January - I discovered the amazingness of the Hunger Games after a couple years of my friend Tamar pushing me to read it. I devoured the trilogy in less than a week.
February - I declared my hate for Valentine's Day. It's too commercialized and we don't need a day forcing us to be sweet and lovey. We stay away from restaurants and movies because of overcrowding. I'd rather eat at home and watch something on TV with my husband. It's quiet, healthier, and much more intimate.
March - Nothing too exciting.
April - Steve took the ASVAB. My parents and sister came to visit, and it snowed while they were here. Even though it was beautiful before and after they left. Go figure. We all went to Idaho to see old friends. I interviewed for a lead position at work.
May - I started my new position as a lead and had to call out twice during my first week from a nasty cold. Steve got down to the proper weight, and his recruiter started the paperwork to join the Air Force. Steve's parents came to visit over the Memorial Day weekend.
June - Kind of a slow month. I was getting the hang of being a lead. And we were both enjoying the warm weather
July - We got health insurance back! I went to a dermatologist straight away and got back on my medicine! Woo hoo! My knowledge of my car surpassed those of the "experts" when my car started acting up. I was impressed with myself haha.
August - My department at work went through major changes. It was also a major pain in the butt because of our equipment not working properly. My little sister came to visit! We had a blast! We went to Lagoon (an amusement park nearby). We both played laser tag for the first time.
September - I turned 24. We celebrated 3 years of marriage. Steve finally went to MEPs (Military Entrance Program) which is just a big physical. Stephanie came to visit for the night on her way to California.
October - Steve's mom came to visit for a weekend. I almost got a dog, but he was too high strung so after a lot of debating, A LOT of debating, I turned him down. Steve got my car towed after leaving it in the red zone over night. $210 down the drain. Steve turned 24.
November - We made our first turkey for Thanksgiving! I got my last depo shot. Nothing too exciting really.
December - Steve got a job in the Air Force and he leaves March 22nd. We got a list of possible bases, and Virginia is on it! I want to move to Virginia so very badly! My daddy bought me a Nook Tablet in the process of buying my step mom one. I found out a week later that he bought my sister a freaking car. I'm not even trying to hide my jealousy.
2012 is going to bring me a lot of change, and lots of stress to go with that change. Steve will be done with both basic and tech school, and unless he fails one of those, we'll be moving in July. I highly doubt that he'll get stationed here. It'd be nice if he did, but I seriously am begging for Langley, VA in my head.
I will be living alone for the first time in my life when Steve leaves. 3.5 months. It's pretty scary and looking extremely lonely... During that time though, my sister (possibly my dad too) will be coming to visit me. I'm trying to get my grandparents to come visit during the spring LDS conference since they are LDS and want to attend at least one. I figure this is the year to do it, since there will be no family here once we leave.
At the end of May, I have a wedding to attend in Montana, as well as Steve's basic training graduation in Texas. I think they will be consecutive weekends, but at this point I'm not sure if they'll actually be the same weekend. I'll be using all of my vacation time this spring/early summer.
As far as my job... I'll be working up until we move. I'm hoping I'll be able to transfer wherever we go. If not, I might look at school again. But I'll figure that out when the time comes.
It looks scary, but I can handle it. I'm a strong, young lady. Bring it, 2012!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Company
I love it when people come to see me/us for a few days. It makes me feel special and loved.
I also dislike it because then I feel like I have to clean and make everything perfect before they arrive.
I also dislike it because then I feel like I have to clean and make everything perfect before they arrive.
Campus or Online Campus?
So I’ve been thinking about
trying college again. Should I do an online school? And if so, which
one? Or would a physical classroom be better? Do employers care which
you’ve attended? Does it really matter if I get a bachelor’s from a
community college vs a university? I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I’m smart. I
could make it at a university, but community colleges are so much
cheaper!
Mistakes
How many times do we have to make the same mistake before we learn from it?
I’ll let you know if I ever figure it out.
I’ll let you know if I ever figure it out.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Favorite Candy
My favorite candy is equally reeses peanut butter cups or peanut butter
m&ms. Whoever decided to join chocolate and peanut butter… genius!
Unknown Number
If I don’t have your number programmed in my phone, I’m not going to answer when you call. I don’t answer strange calls.
Why can’t they create the same caller ID for cell phones as they do for landlines? Like if Pizza Hut calls me, it would say Pizza Hut – even if they have never called me before and I have never called them.
Why can’t they create the same caller ID for cell phones as they do for landlines? Like if Pizza Hut calls me, it would say Pizza Hut – even if they have never called me before and I have never called them.
Shopping
Your errands are not more important than disciplining your children. Control your child or leave.
Awkward, Hazardous and Just Plain Rude
People need to stay off their phones in the following situations:
Checking Out at the Store
Family Meals
Using the Restroom
While Driving
At Restaurants
Checking Out at the Store
Family Meals
Using the Restroom
While Driving
At Restaurants
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Strays
I would take in every stray animal in the world if I could. Even though I
know they were never meant to be domesticated in the first place, and
are actually made to withstand the elements.
Every time it gets below freezing… I say a little prayer for the animals to find warmth and safety. I hope I’m not alone.
Every time it gets below freezing… I say a little prayer for the animals to find warmth and safety. I hope I’m not alone.
Plastic Surgery
Unless severely burned or injured or born with a defect, I see no point
in it. I will only ever consider it if one of the first two scenarios
happens.
New Lease
We renewed our lease yesterday for another 12 months and got $250 off of our rent for January. That will help with saving for when Steve leaves. Why 12 months when we are leaving in 6? Because they have a military clause that lets us get out of our lease with no penalty fees. We also have no idea if we'll get UT as Steve's first base. It could happen.
We're trying to save up a month's worth of Steve's pay before he leaves so that we don't have to worry about bills. He will get paid during basic, but some of that goes to his uniform and other stuff and so we won't actually get all of it. We're not sure how much we will get, and we just want to be prepared.
I'm hoping we get a few hundred back in taxes, too. At this point, I'd rather give the government more during the year and get a large check at the end of the year rather than the other way around. We're horrible savers, so it doesn't make sense for us haha. Once we figure out how to save and invest, we'd want more money during the year and less at the end.
Steve's car is almost paid off. We're looking for a new internet provider because we are paying way too much. As soon as he leaves, I'll be cancelling our medical insurance from my work. We'll be saving $100 just in gas from his car every month. My grocery bill will be cut in half.
I know we'll be alright, but I have a routine right now for getting all of our bills paid and my routine is going to be interrupted and need to be reorganized. I just wish I could figure it out now, but I'll just have to wait until that time comes.
We're trying to save up a month's worth of Steve's pay before he leaves so that we don't have to worry about bills. He will get paid during basic, but some of that goes to his uniform and other stuff and so we won't actually get all of it. We're not sure how much we will get, and we just want to be prepared.
I'm hoping we get a few hundred back in taxes, too. At this point, I'd rather give the government more during the year and get a large check at the end of the year rather than the other way around. We're horrible savers, so it doesn't make sense for us haha. Once we figure out how to save and invest, we'd want more money during the year and less at the end.
Steve's car is almost paid off. We're looking for a new internet provider because we are paying way too much. As soon as he leaves, I'll be cancelling our medical insurance from my work. We'll be saving $100 just in gas from his car every month. My grocery bill will be cut in half.
I know we'll be alright, but I have a routine right now for getting all of our bills paid and my routine is going to be interrupted and need to be reorganized. I just wish I could figure it out now, but I'll just have to wait until that time comes.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Nook Tablet
My daddy bought me a Nook tablet for Christmas! I'm so excited!!!
I got a double discount the 16th - 18th. He was debating between getting my mom (Sonja) a Nook or an iPad. The only real differences are size, and which market they are on. Nook is on the android, and iPad is obviously apple.
But I got such a good deal that I convinced him the Nook tablet was for her. She travels a lot for work. It runs on wi-fi and so when she's stuck in a hotel, she's not confined to what's on her tv. She can get on Netflix and watch a movie! She's a reader. So she can pick it up and read whenever she has time. And there are all kinds of tools she can use for work, too!
Nooks are on a specialized android market, but you can root them to have full access to the market without voiding your warranty. It's even in the user manual, haha.
Anyway, in the process of getting her Nook, I asked if he'd buy me one too. He asked why I don't have one, and I told him because they are too expensive normally and I'm poor. So he said yes! REALLY???? Yes!!!
So happy and excited. My daddy's generosity and love... priceless. He surprises me all the time. I thought for sure he'd say no. I'm a lucky girl.
I'll be beaming for a week!
(Written on the 18th, but Sonja hasn't opened hers yet so it is postponed 'til Christmas.)
I got a double discount the 16th - 18th. He was debating between getting my mom (Sonja) a Nook or an iPad. The only real differences are size, and which market they are on. Nook is on the android, and iPad is obviously apple.
But I got such a good deal that I convinced him the Nook tablet was for her. She travels a lot for work. It runs on wi-fi and so when she's stuck in a hotel, she's not confined to what's on her tv. She can get on Netflix and watch a movie! She's a reader. So she can pick it up and read whenever she has time. And there are all kinds of tools she can use for work, too!
Nooks are on a specialized android market, but you can root them to have full access to the market without voiding your warranty. It's even in the user manual, haha.
Anyway, in the process of getting her Nook, I asked if he'd buy me one too. He asked why I don't have one, and I told him because they are too expensive normally and I'm poor. So he said yes! REALLY???? Yes!!!
So happy and excited. My daddy's generosity and love... priceless. He surprises me all the time. I thought for sure he'd say no. I'm a lucky girl.
I'll be beaming for a week!
(Written on the 18th, but Sonja hasn't opened hers yet so it is postponed 'til Christmas.)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Cider Chicken with Apples and Thyme
I haven't posted any recipes in a while so I thought I'd share this one. It's a definite favorite!
Ingredients:
4 (5 oz) skinless boneless chicken breasts
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
4 strips bacon, diced
1 Golden Delicious apple (unpeeled), cored and cut into chunks
1 Tbsp fresh chopped thyme, or 1 tsp dried
1 c apple cider
1/4 c chicken broth
------------------------------------------------------------------
Rub the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and tender, about 4 minutes on each side; transfer the chicken to a plate.
Add the onions and bacon to the skillet. Cook until the onions are softened and browned, about 8 minutes. Add the apple and thyme; cook until apple is tender and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cider and broth. Raise the heat to high and cook until the sauce boils and thicken slightly, about 5 minutes.
Return the chicken to the skillet briefly to heat through. Enjoy with your favorite side dish!
------------------------------------------------------------------
I cook my bacon first and add it back in with the chicken because I like my bacon crispy. If I can't find apple cider at the store, then I just use apple juice and some cinnamon. It tastes the same to me. If you try it and like it, let me know!
Ingredients:
4 (5 oz) skinless boneless chicken breasts
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
4 strips bacon, diced
1 Golden Delicious apple (unpeeled), cored and cut into chunks
1 Tbsp fresh chopped thyme, or 1 tsp dried
1 c apple cider
1/4 c chicken broth
------------------------------------------------------------------
Rub the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and tender, about 4 minutes on each side; transfer the chicken to a plate.
Add the onions and bacon to the skillet. Cook until the onions are softened and browned, about 8 minutes. Add the apple and thyme; cook until apple is tender and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cider and broth. Raise the heat to high and cook until the sauce boils and thicken slightly, about 5 minutes.
Return the chicken to the skillet briefly to heat through. Enjoy with your favorite side dish!
------------------------------------------------------------------
I cook my bacon first and add it back in with the chicken because I like my bacon crispy. If I can't find apple cider at the store, then I just use apple juice and some cinnamon. It tastes the same to me. If you try it and like it, let me know!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday Love
I love you because you do such a great job brushing our kitty, and it makes her love you more too.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Ornaments!!!
I like matching sets! And these matching gingerbreads are just too cute
I've had this one since I was little. I can't remember if it came from my mom's tree or my dad's tree, but it's mine now! It has my name on it!
These two are just so pretty! I love crystal!
Sonja kinda got me this one as a joke last year. I loved the little mermaid when I was little and would make her watch it with me over and over and over. Haha
This one was a gift from the place we got married, The Old South Dakota Governor's Mansion.
And of course, we got an ornament for the year we were married. I think my parents got us this one, too.
And then here's Jasmine, admiring them all haha
Monday, December 12, 2011
I will cry so hard if we get Alaska
We went and talked to the recruiter today to find out how long Steve's tech school will be. 6 weeks! 6 short weeks. That makes me so happy!
So he leaves March 22nd, goes to basic for 8.5 weeks, then straight to tech school (on the same base) for 6 weeks! So he should be done in the beginning of July, and then we'll know where we are moving to! Hooray! I'll only be all by lonesome for 3.5 months! And Stephanie has agreed to have the occasional sleepover! :)
We got a list of all the bases where his job exists, and Langley is on it! I'm going to hope and pray my very hardest that he gets Langley. I hope you too will pray that we get Langley. I'll have all my fingers and toes crossed.
You know what else is on the list? Alaska. Freaking Alaska. I will cry so hard if we get Alaska. I'm tired of the cold.
North Dakota is thankfully not on the list.
His dream list is going to consist of warm places.
1. Virginia (my parents live here)
2. California (my aunt lives here)
3. South Carolina (close to my parents)
4. Hawaii (paradise!)
5. Nevada (it's warm. and there's vegas!)
6. Utah (I'd be okay with staying here)
There really aren't too many on the list that I'd hate. My country might be screwed up, but I really don't want to go overseas. I don't want Alaska, Oklahoma, Nebraska or Arkansas either though.
He's signed up for 6 years. Assuming the world doesn't end next year, we'll reassess in 2018 if he's staying in or not. 2018 hahahaha that number sounds so futuristic. (Or is that just me?)
So he leaves March 22nd, goes to basic for 8.5 weeks, then straight to tech school (on the same base) for 6 weeks! So he should be done in the beginning of July, and then we'll know where we are moving to! Hooray! I'll only be all by lonesome for 3.5 months! And Stephanie has agreed to have the occasional sleepover! :)
We got a list of all the bases where his job exists, and Langley is on it! I'm going to hope and pray my very hardest that he gets Langley. I hope you too will pray that we get Langley. I'll have all my fingers and toes crossed.
You know what else is on the list? Alaska. Freaking Alaska. I will cry so hard if we get Alaska. I'm tired of the cold.
North Dakota is thankfully not on the list.
His dream list is going to consist of warm places.
1. Virginia (my parents live here)
2. California (my aunt lives here)
3. South Carolina (close to my parents)
4. Hawaii (paradise!)
5. Nevada (it's warm. and there's vegas!)
6. Utah (I'd be okay with staying here)
There really aren't too many on the list that I'd hate. My country might be screwed up, but I really don't want to go overseas. I don't want Alaska, Oklahoma, Nebraska or Arkansas either though.
He's signed up for 6 years. Assuming the world doesn't end next year, we'll reassess in 2018 if he's staying in or not. 2018 hahahaha that number sounds so futuristic. (Or is that just me?)
Friday, December 9, 2011
March 22nd
For those of you that haven't heard... Steve is leaving March 22nd for basic.
Boo.
That's 104 days left of a normal life where my husband is home every single night.
I'll give you more information next week.
Boo.
That's 104 days left of a normal life where my husband is home every single night.
I'll give you more information next week.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
My Christmas Tradition
I didn't even realize I had a Christmas tradition until this week. Every year though, I buy a new stuffed animal.
2005
2006
I skipped 2007 because we were in the middle of packing during the Christmas season.
2008
He and the next one are both from the bookstore I worked at in South Dakota. I loved that they are a matching pair. She originally had a light blue, snow flake scarf, but I wanted to make her prettier so I put a pink ribbon on her.
2009
I again skipped 2010 because we had just moved to Utah, and we were broke.
But this is 2011! Isn't he cute?!
He's the odd one out just because he's not a bear. But he was just too adorable, I had to have him.
I enjoy picking out my new bear (or reindeer) every year. :)
I enjoy picking out my new bear (or reindeer) every year. :)
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Today is clean the house day
Steve was throwing up all day yesterday, and so now today I am deep cleaning the whole house. I do not want to get that. It's been a very long, long time since I have and I want to keep it that way! I don't even like saying any of the words that describes that horrendous act haha.
Bathroom? Check!
Kitchen? Check!
Living Room? In progress
Bedroom? It's not really dirty, but I'll be washing the bedding tonight.
Thankfully, he's better today. :)
Bathroom? Check!
Kitchen? Check!
Living Room? In progress
Bedroom? It's not really dirty, but I'll be washing the bedding tonight.
Thankfully, he's better today. :)
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