of an...eyesore...for me, but now they have become part of our home. (If he wants to downsize those speakers though, I wouldn't shed a tear.) I have come to absolutely love his bench!

I think if we ever had a fire, that would be one of the things I'd try to haul out. It's not great wood by any stretch and it's covered in mortar or cement on the legs and edges because his dad was a mason (and things naturally got covered in that kind of stuff). It was just one of those projects he did out of the blue I think. He likes to work with his hands, and I really like that about him. (His favorite childhood toys were sticks....because they could be made into anything, especially toy guns and sling shots.) Anyway, I am pretty patriotic and just love "old" things, so I love to find almost anything on the Primitive/Country/Americana (and some Willow Creek too) side. Piece by piece I am collecting different things from garage sales, craft sales, hand-me downs, and stores.

Today, I got 2 super cute wall hangings/paintings/pictures from Walmart (I think for $3 total). I dug and dug through countless pictures that were NOT my style just wondering...just hoping...there might be something neat. Ta-da! I found, well, I settled on 2. A large one and a small one. The large one really won't work quite yet because of our apartment...but when we move...I look forward to working with it!! I think it would look so cute in a cheery mudroom (ha, sounds a little like an oxymoron). So, yes, we must find a house with a mudroom so I can put this picture there...ok, I will work with whatever house or next apartment we are blessed with, mudroom or not.


The little one goes sooo well with my little antique, dark wood, toys and the flag basket I have.

Bad glare!!

Oh, if anyone knows of where I can get an old truck or train in similar dark faded wood, I would like to hear it. I think that would be the final piece to the little collection of old toys.

Sorry about the quality of the pictures....I know they're bad, but you get the idea. Some I took awhile ago and some tonight. I just don't have the patience for these pictures. Yes, I still have the sled out next to the bench from winter. I figure it can stay out till we're sure we aren't having any more snow!

*I love you Matt!

if you're a bug lover, don't read this

Don't have much time? Skip to the end of this post. That's the summary!

I enjoy being outside. I also enjoy camping. Summer camp was the highlight of my summers when I was growing up. I didn't mind being dirty, surrounded by nature and all that comes with it...bugs, spiders, smelly tents. I loved sleeping in tents! Several sleepovers at Laura's included sleeping in the backyard in a tent. It was just so much fun. It still is, right Matt? ;) Here's a picture of our teeny tiny tent...it cracks me up. It's amazing Matt can actually sit up in it. The bulging sides are definitely from our air mattress. We sure know how to rough it!



Tangent: When I worked at the summer camp in Pennsylvania, we even took the campers out to sleep under the stars once a week. To be honest, I was a little nervous about that one because there was a known mama bear and cubs that lived right in that wooded area...and we had a huge group of kids, LOTS of marshmallows, hershey bars, and graham crackers. We had not cleaned up well at all...so I was envisioning waking up to bears licking my face or well, I'm sure you can imagine. Thankfully, I woke up safe (the campers too) but had a camper's marshmallow sticky stick stuck to my sleeping bag next to my pillow...eww. Thanks camper! We also had an incident of a camper flinging me in the head with a flamed stick on accident. A camper and I also almost got attacked by a dog on one of our runs. I thought one of the directors was joking when he asked if I wanted to run with a blow horn! I guess not! Oh how we were protected that particular summer!

So anyways, I enjoy the outdoors, especially for camping. Alas, there comes a time in every young woman's life (at least THIS young woman's life), when she takes down the tent and comes inside to sleep in a cozy bed at home... to get away from the dirt and bugs. However, the bugs are not staying out in the lush green grass with blooming flowers, flowing wind that blows through their tentacles or hairs, and of course where the "good eats" are for them. No, they have decided to trek through my walls, the door, wherever to join me in our cozy, but truthfully basement, apartment. I'm thinking of setting up our tent in our apartment these days, so I can zip myself off from them! Maybe I'll just get some of that misquito netting for around the main parts of the rooms I spend the most time in. The spiders have been pretty outrageous lately and the millipedes are back...dun dun dun. I recommend for everyone to take stock in Raid because I keep it in business. Yes, Raid is for the millipedes and flip flops for the rest.

Tangent 2, sort of: I remember Matt telling me he wondered how I would handle taking care of the millipedes myself while he's gone. (Of course that was his job, I mean area of expertise, before he left.) I honestly didn't take him seriously when he said he didn't think I would be able to squish them. Come on, a little bug? Don't you remember I'm tough, Matt? The first one I saw after he left was probably a day after. I picked it up in a napkin and squeezed. Oh, then I squeezed harder. Oh, then I squeezed with all my might! Nothing! They curl up in a ball and turn into rocks or something. So, I set the napkin on the floor folded over so I didn't get millipeded juice on my shoes and stepped on it, checked it, still in-tact. Ok, then I stomped on it with heeled shoes as hard as I thought I could, and I checked it. I broke off a tenticle. Are you for real? So, I started jumping on it and yelling... finally taking care of the task. I felt ridiculous but at the same time, I did it! I told the story, a little bit exaggerated to my dad (and to Matt later). I got to the end of my long story and my dad said, "Why didn't you just flush it?" ...a slightly perturbed chuckle came out of my mouth...oh, yeah, flush it. Well, I don't want crazy huge ones growing in my toilet so I use Raid and then discard.

The point or "summary": I'm not a bug hater. I actually don't even really mind bugs, spiders, whatever, BUT, not in our home!!



Matt and I camping at Letchworth State Park last summer.

*I love you! Let's go camping...outside of our apartment!

Wanted:

a new car

a new apartment or a house!

a break and a white horse

My car has been under "inspection" since last Thursday, have been unable to teach, and am still without it (can we say cabin fever?) facing a very big bill.

Our gas and electric bill isn't going down since I've started sending in the readings. Grrr. I was keeping the heat at 62 until the other week I turned it up to 64 (is that unreasonable for upstate NY?) because I just needed a bit more and our basement apartment tends to smell when colder and damp...go figure. Ahh mold!

Ok, I'll settle for a break from all this. Remember those Calgon commercials? Calgon, Take me away!! (That was a common phrase for me when working at the daycare.) Matthew, come take me away!! Umm, in what car?...I don't know, one with 3 wheels? Nah, we're going to ride off into the sunset on a white horse!

Good news: we are down to about 99 days (always a guesstimate...aka Becky countdown) till Matt is back in California...and I'm there too!! Breaking that 100 mark is good news! Also, that means, we are just about half way done with this year! It has almost been 6 months since my Man left home. It's a funny thing to be happy your husband has been gone for a long time...because that means he's coming home!

*I've got my riding boots on Cowboy! I was born ready!



...just because it's a favorite of yours

one of those days

I had a wonderful morning talking with Matt today, actually late morning and early afternoon. We did a little online shopping together of some military wife umm, shirts and stuff to show my support and feel a closer connection. I know, some people don't understand (this has become obvious to me), but I am proud of Matt, so that's why I'd like a shirt or 2 that show my support.

Sometimes, because people don't understand, I feel like wearing this shirt. No, I didn't order it, but it begins to tell the story....
"Don't ask me if I miss him...Of course I miss him. Don't ask me is it easy? because it's not!"

Just a few minutes ago, I was told (umm, more like lectured) to be thankful he isn't in Iraq. This is a totally true statement, and trust me, I am thankful he's not there. In some ways I feel a little like a Marine wife wannabe because I'm not going through what some other wives go through, deployments over and over again to dangerous places. Nevertheless, I love my husband and am not overly excited to have him apart from me no matter where he goes. (I mean, seriously, do most wives really want to ship their husbands out somewhere for 6 months to a year or more? hmm, something's not right about that). Also, there is never any guarantee wherever he goes that he will not face danger or accidents. He is afterall, a Marine, and they will send him wherever they please in a moments' notice. Even, here at home, things can happen. Sometimes such lectures are not necessary or helpful...especially during another apartment episode where my landlord comes...unexpectedly...as I was about to take a shower, which was a close call...asking me to do more for our apartment...

So, I guess, I appreciate hearing how Matt is in other people's prayers and how we have their support. And, if you'd like to talk, please call before coming over if you are just going to ...come....when I'd like to take a shower, especially if you are a male...that just does not put me in a chatty mood.

On a positive note, I have received some words of thanks unexpectedly too. A lady from Geico told me to tell Matt thank you for his service, and she thanked me too. I was totally taken aback because I was just looking for a quote on car insurance (explaining my husband is deployed, so I'm the only driver for another 6 months...etc.). Then she told me all servicemembers and wives need to be thanked more often. She blessed my socks off, and I think mostly because it was totally unexpected, and one of the first times I've been "sincerely" thanked or included. Yes, she may have just been trying to get my business, but it was appreciated, and if anybody is going to get business, that is one way to do it. Now, I'm not looking for people to write comments, "thanking" me or Matt, but if you'd like to send Matt a note, I can pass along his email or address. I don't mind letting people thank him or anyone in the military at all.

So, thank you to all those men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom, to the men and women in uniform and the spouses left behind who also give so much I humbly offer my thanks. I don't think I could do this for life because it is so tough....and people do. There was one shirt I liked, "born an American, wife of a military member by the grace of God"...so true.

Oh, don't forget to wear red on fridays to show your support for our troops!!

"pools of blessings collect after the rains" Psalm 84:5-7

Hmm, I'm not really sure what I'm going to talk about in this blog. I have lots of thoughts running through my head....both silly and serious. I guess I'll start talking about yesterday for a bit and move into today...it's gonna be a long one.

I went to church, and Dad was talking about Noah's descendents and blessings and curses...and to be honest, I don't remember much. So, I'm going to have to read those emails he sends out. He touched on our times of blessing could be when we least expect it, or when we're experiencing trials. We had communion. I had some good me and God time through prayer...knowing I need some change, change of attitude, heart, and action...but this was also just sort of a beginning. I am starting to "feel" a little bit more, which was one area I was praying about. Feelings can get you into trouble, but I can be somewhat rebellious by pushing those feelings away. I can't really describe it. Poor Megan, checked up on me after church, and I was ridiculously ambiguous and confusing. I'm sorry that I still am going to be confusing. Basically, sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, I can put myself on cruise control or become a robot. I don't really "feel" much lately. I am in more of a "just do it" mentality. I am going through these days lately, mostly exhausted on every level. I am eating, sleeping, working, doing chores, but without much life. Then Dad spoke about hard times or what seems like what might be a hard time coming your way as really a time of blessing. I was thinking, "I don't see this as much of a blessing right now."

I don't feel like our time apart is because we're being punished by God or anything like that. The only way I can explain my real thoughts and feelings (though they have not been expressed appropriately) is heartache or broken heartedness. I feel so lonely, it's hard to even describe. I know God hasn't left me, but for some reason, I'm not always running to Him like I should. Instead I just "cope." It's like I just get through each day because I have to and there's no other choice. Then there are times I let out some of those heartache tears because I've reached my limit and eventually, the tears tire me out, and I tell myself to "suck it up cupcake" because my tears aren't going to change the situation. I do believe some of the things that have occurred lately and yesterday...were in part meant to break me and pull me closer to the One who loves me more than I can imagine. As I took communion, I asked the Lord to help me feel again, really feel, so I can be straight with where I am and work this out between Him and I because I have been avoiding Him. For some reason, I felt like it would be harder to let go...probably because at least I could control something. Yes, I think some of this is a control issue. I think God has a sense of humor by giving me so many things out of my control to remind me, "Earth to Becky, I, I, am in control!" These days can be blessed days if I'm truly living for Him. The reason they aren't are just because of that, I'm not letting go of me and living for Him. I started to get a tear in my eye while I prayed during communion, and I tried to suck it back in, not let it drop. Then I remembered what I prayed for. I won't "feel" if I stuff it. So, I let some tears fall...I felt like God was wanting me to let them go quietly, let out some of those tears, so He has more room to work. I just couldn't totally get that. I only knew God wanted me to be real, even if that was all.

At the beginning of this journey of Matt and I being "separated", I was gung-ho, as much as I think I could be, as far as trusting God. I knew He had a plan for all this. I was excited to see the blessings through all this...even though it was going to be hard. And, this was real. I have these red, white, and blue construction paper chain links strung "decoratively" (haha) in our apartment. At the beginning, I would tear a link off each week and write the blessings of that week right on the link. I saved them. Weeks/Months went by and it was getting more difficult...I found myself in a rut. I was late at tearing them, couldn't remember which week was which, and sometimes I felt like all I could write was, "Matt loves me." I felt like that, true as it is, was pretty generic and a copout. So, I stopped writing them. One thing after another, I spiraled down, and clenched my fists even harder. I didn't even realize it. This was just my way of "getting by."

Friday, I spent the day with my Mom and we watched "Joe Somebody." If you've ever seen the movie, Tim Allen, gets beat up in the parking lot at work in front of his 12 year old daughter. He stops going into work and wallows in his pity. Then, he wants to take action somehow. So, he starts cleaning his house like mad, bleaching everything. It's quite comical, but I was totally hit with a mirror! No, I didn't start drowning myself in beer bottles, but there were times I was cleaning my apartment like a mad woman. I was cleaning everything, and I was disgusted by everything no matter how clean I got it. I was wiping down the walls in every room with Lysol wipes. I'm laughing about this now, and thinking, I can't believe I'm writing this stuff. It's true. Now, let me say, it is not a bad thing to clean your apartment/house. It isn't even a bad thing to wipe down walls occassionally, they build up dust and get scratches, etc, but I was going over the top. I rearranged our bedroom and office room. I was pushing dressers and our bed and heaving mattresses around like one of the American Gladiators would...ok, maybe not quite like them. Rearranging is fun for me and an ok thing to do too. However, I realize now even these little things were attempts of me trying to hang-on to control...someway somehow and to distract me. That might not make sense to you, but it really does for me.

So, I had a good start at church yesterday, but knew I needed to deal with this more. I just wasn't entirely sure how because I didn't fully understand. I was really cranky after church, really cranky. Then I took a nap and was more refreshed physically and mentally. I went home from my parents' late that evening. I checked the bathroom noise, and the water was still running. Then I went to put some laundry away in our room. I went to hang up an article of clothing in my closet...I don't even remember what, and I noticed my sock was just about soaked. Huh, maybe it's because my shoes had some snow on them and I stepped in the puddle it made. Then I hung something else up and my other sock got wet. OHHH NOO! No! You have got to be kidding me!! I bent down and touched the carpet with my hand, yes, it was wet. I wondered if I was imagining it. Maybe it's just cold. I bent my knee down to reach around the closet floor. The knee of my jeans soaked through. I started breathing really heavy. I was so mad. I called my parents. They told me to call my landlord. Obviously, we had a leak all along! He had me check certain areas of the other side of the house's basement (I found excess water) and he told me to take everything out of the closet and that side of the room, he'd come first thing in the morning. I called my parents again, totally aggravated that nothing would happen till tomorrow, and burst into tears. I got off the phone and started picking things out of my closet. I let out huge grunts, yells, admist me talking to no one and crying through it all. It was probably the most pathetic thing you've ever seen...haha. I am laughing about it now. I'm surprised my upstairs neighbors didn't come down thinking I was being attacked. Each thing I picked up that was wet made me more angry and exhausted...hence the crying. Imagine if I didn't have that short nap earlier!! It was 11:00 by the time I was done grunting, yelling, and hauling wet sleeping bags, blankets, stuffed animals, a trombone, my wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, a night stand, and other stuff out of our closet and that half of the bedroom. I got into bed and just said, God, I can't do this anymore. I am utterly exhausted. I am tired of trying and trying to "do" everything by myself and I'm tired of feeling alone. He reminded me, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened [or heavy laden] and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 Then, I also heard, "Cast all your anxiety [or cares] on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 These promises weren't particularly new to me, but oh how forgetful we can be, I can be anyway.

God loves me. God cares for me. God is right here with me. One of the phrases Matt and I like to hear from each other is, "I'm right here. I'm with you." Sometimes, it's a little silly because we know the other person is there...they are right there! However, it's not meant in the physical sense necessarily, but the Spiritual, we are bound together and we choose that, and we love each other. It was as if God was telling me, "I'm right here. I'm with you." And so, I fell asleep next to the bridesmaid dresses and ball dress next to me on the bed, comforted, that I am not alone, I am not meant to live and carry out these things alone. He really is right here with me. Now, it's my turn to act like it and live like it again, or even more than before. This morning I was listening to Barlow Girl, a favorite, their "Surrender" song...

"My hands hold safely to my dreams
Clutching tightly not one has fallen
So many years I've shaped each one
Reflecting my heart showing who I am
Now you're asking me to show
What I'm holding oh so tightly
Can't open my hands can't let go
Does it matter?
Should I show you?
Can't you let me go?

Surrender, surrender you whisper gently
You say I will be free
I know but can't you see?
My dreams are me. My dreams are me

You say you have a plan for me
And that you want the best for my life
Told me the world had yet to see
What you can do with one
That's committed to Your call
I know of course what I should do
That I can't hold these dreams forever
If I give them now to You
Will You take them away forever?
Or can I dream again?"

So, here I am, letting go of the control and trying to live like I am blessed because I know I am. I know this will be a continuous process since these things sometimes "creep up on me," but I'm not walking alone. I am also reminded of Matthew 6:25-34. He really does care for me. Wow, I really am blessed..."thank You for saving me...for we know Your truth has set us free...You've set you're hope in me...Great is the Lord" (Delirious).

*I love you, Matt. Thanks for your call this morning. I am so blessed!

Toilet Update

As I sit here listening to the sound of water running...I'm really starting to think there is a problem. So, I thought I'd update my 1 or 2 readers about how my toilet's doing since that "should've been a plummer" post (plus, I'm procrastinating getting out of bed this morning...ahh, laptops).

As far as the toilet goes, it is still persnickety about flushing. Sometimes it will, other times it just won't. We still have a water issue. I tried my plumming skills. I took out the plunger (knowing it wasn't that kind of issue). That didn't help. I tried making sure the chain was attached to the...something. That part was doing it's job so the little lid would open and close. Aren't you impressed? My wonderful brother gave me good advice and training for that! (We've come a long way from, just act like you know what you're doing). The fact is, we don't have water running in the tank. We have water running elsewhere....behind the shower/tub wall. I hear it constantly. Either my neighbors are taking a 3 day shower or we have a problem with the pipes. Maybe that is where all my toilet water and shower water is going!

So, I called my landlord about it on Thursday, and he came over. He thinks I need something replaced in the toilet. He told me, if I have to flush....let me repeat that, if I HAVE to flush before he replaces it then use the old bucket of water dump method (no, not as a bed pan, but to pour water down the toilet!). This was around 4pm, and he wouldn't be coming back till later that evening...he was thinking 8 or 9. I have a pretty good bladder (I actually think I could qualify as a world record holder), but realistically, it's going to HAVE to be flushed. Considering he still has not come yet...(yes, it's Saturday morning)...you get the idea. He has a lot of things on his mind this week, and I understand that. I'm just having fun with his words of advice, and I'm thankful I have my parents' house right around the corner! I just really don't want our apartment flooded by a leak. I mean, there is a ton of water running somewhere! (I made sure to put some valuables up off the floor last night...just in case!) Then again, I joke with my Mom, because we have renters insurance...definitely better than what we own!

It's good for me to laugh! "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

*125 days are over Matt! I love you!!

Yes, one of these

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:00...then 9:00 (lazy!)

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the theater? National Treasure 2 (phew, I didn't think there was one since Mr. Bean's Holiday...haha, I shared anyway)

4. What is your Favorite TV show? Jen listed 3, so I can too: LOST, American Gladiators, Dr. Phil (at least these are the ones that are recently being aired)

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? toast, cereal, or bagel

6. Favorite cuisine? Italian (I like some Mexican too....but I got sick on it after our 1st anniversary dinner)

7. What's your middle name? Helen

8. Food do you dislike? FISH!

9. What is your Favorite CD at the moment? I don't know. I'm listening to a lot of Jeremy Camp. I think Matt has every cd he ever thought about recording. It used to always be playing here and in the car. I like Jeremy Camp, but it drove me nuts....so it's my attachment to Matt right now.

10. What kind of car do you drive? Silver 1998 Subaru Outback....can we say, I want kids?

11. Favorite Sandwich? Peanut Butter

12. What characteristics do you despise? Inconsideracy...is that a word? Being inconsiderate.

13. Favorite item of clothing? My "honeymooon" pants...no they aren't what you're thinking. They are blue sweatpants from Target we bought on our honeymoon.

14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would
you go? Right now, the Philippines....to be with Matt. When he comes home, probably home and maybe just a short getaway (we've done a lot of traveling for awhile...but we'll see).

15. Favorite brand of clothing? Umm, does Salvation Army count? Ok, then anything cheap or on sale.

16. Where would you retire to? I don't know.

17. What was your most recent memorable birthday? My most recent birthday was this last November...it was sort of boring without Matt. I did get red roses though! I guess that's memorable, but I don't think that's what the question is looking for.

18. Favorite sport to watch? Any kind of sport with a running event (the other day I watched some of the ironman), but I'd have to say gymnastics may even top the list...ever since I was a little tyke.

19. Furthest place you are sending this? Possibly, the Philippines

20. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Matt, he's a busy guy.

21. Person you expect to send it back first? Katrina (yeah, this was an email first)

22. Favorite saying? I'm trying to think of what I say a lot. Guess what? What in the world? For real? (Hannah, my niece even says it now...so funny!) Oh, I looked down below to question 24, and I think Matt's favorite, maybe least favorite though, saying is, "Matthew, I can't sleep!" His response, "5:00 comes early!"

23. When is your birthday? 11/18/1983

24. Are you a morning person or a night person? Lately, neither..haha. When Matt is here, I'm definitely a night person. I get really hyper at night (bed time) and he totally crashes. I'm practically jumping on the bed, and then I tell him I can't sleep. It's a big joke, because honestly, I don't even try, but I'll repeat it over and over again. It makes him laugh...a lot. And, it keeps him awake a little while longer. Then he gets serious, a little frustrated with me, and tells me, "5:00 comes early!" He rolls over and I'm stuck awake alone! Then there are noises that keep me awake....it's an interesting time living in a basement apartment with the other tenants bedroom above yours. I leave it with that.

25. What is your shoe size? anything from a 7-8.5...really depends on the shoe. Ridiculous.

26. Pets? Well, we don't have any "pets" in our apartment. We have unwanted creepy crawlers, mainly spiders, which I can deal ok with, but the millipedes have to go!! (Yeah, I'm ready to move!) Matt has a pet, Yoda, he's a chinchilla. He stays at his mom and dad's house because as I remind him, "We're not allowed to have pets in our apartment" (we really aren't, but I don't care for him...haha). I told Matt we can let him live with us when we have a house. He's had him since 8th grade...is it Matt? And they live for like 20 years I think. He'll have to correct me. So basically, we still have a lot of years left with him. I'm convinced my husband just likes weird things...animals, cars, whatever...for other people's reactions. I can't leave out Caleb though, my favorite dog. He's getting old. He's at my parents' too. I want him to come and visit, but our rules swing both ways apparently, no Yoda, no Caleb.

27. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Nope.

28. What did you want to be when you were little? A teacher, a writer, a bus driver (ha!...all because of that cool crank door opener. My parents won't let me live it down. That would've been such a disaster!) Most of all, a mommy of a ton of kids.

29. How are you today? Good, but in need of a shower!

30. What is your favorite type of candy? I agree with Jen with the sour gummi stuff. My favorite candy bar, which is not a bar, are Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Well, the Reeses Sticks are also amazing...those are 2 bars! I splurged on a Reeses Whipped or Whips whatever they are yesterday....don't buy it! What a waste! I was completely disappointed with Reeses. Yet, I still ate like all of it, trying to convince myself it would get better with each bite. I finally threw one pathetic little stump of a chunk out my car window. (Yes, if I buy candy, I have to open it before I get home). I know, more than the question asked and more than you wanted to know.

31. Favorite flower? Daisies

32. What are you listening to right now? The sound of my air purifier running

33. What was the last thing you ate? wheat thins

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? blue..Matt and I would have to be the same crayon...or we'd have to joust it out.

35. How is the weather right now? a little chilly in our bedroom. I haven't been outside yet. It's probably bitter cold, and then I love the experience of ice skating to my car...ok, I really don't love it, I'm scared I'm going to break a bone!

36. Last person you spoke to on the phone? John Gray..haha, no it's not that funny, but it really is. We don't generally talk on the phone to catch up on each others' lives. He was calling my parents', I was there, they weren't, took a message...you get the idea. Anyway, he's a great kid...not trying to make fun. Ok, just since I wrote this, Suzan called and my Mom.

37. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes. Why do they even post this question? We're supposed to send it back. Good thing I like her!

38. Favorite restaurant? Taco Bell and Jack in the Box. Ok, I know these aren't restaurants, but we don't go to many "restaurants". Taco Bell is obvious (isn't it?), and Jack in the Box has the most amazing cookies and cream milkshake. I couldn't tell you how many times we went to both of those places in San Diego. Literally, it must have been like 10 times each in 3 weeks...maybe more? haha

39. Hair color? Brownish Blackish

40. Siblings? 3 brothers...there just was no possibility for a sister, i really asked and asked. When I was in 6th grade, my dad asked me what we should do for my mom's birthday or Mother's Day (they are right near each other), I said we should adopt another kid...obviously, meaning a girl! I was completely serious.

42. Favorite day of the year? This year, it will be October 19!!!

43. What was your Favorite toy as a child? Dolls, hands down! I was a little Momma. I also played with Polly Pockets and Littlest Petshop...still have them! Oh, I liked my dollhouse too. I also had these little horses (not My Little Pony...but I had those too) that I played with a lot. Hannah and Abby play with those now.

44. Summer or winter? Summer, but I do like snow, in moderation. I'm just ready to not be freezing.

45. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

46. Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes.

47. When was the last time you cried? Ha! Yesterday.

48. What is under your bed? (Did you ever think there was a baker under your bed? No. Did you ever check to see if there was a baker under your bed? No. Well, how did you know you didn't have a baker under your bed unless you checked? Ok, I really like Rocketman!) A plastic bin of Matt's old pictures, a display box of Matt's (I think it was from his Grandpa) and a couple shoe boxes of stuff we just don't know what to do with!

49. Who is the friend you have had the longest? I met Jane when I was 3. My cousins I knew from birth, and they're friends! Laura has been my best friend since 4th grade.

50. What did you do last night? Went to Sandy's, talked, laughed, and cried (refer to question 47).

51. Favorite smell? Chocolate chip cookies in the oven. I also like a lot of like "candle" smells...too many to list. I'll spare you all on one question anyway.

52. What are you afraid of? Millipedes! They are so hard to kill.

53. Plain, buttered, or salted Popcorn? I guess buttered, but I'd rather have something else.

54. How many keys on your key ring? 2, car and apartment

55. How many years at your current job? Well, I've subbed 2 half days...haha.

56. Favorite day of the week? Friday

57. How many towns have you lived in? 4, and 6 different houses/apartments

58. Do you make friends easily? It all depends. Oh, that reminds me. When I was little I wasn't always what you would call a precious little girl. I had a mind of my own. My mom tried to give me the stranger danger talk. When she finished, I said, "Well, I might just like it better with them." Not what you want to hear as a mom ....for multiple reasons!

59. What are you wearing right now? Pajamas...including those blue sweatpants.

60. What color is your bathroom? I guess it's sort of off white. We have blue towels, a turtle soap dish, and ducks, frogs, and turtles shower curtain rings. We're such kids.

Growing Pains on the Homefront!

So, I am slowly figuring out that I should've pursued a different occupation...with good training. I received a good education, but I never learned what is truly necessary. I should've been a plummer!!

Oh yes, another joy of dealing with things on my own. My toilet worked fine this morning. I took a shower and what should've been a hot shower that lasts 3 minutes and every 30 seconds I have to progressively turn it hotter and hotter to maintain that nice hot (ok, warm warm) shower. Today, it was all hot! I'm talking boiling potatoes HOT! I had the cold cranked up and could not shake the boiling temperature. Well, finally it was ok, then it turned freezing. So, I was in the shower for 10 minutes without getting clean...because it was too hot or too cold. Grrr. I was finally able to just push through a little bit of a too hot shower rather than a freezing cold one. This didn't feel so good on my cuts from yesterday...umm, I tried shaving with a bent razor (Ok, I dropped it and instead of it breaking like usual, it totally bent, but it was brand new, and I didn't want to waste it)...yeah, not a good idea, especially considering it being brand new!! The water pressure was also not as good as usual. I've seen a gradual decline in this over the past couple months but never wanted to deal with it. Hey, I already used drano because I had some clogged drains. I did a little more getting ready and needed to use the toilet. I did my business. Went to flush it. Clank! I pressed that magic button that makes the water swirl and disappear, but nothing happened! I wasn't feeling the greatest this morning, and this just tipped me over, tipped me over, tipped me over...something. I suppose I can walk around the house with the typical plummer pants style (aka, showing off my plummer's crack), but that's about as far as my abilities go!

We have oven issues, kind of like the shower, it's too hot or too cold, our dishwasher doesn't work, and we don't have much heat because our costs are so outrageous. Yes, I'll be on the phone about that bill too today. I also have a broken mailbox. Well, the door is hanging by a thread, and everytime we get mail, it dangles. Lately, the ice has actually been helping seal it shut! haha

Did I mention we're thinking of renting out our place for a vacation getaway?

I'm also having a few tax issues...umm, involving no access to Matt's military W-2's. Just another headache. It looks like I'm going to have to request an extension until he has access to a computer for real! Do I really know what I'm doing, NOPE! I take my brother's wonderful advice for me when I hated learning to drive: "Just act like you know what you're doing!" (Yes, there are reasons I'm in the passenger seat!) Anyone with experience here, please HELP!!

I never knew that I would be growing this year in quite this way. At least I can laugh about it...ok, sometimes, I can laugh about it...ok, maybe in 20 years, I will look back on this time and laugh about it. All prayers are appreciated!

*I love you Matt! I'm holding down the fort...sort of! 8 months from today!