Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas

One of my friends on Facebook posted today 'Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind'. 

It's too bad that this year my mind cannot seem to decide if it wants to get into the season. It's been over a year now that the Machinist has been unaccompanied to Guam. It's just made it so much harder to really get into the Christmas spirit when I miss him so much. 

On a good note, we found out just before Thanksgiving that he made MM1(SS), that would be that he advanced to E-6. It took awhile but finally he made it and we're all so proud of him.

Monday, November 12, 2012

What do you mean I'm not entitled?!

I believe that I AM entitled. I am a veteran, I'm not asking for 'special' treatment, though a thank you would be nice, even though it often makes me blush and try to change the subject...

I do however believe that all veterans are entitled! The government has an obligation to them, one and all regardless of gender, rating, rank or branch of service...

To healthcare for their injuries, be they mental or physical because of their service to our country. 

I believe that they (the government), should do more to help homeless veterans who suffer from a mental illness because they were sent to war and are now no longer able to interact with other members of the population without putting them at risk or causing themselves so much anxiety that they can't move from the spot they are standing/siting in. Those that live under a bridge, in a paper box, in a homeless community, in a forrest, etc. because that is the only way that they feel safe. 

I believe that when a veteran or active duty member has lost a(n) limb, they should be given the very best possible prosthetic, regardless of the cost, because they gave that limb defending our countries population and ideals; or even helping the population of another country to obtain 'We the People'. 

Alas, this is a topic near and dear to my heart, and I could be on this particular soap box for the rest of my life, so I will just get off of it now...

Dinner for a friend


As you may remember Friday was a very sad day for a friend. Her wonderful husband passed away. Though he had cancer of the intestines, the doctors think it was a seizure that dislodged a clot that went right to his brain that took this wonderful man. 

Last night I brought some dinner for her, one less worry on her mind. I had the chance to meet his sister, mother and father while I was there. I could see the red eyes of all, though the tears may have stopped for a moment, taking the time to eat and watch his favorite college team play football.

I brought my girls with me, and we reminisced about shenanigans at BBQ's. You see his wife is a little box of fun, and was unable to climb the back of the slide/pool-thing that she had at the last BBQ. He tried to push her up, and when that didn't work (it was a good 30 feet high!) she slipped down and jumped into the pool at the bottom of the slide. He was a bit on the drunk side, it was dark and he couldn't see her just sitting there in the 'pool'. He starts calling out to everyone where is D? Check the house, did she go back in the house? Laughter ensued from all, for it was a great story to illustrate just what a goober he was.

On that note, the laughter, we gave much needed hugs and departed. 

Tomorrow is the viewing and Wednesday he will be laid to rest locally.

Fair Winds and Following Seas MMC Griffen. 
GO GEORGIA BULLDOGS!


Day 12


Odd that though yesterday was Veterans Day, today is the day that we are observing it. Why can't we just observe it on the correct day...

Today I am thankful for the ability to bring a smile to the face of a friend that lost her beloved soul-mate after only 2 years of marriage. 

Day 11

I missed this post yesterday, so here it is...

Today I am thankful for my little family and their health.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Friday, November 9, 2012

Only The Good Die Young



The world, a family and the United States Navy has lost a great man today. William passed away as a result of a quick battle with his body's own cells that would just not stop undergoing mitotic division... also known as CANCER.

Will is survived by my friend Danielle and their wonderful three young children.

I would like to take the time to dedicate 'Love, Me' by Collin Raye.




Day 9: What is a Veteran?

Today I am thankful for every person that is or ever served our nation in the US Military...

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.

You can't tell a Vet just by looking.

He is the cop on the beat who spent months in God awful heat sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL.

He is the instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account lazy children and gang members into Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and Seamen. Teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies
unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals, meals, and sakes they could have been given, awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and Whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

Active duty, retired, or reserves... this person signed a blank check to the United States of America, payable in amount up to, and including their life.

This post is courtesy of Six of Overly Sensitive Military Wives on Facebook.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

FREE Cards & Shipping TODAY ONLY!!



Cardstore is offering 10 FREE Holiday Cards & FREE SHIPPING!! Today only!!

Juice box's Birthday

I would like to take the time today to wish a HAPPY 18th Birthday to one of my besties... Mommying on the Fly. Feliz Cumplianos a ti!


Day 8


Day 1: Today I am THANKFUL for friends letting my family crash their house after hurricane Sandy.

Day 2: Today I am thankful for the business opportunity that Tastefully Simple brought into my life.

Day 3: Today I am thankful for my friends Amanda & Megan having a Tastefully Simple party with me!

Day 4: Today I am thankful that even though the DishTV was turned off I can still watch the items on the DVR!

Day 5: Today I and R are thankful for talking to the Machinist this morning! It was much needed by R and I was able to talk about things that theWONDERFUL naval email system did not pass on... ah well, it's better than nothing,right?!

Day 6: Today I am thankful for waking up to find that someone placed and order on my Tastefully Simple site (www.TastefullySimple.com/web/kkube) that hit my goal to earn a FREE adjustable measuring cup! I've been wanting a Pampered Chef one for YEARS, but I've felt too guilty to spend that much money when I already have perfectly good regular measuring cups!

Day 7: Today I am thankful for the girl at ECSU Health Services who temporarily lifted the immunizations hold so that I could register for classes!

Day 8: Today I am thankful for not loosing power and the kids having school day! I've got a lot to get done today!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Day 7


Day 1: Today I am THANKFUL for friends letting my family crash their house after hurricane Sandy.

Day 2: Today I am thankful for the business opportunity that Tastefully Simple brought into my life.

Day 3: Today I am thankful for my friends Amanda & Megan having a Tastefully Simple party with me!

Day 4: Today I am thankful that even though the DishTV was turned off I can still watch the items on the DVR!

Day 5: Today I and R are thankful for talking to the Machinist this morning! It was much needed by R and I was able to talk about things that theWONDERFUL naval email system did not pass on... ah well, it's better than nothing,right?!

Day 6: Today I am thankful for waking up to find that someone placed and order on my Tastefully Simple site (www.TastefullySimple.com/web/kkube) that hit my goal to earn a FREE adjustable measuring cup! I've been wanting a Pampered Chef one for YEARS, but I've felt too guilty to spend that much money when I already have perfectly good regular measuring cups!

Day 7: Today I am thankful for the girl at ECSU Health Services who temporarily lifted the immunizations hold so that I could register for classes!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Day 6

Day 1: Today I am THANKFUL for friends letting my family crash their house after hurricane Sandy.

Day 2: Today I am thankful for the business opportunity that Tastefully Simple brought into my life.

Day 3: Today I am thankful for my friends Amanda & Megan having a Tastefully Simple party with me!

Day 4: Today I am thankful that even though the DishTV was turned off I can still watch the items on the DVR!

Day 5: Today I and R are thankful for talking to the Machinist this morning! It was much needed by R and I was able to talk about things that theWONDERFUL naval email system did not pass on... ah well, it's better than nothing,right?!

Day 6: Today I am thankful for waking up to find that someone placed and order on my Tastefully Simple site (www.TastefullySimple.com/web/kkube) that hit my goal to earn a FREE adjustable measuring cup! I've been wanting a Pampered Chef one for YEARS, but I've felt too guilty to spend that much money when I already have perfectly good regular measuring cups!



Monday, November 5, 2012

Day 5


Day 1: Today I am THANKFUL for friends letting my family crash their house after hurricane Sandy.

Day 2: Today I am thankful for the business opportunity that Tastefully Simple brought into my life.

Day 3: Today I am thankful for my friends Amanda & Megan having a Tastefully Simple party with me!

Day 4: Today I am thankful that even though the DishTV was turned off I can still watch the items on the DVR!

Day 5: Today I and R are thankful for talking to the Machinist this morning! It was much needed by R and I was able to talk about things that theWONDERFUL naval email system did not pass on... ah well, it's better than nothing,right?!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Day 4

Day 1: Today I am THANKFUL for friends letting my family crash their house after hurricane Sandy.

Day 2: Today I am thankful for the business opportunity that Tastefully Simple brought into my life.

Day 3: Today I am thankful for my friends Amanda & Megan having a Tastefully Simple party with me!

Day 4: Today I am thankful that even though the DishTV was turned off I can still watch the items on the DVR!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Day 3

Day 1: Today I am THANKFUL for friends letting my family crash their house after hurricane Sandy.

Day 2: Today I am thankful for the business opportunity that Tastefully Simple brought into my life.

Day 3: Today I am thankful for my friends Amanda & Megan having a Tastefully Simple party with me!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Day 2

Day 1: Today I am THANKFUL for friends letting my family crash their house after hurricane Sandy.

Day 2: Today I am thankful for the business opportunity that Tastefully Simple brought into my life.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Thanksgiving

This time of year the web is flooded by everyone expressing what they are thankful for. So here is my goal to post daily what I am thankful for, not just this month, but the remainder of the year.

Day 1: Today I am THANKFUL for friends letting my family crash their house after hurricane Sandy.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Tiny Prints GIVEAWAY!


Well it’s that time of year again friends! Time to think about Christmas cards!

I have always loved getting Christmas cards that have photos of my friends and family. With having been a child of an Air Force member, spending over 7 years in the Navy and now being married to someone in the military, I rarely get to see my friends and family. It’s been years and years in some cases and a picture is always nice to see how the little ones are growing up or how much gray hair you all have now!

As a full-time student and mother of three with a deployed spouse, I try to save money wherever I can! I love the options that Tiny Prints provides to me, they will add my return address for me, or even mail the cards!

This year there are some cards vying for the money in my pocketbook! I LOVE the new Christmas ornament cards; family can hang them on the tree for years and years to come! There are some simply gorgeous tri folded cards as well. I love that I can either add pictures or add several pictures with their designs! Here are just some of the Holiday Cards
which I will definitely be getting this year!
Pick #1

Pick # 2

Pick # 3

There are many Special Offers for you all to take a look at this year to help you save money and time, which is always a plus! Check them out here: http://www.tinyprints.com/promo/tiny-prints-coupon-codes-promotions.htm



As a member of the Tiny Prints Holiday Blogger program, I’m hostessing a give away!! This will be a week long ONLY. Drawing will be on October 29, 2012. Winner will win $50 off of their total order, not to include shipping and handling, sorry, but this cannot be combined with any other promos.



Here is how to enter:
Comment on this post – 1 entry
Stalk Me – 2 entries
Follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kate.kalamazoo?fref=ts – 2 entries



Last Years Card


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Letting it Out

How do you get your thoughts and feeling across to someone that's not in front of you, someone that can't be in front of you? 


Sometimes you just need to be able to get out the feelings that you have bottled up inside, but often, I am unable to do such. With three children it's hard to have a safe place to vent. I mean, what is the point of attempting to get out your thoughts and feelings if you freak your children out!?


Sometimes you just feel the need, but what do you do? It's not as effective to type it out in a blog, nor to write it out on paper. Maybe I can go downtown where people are always yelling and screaming and scream at the top of my lungs, and I can fit in... No one to call the cops?


IT IS HARD to be married to someone that's half a world away. IT IS HARD to be a 'single' parent. IT IS HARD to try and make your spouse that is half a world away to feel like they are still vital part of the family. IT IS HARD to parent three children while they each take their turn, and sometimes all at the same time, act out to express their displeasure that daddy isn't home. 


BUT isn't it hard for daddy to be away from his children, his wife? 


Sometimes we, the spouses become so frustrated and upset with the military career that our spouse has chosen, and in our frustrated/angry state we forget that little nuggets of information. Our spouse does this for us, for our family, so that we can have all the little and big things that we need, clothing, food, shelter. 

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Just can't find what I want

I'm not sure what it is, so maybe that's why I can't find it! Chocolate... nope. Sleep... nope. Online FB game... nope. Good TV show... nope. I just can't find what on earth it is that I want. 

I'm tired and I just plain don't feel like sleepingI feel like everything that's on TV, I've watched or I don't have interest. 

I'm not hungry either. I'm not thirsty. I'm not comfortable. 

This has to be the oddest blog post that I've ever posted!


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Can I get deep for a minute?

Well of course I can, it's my blog, and what is the purpose of a blog if not to express what I want when I want?! I have great friends. I prefer my smaller circle of friends that I think of like family over having a big group of people that are only there to watch me when I stumble in life. The caliber of my friends is better than the average person. We prop each other up, we offer a hand when we can and we do it all because we value each other. Not out of some perverted sense that we are better than each other for one reason or another, or because we expect our assistance to ever be paid back. We may not leave our mark on the world for the History books, but we leave a mark on each other. The marks that really count. And should our friendships drift apart for one reason or another, years later we can look back and remember with a bittersweet fondness how close we once were and how happy it made us to stick together, how strong it made us to overcome obstacles together. 




This has always been my go-to song when I'm 'getting deep' about my friends. Joe Cocker's With a Litle Help From My Friends. It should be noted that I obtained this video from YouTube.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Importance of Memorial Day to OUR Family

As an important date in my family looms close, some of you know it as Memorial Day, but for my family, it is so much more. 


It is the day that my grandfather, SFC George William Harris was Killed in Action in the Bihn Lang Providence of VietNam on an operation called BlackJack 21. He was only 32 years old, made even more sad for me since I am now almost 2 years older than he was. He was the First Sergeant of the Special Forces Group, commonly called the Green Berets, out of Fayetteville, North Carolina's Fort Bragg. It was his 3rd tour, despite being 'flat footed' he volunteered to return. He saved someone's life, while sacrificing his own, and posthumously recieved the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, as well as the Silver Star. 


My grandfather was survived by his wife and his 4 adoptive children, one of which was my mother Raebecca, who passed in April of 2002, she was only 8 years old at the time. She used to tell me how she and her sister "Ruthie" were playing Babies on the front porch when the CACO Officer's arrived. You see, to this day Fayetteville as a nickname... Fayettenam because so many soldiers were lost from there. My poor 8 year old mother, KNEW what those men had come to do, to tell her mother, that he daddy was never coming home again; she tried to send them next door to Mrs. Rosetta's house. But the inevitable could not be avoided, he had passed leaving Rusty, Ruthie, Tom, and Raebecca without a daddy. To live their lives remembering scooter rides to get ice creams. 


Some may ask, how could I feel so sad about someone I never met? They have just answered their own question. How can you not miss, nay lament never meeting someone that is regaled to you in stories all you life, that he was this great and awesome man who loved deeply, played with his children, yet also ensured they learned the lessons they needed to make a successful and productive member of our society.


As always, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of everyone that has lost their beloved sailor, marine or soldier to war and to the member themselves, may the rest in eternal peace. Fair winds & following seas my fellow service men and women, you will never be forgotten, family or not.
So as you fire up your BBQ, open your beers, mix your drinks, or drink your water this Memorial Day weekend, remember those who came before you and fought for all that you hold near and dear, regardless of your country of origin, a death to protect ones country is an honorable thing and should be revered each day.


Every year I listen to this song as the day approaches. There is not only Memorial Day, a time to remember all of our deceased military members, but it is also the anniversary of when the dynamic of my family changed against the wishes of all concerned. I find Elton John's Daniel to be fitting. A song rumored to be written for the returning VietNam veteran, who just wanted to go back home and continue his life. I say rumored, because though the story, with some very slight variations, is found on SEVERAL webpages, I have never seen it confirmed by Sir Elton John himself. 






"The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton's writing partner. When Elton wrote the music for it, he chopped off the last verse because he thought the song was already too long. This completely changed the meaning of the song, as the deleted verse explained that "Daniel" was a Vietnam Vet who returned home to the farm after the war, couldn't find peace, and decided to leave America and go to Spain. With the last verse chopped off, it became a fairly vague story of two brothers who part ways."  Songfacts

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Trip to ShopRite


ShopRite had a two sales for me today...


Pampers Baby Wipes & Kellogg's new cereal, KrAVe.


From coupons.com I printed $0.70/1 Krave and $0.75/1 Pampers wipes 60+ count. All these items were on sale for $1.99 each, so I spent $4.44 for 4 boxes of cereal and 2 pkgs of wipes!


Happy Couponing!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

YAY! For Easter Surprises!

I'm SO happy! Easter was well for this little family.


The kids enjoyed their baskets, but best of all... Husband was able to finally get on Skype. The connection was horrid, but it was so great to see his face, to hear his voice and to see how happy the kids were to talk to him. 


The even better news? The ship has left Malaysia, which means they are all that much closer to making it back to Guam. Who knows if there will be more stops along the way, or how long it will take them to get there, but the only thing that can be said for sure, each day that passes is one day closer to being back.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Is The Claim Right?

IS the hardest job in the Navy, what of the spouse?

I know it's hard. Sometimes it feels impossible, sometimes it feels like your world is ending.

The baby is having such a hard time with missing her daddy. How many times can I tell her that daddy isn't here right now, work took daddy far away and he won't be back for a long time? It breaks my heart every day to watch my babies miss their daddy so much.

Sometimes I dream at night of my husband, and wake up crying because I miss him SO DAMN MUCH! Sometimes my heart feels like it breaking, just being away from him for so long. With the time difference I hardly get to talk to him, and when he's out to sea... forget it!

The dreams I have... not just about missing my husband, but the ones where I dream that he's fallen overboard, or that something happened in the Engine Room and he's been injured or killed. THOSE are the worst. But then I think... what must if be like for him? He doesn't see us either. He doesn't get to talk to us either. And he can't pick up the phone and call his mom, like I can. He can't decide to take a week off and go visit family, or go camping. It costs over $2,000 to fly from Guam to where we live, and vice versa. What military family can afford to fly 4 out there? How must it feel to be told you can't take leave when you want, so that we only have to find the money for him to fly here and back?

I think my job, as a Navy Wife, is DAMN HARD, but my husbands job, that of the Active Duty member... It is definitely harder.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Once Upon A Time

I'm quite addicted to this TV show, Once Upon A Time. It's had some seeable twists and turns come in the show. A lot like real life. 


Litte Red Riding Hood turns out to really be the wolf. Regina turns out to really be Princess Buttercup. 


Are there times in real life that you ever see people turn out to always be different from what they appear, yet in a predicable way? The man that you date, who turns out to be the biggest phony that you have ever met? 


The friend that turns their back and you and throws you to the wolves. Never being there for you, or pretending to be there for you when really they make everything worse for you.


I'm really not quite sure where all of this negativity is coming from right now. As far as I know, no one has been acting in this manner towards me. 


*sigh* I guess I just had to get some of that out on my screen for whatever reason...

Friday, March 30, 2012

Excitement!

I'm very excited to announce that I have been accepted to Eastern Connecticut State University!


My middle child had a Civil War Presentation today at school and I took MANY pictures, not just for her, but also to submit to the yearbook. I can't wait to buy her yearbook and see how many pictures are in there that I took myself. I've taken HUNDREDS of pictures and submitted them to the yearbook this school year. I don't think that I could accurately count them if I tried.


The baby has been working on potty training and it's so odd to me that at daycare she likes to go to the potty, but at home she acts like it's the most terrifying thing in the world. Which of course frustrates me, because it means more accidents, more laundry, more water, more sewer usage, and more electric usage. In a time where I'm not working and gas has officially reached $4.00 per gallon, even on base, I hate to be doing so much laundry, but I hate even more to have it stink and pile up!


I can't wait to start classes at Eastern in September! I'm so proud of myself for getting to this point in my life. With a mother (now deceased) that only completed High School and a father I don't even know well enough, but can only speculate that he possibly completed High School, I feel accomplished to have already graduated with my Associate of Science in General Studies and to be moving onto a 4 year university to earn my Bachelor's Degree so that I can move onto Nursing School and be an example for my three children that you can accomplish your dreams, even if it takes more time than you originally planned.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

It's been awhile...

It's been a long time since I last blogged and I think it's about time for me to start up again. So here's a quick catch-up.


The husband left out to sea on Friday and the baby has clearly been missing daddy time on Skype.


I finished reading a book today on Kindle for iPhone. It made me cry repeatedly. Though it was a romance book, which are generally wildly away from the context of real life, there were just so many correlations between my husband and I that I just kept crying. At a few points my heart actually hurt.


I love my husband SO much, and it hurts to miss his face every day.


School starts back up tomorrow, well for me anyhow. It's odd to me to go to a school where Spring Break is so early. Where I grew up Spring Break wasn't until April. The kids don't have Spring Break until April here too, but for whatever reason the college had it last week.


Unfortunately for me, I have not completed the reading that I was supposed to do for my Biology class. I know that I can read it between classes tomorrow, but I also know that I will not be able to fully absorb the information about Photosynthesis. Good thing it's what we will be spending the entire week on. At least that I know of.


My best friend is going to Disney for 10 days with her kids. I know that she will have fun, I only wish that I could go. Hopefully one day when I've finished school I can set the money aside to pay for a nice trip out to Disney. At least by then the kids will be able to fully enjoy it and the baby will likely be old enough to remember it.


The baby is getting so much older, and I sometimes find my mind wandering to thinking about having another. Not that it would be the smart thing to do, in fact it would be one of the dumbest things that I could do. Likely, I would end up on bed rest again, and with my husband stationed in Guam, I would be alone. Then there's the fact that unless I were to give birth to the second coming, there is no way that I could get pregnant. See above where the husband is stained in Guam! Not being financially sound right now, it would by no means be smart to bring another life into the world.


I've been thinking that maybe if the husband makes E-6, then maybe we can get some things around the house fixed and sell the house. That would be the removal of a giant weight off of our shoulders. It would also mean that maybe I could move out to the midwest where all of the family is. It's cheaper to live there than it is here, that's for sure! It sure would be AWESOME to be close to family, I've missed that connection in my life for SO long that it sure would be nice to have that again.


Remember that book I talked about reading earlier today? There is a passage from it that sticks with me still. 'I'd like... to belong. To be part of people's lives.' I think that it is exactly what everyone in the world wants. To belong, to a family, to a group of friends. To be a part of people's lives, we all want to know that we have made our mark, not on the world itself, but on the people within it.