Do you ever feel like you're not a very nice person? Sometimes I say and do things that leave me wondering why on earth Yago married me. I know I'm being a witch sometimes and can't help myself. When we got to Normandy I was pretty mean and made a small scene for no reason. It's funny because during the course of our trip we were left thinking there wasn't a happy couple to be found but they may have thought the same of us (me) if they were judging by my behavior Friday morning.
I'm really mad because I ordered Schmitty his First Communion stuff a couple of weeks ago and realized last Thursday the order apparently hadn't gone through. I tried calling the customer service number but I got a dumb recording asking me to leave a message and they'd call back. It's too much trouble to explain on an answering maching that I live overseas and I'm not even sure how to give instructions on how to call me here. I emailed their customer service and never got a response, it's disappointing. When I realized the order didn't go through it was too late to fix it anyway because the mail is so slow.
It's supposed to be a big deal and I don't have a gift or tie for him. His extended family isn't here to celebrate and there aren't any gifts. I feel like I failed and I ordered it two weeks ago thinking I was on top of everything. I hate when I actually try to do something right without procrastinating and it backfires. I think I'm early and feel good only to wind up right where I always am anyway. Stressed out and a failure. Blah.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Normandy
There are a couple of things I can say about Normandy. It was beautiful in many ways, so much better than Paris. The landscape was gorgeous, the houses were like in storybooks and the museums were wonderful. And? If you go, go without two bus loads of other people.
I most enjoyed our time at Pont du Hoc. The land is still riddled with craters from the artillery and rockets. It was strange to watch Sam and all the children play there.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
cutie pa-tootie
How adorable. We went for a walk yesterday. "Walk" might be overstating it, more of a stop and pick weeds then have mom drag me 10 feet down the path to pick new weeds.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
beaten to the punch
I was going to post about Sec Gates but Mickity beat me to it. I have a different take on it though.
Sec Gates spoke at Air War College about it being like pulling teeth to get the Air Force to support the war on terror. Then he turns around and gives a speech at West Point about discretion and honesty. It seems contradictory and Rumsfeld-y, if you ask me, which I'll point out no one has.
It's nonsensical. They've been cutting AF personnel year after year to fund new aircraft development. I've been wondering for years why the AF needs new fighter aircraft when we're not dogfighting any other air force. Why aren't we funding bombers, ISR and close air support aircraft? Fighters can be used in those roles but they're not the most efficient/effective way of doing business.
And? Does it really need to be a rated officer piloting unmanned aircraft? Not in the Army, they have NCOs doing it. Should the flight clearance requirements be the same? Not in my opinion.
Back to bad talking the AF at Air War College, what is he trying to accomplish? If he has an issue with pilot proficiency requirements take it up with the Sec of the Air Force. How about you fund the personnel and equipment required? Then don't turn around and talk about discretion to a bunch of West Point graduates.
Sec Gates spoke at Air War College about it being like pulling teeth to get the Air Force to support the war on terror. Then he turns around and gives a speech at West Point about discretion and honesty. It seems contradictory and Rumsfeld-y, if you ask me, which I'll point out no one has.
It's nonsensical. They've been cutting AF personnel year after year to fund new aircraft development. I've been wondering for years why the AF needs new fighter aircraft when we're not dogfighting any other air force. Why aren't we funding bombers, ISR and close air support aircraft? Fighters can be used in those roles but they're not the most efficient/effective way of doing business.
And? Does it really need to be a rated officer piloting unmanned aircraft? Not in the Army, they have NCOs doing it. Should the flight clearance requirements be the same? Not in my opinion.
Back to bad talking the AF at Air War College, what is he trying to accomplish? If he has an issue with pilot proficiency requirements take it up with the Sec of the Air Force. How about you fund the personnel and equipment required? Then don't turn around and talk about discretion to a bunch of West Point graduates.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
a day in the february life
I was going to do a day in the life post a couple months ago but lost motivation. Here are a few of the pictures I took anyway.
This is Schmitty, Isaiah and Ralphie as we leave the house and head to the bus stop.
I'm feeding Ralphie at the gym before I get to the family workout room. I'm hoping with a full belly he'll behave. I'd promise pony rides if I thought it would work.
This is the view from the treadmill. It's hard to portray how cramped it is. There's one weight machine and it's a lat pull down Nautilus machine. We don't need stronger lats, we need stronger arms, legs and bellies!
Schmitty doing his homework after school. I'm sure he'd say it was his favorite part of the day. Not really.
And Ralphie enjoying an after dinner glass of wine with his father. Hmrr.
This is Schmitty, Isaiah and Ralphie as we leave the house and head to the bus stop.
I'm feeding Ralphie at the gym before I get to the family workout room. I'm hoping with a full belly he'll behave. I'd promise pony rides if I thought it would work.
This is the view from the treadmill. It's hard to portray how cramped it is. There's one weight machine and it's a lat pull down Nautilus machine. We don't need stronger lats, we need stronger arms, legs and bellies!
Schmitty doing his homework after school. I'm sure he'd say it was his favorite part of the day. Not really.
And Ralphie enjoying an after dinner glass of wine with his father. Hmrr.
to be seen or not to be...
Now you would think after all my complaining and lamenting that I'd be super motivated and excited about going to the gym today, wouldn't you? Not so. I was dreading it but I hauled my happy butt there anyway, along with the screaming meanie's angry butt. He hollered at the prospect of me being 20 feet away so I had to put him in his car seat next to the treadmill. He was hollering 15 mins in to my little workout so I cut it short after he screamed for five minutes. Five minutes doesn't sound very long but when you're in public with a screaming kid AND running at the same time, it's an eternity.
After the gym I stopped by the commissary and saw someone I really didn't want to see. (Thankfully, he didn't see me.) He's a wing commander now but I knew him when he was a squadron commander and a deputy group commander. (Brown) He's conceited, full of himself, and he wasn't very nice to me when I was a Lt. I was in my old sweaty gym clothes and he was in his uniform, now as a full bird colonel. I'm sure if I thought he was pompous before he'd be an amazing a$$h#le now. When I was putting my groceries in the car I saw that Schmitty's piano teacher had followed me out and was parked two cars away. I pretended not to see him and he did the same, I'm still pissed about last week's lesson. I've been trying to work on my nice voice so I could call him and verify we're on for this Wed afternoon but I wasn't prepared to do it in the parking lot.
Day after tomorrow we leave for Normandy. Again, I'm not looking forward to a twelve hour bus ride with all the scout families. (or the screaming meanie)
Well, I should go shower. Maybe that will cheer me up because I'm not in a great mood today.
After the gym I stopped by the commissary and saw someone I really didn't want to see. (Thankfully, he didn't see me.) He's a wing commander now but I knew him when he was a squadron commander and a deputy group commander. (Brown) He's conceited, full of himself, and he wasn't very nice to me when I was a Lt. I was in my old sweaty gym clothes and he was in his uniform, now as a full bird colonel. I'm sure if I thought he was pompous before he'd be an amazing a$$h#le now. When I was putting my groceries in the car I saw that Schmitty's piano teacher had followed me out and was parked two cars away. I pretended not to see him and he did the same, I'm still pissed about last week's lesson. I've been trying to work on my nice voice so I could call him and verify we're on for this Wed afternoon but I wasn't prepared to do it in the parking lot.
Day after tomorrow we leave for Normandy. Again, I'm not looking forward to a twelve hour bus ride with all the scout families. (or the screaming meanie)
Well, I should go shower. Maybe that will cheer me up because I'm not in a great mood today.
Monday, April 21, 2008
fuzzy memories
I haven't downloaded pictures since we got the wireless and brought the computer downstairs because the cable was upstairs in Ralphie's room. The only time I thought about downloading pictures was during nap time and there's no way I would consider disturbing the buckaroo.
Today I finally remembered to bring the cable downstairs before he fell asleep and I made a terrible discovery. I've had a blurry fingerprint on the lens of my camera for months and didn't know it. All the pictures are smudged on the left side. If I'd loaded them on the computer a long time ago I would have realized I needed to clean the camera and then I would have wedding pictures (brother-in-law's) without the big blur.
Here's a blurry pic of Schmitty and the flower girl after the wedding. He had the whole, "I'm embarrassed to be touching an icky girl." look on his face all afternoon.
Friday, April 18, 2008
I knew it
I knew it was coming but it finally came today. It was a phone call from my job in the Reserves. They need to do an OPR and all that jazz. Ugh. I've been dreading it. It's all stuff I need to do but have been procrastinating. I hate all this stuff.
The best part is the new boss used to sit at the desk across from me and I spent a good part of my day making reservations for upcoming trips and talking to my old unit in Stuttgart. I also left everyday to go breastfeed my baby monster and early to do PT so I could pass my fitness test. We debated politics almost daily because we have polar opposite views on everything.
Schmitty's friend is sleeping over tonight so I really should pick up some. His friend doesn't eat vegetables so Yago tried to slip some Morning Star veggie bites by him. They're little frozen battered vegetable patty things, quite tasty and not really that healthy. The friend wasn't falling for it though, it was funny.
Why is it that Victor on The Young and the Restless looks the same as he did 30 years ago and still always has a hot young love interest? Not that I'm watching. Really.
The best part is the new boss used to sit at the desk across from me and I spent a good part of my day making reservations for upcoming trips and talking to my old unit in Stuttgart. I also left everyday to go breastfeed my baby monster and early to do PT so I could pass my fitness test. We debated politics almost daily because we have polar opposite views on everything.
Schmitty's friend is sleeping over tonight so I really should pick up some. His friend doesn't eat vegetables so Yago tried to slip some Morning Star veggie bites by him. They're little frozen battered vegetable patty things, quite tasty and not really that healthy. The friend wasn't falling for it though, it was funny.
Why is it that Victor on The Young and the Restless looks the same as he did 30 years ago and still always has a hot young love interest? Not that I'm watching. Really.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
the glass is always cleaner on the other side
I did the windows today. Well, not really. I did three or four big windows and then got bored with the squeegee and chasing the midget away from the bucket and curtains. Yago said he should leave me carless more often. That brings me to the next topic... Yago's car still isn't ready.
We went through all the scheduling hassles yesterday and got almost nothing accomplished. We didn't (couldn't) get his car, didn't have the piano lesson and I couldn't make my German class. For all the hassles and headaches we only got Schmitty to his baseball practice.
Yago and I had both had rotten days, his at work and mine with Ralphie. At the end of the day we were both very grouchy but were cheered up by the other person's level of grouchiness. (At least I was amused by his sucky day.) Funny how that works.
We went through all the scheduling hassles yesterday and got almost nothing accomplished. We didn't (couldn't) get his car, didn't have the piano lesson and I couldn't make my German class. For all the hassles and headaches we only got Schmitty to his baseball practice.
Yago and I had both had rotten days, his at work and mine with Ralphie. At the end of the day we were both very grouchy but were cheered up by the other person's level of grouchiness. (At least I was amused by his sucky day.) Funny how that works.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
too much to ask
I took Schmitty to his piano lesson again only to arrive at an empty house. Apparently, it's too much to ask for advance notice if his teacher isn't going to do a lesson. It has happened repeatedly and I only tolerate it because it took months for me to find anyone to teach piano. I don't think this guy understands what a pain it is to get Schmitty there. I have to pick him up from school (which usually entails a walk in the rain because they block off all the streets around the school) during Ralphy's nap time. Then I have to drive the 20-30 minutes to his house, entertain the baby (who doesn't get his nap and is very grumpy) for an hour then drive home. We eat late because I don't start dinner until 5:00. It's 2 1/2 hours of stress for an hour lesson. I'm not even including the time I spend getting Schmitty's snack together or making sure I have his piano books and notes. Grrr.
the last
Today Yago gets his car back, which really means I get my car back. Not a day too early either because baseball practice starts today along with a whole list of other activities. Schmitty's schedule feels a bit grueling sometimes but I always make sure it's something he really wants before I sign him up. Except piano lessons. He has scouts, piano, baseball, CCD and in a few weeks he'll have swim lessons. Luckily, by the time the swimming starts the scouts and CCD should be over.
He makes his First Communion in a couple of weeks and I'm excited for him. Yago doesn't really understand what the big deal is and I can't explain it. I just remember when I made my First Communion and I remember what a big day it was. I was most excited about my white dress and shoes. I can still see those shoes with the cut out heel, they were the neatest shoes I'd ever had. I remember mom helping me with the pantyhose and my hair being curled. I remember dad taking me outside in the yard to take a picture of me in my dress. I was disappointed by the taste of the bread, I was expecting something spectacular. It had to be really special and tasty since it had been witheld so long but it wasn't.
There were gifts and a party afterward. I got a praying hands necklace, a glow-in-the-dark rosary and something I'll always treasure: my grandmother's pendant. I still have and regret that I didn't wear it when I got married, I forgot it. I had a cake and my grandparents came over, and I think I remember us all playing a game.
I hope Schmitty remembers his big day.
He makes his First Communion in a couple of weeks and I'm excited for him. Yago doesn't really understand what the big deal is and I can't explain it. I just remember when I made my First Communion and I remember what a big day it was. I was most excited about my white dress and shoes. I can still see those shoes with the cut out heel, they were the neatest shoes I'd ever had. I remember mom helping me with the pantyhose and my hair being curled. I remember dad taking me outside in the yard to take a picture of me in my dress. I was disappointed by the taste of the bread, I was expecting something spectacular. It had to be really special and tasty since it had been witheld so long but it wasn't.
There were gifts and a party afterward. I got a praying hands necklace, a glow-in-the-dark rosary and something I'll always treasure: my grandmother's pendant. I still have and regret that I didn't wear it when I got married, I forgot it. I had a cake and my grandparents came over, and I think I remember us all playing a game.
I hope Schmitty remembers his big day.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
new things
I tried a couple of new things over the weekend. The first was playing raquetball with Schmitty and Yago. Playing with Schmitty was more fun because neither of us knows the rules. We just kind of ran around and whacked (tried to whack) the little blue ball. Yago was very patient with both of us, bless his heart. That was the new thing I tried on Sunday.
On Monday I tried making homemade pasta, whole wheat tagliatelle to be specific. I say I made it but I should say we because Yago spent a lot of time unfolding and untangling my mess. (He had the day off.) I also tried to make french bread from scratch. It didn't turn out right but the good thing about bad homemade bread is that even if it's bad, it's still pretty dang tasty! So what if it's on the flat side and too dense?
The best part was I got to leave right after dinner to go to German class. The kitchen was a DISASTER! The counters were caked with dough and flour from kneading bread and pasta. I think I dirtied almost every bowl and pan in the house because, did I mention we also made homemade tomato sauce with capers? I came home to a pristine kitchen and dining room which surprised me a little given Yago's hatred of dishes. Plus, I wasn't even sure if two hours would be enough time to clean the mess I'd made.
Well, I'm going to take the little meanie out for a walk and maybe even stop by the park since the weather's gotten better. Hope you all have a good day!
On Monday I tried making homemade pasta, whole wheat tagliatelle to be specific. I say I made it but I should say we because Yago spent a lot of time unfolding and untangling my mess. (He had the day off.) I also tried to make french bread from scratch. It didn't turn out right but the good thing about bad homemade bread is that even if it's bad, it's still pretty dang tasty! So what if it's on the flat side and too dense?
The best part was I got to leave right after dinner to go to German class. The kitchen was a DISASTER! The counters were caked with dough and flour from kneading bread and pasta. I think I dirtied almost every bowl and pan in the house because, did I mention we also made homemade tomato sauce with capers? I came home to a pristine kitchen and dining room which surprised me a little given Yago's hatred of dishes. Plus, I wasn't even sure if two hours would be enough time to clean the mess I'd made.
Well, I'm going to take the little meanie out for a walk and maybe even stop by the park since the weather's gotten better. Hope you all have a good day!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
barbara wahwah
I spend too much time watching The View but it always bothers me that Barbara Walters thinks of herself as a serious journalist. She does dumb celebrity interviews, oscar specials and an occasional middle eastern leader where she wears a head scarf improperly and tries to look legit.
Friday, April 11, 2008
post midget syndrome
Yesterday I got myself all mad about something stupid for no real reason. I'm reading a book called A New Earth (because Oprah told me to, according to Yago) and it goes to great depth discussing the ego and it's disfunction. I knew it was my ego getting upset and it was all quite inconsequential but I could not help myself. In the end, I sent a terse email to my dad and then felt bad. Yago came home shortly thereafter, immediately opened a bottle of red wine and declared us both PMSing. It was funny. (Neither of us got a good night's rest the previous evening because of the baby.)
Today, I'm unmotivated to do anything. Yesterday, I felt like I was constantly working but getting nothing accomplished. Today, I'm not working or getting anything accomplished.
I was eager to get back to my diet but it's not going so well. It's hard being out of my routine, it should be better once spring break is over and Yago gets his car back. School starts Monday and Yago gets his car Tuesday, I should see a marked improvement starting Wednesday.
Anyone want to come over and do my laundry and dishes? I'll even let you clean the bathroom while you're at it.
Today, I'm unmotivated to do anything. Yesterday, I felt like I was constantly working but getting nothing accomplished. Today, I'm not working or getting anything accomplished.
I was eager to get back to my diet but it's not going so well. It's hard being out of my routine, it should be better once spring break is over and Yago gets his car back. School starts Monday and Yago gets his car Tuesday, I should see a marked improvement starting Wednesday.
Anyone want to come over and do my laundry and dishes? I'll even let you clean the bathroom while you're at it.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
newest discovery
Yesterday Ralphie discovered a place to keep his index finger warm. It's called a nostril. Charming. I guess I should be thankful that he doesn't have 10 nostrils.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Rotkappchen
I went to my German class last night and it was good. We worked as a class telling a fairy tale in German. The instructor was at the board and we worked together to tell the tale of Little Red Riding Hood.
I had to introduce myself to the class in German so the teacher could gauge my ability. I got nervous and failed miserably. He asked where I'd studied German and I couldn't think of the words so I sat there and finally blurted out DLI in English. He apologized thinking I was purposely trying to withhold that information, which I wasn't. That detail just made it more embarrassing, like I should have known more. After that brief awkwardness everything went smoothly. I'm glad Yago made me sign up for it. He's a really good husband.
Oprah just started and I love Jamie Lee Curtis. She's funny and has interesting things to say. Incidentally, I'm a little mad at AFN for moving Oprah from 0800 to 0900. That throws a monkey wrench in to my schedule. I'll have to figure it out.
I had to introduce myself to the class in German so the teacher could gauge my ability. I got nervous and failed miserably. He asked where I'd studied German and I couldn't think of the words so I sat there and finally blurted out DLI in English. He apologized thinking I was purposely trying to withhold that information, which I wasn't. That detail just made it more embarrassing, like I should have known more. After that brief awkwardness everything went smoothly. I'm glad Yago made me sign up for it. He's a really good husband.
Oprah just started and I love Jamie Lee Curtis. She's funny and has interesting things to say. Incidentally, I'm a little mad at AFN for moving Oprah from 0800 to 0900. That throws a monkey wrench in to my schedule. I'll have to figure it out.
Monday, April 07, 2008
bummer
I wrote a post earlier, a long one about our trip and my day today but the Internet hates me. I hit the publish button and lost my connection, now it's gone. You'll have to wait until I'm in the mood to write again.
back from the wizard
(I found the draft so I don't hate the Internet anymore.)
So we all survived the trip. I'm still tired and a little jetlagged but it's getting better. I have some emails that I need to reply to but I'm not sure when I'll get to that.
Our trip was fun. We went to Oklahoma City for the brother-in-law's wedding. It was more fun than I'd anticipated. I met lots of relatives from Nebraska, everyone was excited that we're moving there. Then we went to Council Bluffs for a few days to visit my family. We were busy non-stop but it was nice to see everyone, even if only for a few days. We looked at some subdivisions near the base to get an idea of what was available and are confident we'll find something suitable over the summer.
I went to the gym for the first time in a few weeks today. How shall I describe it? It sucked. I wanted to get some exercise and feel like I accomplished something but two minutes in to the workout all I wanted to do was stop. I cut it short and decided baby steps was better than wearing myself out and getting sick again.
I'm taking a German class tonight and have a feeling I'll be in way over my head. I'm starting German III when it's been 16 years since I studied German. I don't remember much vocabulary or the cases but it's non-credit hours so it doesn't matter. At least I'm doing something, even if it's late in the game.
I didn't take pictures while we were on leave which is a real shame. Sam was the ring bearer and he was so cute that everyone moaned when he took the flower girl's hand at the end and walked down the aisle. I overheard several people talking about him at the reception. Ralphie had a little suit and all the grandparents GUSHED! It was adorable and quite amusing to watch them all. I'm disappointed I didn't take any photos.
So we all survived the trip. I'm still tired and a little jetlagged but it's getting better. I have some emails that I need to reply to but I'm not sure when I'll get to that.
Our trip was fun. We went to Oklahoma City for the brother-in-law's wedding. It was more fun than I'd anticipated. I met lots of relatives from Nebraska, everyone was excited that we're moving there. Then we went to Council Bluffs for a few days to visit my family. We were busy non-stop but it was nice to see everyone, even if only for a few days. We looked at some subdivisions near the base to get an idea of what was available and are confident we'll find something suitable over the summer.
I went to the gym for the first time in a few weeks today. How shall I describe it? It sucked. I wanted to get some exercise and feel like I accomplished something but two minutes in to the workout all I wanted to do was stop. I cut it short and decided baby steps was better than wearing myself out and getting sick again.
I'm taking a German class tonight and have a feeling I'll be in way over my head. I'm starting German III when it's been 16 years since I studied German. I don't remember much vocabulary or the cases but it's non-credit hours so it doesn't matter. At least I'm doing something, even if it's late in the game.
I didn't take pictures while we were on leave which is a real shame. Sam was the ring bearer and he was so cute that everyone moaned when he took the flower girl's hand at the end and walked down the aisle. I overheard several people talking about him at the reception. Ralphie had a little suit and all the grandparents GUSHED! It was adorable and quite amusing to watch them all. I'm disappointed I didn't take any photos.
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