The Few, The Proud, The Wife

Cupcakes, the Red Velvet Kind

2012-03-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

This isn't my first time blogging about cupcakes,

let alone Red Velvet cupcakes.

I haven't baked in a while.

At first I didn't have time.

Then, I lost interest.

Now, the interest is back!

DH's Marines ~~asked~~ begged me to

make them cupcakes...so, I finally caved in.

I spend the ENTIRE afternoon baking cupcakes for

the Marines...and of course, some for me :)

The result:

mark. Giveaway

2012-03-05T16:18:00.003-08:00

I am giving away to one (1) lucky winner a

On the Dot Neutral Eye Color Compact

RULES:

1) "like" my FB page [click here]

2) comment saying you want to win this

palette

Hobbies

2012-03-05T10:43:00.000-08:00

(image credit: Sage Wedding Pros)

I love them.

First it was blogging,

then sewing

and now I have gone onto

scrapbooking

(DH spoiled me with a cricut for my bday)

and I cannot tell you how great of a

stress outlet it is.

(personally, I'm not counting reading because

I always read...make sense?)

Whenever I'm irritated or stressed I go upstairs,

shut the door to my "idea" room and

swarm myself with sewing ideas,

crafting ideas or blog thoughts.

In the end,

I forget I'm stressed out.

I'm not a pro at any of them,

but at the same time...

you don't have to.

As long as you love doing

these hobbies...

that's all that really matters.

Do you have hobbies? What are they?

Does it help you de-stress?

Comedy at the Doctor's

2012-02-28T13:13:00.001-08:00

I hate going to the doctor's,

but it seems that they more I hate going

the more I need to go.

UGH!

So today was one of those days.

I had put of the need to go, that

I finally had to go.

Like it or not!

Off to the doctor's I went.

This time my own doctor wasn't there

so I had to see someone else.

I don't mind.

To me, a doctor is a doctor.

So off to the visit I went.

(I wont give you reasoning for my visit,

prefer to keep that private)

All I can say is that from the first two

seconds of talking to that doctor my

tension and nerves where gone out

the invisible window.

Gone.

From the minute the doctor walked in

until the appointment was over,

it was all laughter and relaxation.

For a moment I forgot I was in the doctor's office

wearing a gown with a huge opening down

my back.

I have never laughed so much at the

doctors.

Ever.

I am thankful for those doctors around.

How are your doctor's appointments?

Do the doctor's make you more nervous or do they put

you at ease?

mark. Monday (#2)

2012-02-27T10:14:00.001-08:00

Initially I wasn't going to post about

mark. today, BUT given the fact

that the new magalog (catalog + magazine)
came out on Thursday...I decided
to write about mark.

Begin your day with
moisturizing yourself.
Trust, me your body
will thank you...

Relief Effort Total Comfort Body Creme
(Made with Fair Trade Certified™ ingredients)

only $18

add some glow all over your

face with...

All the Highlights Soft Glow Illuminator

only $16

add some...

Lash All You Want High-Volume Mascara

only $10

grab your faux-leather

jacket...

A Little Bit Of Edge Jacket

only $75

accessorize with...

Lovin' and Leafin' Earrings

(made from real leaves coated in cooper and

silverton finish!)

only $20

and your ready to start your Monday.

Like what you see?

check out my mark e-boutique at mymarkstore.com/isanchezdeboado

and to "like" me on Facebook, click [here]

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO ME

2012-02-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

Today I'm turning 30

(image credit: we♥it)

!!!HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

I decided that instead of

writing a "to do" list of things to do

before I'm 40, I'd rather give you my

"top 30 things that I have done/accomplished/owned/etc." before 30.
(sorry for the long list)

Here they go:

1) visited all the continents!

2) gotten my Masters

3) worked at the UN

4) owned a pager/beeper
(don't be jealous...lol)

5) mastered the art of cooking!..
with a few defaults in between :)

6) have given myself absurd stomach
aches due to eating candy and soda in bulk!

7) lived in 10 countries

8) rememberd when Pluto was a planet.

9) wore baggy clothes in high school

(don't forget the red lipstick...oh yeah! HOT!)

10) self-taugh myself to snowboard
in less than 20mins

not bad for 30 :)

mark. Monday (#1)

2012-02-20T10:18:00.002-08:00

If you read my last post you know that I'm now a

mark. representative.

I've decided that some Mondays, not all

so that I wont bore you, I will blog about

mark. and its products!

Here it goes:

You day can start off with some moisture from...

For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin
Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

only $18

then doll yourself up with...

Dramatic Impact Deal
(only $34...a $46.50 value!)

includes:

- Snap To It Mini with two shades:
biscotti and fairy dust
-

Night Iris Eau De Toilette Spray

only $24

put on your...

Graphic Print Dress

on sale for $17.99

add some

great pieces like...

Decked Out Necklace

only $28

and don't forget your...

Some Like It Haute Bag

only $25 with select $20 mark purchase OR $34

to shop these or any items visit my store:

mymarkstore.com/isanchezdeboado

if you have any questions or want to host a party email me at

inesmark.representative@gmail.com

(hostess get a free gift plus lots of discounts!)

having fun shopping!

mark. representative & Giveaway

2012-02-17T14:38:00.000-08:00

I wanted to let you all know that I am

new mark. representative!

I wanted let you all know that you

are invited to my very first

online party.

how does it work?

go to: mymarkstore.com/isanchezdeboado

and purchase any product and receive

FREE shipping with your first time purchase

using the code: WELCOME

If you are a frequent customer,

use the code: MARKFS30, for any purchase over $30

for FREE shipping.

With a select $20 purchase, receive the

"Some Like It Haute Bag"

(Gray or Violet) for only $25 (originally a $35 bag)

Giveaway:

and be entered for a chance to WIN a

"Glow Baby Glow Hook Up Lip Gloss"

(color of your choice!)

When signing up at my e-boutique,

you'll receive e-mails on mark. promos, specials, parties, and much more.

Start shopping today at my e-boutique: mymarkstore.com/isanchezdeboado

questions?

email me at inesmark.representative@gmail.com

"like" my page facebook.com/inesmark.representative

Gnocchi alla Quattro Formaggi

2012-02-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

I love cooking from scratch,

so when DH and I got married one of the

gifts (that was also in the registry) was

this William-Sonoma Cookbook...

(image credit: Amazon)

I recommend this cookbook since it has all

sorts of recipes from all over the world.

From boeuf bourguignon to paella to gnocchi

alla quattro formaggi.

is your mouth watering yet? :)

Last night I decided to make:

Gnocchi all Quattro Formaggi

adapted from "The Willams-Sonoma Cookbook"

Don't be scared. Its really easy to make

Ingredients*:

- 6 medium sized potatoes, peeled

- 1 1/2 cups of flours

- 2 eggs

- 1/2 cup of heavy cream/heavy whipping cream

- 1/2 cup of provolone cheese, shredded

- 1/2 cup of crumbled blue cheese

- 1/4 cup of ricotta cheese

- 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated

- 1/2 teaspoon of thyme

- salt

- pepper

Directions:

- In a large pot filled with water boil the potatoes until tender.

- Drain and mash them (I used a potato ricer).

- In a large bowl combine the mashed potatoes, eggs and flour until you get a dough-like mixture.

- On a floured surface knead the potato mixture for about 2mins and divide in four-equal parts.

- Roll in each section into a rope and cute into squares; grab a fork and roll each piece over the fork to create the grooves (you don't have to put grooves, I didn't, but thats tradition.)

- Set aside; and boil water in a large pot.

- Grab a small saucepan and combine the cream, provolone and blue cheese crumbles until melted through (on low heat).

- Once all melted add the ricotta, Parmesan, thyme, salt and pepper.

- Keep stirring until well mixed.

- Once done set aside and add the gnocchi to the boiling water.

- You will know when the gnocchi's are done when they rise to the top.

- Don't drain the gnocchi (they will mush together). Grab a ladle and place in the plates and pour sauce over the gnocchi.

NOTE: I made enough to be able to freeze some gnocchi. I would recommend that you place them on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper or flour so they don't stick. Freeze them. Once frozen pick them off the cookie sheet and insert them in ziplock bags. This avoids them mushing together.

*I had to sub most of my cheeses because I couldn't get a hold of them.

Feeling Left Out

2012-02-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

Ever since I can remember,
I have been the only one in my family (a family of four!)

to have gotten left out of the loop on any and all family new...
extended and non.

The top three excuses have always been:

"I thought you knew"

"I'm sorry, I forgot"

"it wasn't that serious"

[when it WAS a serious problem]

Let me start from the beginning...

In my family it has always been us four.

My dad, my mom, my brother and I.
Four.

My dad is the youngest of four,

and his side of the family reside between Spain and NY.

My mom is the third eldest of nine and they all live in Argentina.

Then comes us...

the family of four...

and spread all over the globe.

Yes, we get left out of birthdays, baptisms, weddings, you name it.
Its understandable because we have always been far away.

But we have never gotten left out of any news, whether its good or bad.

Until me.
Just me.

Whether I was away at college or living in the same country, let alone

the same house, I have been left of the loop.
Completely.

It's not that I don't ask, I do...all the time, but for some reason my mother has taken it

upon herself to forget to "mention" any news to me.

It pisses the hell out of me.

When I call home, first things out of my mouth are:

"how are you? how is everyone? anything new?"

Simple questions that apparently aren't specific enough

for my mother.

{Example:}

The other day I found out a cousin of mine, in Argentina,

got married.
I found this out through Facebook.

Yeah.

I have told my mother over and over again to

STOP doing that to me.
It's the worst feeling being

left out.

But no matter how much I tell her, she still somehow

forgets to mention it to me.

Now, I know I'm not the only one

who has been through something like this.

As mil spouses, we tend to the the "boot"
from any kind of news.

How have you dealt with telling your
family that it's not fair to you?
Have they listened?
What would you do in my situation?

Turning 30

2012-02-07T20:41:00.001-08:00

In less than 20 days I will be turning 30

EEEK!

and, of course, I'm freaking out (internally, of course).

Why? I'm getting older, not younger, that's

for starters.

Other stuff include:

- no job

- no kids

- no career

and a lot of other things in the middle

that tie into the above but I don't want to

burden you with my "sadness".

The other night I told DH about

how I was feeling. He said something

that really made me feel...

let's just say that the

"getting-old" funk mostly left

the building.

(but lets be honest, no woman is ever

going to feel better about getting older)

He said:

"Babe, you don't have to worry about those things,

everything will be ok. We are ok. We have a roof

over our heads, food, I have a job...that's a lot

compared to what many people don't have.
We

have it great.
We have a great marriage and

that's what should matter."

After he said that I felt a whole lot better.
Usually DH says some smart-ass stuff
and the conversation ends with
"did-you-hear-what-I-said" look.
But not this time...
I left with the
"you-are-right" look which, of course,
doesn't happen too often ;)

Quiche Lorraine

2012-02-07T10:20:00.003-08:00

If there's one thing I miss about my childhood,

it has to be my mom's cooking.

My mom is one of those mom's who

hates to cook, but when

she cooks she's makes some UH-MAZING

stuff.

When I was in Spain for Christmas I asked her

to "run by" a few recipes for me.

One of them was...

Quiche Lorraine

It's very simple...trust me.

Ingredients:

- 1 ½ cup of flour

- 1 cup of cold butter, cubed

- ½ cup of water

- 1 egg yolk*

- pinch of salt

- ⅔ cup of milk

- 1 cup of heavy cream

- 2 strip of bacon, cut into small strips

- ⅓ cup of grated Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese

- ½ cup of cubed Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese

- 4 eggs

Directions:

- Mix the flour, salt and butter together by hand or with a dough blender.

- Add water little by little as needed.

- Add the egg yolk to the center of the mixture and mix together.

- Refrigerate for 20 minutes

- Mix together the eggs, salt, heavy cream and milk. Set aside.

- Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out and the place it on your baking dish (make sure

you buttered the dish)

- With a fork make little dents on the crust, so that the dough can "breath while it bakes",

add the cubed cheese and bacon strips

- Bake for 20mins at 375 degrees, then remove

- Add milk mixture, be sure not to over fill, and top it off with the grated cheese

- Bake for 30mins at 375 degrees

(you can buy the premade crust, but I like making everything from scratch)

* some recipes do not use an egg yolk, you decide. the consistency will be the same

"What Did You Do This Weekend?"

2012-02-06T08:47:00.009-08:00

I finally finished, with great

sadness, the last book of

"The Hunger Games" trilogy.

[insert sad face here]

(image credit: Entertainment Weekly)

If you haven't read them, I'm recommending you

to do so...you WILL get hooked!

AAAAND

I think I should bake these in order to

commemorate the book, no?

Source: hggirlonfire.com via ines on Pinterest

DH and I went on a date and had some
yummy Mexican food.

Followed by going to see,
"One For The Money"

(image credit: MoviesCut)

The movies was "okaaay"...I just felt that it was

too predictable and they tried to make it funny

but flopped at it....oh well.

DH found and bought a 1942 Kenmore sewing machine

for me...and it was only $40!!!

The machine works, though DH says he's still going

"update" the wiring. He's also going to sand it and

paint it....I'm thinking mustard color?

I don't think I will use the actual sewing machine,

but instead replace it with mine and probably

display the old one somewhere else.

We shall see.

I watched the Super Bowl...

actually, I lied, I was watching the

commercials....GUILTY! :)

BUUUUUT

I did root for the Pats!

I think my favorite commerical was
this one...

AND this one...

"How was your weekend?"

The Laundry Dispute

2012-02-02T08:53:00.001-08:00

Since we don't have kids, DH takes it upon himself to be the messy one in the household. Brownie comes a close second with her toys scattered all around (it seriously looks like we have a child).

it is usually much worse than this.

When DH comes home he leaves a trail leading up to where he is. His cover, boots and followed, finally, by his blouse. Sometimes, he gets ready for bed in the living room and of course his clothes never make it to the hamper. Sometimes, just sometimes, he's nice enough to leave the dirty clothes on the floor next to the hamper...but that's only sometimes when he wants to help with the cleaning.

I'm training him to leave them inside the hamper, but that may take longer than training Brownie how to stay (which only took an hour!)

The sad thing, I know I'm not alone there. I have talked/ranted to a few wives and they have said the EXACT.SAME.THING!

I have asked DH repeatedly to help me out and put the dirty clothes in the hamper, his response: "but babe, I do that so you can keep busy!" [insert puppy dog eyes here & sarcastic tone] (yup! he said that.)

"DH, when will you learn?!?!"

Biltong...the next beef jerky!

2012-01-30T14:19:00.000-08:00

Have I ever told you bloggies that I lived in Namibia?

(For those who don't know,
its a country located in Southern Africa, right above South Africa.)

We moved there right after it gained independence in 1990

and lived there for almost 5 years!

Well, one of the wives out here is from

Botswana and

their cultures are very a like (Namibia's and Botswana's that is).

I found out she was making biltong

(its a southern-Africa type of beef jerky)
and I wanted some...badly.

The other day, out of the blue, she gave
her husband some to give to DH for me...

I am one happy lady right now.

Oooooh! the memories :)

Spain - Navarra (part 3)

2012-01-25T08:51:00.000-08:00

My dad is originally from a little town called Tafalla, about 20mins from Pamplona (where they do the running of the bulls). The day after Christmas we headed out Tafalla so that DH could meet the rest of the family and get to know other parts of Spain.

Tafalla is a small town and when I mean small I really do mean small. You barely need your car to travel "far", unless its to go to the supermarket, but that's because you need help with carrying all your groceries. Shops, pharmacy, government, etc closes for siesta (2pm - 5pm).

We also decided to head to Pamplona and visit the famous city.

The next day we headed out to Olite and Ujué, two small towns near Tafalla (they are even smaller than Tafalla, didn't know that was possible.)

Next: San Sebastián

Meal Planning

2012-01-24T08:14:00.001-08:00

I loathe meal planning.

I love to cook, but the planning...oh, the planning.

I usually go to the commissary with a list that

attaches itself to a well scrutinized meal plan,

and usually it goes well.

But sometimes planning meals for the week or two are the

worst.

Its as if all your good ideas have gone to the

well planned meals you made the week before and

now you are left with nothing.

So here I am, planning...

Also, it doesn't help that DH is a picky eater. So, when

I plan a meal I must remind myself: no veggies, no this, not that.

I need something like this:

Source: robbygurlscreations.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

How do you plan with your "non-creative" weeks?

HUN: "Transitioning After A Deployment"

2012-01-23T12:10:00.001-08:00

So its been a little over 2 months since DH

came home and this is how the

transition has been so far...

To read more head on over to the HUN.

Q & A Meme

2012-01-21T22:01:00.000-08:00

I got tagged by Sarah @ Adventures in Life, so here it goes...
The Rules

1. You must post the rules. (and link up who tagged you)
2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.
4. Tag however many people you want
5. Let them know you've tagged them!

11 Facts About Me

1. I'm almost 30 (a month-shy)...aaaaahhhhh

2. I can cook/bake almost anything, but I cannot make mashed potatoes from scratch.

3. I laugh about the silly things I have done (best medicine!)

4. I am not a person you want to be around when I'm mad

5. I was born in Kenya

6. I love reading "Real Simple" magazine

7. I wear glasses

8. I own over 12 pair of Converses

9. My biggest weakness... bags/purses

10. I don't drink coffee...I'm a tea gal!

11. I'm a sucker for chick flicks

Sarah's Questions For me

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, except where you are living now, where would you live?

It would be a toss up between Boston, NYC and London.

2. What is your dream job?

Working for the UN...I gotta dream big :0

3. How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?

*chuck*chuck*chuck*

4. Do you own any Scentsy? If so, what's your favorite Scent?

French Lavender! (I think I bought my first one from you!)

5. What's your best accomplishment in life up until this point?

Getting my masters.

6. If you could give $1million to any charity, which one would you give to?

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

7. Do you believe dogs are people too? (hint: the correct answer is YES!)

YES!!!

8. What do you think of the Honey Badger?

who?

9. Who would you call first, if you won the lottery?

My husband.

10. Do you wear shoes in the house?

no, slippers.

11. Could you live without a computer?

yup! to be honest, I have done the whole "live without electronics for week", and not on purpose, and it felt great!

My Questions for Tagged Friends

1. Coke or Pepsi?

2. Best book that you have read recently?

3. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

4. Whats your favorite wine?

5. Mac or Pc?

6. Whats your favorite meal?

7. Whats your favorite quote?

8. Dream vacation?

9. Do you have an agenda? If so, is it on your phone or do you own an actual agenda?

10. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

11. Favorite holiday?

My Tagged Friends
1. Erika @ Chambanachik
2. Heidi @ Empty Nest, PCS and all the Rest
3. Skinnie Piggie
4. Elizabeth @ The Young Reitree

Military Girl Interview

2012-01-18T08:33:00.001-08:00

Please head on over to Melissa Jaine

as she interviews me [click here to read] for her amazing

segment...

"Military Girls"

Spain - Toledo (Part 2)

2012-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

Centuries and centuries and centuries ago Toledo use to be the capital of Spain. Toledo also, as DH found out, use to make the NCO and Officer swords for the Marine Corps...how neat is that?!?! (Toledo has a million and one stores and where they sell swords and while walking around the city DH began to notice the similarities in swords).

Toledo is about an hour away from Madrid and a small enough town to make the trip in a day. The last time I went to Toledo was about 10 years ago and in the blistering heat...NEVER AGAIN!

UP NEXT: Navarra (Tafalla, Pamplona)

Spain - Madrid (Part 1)

2012-01-12T08:19:00.002-08:00

I owe you all a HUGE apology. Its been a little over a week and I have not blogged once about my trip to visit my family in Spain.

So here its goes...

Madrid

After +15 hours of traveling, not counting from the time we woke up, we were pretty much POOPED and all we wanted to do was to go to sleep. I swear, traveling to Europe makes DH's and my sleep schedule switch, I'm the early bird meanwhile he sleeps until noon. Oh well, I'm not allowed to say anything about his sleep because then I can hear my mom saying, "Ines, don't be mean. He was just in Afghanistan."I swear my mom spoiled him more than me and he knew it too...MEN! hahaha

It was good to be around my family and it was good to be around a friend environment. Thanks goodness for DH that my family speaks English, because poor guy only know but three words in Spanish.

In Madrid we did the whole touristy thing. We went on the double-decker bus, attended local attractions, etc. We also celebrated Christmas and New Year's Eve there (though we didn't go out for NYE because we are booooring...hahaha)

I LOVE Madrid, such a beautiful city.

Next up: Toledo

Cleaning With Pinterest

2012-01-06T12:35:00.000-08:00

I've been struggling with cleaning my stove burners.

They are disgusting. Like nasty-distgusting.

I tried everything from soaking them in steaming hot water to scrubbing them with baking soda and lemon juice...

NOTHING WORKED!

My MiL came across this pin on Pinterest (where else?).

Basically you put 1/4 cup of ammonia in a large ziplock bag with the stove burner, leave outside overnights and let the fumes do the magic. Then use a sponge to easily rub off the grease.

IT WORKED

The only slight difference was that I had to scrub rather than

wipe with the sponge (like it said on the pin) due to the nastiness of the grease.

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-04T09:08:00.001-08:00

(image credit: Leehippie)

Initially I wasn't going to do any New Year's Resolutions.

I kept saying to myself, "I never finish them," which, in all

actuality, is true. The first two weeks I'm doing an amazing job...

then....I get distracted...sigh :/

So here goes my "I-REALLY-WANT-TO-FINISH" resolutions:

- Patience, patience, patience...did I mention patience?!?!

- Deep condition the crap out of my hair more often

(flat iron junkie right here!)

- I dont drink coffee, so Coca-Cola's are my caffeine...so, let's

keep them to a minimum shall we?!?!

- Keep in touch with people more often

(I've been seriously slacking with this

and I have no good excuse)

- Keep a normal sleep schedule, because the one I have
SUCKS!

- FIND A GOOD JOB!!!

have you made any resolutions? tell me about them!

!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2011-12-31T08:47:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year

(image credit: Comments Yard)

Feliz Año Nuevo

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner Is....

2011-12-29T15:00:00.002-08:00

And the winner of the darling dress,

Azure Coast, sponsored by Shabby Apple is...

SEMPER WIFEY

!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Please email me within 48hours (thefewtheproudthewife@gmail.com) to claim your

prize!

Merry Christmas/Feliz Navidad

2011-12-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

From my family to yours,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

De mi familia a la suya,

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Shabby Apple Giveaway

2011-12-22T08:05:00.002-08:00

I LOVE Shabby Apple.

Browsing through their website you feel like you

are in a vintaged-inspired modernized world and, you know,

that their clothes will fit you like a glove.

Today,
Shabby Apple is giving away one dress to one lucky winner..

Azure Coast

I can totally see myself wearing this dress with a pair of big dark sunglasses

and high heels galloping around Europe....or on base for that matter :)

Can you?

RULES:

- you MUST "like" Shabby Apple on Facebook

- you MUST be a follower of this blog

Additional Entries:

- follow Shabby Apple on Twitter (@ShabbyApple)

- follow Shabby Apple on their blog (Shappy Apple - An Apple A Day)

- tell me which is your favorite item an the Shabby Apple website

*please leave a comment for every item done*

*open to US Residents only*

Winner will be notified on THIS blog ONE week from today (December 29th)

at 12pm PST.

!!!G'LUCK!!!

*All images are from ShabbyApple.com*

"exuse me, but I think you have the wrong room..."

2011-12-16T03:50:00.002-08:00

"Hola" from sunny-Madrid, where the sun doesn't rise until

8am, dinner is served at 9pm, commericals last very close to 10mins and

drinking and eating is a way of life.

Source: noholidaynolife.com via Joans on Pinterest

The trip was long.
We had to stay the night at a hotel near LAX (funny thing happened)
because our flight to Boston, where we

made our connecting flight, left at 7am. Of course, I didn't sleep being that we had to be up

at 3am. We left LA with the sun barely up and arrived to Boston with the sun setting. Getting to Boston

I had to fight the urge of wondering the city (oh, I miss you Boston).

After walking around to stretch our legs we munched on some amazing Dunkin' Donuts and
even took pictures with Santa!

We arrived to Spain E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D. and now we are just
fighting with jetlag and enjoying our vacation.

So here's the funny thing that happened at the hotel:

We checked in at the hotel near LAX, grabbed our suitcases and followed
the directions given to us by the front desk to get to our room.
It ended up taking us forever to get to our room and I thought to myself,
"why did the
front desk tell me to go this way?"
We get to our room and our key wasn't working...GREAT!
I ran back down and they re-whatever to my card to make it work.
I head back to our room and our card still wasn't working...DAMMIT!
All of a sudden we hear:

Stranger: " this is my room"
[DH and I exchanged glances]
Stranger: "this is room 308. my room"
[I stop and give DH the "oh-shit-is-happeneing-look"]
Me: "why do I have a feeling that I misread our room
numer...[fumbling with my things I find our
room number, 380!]...yes, I did misread. I am so sorry."

At this point DH couldn't stop laughing and I, of course, turned beet
red of embarassment. Thank goodness the stranger had a sense of humor.

MilSpouse Holiday Blog Swap

2011-12-14T05:04:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the first annual "MilSpouse Holiday Blog Swap" presented by

Riding the Roller Coaster.

This an organized blog swap hosted

by MilSpouse bloggers around.

Before I introduce my guest blogger, I want to remind you all to

head on over the Riding the Roller Coaster for more fun filled

holiday stories after you have read this story...

(pssst. I'm featured over at All Because Two People Fell In Love)

My guest blogger is Poe Kitten @ Many Waters.

Poe Kitten is a New Englander married to a Sailor and they are

currently living in the Pacific Northwest.

I love her blog! She writes about everything and anything.

So, without further ado, I present to you Poe Kitten's guest post...

Hello lovely readers, I'm Poe. I'm excited to take over Ines's blog today...thank you for letting me! I think she's been enjoying having her husband home and I hope they have a wonderful holiday together.

I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday season. I love the decorations and food and family and reason we celebrate Christmas. One of the best parts (to me!) of the season is the traditions. I love how the traditions connect the years and give each year deeper meaning. Since getting married, it's been interesting meshing traditions. Mostly it's been me sharing traditions with my husband, but he's gotten one or two in there! Not all of my family traditions have survived the years but several still exist. We've managed to incorporated several into our family and there are several that we hope to add!

The first tradition is to get our tree. Growing up my family usually had a real tree but The Man had great memories of going out and cutting down their trees. I've always thought it sounded like fun so it was easy to embrace this tradition! We're still trying to find our favorite tree farm. This year it took us about 20 minutes to find the tree, cut it down, pay for it and drive out. That's was the quickest tree finding expedition I've ever experienced! I can't wait to do this with our kids!

The Man & Poe with our tree, 2009

One of my favorite traditions is going to church on Christmas Eve. I prefer a candlelight service but any Christmas Eve service will do. After talking with people we head home and another tradition comes into play: new pj's. I've had new pj's for every Christmas Eve I've been alive for (all 32 of 'em!) DH has gotten grown to enjoy this one as he now gets new pj's too. We get into our new pj's and snuggle, maybe pop in a Christmas movie and just enjoy the tree and each other. Often we'll open one or two gifts on Christmas Eve. We just about always consider opening them all but I usually keep us from doing that as I want to prolong the surprises in store just a little longer! I love the anticipation.

Then we go to bed. As a kid I tended to sleep in on Christmas morning and had to be woken up. The older I get the earlier I wake up and want to open gifts. I try to wait till a reasonable hour but I can't promise that always happens! Once we're up, stockings are always first. Stockings can be amazing and so much fun to open! After stockings we stock up on cider/hot cocoa/coffee/tea and The Man works on homemade cinnamon rolls. Once that's done and they are either rising or baking, we go back and open gifts. One at a time so we can enjoy giving and receiving, because both are fun!

The Man making cinnamon rolls

There are a couple of traditions we'd like to start. One is that we'll buy an ornament every year for our munchkins. We'll enjoy them as a family till the munchkins moves out and then they can take them with them. My parents did this for me and The Man's did it for him. We had more ornaments as newlyweds than we should have and it was great!

(image credit: The Dollar Store Craft)

Another tradition I'd like to start is by making a memory ornament every year. I found it on Pinterest (where else?) and think it's a great idea! Basically you get an inexpensive ornament and then write memories from the year on it. Brilliant! I have a hard time keeping track of what happened when and I know my memory going to continue to go!

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

Are there any that you would like to start?

"Fraudulent Activity"

2011-12-13T08:45:00.001-08:00

I am one to hail the attentiveness of banks. The fact that they call you to notify you of "odd" activity shows that they are actually taking a very serious interest in your money. Before DH deployed we were in Napa and received a call from the bank about "fraudulent activity". The fraudulent activity was the amounts of wine bottles purchased on our trip. I was just thankful they called and didn't cancel our account.

Although, at times, they go the extreme and block your credit card without notifying you: It was the week before I got married - at the time my bank was in the UK - my bank decided to "block" my card and not let me use. Not only did this happen once, but three times in one week! Not only did I have to call my bank, but the fact that it happened three times after I notified them that I was living in the US several times was beyond me. Also, don't get me started on how long it took me to transfer my money and close my bank account. Needless to say, I no longer use said nameless bank.

And now, the latest one...

The other day DH and I headed to the outlets to do some last minute Christmas shopping. On the way to the car I told DH that I "needed to use the bathroom" and hurried to the store where he had been gawking and drooling over an item. I went into the store and purchased the gift. Since I was in a rush to not get caught, I felt as thought the sales associate was taking forever in getting my gift ready. Why does that always happen?! So I headed to the car thinking that I had this whole scheme down to a T. I got in and all of a sudden, as if it they where watching me, he gets a call from our bank talking about "fraudulent activity". WTF?!?!?! I kept my fingers crossed that they wouldn't say the name of the store. I got my wish, but they did say they amount...DOH! I looked away and told DH, "just press 1 and don't ask any questions". I couldn't believe that of all the time, they called that time. I almost got away with it and he wouldn't have known!

!!!HAPPY {2 YEAR} ANNIVERSARY!!!

2011-12-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABE!!!

I love you

Forever & Always

Lesson's Learned at the USMC Ball

2011-12-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

I've learned quite a bit from every ball I have been to so far. For instance, to not wait until the last minute to get dressed and do your hair to what dress I should buy. This is what I learnt at this year's ball.

Don't bother with getting a professional manicure UNLESS you have acrylics or gel.

I normally don't do anything crazy when I got to a ball. I usually do my own hair, make-up and nails.

This year I decided to pamper myself and get a mani/pedi. I mean, c'mon, I paid next to nothing for

my dress. I had shoes and purse and all was left to buy was my Aladdin-Genine looking bracelet and big statement earrings. So, of I went for my mani/pedi. LOVED my pedi, always do. But my nails, I loved them until they chipped hours before the ball. BUT, fear not, I did bring nail polish since I knew that could be a problem.

I am too old to go clubbing anymore.

After the ball DH and I and some of the other Marine's and their spouses/dates decided to go clubbing. BIG MISTAKE. I was bored fifteen minutes after we arrived. When the hell did I get this old?

Always bring flip flops

Lets be realistic, I can't walk in heels. I mean, I can but I can't. Get it? I'm flats/Converse-type of chick, put me in heels and you will be guaranteed that I will walk funny.

I will leave you all with pics of DH and I at the ball...

Chambanachick's Christmas Giveaway

2011-12-05T04:00:00.019-08:00

Erika over @ Chambanachick is hosting

various giveaways on her blog and

she wants YOU to head on

over there for a chance to win

some very lovely and awesome prizes.

I have decided to pitch in and giveaway...

clutch

matching earrings...WOHOO!!!

on her blog

RULES:

-Follow Erika's blog (Chambanachik)

-Follow my blog (The Few, The Proud, The Wife)

*REMEMBER: to leave a comment for each done job on

Erika's blog NOT mine

The winner will be chosen Monday, 12th of December.

So stay tuned to

Erika's blog as she announces the lucky winners

(NOTE: I will send the winner their prize after the New Year's)

HUN: "At Last My Husband is Home: A Homecoming Story"

2011-12-02T11:41:00.001-08:00

Remember about that article I was going to post today on the HUN??!?!

Its up!

Go and read about reuniting DH after 7 long months!

A Homecoming Story

From Homecoming To Now

2011-11-29T08:49:00.002-08:00

So I'm due for a serious update to all of you. With homecoming, Thanksgiving, my in laws arriving and a bunch of things going on in the middle I have barely have had anytime to myself. But alas, here I am.

I have written a piece about DH's homecoming on the Homefront United Network, which will be featured this Friday (12/1)...so stay tuned there (and yes, that was my public service announcement for the HUN.)

Aside from welcoming DH home and reconnecting with him, to getting things ready for the surprise arrival of my SiL and my nephew [click here to know what I'm talking about], to the arrival of my MiL, to Thanksgiving, to recuperating from drinking absurd amounts of ~~wine~~ water, to visiting nearby places and getting everything ready before...all that stuff kind of exhausts you. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Before I was alone. Now, I have all I need.

Thanksgiving went wonderful. We didn't cook a turkey *gasp* BUT, hear me out, we ordered one from Honeybaked Ham (not sure if you have heard of it, but I totally recommend it) and of course, a ham. It was less stressful than cooking a turkey for 5 people, being that 3 of us were females and one was 13 months baby...and lets be realistic, women eat less than men. But we did do all the fun sides: sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing (which I can eat as a main course if allowed), gravy, bread, corn, peas and of course, apple pie and Nana's Pudding Cake (DH's favorite: yellow cake, cut up in squares with hot vanilla pudding poured over it)...great! now I'm hungry!

After stuffing ourselves until we couldn't walk, we decided to sit outside, because we live in the middle of the desert and it never gets cold, and that's when we began to consume endless bottles of ~~wine~~ water

and battled over who was the "Phase 10" champion. Ps. for a person who played for the first time, I did pretty darn well if I do say so myself.

On Black Friday we didn't really venture out. To be honest, I'm frightened of Black Friday. We did however veg out until my SiL and I decided to see what deals they had at the PX and Walmart (I know, such crazy shoppers). But I am happy to say that I have finally come to the darkside and am a proud owner of a Dyson. Which, by the way, was purchased on Wednesday and we got an UH-mazing deal on it!

We did manage to go to the outlets on Saturday, which were crazily packed. It was so crazy that popular stores like Coach had a line to get in. I did managed to score some Christmas gifts!

We also headed to Palm Springs to enjoy a nice stroll along El Paseo and had some yummy food at Tommy Bahamas (which I never knew "did" food).

It was great to have family around and, as always, its sad to see them go. Until next time...

Well, that's it for what's been going on with me. We have the Marine Ball coming up, so I will definitely be blogging about that!!!

A Surprise For Hubby

2011-11-23T11:55:00.001-08:00

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved."

-Victor Hugo

A few weeks ago my SiL called to tell me that she was planning on coming to California for Thanksgiving. My MiL was already coming and DH knew, but he didn't know about his sister and her son coming. So we decided to keep it a surprise.
With numerous phone calls, texts and doctor's appointments (my nephew wasn't feeling well) my SiL called me Monday to say she was "good to go" and will be here on Tuesday. Of course, I had to create a lie as to why I was heading to Palm Springs and be on my merry way.
I picked up my SiL and nephew and began driving back to Palm Springs. We had a slight scare when DH called over the Bluetooth, lucky for us my SiL entertained her son while I tried not to giggle like a little school girl when I spoke to DH.
We got home and waitied. I had no clue when DH was getting off work, but as luck would have it it wasn't long. All of a sudden we heard his truck, we hid minus my nephew who was wandering around the door. DH opened the door and was slightly confused as to why Brownie didn't great him and why there was a one year old wandering around....*ding*ding*ding*...wheels began to turn and he realized what was a going on.
I'm glad we were able to make this happen. The effort done by my SiL of flying last minute with a baby and the look on DH's face...priceless.

(image credit: My SiL's Facebook page)

Homecoming

2011-11-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

After 7 months of sleepless nights and lonesome days,
DH is finally home and I could not be any more happy.

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

A big THANK YOU to all the Veterans,

past, present and future...

(image credit: San Jose Community)

HAPPY 236TH BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

2011-11-10T15:58:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES

(image credit: 3.7Mustang)

Did I Choose The Right Career?

2011-11-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

- Michael Jordan

As MilSpouses, I we can all relate the to job or career field. Lately I've had the "Did I Choose The Right Career?" question floating in my mind and I keep telling myself:

"...if I could go back, I would do it completely different."

"...if back then I knew what my future held then I wouldn't have studied what I studied."

But I didn't and I can't go back in time to change things around. I have contemplated going back to school and getting another master's in something more "useful", BUT when I started doing my research I realized that I wasn't eligible for MYCAA and other financial help (boo). I must also admit that I didn't want to give up "my career" and start from zero. I love what I studied. I love what it stands for. But I hate how I can't use it.

I sometimes wonder,

"what if I become a nurse?"

"what about getting my teaching certificate?".

But is that really what I want? Is that really what I stressed and cried and worried and endured sleepless nights for when I got my BA or MA? No! I think those, the ones mentioned above, are wonderful careers (kudos to you MilSpouses who have chosen that route!) But I chose my studies before I met my husband and before I really knew how hard it was to have a career as a MilSpouse.

Am I the only one who feels like this?

A Visit to the Doctor

2011-10-27T08:30:00.006-07:00

A funny thing happened at the doctor's....

All last week I was having major boobie pain (I'd use the word breast, but using that word makes me think of chicken breast...so, boobie it is) to the point that it was odder than odd. It was so odd because I couldn't feel the pain when I checked, but it felt like it was there. Like a sensation. I usually get bobbie pain when I have my monthly visitor and, when I was younger, I use to get unbearable bobbie pain that would last two weeks until I got my visitor. But this was just odd.

Thank goodness I had a doctor's appointment later in the week, but bad because the pain was making a nervous wreck. I checked my boobies to make sure I didn't find anything...and nothing. But the pain was still worrying me. It was nothing like I've ever had before. The pain was centralized from one boob to the next and when I had checked, I felt no pain.

So finally my doctor's appointment arrived and off to the doctor's I went. I was so nervous that I couldn't even read my book. I was so nervous that every time a name was called I jumped. I was so nervous that when the nurse came to talk to me and tell me there was a HUGE delay I could barely swallow. Not going to lie, anything to do with my boobies makes me nervous.

Finally it was my turn.

As the doc commenced on his routine check, I tell him about my "issue".

Doctor: "have you checked yourself?"

Me: "yes and nothing."

Doctor: "where are you in regards to your menstrual cycle?"

Me: "well, according to my app on my phone, I'm

fertile and ovulating"

He. Could. Not. Stop. Laughing.

I'm fine. Doctor said that pain is normal, even if I've never had anything like it.

I thought I'd share with you this amusing conversation with my doctor.

Another Recap

2011-10-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

I really thought I wasn't going to be doing anymore of these "recaps", but I guess I lied to myself...DOH! [insert Homer Simpson's voice here]

My newest and latest addiction in the "Sewing Game"

is making earrings out of fabric.

I have made so many that I have no room in my jewelry box...

I have also sold my very first item...

I really wanted to keep them for myself :)

I have also become a HUGE fan of fabric boxes...

this one is currently holding all my belts

The other night a friend of mine, who is originally from Jamaica,

had a Jamaican dinner at her house. She didn't know how

to make beef patties (which are my fave!), but she did consoled

me with some fried plantains...

YUM!

I finally decided to whip out the Grenadine and

make myself a Shirley Temple...

memories

Ordered DH's homecoming banner

AND

I'm in the midst of finishing up a homemade banner,

which will be hung up on the garage...

the one I ordered...its a surprise for DH, hence as
to why I'm not showing it.

I haven't finished it yet...but its ALL made out of
fabric

Saw another beautiful desert sunset...

AND...

Of course I HAD to add a picture of Brownie :)...

HUN: "Independent Woman?"

2011-10-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Head on over to the HUN and read my latest

article about being independent when my husband

is deployed.

"Independent Woman?"

psssst. I love comments, so leave some

(you no longer need to be a member

to leave a comment)

The Bunny vs Me

2011-10-08T08:46:00.001-07:00

Here's something to laugh about:

The other day I was running errands and had to stop by my house to drop something off, pick something up and head to my next errand-mission. In the process of being home I opened the garage door, pulled my car in but decided on not closing the garage. I mean, what for? I was only going in and out of the house. I leave. Close the garage door and finish running my errands. I come home open the garage door. Close it and go about my day.

A little later I decide to check to make sure I closed the garage door. I open the door leading to the garage and see a bunny hopping around. I screamed! I closed the door quickly and composed myself. I opened the door again and opened the garage door. I left the door open for a few minutes in hopes that the bunny go out.

It did...

Or so I thought...

Later in the evening I hear a rattle in the garage. I call my friend and she said she's bringing over her son so he can get the bunny out of the garage. He finds it a matter of seconds hidden behind one of many DH's boxes. He moves this around and eventually manages to free the bunny. It was so tiny. Poor bunny.

I swear, if I had carrots I could've lured that bunny out. HEY! it works on Bugs Bunny.

HUN: "The Foreign Marriage"

2011-10-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

Head on over to the HUN to read my latest post about,

"The Foreign Marriage".

Leave your comments and questions!

and yes, this is my PR moment :)

Recap

2011-10-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I haven't blogged in a while. I do have a good excuse though...I have nothing to blog about. Literally.

Instead of doing a "Week/Weekend Recap", I'd thought I'd do "Fun Events That Have Happened To Me Lately Recap" type post. Like I said, I haven't been doing much, but the exciting and fun things I have been doing have spread throughout some weeks.

So, here it goes...

First:

Deployment is slowly creeping up to an end and I'm starting to get more and more excited by each passing minute. CAN'T WAIT!!!

Second:

A few weeks ago some of the wives and I celebrated a friend's birthday. We asked her what she wanted to do and she said "karaoke". We found one in downtown 29 at one of the local bars. Planned It. "Dressed Up" (I put this in quotations marks because if you have been to 29 you know that you don't really need/have to "dress up") and enjoyed our night.

We had so much fun trying to sing...

apparently, i did not know the words to the song

Busting out our finest moves on the dance floor...

don't you just love my expression. i know, i know...HOTNESS (hahaha)

...and relaxing for the first time in a long time.

Third:

My MiL came to visit. I can honestly say that it was great having her around. I needed that. I needed family around. I had to stop her from crying when she left, because I knew that if she cried that would be it for me.

The most memorable thing from that trip was her being able to see and talk to DH. When I found out my MiL was coming DH and I planned for her to go to his unit and talk to him via VTC. I had it all mastered out. I was going to ask her to come with me to his unit because I "had to sign some papers" (lie) and she could see where he worked. She had said "yes" earlier in the day until bed time came around. She had been up all night the night before and was functioning on 5 hours of sleep so she told me that if she's up she'll come with me. If not, leave without her. DAMMIT! I immediately messaged my SiL to see if she could "con" her into waking up and coming with me. It took a lot of convincing from my SiL but she finally arose and came along. We get to the unit and I take her to the VTC. At this point she's lost. She has no clue what she's doing there and why I'm leaving her, until I tell her "have fun talking to Brian". She started to cry. Bless :)

Fourth:

I got my Erin Condren Life planner (aka: planner/agenda) and I love it!!! It has everything (stickers, room to write, etc)...its my new BFF!

this is how it came packaged

Fifth:

This one is bittersweet. I send job applications and I have actually been getting callbacks, but, of course, I never get the job. Its good and bad. Good that I'm actually moving to be considered. Bad because I still have no job.

Sixth:

I finally figured out, and sewed, some much needed throw pillowcases. Our bedroom colors are: red, brown and beige but the brown was taking over the room. Kind of making it "blah".

That's it for my recap!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

Téléphérique de la Bastille (Grenoble 2005)

Skinnie's 25th Birthday Palooza Giveaway

2011-09-26T08:48:00.001-07:00

"What's this?" you ask yourself...

Skinnie Piggie is turning 25 and she wants YOU

to win some lovely gifts the week of her birthday.

I have decide to help out and donate this fabulous handmade clutch.

Want it?

Then read head on over to her blog to enter for a chance to win it.

How To Enter

-Follow Skinnie Piggie's blog {SkinniePiggie}

-Follow my blog {The Few, The Proud, The Wife}

-Post about the giveaway including the button linking back to Skinnie Piggie's blog

PS. leave a comment for each item you have completed

NOTE: all comments for the giveaway should be posted on

Skinnie Piggie's blog post, NOT here.

Giveaway ends Wednesday September 28th at 6pm Hawaii Time (9pm PST, 11:59pm EST)

Winner will be announced on

Thursday September 29th on Skinnie Piggie's blog!

A Day At The Vet

2011-09-24T08:53:00.009-07:00

Yes people, another Brownie post...

It has started to get somewhat cooler over here so, at the start of the week I decided that to start walking Brownie to the dog park. Brownie was loving it. She was running around, playing with other dogs (Great Danes to be exact) and by the time we got home she was POOPED!

The other afternoon, after returning from the dog park, I noticed Brownie licking her paws constantly. I checked but didn't see nor feel anything, or so I thought. Then I notice that between her eyes where two bumps. I touched them to see if they hurt, but she just stood there. Then I began feeling and seeing more bumps around her body. I checked her paws again and noticed more bumps there. I freaked! I called the vet, whom where closed, and left a message to get an appointment for the following day.

They called. Got an appointment. Went to the vet.

Side note: Brownie loves the vet! She loves the vet so much, that she gets so excited that she pees. We are now greeted with a mop in hand...hahahha

The vet looked at her and said it was bug bites, not sure what, but they started her off on antibiotic and benadryl.

I didn't have benadryl at home so I went to the exchange. Nada. Went to Rite Aide, but started getting confused because they had way too many options. I think at Rite Aide I called the vet 5 times that I ended up purchasing the benadryl and taking it to the vet to make sure it was ok.

I get home give her the benadryl and she starts making these throwing up/something-tickling-my-throat noises. I freak! I wait to see if it passes, but it doesn't and I call the vet. I take her to the vet. They check her out and they see that she's completely fine. The vet later figured out that the benadryl, which was in liquid form, could've gone down a wrong "tube" and in turn caused her to react like that.

Brownie is fine now, aside from her bug bites. I hope whatever she had goes away soon. Poor baby :(

On another "side" note: I think I called the vet that about 50 times that day...maybe I shouldn't have kids?!?!?hahaha

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Sydney Harbor (Syndey, 2011)

Romance Novels

2011-09-19T08:47:00.002-07:00

You know what I'm talking about.

The one you keep hidden in your nightstand.

The one that you make a special book cover, so that

no one knows what you are reading.

The one that never makes it on your bookcase, but has a special

place in the bottom of your closet.

The one where at the bookstore you scout the isle before

preceding to browse it.

The one that gets your a big flustered.

I have never in my life ever read a romance novel, until recently. The thought of a romance novel seemed dumb. I mean I love the Danielle Steel Lifetime movies, but I couldn't see myself ever reading those types of books. I like action, murder, espionage in my books, not some silly romance where you know how its going to turn out like. Well, just like Lifetime movies, those books suck you in!

I remember going to Walmart and checking out the book collection and I stumped upon Nora Robert's collection of the "Bride Quartet". I read the cover and thought "why not". I grabbed the book and others, place the Nora Roberts books strategically between the others, so that DH would not make fun of me, and made my way to the check out isle.

In most of the books that I read there was some type of romance. Actually, the only romance there was was always with a the lead character and whomever he/she was investigating. It didn't say much, but you obviously got the hint that they go it on.

I proceeded to read the first of the Bride Quartet and found myself a little flustered. I remember one time that I had to put the book down and DH, who was sitting next to me, asked if I was ok. I said "yeah" in a "oh-shit-did-he-read-what-I-read" kind of way. I just laughed and told him what I was reading.

I then read the second and third of the Bride Quartet and recently the fourth, my favorite of the three. It was funny, it was romantic and it was...well, it was a romance novel. All I can say that when your spouse is deployed don't read these types of books. I had to put the book down numerous times in just one page! hahaha

do you have a guilty pleasure of reading romance novels?

Shaklee Giveaway

2011-09-15T08:12:00.005-07:00

I LOVE to clean!

Really, I do.

Its the only time that I have control over something.

Its my zen!

I was contacted by Andrea @ Maia The Bee (if you haven't checked
out her blog, do so...its the cutest!), who is

a distributor for Shaklee Products, and offered by do a review

of one of their products, Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate.

So, as you can imagine I was thrilled to do this review.

C'mon, a review to clean something...LOVE IT!

I decided to try this on the dirtiest thing around the house,
the glass-patio-table.
(its actually been raining here in 29, so add
that with some sand and...EEK!)

Before

ewwwwwww!

After

so nice and shiny...and clean :)

Still not convinced?
Here's some more helpful information on the product:

Use on any washable surface – indoors or out

Walls, Windows and Mirrors, Countertops, Floors, Appliances, Stoves, Sealed Woodwork, Pots and Pans, Furniture

Clean Credentials

Nontoxic

Natural

Doubly concentrated

Biodegradable Surfactants

Cost?

One (1) 16oz bottle costs $10.35

You only use 2 teaspoons per gallon,

which makes about 48 gallons which totals out to .22cents a gallon.

an average cleaner costs you this:

One (1) 32oz bottle costs $2.37.

You then you use straight out the bottle which equal to 1/4 of a gallon,

you end up paying $9.48 per gallon.

OUCH!

Andrea is giving away 5 sample sized bottles of
Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate,
like this one:

to 5 lucky winners!

Rules:

- You must follow Andrea's blog (Maia The Bee)

- You must like Andrea's on Facebook (click here)

- You must follow Andrea on Twitter (MamaBee_Z)

Additional points:

- Be a follower of my blog

- Leave a comment telling me how much, on average, you spend on

cleaning supplies

PS. leave a comment for each item you have completed

Giveaway ends Thursday, September 22nd at 12pm (PST).

I will announce the winners via post and you will have 24 hours to claim your price. If
I don't hear from you in 24 hours I will have to forfeit you :(...
so stay tuned!

ONE MORE THING!

Free membership with the purchase of Vitalizer at member’s price, plus a MaiaBee Special (it’s free shipping but we are not supposed to announce that online!)

Happy Birthday My Love

2011-09-14T08:13:00.001-07:00

Today is my love's birthday...

!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

(image credit: We♥It)

Since we can't spend it together, due to the little thing

called deployment, I made sure he got an

awesome birthday care-package.

The contents:

Babe,
I hope you have a wonderful birthday.

I love you and miss you.

always and forever.

Fabric Flowers In A Vase

2011-09-13T18:10:00.003-07:00

I love flowers.

But living in the dessert its pretty hard,

and pricey, to find any pretty and inexpensive flowers.

I love roses, orchids and lillies.

The last time I had an orchid in my house, it died :(

I either gave it too much water or it over-dried.

The only thing that does last in my house is when

DH buy me a bouquet of flowers.

Ice will be your best friend. Seriously.

Fill-up the vase and add ice and watch as

your bouquet lasts longer than usual.

So yesterday I decided I wanted to try something different.

Fabric flowers in a vase.

It worked!

You'll need:

-scrap fabric (vary in length)

-wood stick (or do as I did and use zip-ties)

-glue gun

-small vase or mason jar

Directions:

-Scrunch up the fabric and glue together

(trick is to go in a circle)

-push wooden stick or zip tie through the middle of the flower

-add fabric to the part where the end of your flower and wooden stick

or zip tie meet on the outside...its way of sealing it off.

Play around with different styles.

It surely is brightening my bedside table :)

Meet A MilSpouse Monday Featuring Me

2011-09-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

Head on over to

Diary of A Devil Dog Wife

and read my

"Meet A MilSpouse Monday V.27"

questionnaire/interview!

10th Anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-11T08:11:00.006-07:00

Take a moment of silence to remember...

those who lost their lives that tragic day;

the FDNY, NYPD and Port Authority who

put their lives at stake;

and to those who protect our freedom everyday...

NEVER FORGET

(image credit: UPI.com)

(image credit: NYC Insider Guide)

HUN: "Remembering 9/11"

2011-09-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

If you have the chance, head on over to the HUN

this week for a special week dedicated to the

10th anniversary of 9/11.

That being said, head on over and read my article,

"Remembering 9/11"

Flowers To Make Me Smile

2011-09-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

This past week I have been sick,

UGLY sick.

I have been staying home, drinking tea,

watching Criminal Minds or Cold Case and

shunning myself from the rest of the world.

Friday my doorbell rang *ring*

It was the florist with beautiful flowers from

DH *love*

and a romantic note:

Dear Deployment,

I'm ready for you to be over. It is you, its not me.

Sincerely,

A Marine Wife Who Wants Her Husband Home

Sew Far

2011-08-26T09:08:00.003-07:00

I realized I haven't been document on my blog what I have sewn so far, so here's a picture-update:

fabric flower

manicure pouch

some latest styles (clutches)

my obsession with bows begins

continues

business card/id card holder

I have yet no clue what I'm going to do with my sewing. No clue if I'll be opening an Etsy shop. No clue if I'll be giving these as gifts. But for now, I'm just enjoying myself.

Cooking Disaster

2011-08-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

I'm always up for trying new recipes. The worst that can happen is that its horrible and its gets thrown away. The best that can happen is that is a success. Well, the other night the worst happened, plus more.

I really wanted some Spanish lentil soup, the kind my dad makes. But since I was being too lazy I decided to look up recipes for the soup but on the slow cooker. I was out of onion, it called for one, so I subbed with onion powder. The equivalent of one onion is one TEASPOON, not one TABLESPOON and then some (ahem, Ines, ahem). So I went ahead and made the soup.

A friend of mine comes over and we get to chatting and realize that its almost dinner time. I invite her to try some of my new soup. I did warn her it was my first time making this (and thank goodness I have cooked for her before, so this soup can't scar my cooking abilities...can it?). So we started eating it and I realized it was too salty...WAY too salty. We both finished our plates and then she headed home.

GROWL

That was the sound of my stomach for 10 minutes after she left.

CLENCH
(sorry TMI)

I ran upstairs to the bathroom and...well...you can guess what happened next.

OH MY! I cannot believe that this happened. Not only to me, but to my friend. I felt horrible. Who knew that to much of a salty product could have this affect on you.

Lets just say that they lentil soup got thrown out and I'm definitely buying onions next time. OH, and I am no longer letting my friends try my new recipes without me trying them first.

I told DH what happened, his response:

"glad it wasn't me who you tested this recipe on"

NICE babe, nice!

Now What?

2011-08-17T19:46:00.004-07:00

Sorry for my lack of posts. I really haven't had much to say, but I thought I'd give you all a little update on what I have been up to.

My last day was Saturday and it was like any other, just a little more quieter. I wasn't expecting a big farewell and I got nothing, just a simple "see you later".

So what now?

Source: theglitterguide.tumblr.com via Shop Sweet Things with Jeanne on Pinterest

I am still job searching like a crazy woman. I also have more time for Brownie (of course) and fixing little odds and ends around the house. I am also continuing with my sewing, which I still don't know in what direction I want to take it to. It would be nice to open an Etsy shop, but am I really good enough to open one? I'm just not in the mood of being disappointed. But we shall see. I know my mom wants me to make her some items so she can give as gifts for whenever for whatever.

Right now I'm just taking it easy and not rush into things like I did with that "old" job I had. I gave it a chance, a VERY good and long one, but it smacked me right in the face. So for now, no more "smacking" jobs :) I'm also not going to stress about it until DH comes home. I want time to be with him when he returns. I want time to get the house ready for his return. Purchase all the goodies he has been wanting to eat and drink. And, of course, spoil him rotten. So, I'm not going to "push" the job search hardcore, I'm going to take it lightly and when he returns I will be on the job search like its cool.

I Won A Coach Bag

2011-08-14T08:45:00.001-07:00

The other night the FRO held a murder mystery dinner for the wives. This was my first time going to any kind of dinner like this, so I had absolutely no idea what to expect. A few days before the dinner the FRO emailed us our characters and I was stumped. I read my character, but I didn't know what else to do. Was I suppose to kill someone? Was someone suppose to kill me? if so, could they kill me when I'm sitting down comfortably...just sayin'.

The night of the dinner we all wore our little black dresses, as asked in the invitation, and went on our fabulous way to the murder mystery dinner. (BOOO! I didn't take a picture with all us hot sexy ladies). I only knew a few of the wives, I suck at mingling so I ended up not getting to know more of the wives as I should've (good job Ines, good job). It took a while for all of us to get into character, but by the end of the night I finally knew what I was doing...YAY!

me attempting to do a sexy pose. as you can tell
i failed miserably...hahahah

my character

Here comes the fun part. I won a Coach bag:

"How?" You ask yourselves. Well, we had to guess the murder at the end of the night, then write it on a piece of paper and it got put in the raffle. I NEVER win anything, so I was pretty stumped and happy that I actually won aaaaand I won a Coach bag...aaaaaaaahhhhhh [insert happy scream here].

Sewing: Bow Bag

2011-08-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

I've been going through sewing withdrawal (LAME) and wanted to make a new bag.

I came across this bag, and Anthro Knock-Off Bag (which normally costs $498) tutorial

(image credit: The Little Apple Seed)

I purchased the fabrics and threads and got to work.

Everything went fine until I hit the band section. This part got a little more

complicated because (a) I didn't read the instructions well and (b) thought I knew

what I was doing.

This is the final result:

I'm planning on making another to perfect the band section, which the camera hides

so well in these pictures :)

If you want to learn how to make this bag head on over to The Little Apple Seed!

Song Link-Up Week 25

2011-08-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Haven't done these in a while...

I'm a HUGE Craig David fan and I was so excited when I found this song.

Here's Remady Ft/ Craig David "Do It On My Own"

HUN: "Writing A Resume"

2011-08-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

Even though I may not have a job (thanks 29 Palms, thanks), I do know how to write a resume.

So, head on over to the HUN to read my latest article on what you need

in order to write a good resume.

"Writing a Resume"

Sewing: my newest bag

2011-08-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

After my first successful attempt at making a bag I decided that I needed to make another, because its not like I have a million others, right? :). I semi-followed a pattern, actually the only thing I did was cut out the shapes. That's it. After that I just went with what I thought made sense. And this is what came out:

I love the style of the bag.

The only thing I'm not yet sure is if I like my lining. It is different and that's what I was going for.

Two Weeks Notice

2011-08-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

I did it.

I quit.

I feel a great sense of relief. This was definitely not what I wanted, but I had to do. For my DH's and my sake. I wasn't happy from day one and these final four weeks did it.

Funny thing, I knew what to expect from this. I knew the moment I said, "I'm giving you my two weeks notice" that the person's reaction was going "caring-less" reaction. I was expecting nothing and I got nothing and I'm fully content with it.

In two weeks I'll be back in the unemployment line. I feel like I never left this line to begin with. Sad.

Oh well, c'est la vie and life goes on. Now I can focus a little more on me, and of course DH (which I have never stopped focusing on).

I {heart} bags

2011-07-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

My biggest addiction is bags. Any kind and any brand. I don't discriminate. Because I loooove bags so much I decided to try to make one myself. I bought the pattern of the style I wanted, because apparently I couldn't understand a single tutorial online. I got the pattern and fabrics and got to work. Well, I think it took me an hour to understand and not comprehend one bit of the pattern instructions...great. I did as best as I could, I think I got to step 2, and gave me up and re-tried the tutorial I found online. They actually made sense to me, unlike seeing them the first time, and I went from there to here:

lining with pocket

small detail

I should really give myself a pat on the back. Not in a million years did I ever think I could accomplish such a thing, seriously. Yes, there are plenty of flaws in this bag but I must say its not bad at all for a first timer.

Now to make another bag in another color and maybe style :)

To Quit Or Not To Quit

2011-07-28T09:11:00.002-07:00

Thanks everyone for your advice and comments on my last post.

So here's more of the work update.

I wake up with worry and stress just thinking about quitting and thinking about my job and maybe that should be a big enough hint to do so and quit. This week hasn't been any better and it doesn't look like its going to get any better. I can't trust anyone and I'm lost and confused.
If I quit I don't want to feel like I'm not contributing to this household. I clean, cook, do laundry, fix things, etc around the house, but I feel like I need to do more. I know you all are saying to yourselves that that IS contributing but I feel like I could do more, money wise.
Do we need the money? No, but its nice to have that extra bit of money.
I have been applying to jobs, TRUST ME!

I spoke briefly to DH about it and he told me to just quit, but he also had to go and we couldn't really get into more detail. So I'm waiting on that to make my final decision.

I'm 99.9% sure that I've made up my mind. I just need DH's 1% to finalize the deal for me.

I need some luck...

HUN: "Table For One"

2011-07-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Go check out my newest article on the HUN about being, and eating, alone during a deployment,

"Table for One"

Damn zippers

2011-07-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

As most of you know I have taken a new hobby, sewing. I have succesfully made two pj bottoms...well, three actually, but the second one was WAY too tight...wedgie tight if you know what i mean. I have also made some sunglass cases to carry around my purse instead of using the chunky ones you get. Now I have finally finished sewing my first make-up bag and its by far the hardest one I've done so far.

First of, my first time dealing with zippers. SOMEONE COULD'VE WARNED ME!!! I broke my first needle during my attempt.

poor needle, you shall be missed.

Then, I used a fusible vinyl on fabric...great right? NO! Ummmm, its such a sticky and yet slippery fabric that it has driven me NUTS!

I spent 3 hours attempting to make this look decent.

The final result:

Need Your Help MilSpouses

2011-07-21T08:50:00.005-07:00

I normally don't do this, but I'm kind of desperate....

As most of you know, I write for the HUN (Homefront United Network) along with many other wonderful MilSpouses.

I am currently amidst a project and I need your help. The HUN is looking to create a subpage within the website dedicated to milspouses who make and sell handmade items. In return this will help you sell more of your items and expand us as network.

As of right now we would have to charge for the space, but the price hasn't been set since we are still working things out.

If you are interested please email me, even if you are not 100% sure.

Please email me at info@homefrontunited.com or you can leave your email and I will contact you.

Thanks for taking your time in reading this...I appreciate it!

Chicken Wire It Is

2011-07-19T07:33:00.002-07:00

A special thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions about

Brownie's digging. YOU ROCK!

So you remember last week's post about Brownie digging? [if not, read here].

Well, I followed almost all the advices people suggested (except for placing her poop where she digs). I first tried the Cayenne Pepper, but for some reason she didn't mind it. Either that or she liked it, who knows with Brownie :)

Yesterday I headed to Home Depot and purchased some chicken wire.

in this one the firepit was covering it

this is were the red crate stood

I want to say her digging is due to the fact that she wants to play with other dogs. When I went to Australia I left her at this dog sitting farm and was constantly surrounded by dogs (I love the place because the owner constantly posted pictures on FB and it comforted me to know she was ok). Also, I think this because she's been digging at our neighbors and ours fence, they have two dogs. I swear, one day I'm going to find her next door...lol

A Blah Week

2011-07-17T09:40:00.001-07:00

I need a favor: Can you PLEASE tell me a funny story...PLEASE [insert sad puppy eye here]

This week did it for me. It had started well, but then it all went down hill and so has my mood. I also think my mood has been lingering there for quite a while waiting to surface.

Monday started off great. I went to volunteer and they decided to move me projects to something I've been wanting to do, so "YAY" on that :) Then Tuesday everything just started to go sour. I've been missing DH a lot more lately, it was probably not a good idea that I watch "Battle LA", huh? It sucks been alone.

I've been sewing, which you all have read, so that has been keeping me occupied. I've also been trying to figure out Brownie's digging. By the way, Cayenne Pepper has been vetoed :( so chicken wire it is.

On a good note, DH called me yesterday and we actually spoke for like 30mins (the longest since he's left). It was really good to hear from him and not feel rushed. I ♥ him!

So I ask you lovely bloggies for a favor, I want my week to end on a good note so I need something to laugh at ...PLEASE tell me a funny story, PLEASE!

I'll give you a virtual hug (------------------------------------------------------------) <--- awesome, I know :)

PJ Bottoms

2011-07-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

{if you want to know what I'm talking about, read this post}

So I started and finished my first sewing project in years and let me just say that I was ready to throw the pattern outside the window. I picked out the simplest pattern, PJ bottoms, - it even said on the package "for beginners - and thought to myself, "I can do this". Well, the picking out the pattern wasn't the stressful part, it was finding what I needed. Since everything on that package was in "sewing language" I was a ~~bit~~ completely lost.

I got my items for the PJ bottoms because I just wanted something simple to get me in the groove of things. I headed home and read, re-read, re-re-read the instructions of the pattern and I was more lost than ever. My friend said the instructions where, "Barney style" but I told her I must be dumb because I couldn't understand them for the life of me. She finally dummy-fied them for me and finally the ~~instructions~~ pictures became more clear to me.

I took me about 20 mins to cut, sew and realize I had no elastic band for the pants. But 20 minutes isn't bad at all for someone who hasn't sewn in years.

The following day I purchase and elastic and went on to finish my first pair of PJ bottoms.

Not bad, eh?

Since I still have some extra fabric, my next project: sunglasses case.

What is the coolest thing you've sewed?

Do you have a post about it? Link it.

If not, tell me what you want to sew.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

Australian War Memorial (Canberra, 2011)

I Miss Him

2011-07-12T08:35:00.001-07:00

I miss DH...A LOT! Just saying that made me tear up just a little bit. How sad am I, huh?

Last week I decided to do some organizing. In one of our spare bedrooms DH has it occupied with clothes. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my husband has more clothes than me :) Anywho, that closet was also occupied two containers which were filled with more clothes, so I decided to hang all his nice shirts, suits and jackets. Now its all nice and full and you can see the bottom of the closet :)

On Sunday my ~~dumb-ass~~ genius-self decided to organize the garage...in 110 degree weather...GO ME! Our garage is filled with many, many, many boxes which are ALL filled with DH's crap. I decided to try to condense the mess, because honestly...I envy those houses whose garage's are empty...I do, I do, I really do. Needless to say, I did condense A LOT and no, I didn't dare throw anything out. But I do believe that there was a little rodent there, because there was an empty destroyed Pop Tart wrapper and some open packages of supplements. All I have to say is that rodent must be buff.

Now you must be saying to yourself what does organizing have anything to do with missing you husband. Doing these little things reminded me of DH and in return made me miss DH very much. Don't get me wrong, I miss him everyday. But since I was organizing his things, it made me think of him the entire time and made me miss him more...does that make any sense? Because I do believe I just confused myself. UGH!!! Cannot wait for this deployment to be OVER!

I LOVE YOU

A Little Recap

2011-07-11T08:32:00.001-07:00

Since there has been nothing exciting going on in my life I thought I would just do a recap of the week/weekend.

Brownie has decided she would take digging to the next stage and dig around the fence to the point where she's halfway out and I have to grab her before she makes the great escape. I considered heading over to Home Depot and purchasing some bricks, but I know she'd end up finding a way to move those bricks. So I scratched that idea quickly off the list. The next best thing is this:

I'm sure housing didn't provide us the crate for this reason, but at least I'm using it. The shovel next to it is covering another little hole, I had to improvise.

This over here, is the other hole she had dug up and is now A LOT better and guarded by our fancy-smancy fire pit:

And you can't really see it here, but here is a new hole in the making:

Just call me MacGyver :)

I finally purchased a sewing machine. I've been meaning to buy one for ages, but I never got around to it. Nothing fancy, just an 8-stitch and $84! My main priority was that it HAD to be Singer. My mom has one and when I was little in school in Namibia, that's how they taught us to use one.

(image credit: Jenny's Sewing Studio)

This weekend I headed to JoAnn's and picked-out my first pattern, PJ bottoms and some fabric...which is SOOOO cute, its filled with cupcakes :)

I have to admit, I felt very overwhelmed at JoAnn's. I never used a pattern before, mind you its been ages since I've used a sewing machine, so I wasn't sure where to look and so forth. My goal is to eventually sew DH's nametapes on and learn to hem pants (I'm short, so I need to hem all my pants).

Aside from that I've just been infused by watching my third (3rd) series of the deployment: "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" and I can't get enough of it.

I do lead a hard life :)

Military Note Cards: A Review

2011-07-08T09:30:00.003-07:00

innovative

brilliant

original

creative

fun

cute

Those are a some of the words I use to describe Semper Wifey's collection of note cards. How much more military can these cards get? You have plastic-green military men and a fun saying military-esque saying to go with it. PERFECT!

Since these cards come blank on the inside, you can use these for cards for ANYTHING! From telling your friends that you are moving to saying thank you for a wonderful party to whatever your itty-bitty heart desires.

Want to know where you can get these lovely cards?

At Semper Wifey Shop at SemperWifey75 on one of the best sites ever: ETSY.

How much and how many?

- A set of eight (8) note cards is $12

- Individual cards are $2.50ea
They come in three different graphics/styles (see Etsy shop for more details!)

AND if you hurry now you will get 15% off your purchase plus FREE shipping by entering the code SEMPER15 (coupon expires Friday, July 15th). AWESOME!

A special thank you to Semper Wifey for letting me do this review.

I LOVE markets

2011-07-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

In the suburb where I lived in Madrid every Tuesday and Saturday mornings they have this huge market where they sell clothes, food, fake Gucci's, shoes and anything and everything you can think of. Time progressed and the market got bigger. Its so big, and famous to a point, that people come from all over Madrid to that market.
Everytime there is a market wherever I am I have to go. I may not buy anything or I may not go with a purpose, but I love going to markets.

In Sydney they have The Rocks Market. Its small and quaint and filled with a lot of cute and unique items. The majority are fashion oriented, handmade mostly, with a little bit of Australian art in the middle.

I found the cutest stall, Pretty in Pink. This woman used vintage-retro fabrics and turned them into cosmetics bags, shower caps, pjs, aprons, etc. I couldn't decide which to purchase because I wanted them ALL. I finally decided to purchase a cosmectic case small and big enough to carry my contact solution and case:

inside linning

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

!!!HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

(image credit: Child Development Institute)

Australia - Canberra (part 2)

2011-07-02T09:21:00.001-07:00

The last week in Australia I didn't do much expect for more sightseeing and just being lazy. Gotta tell you, I do miss being babied :)

The most memorable moment was when my mom and I went to the Australian War Memorial. The Australian War Memorial, is a museum dedicated to those men and women who have served and are serving in the Australian armed forces, it was fascinating. When you enter the building you are greeted by a courtyard that holds a reflection pool. In the above section, there are two walls dedicated to the fallen with their names inscribed in it and with Poppies inserted by family and friends of those fallen. Alongside there is a tomb of an unknown soldier with, "They Gave Their Lives"engraved in the doorway. Inside the memorial/museum were open spaces of antiques, replicas and much more commemorating each war that the Australians had been part of. It was very touching.

Finally, my mission since I got to Australia was to take a picture with my parents. Voilà!

A REALLY Bad Day

2011-06-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry in advance for the language.

All I can say is that I did not have a great welcoming home, not that I was expecting anything, I just wasn't expecting what happened.
Sunday I left Australia and headed to the States. I didn't get ~~much~~ any sleep on the plane because the time we flew was the time I would be awake. So we arrive at LAX at 9am, which would be Monday 2am (I basically repeated a day) and still didn't sleep. I went through immigration and customs and waited for my dear friend who drove all the way from 29 and back to pick me up and drop me off.
On the way to 29 we stopped to eat and even though I smelled like plane (YUCK!) I was starving! Not a fan of plane food. On the road again she tells me that the reason she didn't take my car was because it didn't start. But told me not to worry because her husband fixed it! So I get home and start unpacking (Im the type of freak who needs to unpack the instant they get home).
So I check my watch and see its time to pick up Brownie from the doggy sitter. I got to my car and NOTHING. It wont start. FUCK! I try a few more times and nothing. I got to use the truck. It wont start. FUCK! I have to call my friend and tell her what happened. Her and her husband and the kids come over and her husband is at it with my car and truck charging them. In between my friend drove me over to pick-up Brownie. I missed that murcielago (bat), as my dad calls her because of her perky ears, so much! I come back home and after a few hours we give up, because the charging time is 4-5 hours and I'm falling asleep everywhere in the house. Her husband tells me what I need to do in the morning to charge it and I observe what he tells me and scribble down everything so that I don't end up putting the "+" doohickey with the "-" thingy-ma-bob.

Before going to sleep I notice that I have NO internet. Great!

I finally slept and was only interrupted by the sound of DH's voice. It was really good to hear from him. I broke-down cause nothing was going right:

- I was missing

- I was jet-lagged and in need of sleep

- both vehicles were not working

- Internet was down

Finally got some rest, but I don't think it was enough. I hooked my my battery to the charger and crossed my fingers that it would work. My friend's husband came over to check on the car. It had been charging for well over 5hours and he said we should try it because it should be charged by now. He hooked the car up to the battery and I "watched" with my eyes closed and fingers cross. I went inside and started my car....IT WORKED! I drove it around base for 20mins to make sure it worked. YAY! [insert happy dance here] Before I went to sleep I made sure it was still ok, so I took a little night drive. HEY! I needed to make sure.

Things where finally starting to make me feel better.

I went to sleep because, again, I was falling asleep everywhere and got woken up again in the middle of the night by DH's warm voice :) After we chatted for a bit I went back to sleep...or so I thought. I was tossing and turning so much that I just said "FUCK IT!" and turned on the lights and read. I read for hours and then decided to try to sleep...and I did...till 2pm! ARGH! I know I just messed up my sleeping schedule by that. On another good note: in the midst of me trying to fall back asleep and 2pm the internet company called and said they were on their way over. Apparently, my modem overheated and that's why it stopped working.

I am feeling a lot better now, aside from feeling REALLY dehydrated (thank you 29 for your brutal heat). But aside from that, I am feeling relived.

Let me just say that this was not something I wanted to come home to...AT ALL!

HUN: European Travel Tips

2011-06-22T15:27:00.001-07:00

Check out my article on HUN about traveling around Europe!!!

Worldless Wednesday

2011-06-22T05:02:00.000-07:00

pure un-proccessed wool

Canberra, Australia 2011

Australia - Sydney

2011-06-21T05:35:00.001-07:00

When I think of Sydney I think of: the Olympics, the Opera House and beaches...lots and lots of beaches!

My mom and I headed for the weekend to Sydney and enjoyed and indulged in the wonderful city. The drive from Canberra isn't long, about 3 hours, but getting into Sydney was hectic. Since Canberra is a small and quiet "town", so to speak, there isn't much hustle and bustle as there is in many big cities. So, upon entering Sydney enter chaos, which I love!

The first day, afternoon, there we walked! The hotel was right by the ocean with an amazing view of the harbor and almost, just almost of the Opera! We walked the city streets and visited cute souvenir shops and also some local fashion shops.

The following day was the major tourist day. We woke up bright and early with gorgeous weather. We visited the sites. The markets. The botanical gardens and even rode in a mini-train.

And of course we visited my favorite part...the Opera:

After so much walked we headed back to the hotel to rest up and then grab some dinner. On our last day in Sydney we headed to Bondi Beach to enjoy more of the fabulous weather and to enjoy the beauty of it.

Australia - Melbourne

2011-06-20T05:02:00.001-07:00

We headed to Melbourne for a few days to enjoy the city and to head to the opening of Zara, which I was pretty pumped about!

We arrived to Melbourne in the afternoon and headed to a friends house, where we were staying. Apparently, there housing complex was, not so long ago, a looney-bin. Now it's a high-fashioned housing complex. Pretty cool. Since we arrived at night we had barely anytime to "see" anything before the winter sun set. We walked around a main shopping street and headed to the harbor. It was FREEZING in the harbor so we snacked up in a cafe and had some warm yummy tea.

The following day we walked and walked and walked around. We ended up having lunch by the sea at this nicely decorated restaurant, "Donovans". I forgot to take pictures of the bathroom. It was so tacky-looking that you HAD to love it...UGH! I wish I had remembered to take pictures.

The last day in Melbourne we headed to Queen Victoria Market. It's an open food and clothes market filled with bright colors and delicious smells. The had all types of clothes and even Uggs, a fine Australian invention. The also had Spanish Doughnuts/donut, their version of Churros. Although, the smell wasnt that appetizing since you could smell more the grease than the actual "doughnut/donut".

After the Market we walked around a bit and headed back to our friends house to rest up before the opening of Zara.

I glammed up for the opening and completely felt very out of place. Aside from being with my parents for the opening (hahaha) I felt completely out of place. I had a nice dress on and heels, which where killing my feet. But I wasnt me. Im a t-shirt, jeans and converse girl. I like to dress comfy. But at the opening you had: models, fashionistas, celebs and what not...I couldnt help but feeling out of place. Oh well, because in the end I did purchase some nice items :)

Next stop, Sydney!