Terribly Un-Crazy...

Normally my life is a little bit crazy. Everyone has a crazy life. But I feel like I have been so boring these past few weeks. Nothing to blog about. No funny or stressful stories to share. My co-workers aren't annoying me in funny ways. Blah is how my life has been. And there is nothing fun happening in the very near future that I can blog about. But I am excited to note that J and I made a "plan" for me to move to WA. Now this plan hinges on the Navy sending J to WA on the exact dates that they said he would be there, that he doesn't deploy right away, and that I can *maybe* find a job right away. So basically I am pretending to have a plan knowing full and well that this plan is going to be blown to smithereens at some point because even a newbie like me know that something will always come up and plans will always change. 


But at least I have a plan! (HA!)


Love, 
L

Meal Planning...

Since living with my in-laws I hardly cook. And while not cooking is amazing, I feel like I am starting to forget how to make all of the things I learned how to cook with the hubs. And J really dislikes eating the same things week after week. I had a brilliant idea to put all of the meals that I make down on one (or several) sheets of paper so once we are reunited I will remember that I know how to cook more than Spam and rice. So today I sat down and typed out pretty much all of the things I know how to cook. And what a sad little list it is. So now I am begging asking my MoLaw to teach me how to cook some of J's favorites. Today we made Enchiladas. Yum. I am stoked to know how to make these. He loves them, I love them, and while the may not be good for us I am excited to know how to make these for special occasions. 


Now I have to go thru my recipe book and add all of the things I have forgotten. Thank you Mom for buying me a recipe book as a wedding gift. I am forever grateful!


What do you do to keep from making the same things over and over again? And what are your hub's favorite meals?


Love ya home slice!!
L

Short and Sweet

With only a few more weeks until I see the hubs, I am jumping on the work out bandwagon. And especially because it is swimsuit season I am really feeling the need to get my butt in gear. I really have no set goal, just really wanting to tone up my whole body. Not a great goal because it really isn't specific but...it is what it is right now.


So, to get my booty in shape I am going to start walking Bob Barker more (he has some weight issues we need to work on anyway). And by more I mean at least 3 times a week (approx. a mile), then hiking on Saturdays with chel'u. Today I tried Insanity Cardio Abs. Um. Holy Cow. 15 min of ab hell. That will be apart of the line up FOR SURE. 


Now that I have blogged about it, I will have to do it. I know that I am not doing a ton to help me get in shape, but I feel like this is something I can commit to. At least for the next few weeks. I am really not worried about losing any weight just...tightening every thing up a bit. 


That's all for now, I'll let you know how it goes!
Love,
L

A little Summer Love...

It has FINALLY warmed up here. This weekend was in the 90's and it was amazing!!! Saturday started out with Bob Barker and I going on a walk and then some coffee and a good book on the back porch before it got too hot. Can you say relaxing?

This would be Bob "Barker"

After that was the bridal shower that would never end (not that I am complaining, remember?). We started decorating and setting up at about 11. It started at 1 and the bride to be may or may not have been late while we were entertaining everyone. We did great though =) Then I had made plans to go to a BBQ and beer tasting festival with my family around three. Thinking that the bridal shower would take about 2 or so hours. Nope, didn't leave there until 5:30, though the shower was pretty much over by three. What did we do for the next 2 and a half hours? Not really anything. And I carpooled with a friend so I was pretty much at her mercy. I finally did get to the beer and BBq festival and it was a ton of fun. We sat and listened to the band, Jeffy Pants (J's Uncle) and I tasted some beers together and then sat at my aunties house drinking vino and eating yummy bean dip. I ended up getting to do all the things I needed to do on Saturday, so it was a good day all in all.

Then today (Sunday) was amazing. Watched the church service online with the hubs (trflive.org if you are interested), drank my coffee, did some summer-wear shopping (yay!) and FINALLY got to hang out by the pool. So the majority of my day was spend lounging around the pool. Now I am no longer white, I am off-white! While my husband gets black, I barely get brown. It really isn't fair. Gotta love my sexy husband and his tan skin though! I'm jealous. =)

And now I am off to another great week. I am counting down the weeks (and days) till I see my husband. Maybe only 4 more weeks? Maybe more? But totally do-able! I can not wait to be reunited with my husband. Not only is he my best friend, but he is a sexy fox! I can't wait to just hang out with him again. The thing I am missing the most right now is just relaxing with my husband. Hanging out on the porch drinking coffee, walking the dogs and going hiking, just anything would be fantastic at the point. Soon though!!! =)

This is taken from our honeymoon...Our favorite place on earth, 

can't wait to go back! Though any beach with some sunshine 

would be amazing at this point!

Whoop There It Is!!!

Woo Hoo!!!! Due to some amazing instructions from Mrs. Gambizzle, I officially have a button!!! Go ahead and grab it =)


And does buttons remind anyone else of the Pussy Cat Dolls??? All I can hear right now its "...loosen up my buttons babe..." Hmm... Awkward song for 6:45 in the morning, I think! 


Have you checked out Mrs. Gambizzle's blog yet? She is pretty sweet!! I'm just sayin'!

Crazy life...

So now that I am finally (after 3 days) getting excited about my upcoming move to Washington (still TBD) I find myself thinking "Why not add some more crazyness to my life?" And that crazyness would be going back to school. 


A few years (man time flys!) I took a "break" from the local community college. I decided that because I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life I shouldn't waste my time and money to just go to school because that's what I "should" do. Well now I know what I want. Or at least a semblance of what I want. And that is a BA in Business Administration. Or something along those lines. Fairly generic, I know, but it will get the job done. 


So I am thinking of University of Phoenix. And it all seems pretty sweet. Especially the fact that there should be a campus "fairly close" (only an hour and a half or so away). Should I be in dire need of some face to face tutoring it would be do-able. The only things that are holding me back are A)Money. I am not sure that I want to take out loans to pay for my schooling. I am riding the "hate all debt" train right now. And B) It seems like UofP might be looked down of because it is an "online college" and definitely not a prestigious school. After you are in the work force it would seem like it wouldn't matter, but getting that first job after school it would seem that things could way heavily on where I went to school. 


Any ladies have any thought on University of Phoenix? Heard good things? Bad things? All input is appreciated! =)


Alright, Night now loves!
L

I have an AMAZING Button....

I do, I promise....It's really freakin's sweet too. Mrs. Gambizzle made me a really sweet button. But I am too much of a loser to figure out how to actually get it to my blog. Seriously. I have no idea how to get it on here. So I have made a plea of help out to the lovely Mrs. in hopes that she may be able to direct me. 


In other news with Mrs. Gambizzle, she is giving away a free bloggy makeover. That I would LOVE. Have you seen her blog? It's ADORABLE. Like seriously. I am so jealous. =) Any whoo... You should all go check her out (look her up and down, seriously, it's a sweet blog!) and comment to her on how you found her thru my bloggity blog. Even if you don't leave her a comment, you should still follow her because she is a DOLL! And I may love her puppies a little bit in their sailor outfits.  


Here's to hoping I get my button up soon!


Love,
L

Things that make my life HAPPY!!

To go along with "choosing to be happy" I thought I might blog about things that make me happy:


Skyping with my husband
Coffee in the morning (lots and lots of coffee)
Stilettos and Jeans
Soy chais
Food (in particular bacon, banana pancakes, kilbasa sausages, and everything you would find at a BBQ)
Hiking with my chetl'u
Girls night in
Sitting on the couch at the end of the day with my hubs just talking and unwinding.
Sunshine and warm water
Walks with the dogs
Cooking with the hubs




What makes you happy?


Love,
L

Promising to be happy

After spending the last few days being annoyed about EVERYTHING, I have made a decision to be positive. Again. So here I am telling you all (again) that I am going to make an effort to be happy. I am going to be happy about Washington, I'm going to be happy about spending a crap-ton of money to be in a friends wedding (and buy three themed outfits for three different occasions). I will no longer complain about it. That's the last time, I pinky promise! =)


In happier news, J's school is about half over. Not terribly longer until we get to see each other. SO HAPPY about that! I am excited for this new part of our life. 


Um *awkward* but I have been asked several times if I plan on living with my husband. Seriously? YES! Why the heck would I marry this man with no intentions of spending my life with him? I don't understand why people would ask me this question. Maybe it's just me? Or maybe ppl are just weird! 


Good night world, I am planing on going to sleep early tonight!


Love,
L

On my mind...

Totally random, but this has been on my mind and I have been stalking some of your blogs. I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but for me this blog is like my journal. My very public journal where lovely ladies leave me amazing comments and awesome advice. And the reason that I mention this is because I really don't have a direction on where this blog might be going. Actually I do know where it is going, and that is wherever my life takes me. Just so y'all know! =)

And because I get to talk about whatever tickles my fancy, I am going to talk some more about Washington. I know that WA is where my hubs and I are supposed to be. I know that J felt called to go there. And I know that as soon as we are moved there and I have a job and life is semi normal-ish I will probably LOVE being there. But right now, all I am really thinking about is: rain, scary looking apartment, rain, will our dogs be able to come with us, rain, will I find a job (or two) that pays similar to what I make now, rain, umm....taking a ferry? Scares me a little...don't know why, rain, and how the heck will I not get lost? I  get lost in Portland with GPS. I am an amazing navigator by the way. (Um...that might have been a lie.)

I promise you guys (uh gals!) that I am not Debbie Downer, Negative Nelly or any other loser like that. But I think I just need to talk myself into this one. I am STOKED to see and be with my hubs. I would follow him anywhere. Like Alaska. Or Guam (where he actually really wants to go and live). And I know once I am there I will be happy about it. Maybe it's just the anticipation that is getting to me. Or the fact that I have lived in the same valley for all of my 23 years. I think this first move will be the hardest. 

Whew....I think I just needed to get that all out. This may or may not be my last post about "moving to WA fears" but at least for now... I promise to do my best to see the glass half full with this one. Man I am being a complainer! SORRY! 

On a happier note, Bob "Barker" my chubby wiener dog has gone on several walks since his abscess incident with no limping afterwards. I am thinking he can move on up longer walks! Also, my chetl'u and I have been hiking the last two saturdays. Can I just say how blessed I am to have such an amazing sister-in-law. She is a wonderful mother, wife, and career-woman. She does it all and I strive to be like her when I have my own little chicks.

Um...this is turning into a novel. Thanks for listening, if you made it down this far. 

Love to my homies!

L

Washington Here We Come....

(J, You should probably not read this one =) )


J got his orders today and as my title says, we are headed to Northern Washington. While I am glad that we are staying West Coast (we are from Oregon) I am not terribly excited about rainy Washington. I love my sunny weather and I was sorta looking for forward to a nice and sunny beach. And looks like we are headed for a rainy beach most months out of the year. I should be happy though. J thought that I wanted to be in Washington over California (um...not really) which is why he chose Washington over California. Well I am sure not the only reason why, but part of the reason. 


I am really not terribly excited about Washington. And I don't think it's because of where we will be, I think it is more because I am really moving. For a girl that has pretty much lived within 20 miles of the place I was born for my whole entire life, moving for the first time is a little scary. Especially the whole starting over thing. Meeting new people, finding a new job, moving to a new house, new area. SCARY. And we (or rather I) still don't know when we are moving so I can't really prep or start applying for jobs. 


On the bright side, I am only 9 hours away from home, and only 5 hours away from three of my very good friends. And it looks like where we will be living is kind of a vacation spot during the summer, maybe I can convince my friends to come out and see me!!! 


So the questions that I am putting out there to all your verteren PCS'ers out there is: How to you research a new city that you are moving to? I am a partially "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of girl, and partially "over analyze everything" kind of girl.... GREAT combo. Plan, plan, plan, then wing it is basically what happens. 


Thanks for listening to me vent a little!!!!!
Love,
L


PS. J, if you read this, I am REALLY happy with what you chose. Promise!


PSS. Can I just say that I am super excited to even know where we are going to be living. YAY!!!! I just did a happy dance! =)

Word to your...Father (and some other things)

Father's day is coming up this weekend and I'm not gonna lie, Father's day stresses me out a little. I love my dad, dearly, but some times he acts a little more like my "free loving" uncle than my Dad. It's a bit of a complicated relationship. But the reason that Father's day stresses me out is that I don't know what to get him. To be honest, I don't want to get him anything except a card. Really? Father's day is one of those "made up holidays" that I am usually all for and participate in but for some reason I am just not feeling it. Ugh... I suppose I would have to explain my teenage/young adult/early 20's years to have it make sense and I am just not going to go there. So instead I am going to just think about it a little more. 

Karissa @ Being a Better Wife had a guest blogger, who blogged about becoming a better wife by becoming closer to God. And I just have to say, how freakin' true is that?! And it's not just being a better wife. I am a better friend, co-worker, wife, and person when I am closer to God. When I emerse myself in His word, and wait for the answers to my questions I am so much better off than charging ahead on my own without asking what His will is for me. So, in honor of Being a Better Wife, I am going to give my relationship with my physical father to my Heavenly Father. Let him guide me on how to create a peaceful relationship with my dad and maybe, just maybe show my Dad the light of Christ. I am going to ask God to be the center of my relationship with J. Pray that God wil guide my tongue with my friends and co-workers so I can use my words to build them up and not break them down. 

Phew!!! Feeling like I am needing a little extra work on my character. Grreeaat! 

Love to my homes!

L

P.S. J and I are thinking of doing a couples devotional. Does anyone have a suggestion? I have heard about Night Light and that is the only one on the list so far. Also, as a MilWife I heard Faith Deployed is good. Any thoughts? THANKS!!!!! <3

Totally Not Entertaining...

But I'm gonna post about it anyways because... I do what I want!!! =)


I am super duper stoked. A few days ago, J and I paid of our last and final credit card! I can't even tell you how freeing this feels. All of our extra money gets to go towards savings and fun things. Finally we will be able to buy things we want and not have to wait because we have to put money towards our credit cards...oh wait, that's what got us into trouble in the first place!  I am hoping from this point forward, out credit cards will only be use to pay bills and get gas so we can earn rewards points (thank you USAA and Costco!).  


And now that we have paid off our darned credit cards (cross that off the list) we get to start on goal #2 for this year which is have an emergency fund of 6K. So far we are about 1/3 of the way there. Whoop whoop! All in all, we are doing pretty well. We are on track to hopefully get the e-fund up to snuff by the end of the year. Then we get to move on to saving for fun things (like vacations and motorcycles) and double our e-fund. Yay! Numbers make me happy. Especially when they keep going up!


Sorry that this is not a very exciting post, but with being paid today and all the financial stuff going on in our life I just needed to get this part off my mind... And not bore my hubs with it any more!!! 


Love and God Bless!!!
LiLu

Aww....Thanks Kaylee @ small wonders!!!! Blogger Award =)

Thank you so much Kaylee @ small wonders for giving me the Beautiful Blog Award! This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy with rainbows and butterflies inside. Odd combo, but works no? =) Thanks so much lady! BTW, I love your blog too. I definitely don't feel like I have a beautiful blog... I think I need to buy a pretty one!!! Hmmm... Gonna have to talk to the Mr. about that!





Now it's my turn to pass this along to 7 other beautiful bloggers:


Miss Brittney @ A Day in the Life of a Navy Wife
Karissa @ Being a Better Wife
Amanda @ Trying My Best to be a Proverbs 31 Wife
Mrs. G.I. Joe @ ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutu's
Amber @ Goodnight Moon!
Expat Girl @ The Sand is Different Here 
Kaylee @ small wonders


Y'all are LOVELY!!!! And I read you every day...or whenever you post. Thanks for keeping me entertained lovelies! <3


Love, 
L

I've been ousted...

By my hubs. I guess this is what happens when I send the hubs my computer. He found it on the google chrome (love google chrome!) and started reading my blog.  And then he called me up and giggled at me! Rude Hubs! =) Ok maybe he didn't giggle. He laughed. Out loud! And then he said he was happy for me that I have somewhere to talk about what's going on in my life. 
Well J, if you are reading this...Love you favorite!!!!!


J's dad and I got together a care package for J. I made some brownies (one of my favorite things) to send to J. I am not sure that he will really love them, but he will love that I sent them to him. I think he is really missing home right now. I wish that I could be there with him, but soon enough. 


Can I just tell you all how amazing my husband is? I wrote him a letter of 100 reasons why I love him and gave it to him when he graduated basic. Since he has been in A School I get a text every morning from him. It's his list of 100 reasons why he loves me. I cannot think of a more perfect way to wake up every morning. 


I am not sure if any other MilSpouse feels this way, but knowing my husband before the military and knowing him now, he is a totally (well not totally) different person. All of his amazing qualities have been amplified. And all of his annoying qualities have diminished. He has really embraced his J-ness. And I love J when he is being himself. It is easy to get caught up in being someone else or acting like your not-so-amazing friends and lose yourself. J is back and better than ever. He is the most amazing husband and more importantly he is my bestest friend. He is my favorite. 


So J... If you are reading this, I love you more now that I did on the day we got married. Thank you for being my fabulous husband.


Love ya J Money!!!!
Love,
L

Rambings...

I get to go in late to work today! Yay! Except boo that it means that I have to work late... Or late-ish as the case may be. Oh well.


So as I sit here, downing my morning coffee (what good morning doesn't start with coffee???) I am contemplating my future. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. I really need to stop and just live in the moment but since I am already here I'm just going for it. 


I wonder how my life will change once we are fully in the Navy. And by that I mean living on (or near) a base, surrounded by other people in the military. I actually wonder a little on how my posts will change. Hmmm... I should probably stay a little anonymous just for the fact that I don't want to really tick people I know off.


On that note, another blogger mentioned that they have been censoring themselves a little bit in their blogs. And I have to say I AGREE!! I totally censor myself on here. There are a few people in my real life that read this and I am not sure if I want them to know EXACTLY what is going on in my little head at all times. Some things are just a little too personal. Or I don't want them to disagree with my opinion on my life or the choices and decisions that my hubs and I are making. For this reason I do not talk about blogging to me co-workers, most of my friends, family (except hubs, tho he has never seen this, and my mom). Sometimes I complain about them and I don't want them to know =) This is my place to vent and ask questions and just let myself think. And I don't think I want everyone I know to be apart of that. Basically I am saying that I don't want to hurt any one's feelings, and change any one's opinion of me. That is mainly why I blog anonymously. That, and there are CREEPERs out there. =)


Now I have to go get ready for work... Thanks for listening to my ramblings!!! This is totally how I am before I get my full intake of coffee. YUM! =)


Love ya homes!
L

Feeling a little alone today

I am sure that everyone else feels this way too, but with the hubs gone I feel extra alone when I am alone. The original plan for today was to go rafting with the in-laws. (HELLO SUNSHINE!) I love love LoVe rafting (thank you husband for really introducing it to me). Was going to get me tan on, and just generally relax on the river. Amazing, right? Well....plans change. Instead of rafting the in-laws are on the motorcycle going for a nice little ride. Which is amazing. I mean, if I could J and I would be going for a motorcycle ride. But as their plans change, so do mine. 


So instead of rafting... I laid out for about an hour, am currently watching NCIS reruns, and am thinking about heading out into the sunshine for another little bit. That's the new plan for the day. Eat and sun. And wish the hubs was here to do something fun with. Like hike. Or raft. Or sit on either ends of the couch and try to toss peanut butter M&M's into each other's mouths. (By the way, has anyone tried the coconut M&M's? I hear they are AMAZING, but can't find them ANY WHERE!) Ugh....and now I am wishing I did not love sweets so much. And I am thinking I should probably work out a little more. It is swim suit season and all. At least I went hiking with Chetl'u yesterday. And she was even kid-less! Major coup for her! And there are plans for another hike next weekend. Thats a start. And it's not like I don't have three dogs to walk. 


Hmm... Apparently I am finding things for me to do so I am not so alone...or bored. Better go before I decide that I should spring clean something!


Love to my homies!
L

Love Wednesdays...

Well actually, it's a love/hate thing. Wednesday means Family Dinner Night. Which is really one of my favorite days. I get to visit with my In-Laws (whom I see everyday), my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and also my lovely nieces. My nieces are 2 and 4 and some days they are crazy and some days they are lovely. Usually one is crazy and the other is lovely and funny. 


Today, my little niecey was a freakin HAM! Especially when we were skyping with J. She was so funny and just cracking everyone up. She kept telling J, "I Love you more!!" And really just talking about her day and her purse and what she keeps in there(this kid trucks around her purse with a cordless phone, keys, and sun glasses EVERYWHERE). My oldest niecey had just woken up from a nap, very grumpy and whiney. And when Mama walks in the door the whining goes thru the roof. 


Sometimes these girls are free birth control, let me tell you. And to all of you mothers out there, I am in awe of how amazing you are. I am over the whining is about three seconds flat. I know my nieces are good kids. They are abso-freakin'-adorable. But there is something about being with Mom and Dad at Grandma and Grandpa's house that makes these kids uncontrollably whiny. And I usually walk away thinking to myself "And I really want kids???? Am I nuts?!" 


I am sure every parent has experienced this. You know how good your kids (usually) are at home. And then there is something that just brings out the naughty. And it's like some other kids has taken over you sweet child's body. And this little monster comes out. Well, I guess they can't be good all the time or else you wouldn't appreciate the times they have little halo's above their head. 


Every Wednesday I find myself wondering if I am cut out to be a parent. Yep, babies are cute. It's their natural defense mechanism. And then they start talking. And then they form opinions. And you get the idea. Does everyone go thru this before they have kids? Question their sanity and wonder if they would make good parents? 


Well, hope everyone else is having a Happy Wednesday!


Love y'all!
L

Vacation

I, being the lucky little Navy wife I am, got to go visit my Mom this last weekend! I loved being able to go and visit her. There is nothing like hanging out with your mom to relax you a little bit. 


She and I got pedicures, ate tons of yummy food, went to the zoo, ate some more, walked around lots, relaxed, and just generally enjoyed each other's company. We talked a lot about the changes that are coming up for J and I, and yet again I have realized that I know next to zilch about what will be happening in our lives in the next ... lets say 3 months. 


I have no idea where I or we will be living, I don't know where I will be working, I don't know if both of my dogs will get to come with us. Will I have made friend? Will we live in a sketch neighborhood? Have annoying neighbors who throw house parties every night and have giant crazy dogs want to eat my wiener dog as a midnight snack? Will my husband be deployed? Will we be living together again? I could keep going, but I am sure you get the idea. 


Even as I think about all these questions rolling around in my pretty little head, I know that there is nothing that I can do to answer most of them. My life is in the hands of the US Navy. And while I am sure they are very capable, they sure will take their time letting us know what's going on. And it's not like I am high on their list of Navy wives who want answers. 


Being with my mom was a nice break from reality. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful mother. But now that I am back to reality, I am back to taking care of the homefront and getting to those tasks there were a little too overwhelming for me a few weeks ago. Most of it being the pile of paper work building on my desk (no bills of course!). In my crazy pile of doom I found the debit card my husband was asking about. The debit card I swore up and down did not come in the mail. Oops. Awesome. What else could be lurking in the pile of doom? Maybe I'll get to it... Tomorrow... Or the next day. 


Peace out G's!
Love, 
L

Short week...RaNdOm ThOuGhTs...

This week I got to have Monday off (thank you to all who are serving and all of the spouses out there willing to give up their other half for our country) and this Friday I am leaving to go visit my Mom! Yay! Should be a good trip. It's been a long while since just the two of us have gotten to spend time together. J keeps asking me if I can just stop on over in Pensacola... I WISH!! 


I keep thinking about our future together and I wish that God would just give me a peek at what's a head. I wish that I knew where we were going to be stationed and if he was going to be deployed right away. I wish that I knew what it is going to be like living with other military families. I hope that I will make lots of new *good* friends. I guess that at this point and all points really...I need to just trust in God. And trust that He knows the way and even though he's not sharing the map he is a much better navigator than I am and I am a sucky navigator...ask my hubs!


I have been doing a little blog surfing lately....and everyone has such cute blogs!!! And cute buttons! Hmm... Maybe I need to jump on the bandwagon. I am so techno-loserish I would definitely have to buy one. My blog design kind of annoys me. It feels like every few weeks something weird will happen and I can't post correctly and then I have to change my blog template. Annoying. Also, did you know that there are so many freakin blogs out there?!?! Holy Mackerel. So many great blogs. Seriously, I feel a little like a stalker, finding all of the random people's blogs and wanting to comment on them. 


Sorry about the random wanderings of my mind... It's a little bit of an ADD place in there. =)


Love ya!
L