Beautiful, Funny, Smart, My Bestfriend in so many ways.. Yet..

I haven't seen her in TWO years! Not hours, month… YEARS!
How horrible is that?!

How horrible AM I?!?!

We live about an hour apart, both have crazy lives with little kids... Confession- I've seen her boys (twins!) O-N-C-E. In the hospital the day they were born; soon they will be 2! Wow… and it is me who has missed out.

We met when I was in the 11th grade (her a Senior but she’s a couple months younger then I- Long story) - I'd just moved to a small town and I was far from impressed. She was in my first hour reading class talking about a party in a gravel pit that had been busted by the Cops- me from suburbia who'd never been to a gravel pit much less than a party in a gravel pit was again- less than impressed. Forward about 6 months to prom- She was behind me in line for the grand march, my date was a total jackass... we became inseparable!

We've been through a lot together and been there for each other through more- Marriage, Divorce, Kids, Careers, aging parents, etc...

She's been the biggest inspiration in my life- although I doubt she knows it- I've never really told her. Everyone has that one friend- the one who is going to be the stay at home mom barefoot and pregnant- Confession: when I was younger I had no desire to have kids or even get married- I was going to be the career woman with the corner office- so as much as we were best friends I never quite understood this part. But she had a hard time getting prego- she became the career woman- she became amazing. There wasn’t isn’t anything I haven’t seen her do or have no doubt she couldn’t do if she wanted.

I think about her often- I feel like a schmuck for not forcing time to spend together- I hardly know the wonderful man she married- Her two beautful sons whom she went to hell and back to get.

This is the year for my bestfriend. I know she has met amzing friends in my absense - but this year I will stake my claim and be the friend I should have been all these years.

2013 Let's do this.

2012 was a good year- busy! but good. Nothing earth shattering just a good solid year.

We have ALL made our new years resoulutions and if anyone is like me (I hope I am not alone!) we've already fell off the bandwagon of one or two of them.

Yep. Already. But not to fear- 357 days is still better then none. Its never too late to start again.

My new years resoulution in no particular order of importance are:

Gym Time- Use the Crossfit memebership I am already paying for.

Healther living- clean (er) eating

Financial Freedom!

At least a better understanding of how, where and why I spend my money.

Family Vacation! Look out disney world!

To become a Master Seargent in the United States Air Force Reserve

(I am eligible, I just need my commander to hand me stripes- Hint, Hint Major).

BLOGGING

At least 2 posts a week- baby steps...

A better understanging of social media and to use it!



This year I made it a point to not make a goal of "loosing 20lbs" but if I use the gym and learn to eat better the end result will be the same simular. The power of positive thinking!

What are your new years resoulutions??

Blogging with purpose... Naw. Just for me and maybe you.

I've been thinking a lot lately about my writing, nothing new really but this time I added a little research about blogging. I read up on blogs of all different topics... "how to's" and the "what not to's" and I came to the same conclusion I hope many have. I am going to write and hope you'll read. I don't write to change the world (I wear a uniform for that), I don't write to bitch or complain how horrible people are (but we all have our moments).

I am writing to share my story, if I offend someone it is not intentional but I won't apologize for my life and what I decide to share. Something about living in America and freedom of speech? I think I slept through that class.

I wear a military uniform and am proud to do so. I am also a government employee and love my job (but will never go into anymore detail then that). I am a huge believer in raising my children right but completely guilty of spoiling them and making sure they have more than I ever did. I am constantly on the search for bigger and better not because I am not grateful for what I have but because I believe its part of the adventure. As you'll notice my life seems to be the endless balancing act of family and self. I struggle horribly with time management as with all parents the self if the first part to give. But if one person relates to one posting, then my online admissions will be well worth it. Very few who know me actually know that I like to ramble online and call it a blog. For some reason I find it easier to admit my life to complete strangers.

So here I go, again... oh, and during my research phase I found an article(I'd insert it here but I didn't agree with it so I won't) said blogs for women were sexist, and something about putting women backwards ugh I can't remember so for that this is not a woman's blog if a guy wants to hear me complain about cramps or how long it took me to get my kids to bed more power to him. BUT I am a woman, a mom, and a girl who loves to shop. you've been warned!

Lets try this again... take two... or is it three?

I think I am going to give this another shot... writting, blogging, babbling to anyone who is willing to read.  I am sure I am talking to myself...

I am proud to say I've solved one small problem or maybe I've made it bigger?

At last post I was in a huge delemia of becoming more organized and after very little arm twisting on my part we built a new house. There- Done. Clean. At least it was for the first week we lived in it. It is much bigger then the last one and much more to clean. But there is still the excitement of a new house so, so far it is clean-ish. But the process has been fun and now for the really fun part- decorating, painting and buying new things. More to follow.

Sweet Pea is about to finnish first grade, yes I know I am a little behind on things. That goes along with my next delemia to solve... procrastination... we'll get to that later. Little Man is now 3 and a hellion on a battery opperated four-wheeler. But a sweet sweet little boy when he wants to be.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend a salute to those who are serving, served before me and of course those who gave the ultimate sacrafice while serving.  I hope everyone keeps them in mind this weekend.  My fun filled weekend? Painting. Exciting.

Be safe this weekend.

Lazy... Yep. Me.

It's 7pm or 1900 for you military types on Monday evening.  It was like for many a 3 day weekend full of snow... 18 inches last I checked and still snowing.  By all counts it would have been a great time to be produtive around the house, cleaning organizing, purging etc...

But I have one deep dark secret I doubt many realize since I am always running here or there.  I am lazy. There I said it well wrote it for anyone who chooses to read.  It is not something that is easy to admit but I am hoping by admiting it here will help me hold myself accountable to my new found goal.  Too be less lazy, more organized and everything inbetween.  If not for myself for my children. 

I am not lazy in everything I do.  At work in both careers I am anything but lazy and my desk is very organized and almost empty.  I am lazy at home, not the domestic godess I'd like to be.  I don't cook, I hate cleaning (and I realize no one enjoys it but I lack the drive to do it at all). My laundry room looks like a bomb blew up in it.  I would love to be more like June Cleaver or anyother organized involved mother.  You know that soccer mom that we all love to hate because they are two steps ahead of everyone else. 

While reading a few of the blogs I follow this evening I came across a blog I'm an Organized Junkie http://orgjunkie.com/ The authors name is Laura and I plan to stalk her blog... err... I mean read it often on my quest to be organized. 

My first organizational goal is realtivly small in compairson but it will make me feel like I've acomplished something... the kitchen island.  It is dumping grounds for anything and everything.  Before and after pictures will be posted by Saturday evening that is my deadline. 

Wish me luck!

Any ideas, comments, words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

100 Days...

On Friday, Sweet Pea celebrated 100 days of Kindergargen! 

It made me think about what has and has not happened in the last 100 days of Kindergarten. 


One thing that certinaly has NOT happened in the least bit is a post to this blog.  I know I've said this before but I give a lot of credit to anyone raising kids, working fulltime and posting daily to a blog.  Kudos.

Many great  A few...things have happened in the last 5 or so months since I've last shared.  We have a new addition to the family!  Selena 'Lena' is a beautiful 7 month old German Sheppard puppy.  In October we went to the mall for running shoes for FF... came home with a puppy.  Yes, I know... I need to learn to say no.  (Never been very good at it).  But she really has been a great addition and she is a good companion for Tucker. 

All 3 kids have grown leaps and bounds.  Little Man turned 2 last week! As a mom it almost makes me want another one... then the terrible two's kicked in.  Nope! I'm good with 2.5.  Diapers will be gone sooner then later! etc... Sweet Pea reminds me daily that she will be 6 on the last day of school and is almost a first grader! yikes!  My oldest is now 12!? in the 5th grade and is a proud owner of a cell phone...

The frozen tundra I call home is getting yet another snow storm. No surprise there.  We all went to IHOP for breakfast this morning it had already snowed a good 3 or 4 inches.  We are so use to this weather it wasn't slowing anyone down as we drove past several large stores they were as busy as any other Sunday.  Tomorrow might be a little slower as most places are looking at 18-20 inches! Yes, that is 1.5 FEET of snow in 24 hours.

I hope this post finds everyone well and warm! Until another post (and yes, it will not be another 100 school days).  I got a new camera so join me soon for more adventures!

God Bless.
   

Hellllo-o-o-o!!

WOW how time flys!  I can't belive the Summer is gone and Fall is here- school has started.  I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful summer.  My family like most was very busy.  I spend most of my summer flying with the Air Force and it was both rewarding and exhausting.  More about that some other time. 

Sweet Pea started Kindergarten on Tuesday!

Now I've always heard diffrent stories about parents stalking there children there first day or crying as there children get on the bus.  Not me!  I couldn't have been more excited... so I thought.

Sweet Pea bounced out of bed and was ready to go in about 5 minutes.  I got to take her to school and she couldn't wait for me to leave so I said good bye and it hit me like a ton of bricks, my baby girl was starting school (Not as if I didn't know this day was coming but I never thought it would bother me).  The tears were there but I wouldn't let my self cry.  I met her off the bus that afternoon after the bus was 40 minutes late and she was so excited and seems to really be enjoying her new teacher and classmates. 

This blog is short but I've really missed sharing with everyone and following along in your journeys as well.  I have a new laptop (very excited!) and hopefully a new camera soon!! 

Good Night!

Spring cleaning must be done... But who said it was me who had to do it?? I am seriously thinking of supporting a small local cleaning business!

How do you do it?!

I am wrtting this post from beautiful Savannah GA!

Very very pretty down here I wish I had more time! SO as most of you have noticed I have not posted in a very long time... it got to the point where something had to give and unfortuntally it was my blogging.  I have really missed writting and reading everyones blogs and being a part of something however big or small.  SO- I am back- part time if you will for now.  Since my last post I started school, I've been traveling a TON, kids, work... a ton of stuff I could have written about.  So here I am, I'm back to share this adventure.

SCHOOL- Mine, not theirs.  What a wake up call! I knew it was going to be hard but wow!  I honeslty never imagined.... I've already had midterms and I am getting my butt kicked.  But I need to stick with it.

Little Man- Walking, Running and a whole lot of fun! But he is gonna be a handfull.  15 months already! 

Sweet Pea is still in gymnastics and is almost done with preschool!  Off to kindergarten next year.  Scary.

I hope everyone having a wonderful spring!  This is short and sweet tonight its been a busy weekend and its not over yet!  Home tomorrow to get back on another airplane on Monday morning for Norfold VA.  I'll deffinatly share more about that trip this week. 

Whirlwind!

Where has the month gone?!  WOW it is already the 24h!?  geesh. 

I would like to announce to everyone I am about to embark on the biggest adventure my biggest dream yet to date!  Yes! I am going to college! 

I am SOO excited!!  I have enrolled at Rasmussen College in the Financial Investigations program.


Other big news on the homefront Little Man turned the be ONE on the 9th! AND has cut 3 teeth!!  My baby is growing up.

And of course FF and I are absoutly addictied to the Olympics. 

I hope everyone is having a great month!  For anyone in a snow covered state I hope it is getting warmer for you!  I officially have the snow BLAHS it has been hard to be motivated to do much of anything this month (hence my absents) but I have missed everyone and sharing my (mis)adventures with you and reading all of yours!! 

More including adorable pictures tomorrow! 

Miss you all!

Love,

I don't bake.

No big secret among my friends and family- I don't bake- I don't cook- I can hardly boil water... and it has not been for a lack of trying.

SO sometime during our l-a-z-y Sunday Sweet Pea who had watched entirely way too much "Cake Boss" on TLC says “Mommy, can we make a cake?"

Me- of course I said “Of course Baby Girl” and I am thinking to myself Yep, Daddy would love to help you bake a cake!




So tonight on my way home from work I stopped at Target and bought a cake mix and yes even a cake pan. I was determined I was going to make a cake with my daughter.

So… WE did it! We made a cake.

NOT Just ANY cake but a Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese frosting! Of course Sweet Pea wants to know when we are going to decorate it too look like the ones on TV. Well honey, we need a little practice first... a lot of practice.

To top off my evening of firsts... I decided to make Chocolate covered Strawberries!

Yep even drizzled white chocolate!

I am very proud of myself... lets ignore the fact that at least 3 of them pictured here... yeah they don't exist anymore... (What diet plan?)

What do you enjoy cooking or baking?

L-A-Z-Y Sundays

It was a much needed Lazy Sunday for everyone.  (Maybe I shouldn't have stayed up until 2am and watched the Miss America pagent).

Little Man had a very lazy day (pushing his first tooth! has really worn him out!) Yes, 10 days shy of his first birthday he is now getting a tooth!

Little Man LOVES this chair he will sit in it for hours!

Sweet Pea never did get out of her jammies other then to take a bath (and yes we even had to put the same ones back on)

This was shortly after brunch... about 2pm.

So in short we all spent the day Vegging or

"Lay still like vegetables"

Anyone know what classic movie that quote is from??

Pretty much the theme of the entire weekend it- was very nice.  Now it is 2300 and way past my bedtime.  BUT since I did veg all weekend I'm really not tired! Hmmm... maybe I should do the laundry I ignored all weekend or the cleanning I didn't do... Naw- why spoil a good weekend?! 

Hope everyone had a great weekend! 

Cabin Fever

Let me start out by confessing something: Anyone reading this that lives in any sort of warmer climate (I’ll take 32 degrees and above for 10 please) I envy you!

It is that time of season in the Great Winter Wonder Land that many of us start to get what we all lovingly refer to as Cabin Fever.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Cabin Fever as the following (I couldn’t have said it better myself):

Main Entry: cabin fever

Function: noun

Date: 1918

: Extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time

Yep! I have extreme irritability and restlessness. Today’s high: 8. Tomorrow: not any warmer… Tonight negative something (once we get below zero it’s all the same!)

More or less we have 3 yes THREE more months of snow but the end of January beginning of February is the worst- its too COLD to snow- too COLD too think of being out doors. Kids have been cooped up too long and we are running out of ideas!

From our front window Sweet Pea looks out at the front yard at her “snow fort” and wants to know why she can’t go play. Oh yeah- let me tell you about the “fort” it is 2 rooms each with built in seating with a walk way off the sidewalk of the house it’s huge! Ok, My FF the realtor of the “fort” sold it a whole lot better.

Of course a 4 year old does not seem to understand when you say “I’m sorry honey, it’s too cold to go out side today” But Mommy I got my snow shoes and snow pants!

To walk outside takes your breath away- cold and crisp its hard to get it back.  Everyone walks around with there noses tucked into neck of there coats.  Everything is an icicle with about 3 inches of ice covering most parking lots.  As we near another weekend of too cold to do much of anything we sit indoors and wait. (Did I mention I was supposed to be in Charleston SC this weekend? I hear it’s warm there!).

Cabin Fever: No Matter how much you love the Great Winter Wonderland it gets to us all- cure? A trip somewhere warm and sunny!

Any ideas anyone??

Beep Beep Beep...

That would be the sound of a fire pager and it does not care what time it is, what is going on or what we are celebrating at that very moment. My entire family from extended to the kids know when it goes off My FF is gone no questions asked, his return undetermined. Could be an hour or several.

He is a member of the local Volunteer Fire Department and one of a small handful on the Rescue squad as well. These men are a close knit group, all cut from the same tough fireproof material. Every little boy dreams at one point or another of being a Fireman but only a small number are actually firemen at heart.

The one thing many people don’t realize when the one you love is a Volunteer Fire Fighter it is a life style for the entire family not just the Fire fighter. These men and women do this on top of everyday life. All work a fulltime job; have families and still life for the pager to go off. Plus training nights once a week, at our house that is Monday nights, every Monday night.

As a wife and mother I am both proud of him and completely freaked out each time that pager goes off. I try not to think about it- but I do. I worry about the things he sees on a rescue call that he won’t share with me- I pray the fire call is a false alarm.

The other night I went to bed early and My FF was bowling on the Wii. About 11pm I hear the front door close and the pickups cold engine come to life with a low groan- gone he was. I finally got Little Man back to sleep and was drifting in and out of sleep trying not to wonder when he was coming home. Sometime close to 3am I feel the bed shift with his weight a cold nose press against my shoulder. Something he does each time he crawls back into bed from a call. Maybe his way of letting me know he’s home with out waking me. But on this night I have to ask. Why so late? “Meth Fire” he responds. Instantly my mind is reeling- One night I am glad I didn’t hear the call come across the pager. The danger he was in- and I slept right through it.

Just another night in the life of a Volunteer Firefighter.

a REAL Blogger

Casey at http://www.everchanginglife.com/ brought up a great topic- one I’ll admit I’ve thought of more then once (and still trying to answer).

I can't say I feel like a "Real Blogger" just yet. Although I now have 5 dear followers that I truly cherish and roughly 200+ views on my new blog. I get giddy to see someone has left a comment and it’s nice to know someone enjoys reading what I have to say (or at least opens my page long enough for the counter to go up one more number!).

I remember My FF asking me if this was sort of "some dear diary thing" and I guess in a way it is that... and a whole lot more. The blogs I have come across and the women I have met though them are amazing women- independent and strong each in there own way- yet we have something that connects us together... our love of sharing our lives with one another.

The average blog lasts roughly 3 months- I am closing in on my first month with my new blog (only 2 more to go!) I am kidding! I hope to make it a whole lot longer. Maybe after I hit 3 months I’ll feel like a real blogger?


But seriously- what does a real blogger look like? Because I am typically laying on the loveseat in the lower level family room of my house, kids have gone to bed and my FF is playing the Wii. (Great picture huh?) I guess I kinda picture a “real blogger” sitting at least at the dinning room table if not a home office and a cup of coffee and ideas flowing!


GREAT news my FF fixed our wireless internet today so I am no longer “stuck” on the loveseat I can move around the house and blog from anywhere I please! But it’s still my favorite place to blog.

Show us your life: My love and hate of Shopping

Show us your life: Shopping.  A wonderful blog carnival found at: http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/

I have a love hate relationship with shopping.  I LOVE new clothes (Gap, Bannana Republic, Ann Taylor- I'm not picky!) and decorating my house and of course getting out of the house.  I go in streaks where I seem to do nothing but shop then I will go months with out stepping foot into a mall or Target with out whining about it first (which by the way I am very good at- just as my FF).   

If I were 5'7" I would shop online non-stop and never step foot in another mall.  But at 5'3" I have to try everything on because everything is too long. 

Boutiques are by far my favorite! Online and in-store.  I love the whole idea behind them- the not so ordinary- not the "me and my neighbors have the same thing from Target" I could do with out some of the price tags but I've learned you can Google a ton of stuff you find.  Sometime it's cheaper but not always.

ETSY! I was very uninterested (no clue why?) when I first discovered it... but the more I have snooped it is the greatest sales website ever!  Tons of very talented artists and hand crafted items to be discovered!  I wish I had an ounce of talent those people do!

I do love to shop in new cities when I travel.  I have found some fabulous shops we do not have in the (now rainy and very icy) GreatWinter Wonder Land.  One I recently discovered while "stuck" in San Diego was Z Galleries for all your home furnshing needs (well ok not quite all- but great ideas!)

I do have to admit I recently visited the local Ikea who for the longest time was completely against the whole concept. If I am going to pay for something I want it delivered in one piece! BUT there were a few cool things I liked... to include a new bed. 

HATE to grocery shop!! Hate, hate, hate... and there are not many things I can say I hate.  Ok, I really dislike to grocery shop.

Just a little about me and my not so hot shopping habits! 

I have a signature!

Yes! I know- I am easily impressed but I now have a signature!! I would like to tell you it was all through my hard work and reading the extremely expensive book I bought. But as we all know if you Google anything- you can find it.


And found it I did. I found a very cool blog Beautiful Blog Designs:  http://beautifulblogdesigns.blogspot.com/  here I found some awesome tutorials.

Now I have a signature- IN pink. I am very excited to learn more! At this same site there are many other great things as well. FREE templates and backgrounds to name a few.
I highly recommend checking it out!



Short and sweet tonight- me and my new signature say good night!

Vegas Baby!

After a slight delay with a broken aircraft Co-pilots Altimeter (Yeah I know- huh? Don’t worry- I kinda said the same thing and I AM the mechanic) I made it to Vegas!

I'd love to tell you I thought it was fabulous and I had a wild time... but honestly I was in my room and ready for bed by 9:30! Yep. My kids don't even go to bed that early on a Saturday night.

This weekend was exhausting. Staying in 3 different time zones in 3 days will wear anyone down- quickly.

Not to say I didn't have fun- I had a good time- I saw the fountain out side of the Bilagio (now tuned to the Pink Panther) WAY cooler then I ever imagined.

But honestly I would say my favorite part of the (short) evening- the people watching! I don't want to think I am a judgmental person BUT I love to see people from all around the world congregate in one place and interact. What better place to see people from all walks of life but Sin City?

From the dancers to the card slappers to the typical tourist with a camera around their necks (Yes- me included) it is a whole different world in itself. One that I would say is fun to see once or twice but definitely not my new vacation spot.

Everyone has there own idea of a good time and more power to them – maybe as I am getting older (NOT that I am admitting to that) my idea of fun isn’t partying until 3am anymore.

Of course I couldn’t have been to two more opposite places in one weekend. Utah you can hardly have a drink and Vegas at $14 for a martini- who can afford too?! I don’t like alcohol that much- I can be just as hyper and goofy on Pepsi.

I did stay at the Luxor (the pyramid looking place) it was neat and the adjoining room to mine seemed to be enjoying themselves with an all night party.

I also went on a hunt through every souvenir shop and tourist trap looking for all things but a Rubber Ducky that said Las Vegas. (No-we never found one) but the entire time I had that song that Bert and Ernie sing... "Rubber Ducky you’re the one... something something bath time is so much fun... something else and a little more..." stuck in my head.  One of my loadmasters was on a mission to find his girlfriend’s daughter a Ducky that said Las Vegas on it... I finally convinced him she'd love a teddy bear just as much (I hope I was right!).


Needless to say it was quite the adventure.

Amber

Traveling

Happy Friday! From Utah.

 I travel. A lot. Tonight is no exception, I am in Utah. Interesting place to say the least. No disrespect to anyone but this place is extremely very different then the Great White North I call home.




Good or bad that depends on your views- but different.




My crew and I went to a restaurant for dinner across the street from the hotel we are staying at. We walk in and sat at the bar to have a drink... nope can't have a drink at the bar. (huh?!- but is a bar...) you can order a beer- if you order food.


Want a glass of wine? Nope not at the bar. You have to sit at a table with a server.


But the view- now that is amazing! (I tried to take pictures on the flight in- couldn't find the camera- maybe tomorrow. I wish was one of those story tellers who could paint you a picture). From my web seat out a little round window in the cargo compartment of a C310 all I could see was snow covered mountains and fog. Lots of fog- are we going to land?

Yup. One tiny opening over the runway… Perfect.


Tomorrow -Vegas.


I have never been so I am excited. I am not a gambler; I like the money I’ve earned. BUT I do love to people watch and it IS warmer then the Great White North and at least I’ll have a clue what people are talking about.


On that note, I am exhausted and tomorrow is going to be a busy day.






Amber.

Chasing another dream.

We all have dreams and my FF will tell you I am no exception to the rule. He would probably tell you I am a bit of an extremist in this area.


None the less- for the most part he is pretty supportive- there are times I am sure he just shakes his head and waits for the idea to pass (as most of them have).

Education is a huge dream of mine (IF I ever make up my mind) I have run the gamut of ideas...


There was of course (in no particular order): Accounting, Human Resources, Paralegal, Law school, Dental Hygienist, etc… and the latest and greatest- Graphic Design.


Today, I bought a book. (exciting I know). To my surprise it is actually interesting reading. Maybe this one will pan out? Let me finish chapter 1 before we make a drastic decision.


BUT in recent I have had this urge not to work in an office with 200 other people, doing the same thing over and over. (disclaimer- I do actually like my job) but I think everyone wants the option of freedom.


My FF and I both agreed when Sweet Pea was born- I would not make a good stay at home mom. I envy any woman who can.


Freelance? Maybe.


At a minimum I would like to learn enough to spiff up my blog.
(Coming soon hopefully designed by me).




Stay tuned through this newest adventure. I won’t completely bore you with the ins &outs but I will use you as my guinea pigs :) and I hope you will be brutally honest with me. Yes- bring it on!


G'night!  ~Amber~