Picture time!

Playing with Daddy



Posing with her big sissy



Soon she'll be reading it for real



Yummy applesauce!



Plane landing at Newark (which caused plenty of rubber-necking traffic!)



We got wise and put her in the way back this time!



She still enjoyed the trip



As did we (finally going home together!)



Love this bridge!



Almost home!



While we're eating breakfast downstairs, Phoebe was enjoying her's upstairs



Good thing we caught her before she finished it!



She got to sleep on her big breakfast in time-out



But that didn't last long and she was back to her favorite spot



We had our patio put in this morning and pressed Phoebe's paw in the wet concerete!

6 Random things about Me!

I was tagged by Lindsay from And We'll Just Laugh Along the Way to do a Randomness Survey! Most people that read this will probably know these things about me but for everyone else I hope you enjoy learning something new about me! I think most people have done this already so I'm going to break the rules and not tag anyone, but feel free to tag yourself! Rules at the bottom. Here goes:

1. I only eat with plastic utencils. It's been so long I don't even remember when this started. I can't stand metal utencils - the taste, the feel, the scraping against the plate. I have a nice set of all bamboo forks, spoons and knives but I usually just use plastic. Expect of course when I eat out or at other people's houses, then I use metal.

2. I always have to match and look put together. My purse and shoes always have to coordinate with my outfit. I will not go out in public with a navy colored sweater or pants and carry a black purse with black shoes on. I don't mix patterns or odd colors (i.e. If I'm carrying a Vera Bradley purse it has to coordinate perfectly with my outfit). DB had a really good laugh out of me yesterday when we were getting ready to go running and he heard me opening up my jewelry box. From down the hall I hear "Are you putting on earrings to go running?!?!" Of course I was!

3. DB and I wear "Promise Rings". Before I moved to Delaware to be with my boyfriend, we decided to make a few promises to each other, to show our commitment. On my first night here, we had a nice dinner and exchanged our rings and recited our "vows". It may seem cheesy and old fashioned, but the rings and what they stand for mean so much to us. Usually, you won't find either one of us without our rings on. They mean a lot to us will be a stand-in until we exchange REAL promise rings!

4. Since I've moved, I've become compulsive about checking the mail. When I was in CT, I would get home from work and get the mail right away. I'd never get anything good but there was usually a catalog or magazine delivered every day. I have my mail forwarded here but still have to change my address for most things... which means I only receive mail maybe twice a week! Sometimes I'll check the mailbox twice before it even gets delivered. It's rather sad! When I see the mailman drive by I immediately go to the mailbox, usually to find one or two envelopes for DB and nothing for me. The BEST is to see a Fed Ex or UPS truck in the neighborhood. As my mom can testify, he used to visit me weekly. I've since stopped shopping for clothes almost altogether, but I did order something that should be delivered tomorrow. I can't wait!!

5. Speaking of catalogs and magazines - I get a lot of them. Some I usually don't ever read entirely, like Harper's Bazaar and National Geographic. One I DO read entirely is Esquire. That's right, the men's magazine. I read it from cover to cover, even the editorial note and reader's comments. Don't get me wrong, I'm a girly-girl and love myself a gossip mag or Cosmo now and then, but I love Esquire. I even keep old ones that I especially enjoyed, and highly regret giving away one of my favorite issues.

6. I am a life-long recycler. You don't want to visit my mom's house and get caught throwing a soda can or plastic bottle in the garbage. You WILL be corrected! I honestly don't remember a time when we didn't recycle, and I'm grateful for that. Although we tried to recycle all that we could, we were limited to what was acceptable. But let me tell you, the recycling program in Delaware is outstanding! DB and I seriously recycle about 75% of everything we get rid of. That includes ALL types of plastic, all cardboard (not just the corrugated type), and all paper. I was even able to recycle an old Nalgene bottle! This is all new to me because it's not the case in CT (although they are getting better). And the best part of it is, it ALL goes into the same bin - no separation needed! There are lots of drop offs located all over the city which makes it so very convenienet. This really gives people no excuse not to recycle which I think is great!

Now for the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you

2. Post the rules to your blog

3. Write 6 random things about yourself

4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them

5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.

Back in Dover

Yup. I'm back. I'm becoming a whiz at driving back and forth from DE to CT. This time I actually made the trip in 3 hours and 20 minutes AND I stopped to get gas. I felt like my car had wings. Thankfully, my brother let me borrow his EZPass even though when I was going through one of the tolls, the cash line was actually SHORTER than the EZPass line! I decided to just pay the stupid $1.00 to get through faster, so when I started to get out f the line I realized why the line was so long. As it turns out, people were looking at a car crash that has just happened. A car must have gone out of control and hit the left guard rail and then flipped over. The car was actually resting on it's side! The guy had gotten out and was sitting against the guard rail and there were also people standing around him that has stopped to help. He looked very shaken up of course, but miraculously he was alive and didn't look too hurt. I don't think any other car was involved in the crash either which is also a miracle. Not long after that, I was weeding through traffic and as I went to change lanes, the car in front of me decided to stop faster than I thought he was and I was THISCLOSE to hitting the trailer he was pulling.

I thought I'd share that story since all I seem to do lately is share pictures. I was tagged by the lovely Lindsay to do a randomness survey so I'll probably post that later today or tomorrow (click on her name to see her blog, she's also an AF girlfriend and her blog is one of my faves!)

DB went down to D.C. to spend the weekend with a friend and watch football (ugh, guys! soo glad I'm not there!), so I won't have him in my hair while I do some housework and errands. Although you all know I'd rather have him in my hair than anywhere else...

*Update 1:00 pm
Just got back from running around town and I am so mad that I didn't bring my camera! I ALWAYS have my camera on me and since today I was carrying a purse that is heavy all by itself, I decided to not bring it. My poor little town is SWARMING with race fans!! I'm going to go out later just to take pictures... I'm such a nerd (right babe?!)

.

Down in the dumps

Well I got an email today that DB somehow broke his phone. At least he emailed me and told me his new whereabouts. I almost wish I hadn't heard from him though because he closed the email with "talk to you soon". No I love you. No I miss you. Sometimes I wonder why I bother. And I also wonder why I keep my phone on me all the time when he is away, or why I check my email so often. It really only leads to disappointment. I had sent two nice text messages to him, one yesterday afternoon and one this morning, and never heard back, and he didn't mention them in his latest email either. I moved my whole life to be with this man. Doesn't that say a lot? I left a job that I was 6 months away from being there 10 years. I did these things for him. I wish I knew how much he appreciated me. Right now I feel so flung around. I have no where to go that is truly mine. And the one that I love is halfway across the world and I don't know when he's coming back or if he even cares to come back to me. He doesn't like when I bring up the fact that I gave up my life and job in CT to be with him, but I just wish I knew he would also sacrifice something like that for me, to be with me. I know it's fun being over in another country, it's fun getting to do what you always dreamed of and what you love (flying), but I feel so left out. I feel so left behind. It sucks being the one left behind.

Anyway... I really appreciate the comments I receive but sometimes it's hard to figure out who it is commenting. Unless you want to remain anonymous (totally fine), please leave your initials so I know who you are. Thanks.

Back in CT

I made the trip in 3 and a half hours! I've only done that one other time - when I was going down to Dover before I moved, driving like a bat out of hell trying to get there as quickly as I could. Today there was just no traffic and people in Jersey actually drove normal for a change which let us fast people drive on the left.

Since I love to take (and post) pictures, here's some I took on the drive up...

This is what we call the "yellow bridge". Have not idea what the real name of it is, but it's neat looking.

To my SIL, this is the Delaware Memorial Bridge. That one I DO know!

Yup, she spotted a motorcycle and is getting ready to bark at it.

My Little Navigator. She helps me watch out for crazy Jersey drivers ;)

I must have the military on my mind because I read this as "USS Apple". Not even kidding.

I have all my necessities for the long drive: snack food, venti Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, water, lunch, belt and two headbands (yeah i love headbands that much), iPod and the pink thing is Phoebe's leash (yes mom, I brought a leash!)

The requisite airplane shot. Getting close to Newark, NJ now

Manhattan from the GW Bridge

This dude driving the tractor trailer (yeah that's what they're called DB!) cut me off and nearly ran me off the road. So I got into the left lane to make my way back in front of him, but I ended up getting off the wrong exit. In NYC that is not the best thing to do. But that's what I get for playing revenge!

WTF?! Really?! Who allowed that to get on a license plate?! WTF!

She's a mommy's girl now that daddy's been away and has not left my side. She follows me around everywhere at the house. When I got to my mom's, I sat down to type out this post she went under the desk and sat at my feet. Which is also usually where she is at home in the office. Too cute.

That's all for now. I'm going to take a nap, hopefully dream about my studly pilot who's over in the desert right now, and then read some before dinner. Oh we got to chat online this morning for like an hour and a half!! It was soooo nice!

Got some new reads

I'm the official holder of a Dover Public Library card! Makes me feel a little more like I'm at home now. I borrowed three books:
Separated by Duty, United in Love
365 Deployment Days: A Wife's Survival Story
Air Force Officer's Guide
(click the titles for the Amazon descriptions)

Hopefully these will help me better understand the military life. DB and I have always tried to have really good communication, but this is one area where it breaks down a little. But it's understandable. I have to do my part to be informed and he has to do his part by telling me what I need to know (in plain english please!) and keeping me up to date. I mean, I guess. The first two books are short reads and I don't plan on reading the whole guide, I'll just flip through the important stuff.

Poker Face

This is my poker face. I have to put this on now because I'm finally able to chat with DB.

3 weeks since the move!

A post in pictures...

The light beam is where the Twin Towers used to stand. The red white and blue lights (under the bright blue reflection from my window) is the Empire State Building. I took this picture from my car on the highway on September 11th.

Before and After!

This is what happens when kids play with cameras!



Wearing the outfit her auntie gave her

Remembering September 11th

Update...

DB is over in Germany right now and I was lucky enough to get about 20 minutes of gmail chat time with him just now. He has a laptop with him but no internet access in the room so he had to use a public computer (I assume) and supposedly had to get off because he thought other people were waiting to get on. I got the basic information of where he is and how he is and that was it. No "how are you", no "I miss you". One "I love you". And I have to fake like it doesn't phase me. I am new to this city, have no friends here that can understand any of this, and since we are not married I am not allowed on base. If there is anyone reading this that can offer some advice, please do.

end update...

news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Afghanistan/ss/events/wl/08072001afghanistan

Thunder and Lightning!

My plan for this afternoon to go down to Rehoboth Beach to do some outlet shopping but since a terrible thunderstorm is going through right now I think I'll wait it out for a while, watch Days of Our Lives and write a post. The power went out for a couple minutes but thankfully that didn't last long. The construction workers next door took off at the first sign of the storm and I don't blame them! So instead of going out I'm going to post some new pictures.

This past Sunday we drove down to Bowers Beach which is about 15 minutes south of Dover. It's just a small fishing town so there isn't really a beach but we heard about this good fish restaurant so we decided to check it out and have dinner there.

Appropriately named?!

I'm a dork and still like to take pictures of every plane I spot, this one was especially close so it was exciting. Those are birds to the left.

Monday was my cleaning day and unfortunately for DB it was also the first day he was required to wear this instead of his flight suit (just on Mondays from now on).

We recently had an alarm system installed so this morning we were setting it off different ways to test it. I had the upstairs box duty and he had the downstairs box duty which is located just under the alarm. Of course setting the alarm off was very loud, so instead of using ear plugs, DB thought of something much better...

I toughed it out without any ear protection, but I did get to try on the fancy headset!

I'll be here until Thursday night and then I'm heading up to Connecticut to spend a couple weeks with my brother and his family to help out while he's recovering from ankle surgery. DB will be gone on a mission for part of the time and hopefully will be able to join me when he gets back. Don't I wish all missions could be timed this nicely!

I signed up with milblogging.com and have been getting a lot of visits from that site. I'd love if you'd please comment and say hi! I know I have some lurkers, we all do it, but we all love comments too!

I'm so excited to be attending my first Air Force Ball tonight! Since DB is an officer, I get to wear my fanciest of dresses! I love dressing up! It should be a fun time! I'm going to try to take lots of pictures without looking like a tourist. Lets all hope Hanna doesn't make too much of a mess of things tonight.
For more information...
www.dover.af.mil/news/story

*Update 10:45pm*
Well we are back from the ball and we had a wonderful time! I got to meet several of his friends and even made the squadron commander laugh! DB was impressed with that and I'm still wondering why I felt comfortable enough to tell him a joke, but it worked! It was a pretty formal event so no dancing and not much relaxed time, so we only got a few pictures. I think I did fine for my first military event and I'm looking forward to the next one already!

No matter which side you are on...

you have to admit this is adorable!

I got crafty today and made myself a new pillow in a fabric I looked ALL OVER to find, mini stripe in light pink. It came out great and was very easy!

Then I had a small scrap leftover so I decided to embroider a cute little bird to frame and hang on the wall. Wasn't as easy as the pillowcase, but I am very pleased with how it came out and it matches the colors in my room perfectly!

Now I'm off to bake some cookies!

At home

Right now I'm watching the New Kids on the Block perform on the Today Show. I loved them way back when they really were kids. Donnie was my favorite. One of the nice things about not working right now is that I get to watch the Today Show every day. I love Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira.

DB and I took a walk last night and I planned on bringing my camera along but of course forgot. We saw a couple things that I would've loved to snap, including a pile of 13 peach pits. We'll try again tonight and then I'll update.

I got some fabric yesterday so now I'm going to attempt to sew myself a new decorative bed pillow!