Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Day 59

February 28, 2012

Two little ones being silly



 Until Aunt Katy decides to play



Day 58

February 27, 2012

Smiles from my granddaughter


Not to be left out, a grin from my grandson



Playing in a puddle in Destin

Day 57

February 26, 2012



When playing with polish....little hands also want to be included!
Day 56

February 25, 2012


This pup can sleep anywhere and at the drop of a hat.  One minute she is playing the next she is crashed where she lay.
Day 55

February 24, 2012



Welcome to Hurlburt Field, FL
Day 54

February 23, 2012



We're not in Virginia anymore!
Day 53

February 22, 2012

Time to pack the bags...tomorrow starts our vacation in Florida!


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Day 52

February 21, 2012

This is Military Saves week...and because I have awesome friends I was asked to help out at the Blue Star Family table at the Pentagon (ok, I didn't do much other than pack some boxes and stand around while by friend did all the talking about Blue Star Family programs. LOL).


No, my picture isn't of the display of tables set up for Military Saves...I mean really, how often will I get the chance to be IN the Pentagon?  So, my pictures (when I do get to visit) will be of things that are representative of the Pentagon.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Day 51

February 20, 2012

Finishing up started projects are important...I needed to be able to put this away, which meant instead of glancing at it each time I passed I sat down and finished it!


Day 50

February 19, 2012

Vacation is coming soon!  Hopefully this cold will be gone before we start the trip.



Can you guess where we are going?
Day 47 - 49

February 16 - 18

I've been sick...which meant that I haven't been out and about, nor have I done anything other than sleep and sit in my chair.


And these have been my companions!
Day 46

February 15, 2012

I know this is very late, but I have been having problems uploading my pictures to my computer photo program...fortunately, I have found a way around whatever the issue is.

This day was momentous!  Not often are you given the chance to sit and watch history happen.  Not often are you invited to sit and watch the First Lady speak about issues that are very real and important to military spouses!



But, I was lucky enough to be just one of those to sit in the audience while Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden talked about the problems military spouses have when moving and transferring their professional licenses and certifications.


 While I have never dealt with the issue specifically (we were always a state ahead of state certification for dental assistants), I do know of several that have.  Now we just need to get those states to develop policy to assist the transfer of licensing when a military family moves due to a PCS.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Day 45

February 14, 2012

A day set aside to celebrate and show your affection and love.  This year I decided I wasn't going to plan anything and in fact let my husband know I was leaving it all up to him (to be fair, he volunteered...I just held him to it).

I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but if you look at the pictures you can tell he did good!

First the flowers arrived...and instead of roses, he sent tulips (he said he knew I liked purple and the purple drew him to these.


Then it was off to dinner for my favorite...lobster!


He thought these would have arrived before he got home from work, but they were delivered while we were out to dinner.  I'm glad I didn't order desert at the restaurant!  (and it was a whole box of white, dark and milk chocolate covered strawberries)


Monday, February 13, 2012

Day 44

February 13, 2012

Couponing is huge right now...with the economy such as it is everyone is looking for ways to save money.

I am new to the process, I have subscribed to our local paper and have started spending my Monday mornings cutting coupons out.  I still have to come up with a way of organizing them and figuring out which ones I need and which ones I can pass on to someone else.


This was today's stash out of our paper.  I'm pretty sure most of them will go on to others as I didn't see too many of things I normally buy.

Day 43

February 12, 2012

Taxes are done, which means for a college student you have to move on to the next step of paperwork!


It would be nice if I qualified for something other than a loan....  

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Day 42

February 11, 2012

Another day with a forecast of snow...and no snow on the ground (not that I am complaining, as I am hoping it skips us this winter), but I was planning on that being my picture for today.  My daughter and I went to the movies today (The Vow), but again, I didn't want my picture to do with going to the movies again.

And then inspiration struck...although we didn't get snow, we do have wind!  So I went out in front of the house and snapped some pictures of our flag.

The wind gusts are whipping...


but the funny thing about them...


...they tend to change directions. 




Friday, February 10, 2012

Day 41

January 10, 2012


Tonight was BUNCO night, and the theme was mexican.  These were the appetizers that Katy and I made to take.  The cups were made from tortillas cut into small circles and baked in a mini muffin tin.  The filling was taco seasoned beef, sour cream, salsa, tomato, cheese and green onion.


Can you say yummy!
Day 40

February 9, 2012

Nothing like enjoying a healthy meal!  You can tell when Terry is out of town, there is no way I want to cook for just Katy and myself.  And as an added bonus, February's deal is any footlong sub for $5!



Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Day 39

February 8, 2012

First off, I'm caught up on the blogs.  I had taken the pictures, but didn't take the time to sit down and write the posts to go with them.  I'm thinking I can't do it this way too often, as everything seems to run together, and my thoughts are not the same as they were at the time I took the picture (or even the day of).

But because of the excitement of today, I wanted to make sure I took care of this.  This is a day that a very special friend has the right to shout from the rooftops.  She is an inspiration to many, and finally is receiving not only a pat on the back for all the wonderful things she does, but her peers have made sure that she receives a very special honor.

I can say this because I was given this honor last year.  When I was told that I was chosen, I am sure the caller thought "Wow, does she even care?  Where is the enthusiasm?  Does she not realize what a big thing this is?"  And she would have been right to question it, because I didn't have a clue.  I hadn't heard of this magazine, nor had I heard of this honor until I was nominated.  So, one of the things I set out to do was make sure that my fellow Coast Guard Spouses knew of the magazine and the recognition they give to military spouses.  My goal was to make sure that the next person to be honored would know that this IS A BIG DEAL!  That they would be excited, that they would feel honored, that they would care!  I'd like to think I have accomplished that.

So...to Jennifer Bassett, newly announced AFI 2012 Coast Guard Military Spouse of the Year, a heartfelt congratulations.  Shout your accomplishment from the rooftops!  Tell everyone you meet; you have EARNED this recognition!  Be excited, the next year will be an exciting time for you!  Enjoy every minute of it, savor it, take full advantage of having that title...you will now have it forever.



Day 38

February 7, 2010

I hate doing taxes...ok, I usually don't hate doing them, but I hate when things change, new laws come into play and we move things around that require more work than planned or not mentioned when we were doing the moving.

After a frustrating morning, a phone call from our financial advisor and finally a conference call with someone that could answer the question I had (or not, since this new law just started, and they didn't keep the kind of records to make it easy since it was never required), I was able to complete them.  I still haven't filed, since I want to go back through them and double check everything, making sure that I entered everything as I should have.  But at least it taught me something, and I have things set up that should this law continue (which I am sure it will), I will be able to take care of our taxes without a problem next year (as long as they don't come up with another change I need to learn.


Day 37

February 6, 2010

A certain someone I know loves all things Simpson's, so it was no surprise when this item appeared on my local free and for sale page that it was requested that I pick it up.  Too bad that certain someone will have to wait awhile to hold it in their hands!


Day 36

February 5, 2012

A lazy day in our household and nothing was done that I want to highlight or think I will want to reflect on at the end of the year.  So, because they often say to take a picture of yourself once a month, that will be today's picture.  I know it isn't great, but that is what you get in the evening with a cell phone.  But I am sitting in the same chair, and have the same look (reading glasses on top of my head) as last months picture...so if I continue a once a month picture of myself, I may continue the same type of picture just to compare.


Saturday, February 4, 2012

Day 35

February 4, 2012

Continuation of our Harry Potter movies...we like to watch movies, and since we own the DVD's we want to get our money's worth!


Not a very good picture, but it will have to do.  We also went and saw Red Tail today at the theater, another war movie with my husband.  But I must say I enjoyed the movie today about the Tuskegee Airmen and their accomplishments almost as much as I enjoyed War Horse.  I wouldn't mind watching this genre if they were all like these.

Now of course we are watching another movie...Transformers, it definitely is a movie kind of day!
Day 34

February 3, 2012

Yes, I am writing this a day after the fact, but my picture will explain why....yesterday was the final day to vote for the AFI 2012 Military Spouse of the Year and I was stalking the page making sure I was voting every hour, as I wanted to make sure I was doing my part to support Jennifer Bassett.




Voting ended last night at midnight...now the hard part...waiting until February 8th to see who will become the 2012 Coast Guard Military Spouse of the Year.  It was one year ago, that I found out I had been chosen to represent our Coast Guard Families.  I can't wait to see who gets to represent me and the rest of our Coast Guard spouses!  Whomever it is, you will have my support and any help, guidance, or advice you may need.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Day 33

February 2, 2012

I know I keep saying it...but I'm loving our current weather patterns.  The groundhog saw his shadow?  Six more weeks of winter?  Not a problem...if it means we will continue getting the weather we have been!

Today it was decided that if we want Starbucks, we must walk to them (no more stopping there while we are out and about).  They are not too far from us, and definitely not too far to walk.  So, with the weather what it is, off we go.


It only took us 20 minutes to get there, the wind was cold, but overall we enjoyed the walk.  This will definitely be done more often!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Day 32

February 1, 2012

The start of another month and the temps reached the 70's here in D.C.  I'm hoping winter never arrives.

The Coast Guard is lucky to have some great chefs...and we were able to appreciate some of their cuisine this evening.


We were invited to dine at the Currier's and as is their tradition, everyone in attendance signs the menus to keep as a souvenir, just as they do.  This was mine...and the menu was superb!
Day 31

January 31, 2012

Another beautiful day in D.C.!

Today is a big occasion in our life with the Coast Guard...29 years ago on this day my husband boarded a plane to Cape May, NJ to begin a new life.  Back then we never expected to stay on this path as long as we have.  I'll have to dig out a picture one of these days and post it.

Since I don't have a picture of those days, instead I'll post a picture taken on this day (and really isn't that the purpose of this blog anyway?).   This evening I attended an event put on by the National Military Family Association.  They are developing an App and wanted input from those that have "been there" and "done that," thus with my fellow military spouses we sat at a table discussing moving and let them know what worked and what didn't.  We shared tips and tricks, how things are done in the various services, both the same and those that are different.  This discussion included the entire process, from thinking about an upcoming PCS, to filling out those "dream sheets" or "wish lists," to all the research we do before and after we know where we are going.  From there we talked about all the planning, lists and scheduling of various tasks to be done...transferring our mail, scheduling the packers, talking to the various utility companies, and speaking with the schools.  Afterward we continued with getting to the new unit and all the things we do when we get where are going.

I loved this experience...and if they ever bring this event to your area, I hope you will take the time to go and add your input to ensure that this app will include everything a curent or future military spouse may possibly need.