Decorating and Other Ideas

So. Today was the monthly spouses' club luncheon. Always sure to be a good time with friends. There is a little shopping involved and even a little game playing. I bought a pair of earrings (no photo yet, please don't hurt me), gandered at more Scentsy, ate some good food (that sent me wayyy over my calorie limit) and played bunco.

It was the Scentsy that got me thinking about decorations for my living room. Strange? Maybe. Typical for me? Definitely. I've been mulling over redoing our living room for a while there. I have to admit, though, that there isn't much redecorating to be done. I have a few cute, beachy decorations and two framed photos. I try to make it look cute, but it gets expensive. I've been looking for teal-ish curtains and haven't been able to find any that don't break my budget. The same for rugs. I'd kill to have a nice coffee table with {at least partially} matching end tables. I mean, geez, we've been married for {almost} 3 years and still have the "we just got married" furniture. I know that's what it screams. None of it is bad...but none of it really matches either. Currently, our living room is supposed to be beachy. Lately I've been thinking of going in a different route. One that matches our lifestyle and screams patriotism.

The Liberty warmer from Scentsy

You really can't go wrong with red, white and blue. You just can't. As my bestie pointed out a while back, I'm a patriotic person and always have been. Even before my life met the Army. I've eyed this Blue Star Banner from Etsy for a while now...just thinking of where I could put it.

I just don't know if I should commit. It'd probably take some funding...which I'm not sure the hubby is up for. Plus - and this might be the biggest issue - my couch is green. Not ugly green. More of an olivey green. I also have a darker green chair (which I might be willing to get rid of). The rocking chair I have could most definitely stay, seeing that it's beige and will go with anything. The beachy decorations could easily be moved to the bathroom which is already headed in the beach-theme direction.

If done correctly, the patriotic theme could look very nice...especially against the always-white walls we all have come to know and loathe. =P I even imagined getting dark-ish blue curtains for the living room. But then, there's the green couch again. What do you guys think?

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Now. For the "other ideas" portion of this post. =P

At the FRG "meeting" we had the other night, we discussed doing baskets for the company when they return from deployment. Since 3 of us there had just attended the FRG bootcamp, we're trying to look for ways to do things for everyone. The majority of the company is made up of single soldiers. We had thought about getting sheets for them, making up the beds in their barracks and maybe making up a little basket of toiletries. I loved the idea. However, all our funds have to benefit the entire FRG - not just the single soldiers. 

You would think - as a married person - I would have some sort of idea as to what to do for the returning married soldiers. I've got nothing! Nothing! The second part to this particular situation is that our FRG has very little funding. It's a small company and our FRG has had 2 (possibly 3) different leaders all in the last year. So the things we want to do need to be cheap. We considered just doing a basket of baked goods for ALL the soldiers, doing welcome home cards (possibly from Shutterfly so no handwriting is involved) for ALL soldiers, and then getting sheets for just the single soldiers (these would hopefully be donated...in a perfect world).

So, for all of you experienced milspouses, what does your FRG (or FRGs past) do for your spouses when they return? Or do you have any ideas if you haven't been through a deployment before? Any advice/tips/whatever would be helpful!

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And just because it's fun, I'm going to leave you with this. It's a screen shot of one of the apps I have on my computer. A simple - yet cute - weather app.

I'm assuming this is rain gear since it's pouring down rain.

P.S. All it takes is a little thunder and lightning to make this Oklahoma girl happy.

Dialect Vlog and Some Other Things

Don't you love it when you can see the randomness just from the title?! I bet you do! ;-)


Before this afternoon, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to get in on this whole dialect vlog thing. Then I watched JG's. Fantastic. Maybe just because we have a few words in common -- how we say them. That's probably due to the fact that both of us grew up in Oklahoma. Just maybe. ;-) Anyway, I was inspired, so I sat down and recorded my very own!





The video quality isn't that great... And I apologize for my hair! I wasn't feeling like messing with it today. =P If you want to do your own, here are the words and questions:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?

What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?

What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?

What do you call gym shoes?

What do you say to address a group of people?

What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?

What do you call your grandparents?

What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?

What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?

What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

Now. That question about the rain falling while the sun is shining must be addressed. Remember how I said it happens a lot in Hawaii? Not 30 minutes after recording the vlog, it happened. I was sitting on my couch watching the President give another pointless speech TV, I heard rain falling outside. The sun was still out. Just to show you that it really does happen here (as if you wouldn't believe me!), I took a video of it. You're welcome. Oh, and watch it to the end or you won't get to really see the rain. It's worth a whole minute of your time. ;-)

Please ignore my yard that hasn't be mowed in...months. I think I've decided to go to housing and request that they take care of it since my husband's deployed and all. I was going to be macho woman and buy a weed eater to do it myself... I think that's just a disaster waiting to happen. I just don't need that kind of drama going on. =P

Now. Let's back up a few hours, ok? I was sitting on the couch thinking about going to check the mail. I'm waiting for a few things to come in and I usually take Jasper with me so he can do his business. It's our little routine. Plus, I think he really loves going to get the mail. Since I know y'all never believe me, I took a video to confirm it!!

Yeah, I know I have a crazy dog. At least he keeps me entertained, though! But, wait. It gets even better! I was sitting on the couch after getting back from our short walk and decided to watch the video (taken on my phone). As I played it, Jasper got up and started running to the door. Like we were going to get the mail again. He responded to me on video! I couldn't believe it! In reality, though, I shouldn't have been so shocked. I have been Skyping with Joe before and Joe would tell Jasper to get a toy...and he'd go do it. He doesn't do it anymore for Joe, but I still think it's awesome. Anyway, back to the point. To prove that my dog is a genius, I took another video. (Today was a very...recording type of day!) My voice is pretty loud on the video because my phone is right next to the camera, but I was NOT talking. I swear to you.

Crazy, right?! He's so cute. =)

In other news, I had FRG training to go to today. Yaaay. It was actually pretty informative, but I mostly felt like it was a waste of time. I'm pretty sure the instructor could have just handed us the printoff from PowerPoint (the military and its slideshows), given us the DVD thing and the packet of helpful information and sent us on our way. There were very few things I got out of today other than learning that our FRG needs a serious overhaul. Seriously. There are even things that our FRG on the battalion level is doing WRONG. And - for those of you experienced with FRGs - our FRSA (link between command and the FRG leaders, basically) just PCSed with her husband. Translation? Our FRG needs help and the one person hired to help us just left. Awesome. 

I also learned that we need to do some serious fundraising... But before we can do that we have to have a purpose for the money. *sigh* Really? AND, that purpose has to be voted on. Have I mentioned the lack of company spouses on this island? Joe's company is mainly single soldiers, first of all. The spouses we do have here are all spouses of enlisted soldiers. NOT a bad thing, my husband is enlisted, but in our case that means little experience. The one or two officer's spouses are back on the mainland. I cannot tell you how badly that irritates me. To wrap it up for you, we have few prospects for volunteers and even fewer actually want to help. It's very frustrating. As I posted on Twitter today, I think I'm ready to PCS the heck out of here. There are a few reasons:

15) That would mean Joe got into OCS (he's been putting his packet together).

2) While I do like like living here, it would be easier to be closer to family.

3) I would be away from all the drama. (Though I'm sure new drama would be awaiting me elsewhere.)

4) No more wacky time zone.

51) Did I mention that would mean Joe was stateside? I should have. =P

The best part of this training? The certificate at the end. While they started handing them out, I told our FRG leader and secretary that I'd bet $5 my name was spelled wrong. While "Sarah" is kind of hard to mess up, my last name frequently gets misspelled. And, oooooh, did I ever call it!!!! Y'all, I can't believe this, but she misspelled my FIRST name. I'm not even kidding you!!!!!! I so wish I could share my last name on here because, together, it's just hysterical!!!! The first name is good enough, though. Are you ready?!

Saran

Yes. Saran. Apparently, she thought my "h" was an "n." I'm still not quite sure about that. Sure, my "h" was a little shorter than normal. But not short enough to look like an "n." *sigh* Leave it to the Army...

Stupid Brain

I had these thoughts of a great post for today. I really, really did. Aaaaaaaaaand they're gone now. *sigh* I honestly can't even remember what profound things I was going to say! Cannot! Sad, sad day.

Today was a seriously weird day for me. I was all happy and fine... I talked to Joe (with good video quality and only one interruption) this morning for a while. Not very long, though. He's sick and was sleepy and so I let him go to bed. I seriously cried afterward, though. Stupid hormones!!! On a normal day, I would have been fine - understanding, even. Not today.

I made some muffins for breakfast...and remembered why blueberry muffins are my favorite, not apple cinnamon. I thought I remembered liking apple cinnamon muffins, but apparently I was wrong. I don't hate them, but they are definitely not my faves. Anyway. I lounged on the couch, chatted with Melissa and ignored texts from my mom about stupid family drama.

I swear, sometimes my family can be SO white trash-y. I don't want to get into serious details, but... My great uncle died a few days ago. It was expected, but my Nana (his sister) is really upset. Obviously his wife and daughter are too. Well... The obituary apparently wasn't "up to par" according to my other great uncle. Someone was added who shouldn't have been and someone was left out. Seriously, people? It's an obituary. No one writes those without some sort of mental issues. Mistakes happen. Anyway. He's so angry about it that he's threatening to tell people that this guy's daughter isn't really his and that so-and-so's fiance is a hooker. Neither are really surprising, but.... come on! I talked to my uncle (mom's brother) on the phone earlier (he's staying with my mom) and he said he can't "wait to go to the circus tomorrow." Yup. That sounds about right! *sigh* He also said, "this is why I live far away. I don't have to deal with the drama." AMEN to that!

Just to add to the weirdness of the day, I was super irritable while I was at the museum today. I swear, every. little. thing. was annoying me. I even froze the computer. *sigh* It must be about "that time." I dislike Aunt Flo more and more every month. =/ I got to talk to Joe AGAIN this evening! It's his day off. Woohoo!! =D I feel all special and stuff 'cause I got to talk to him infinitely more than usual. I thought I wasn't going to get to talk to him because of the FRG meeting tonight, but I got a nice surprise when I saw him online. Yay!

Oh, the FRG meeting. First, I got an email that said someone suggested we wear holiday colors and santa hats during the meeting since the meeting was solely for stuffing stockings. 1) I'm not an elf. 2) I'm not in high school. 3) Seriously? Anyway. So, the stocking stuffing? Not cool. Tiny stockings, lots of candy. =/ I expected something different... Like things the guys (and gals) actually need and then maybe a little candy. I know they will appreciate anything they get, but to me it felt like we were giving them leftover Halloween candy. Oh, and they're being mailed tomorrow. *shakes head* I don't understand!!!!!!!!!! It was not my project, so I can't really say anything. It wasn't even our FRG project - it was the battalion FRG project. I don't know. I just found it odd that we weren't sending anything useful or "cool" to them.  Geez, how about some chapstick, deodorant, body wash, razors, hand sanitizer (all travel size) and then some candy? That's a stocking I'd like to get. But, that's me. I'm practical like that. *sigh*

I don't think I realized until tonight how smallllll Joe's company is. Like super small. More guys in his company are single, than married. Which leaves like 10ish women to do the FRG. I think that explains our current situation with the FRG. Since our company is so small, I kinda feel better about taking the co-Leader position. I know it will still be work, but less people to worry about = less work in my mind. Maybe I'm wrong. While I'm on the FRG topic, I need ideas for fundraisers... Any suggestions?

Sorry to bore you with the incredibly interesting details of my day. Maybe those profound words will find me again tomorrow. I'll write them down next time, I promise. =)

This, That and a Giveaway

Thanks for all of your input on my new 'do!! I'm going Friday to get it cut! Mrs. C is going to go with me. You know, for emotional support. =P Either that, or she's going to document the moment by taking copious amounts of pictures. Hehe. I was kind of on the fence about it when I posted last, but after yesterday I decided I'm most definitely going to cut my hair. After nearly sweating to death blow drying and then straightening my hair, I made the decision. Didn't take long, did it!? I told my mom today that I was going to cut it short...apparently she pictured a pixie cut. She should know me better than that! She chopped my pretty hair off when I was little - giving me the "mushroom cut" - because I was always sick and my thick, thick hair would hold in a fever real nice. I was stuck with that cut from age 5 to 12, when I finally convinced her to let me grow it out. And now she's the one begging me not to cut it. Oh, how the tables have turned! After all of your input (and my hubby's of course) this is the cut I'm going to get:

Thoughts?

Yesterday was a busy day! I "worked" at the museum for 3 hours, came home and then headed off to my first real FRG meeting. The last one I went to was attended by about 5 people, so I don't count that. Although, maybe I should because only 7 wives from Joe's company showed up to the battalion FRG meeting last night. *sigh* At least I did meet a few other ladies, though. Our FRG leader (company commander's wife) is enlisting us for help. I think she's determined to get me to be her "second in command," but I'm not about to do that! When she said, "I just need someone to help me out and be at meetings when I can't make it," I instantly pictured me leading meeting after meeting because she "couldn't make it." You know the people in group projects in high school/college who always ended up doing 80-90% of the work? That was me. Well, ladies, this ain't high school and I'm not about to play that game anymore! I'll be more than happy to help her out, but I'm not leading meetings. Am I being too...overdramatic about this? I mean, what do I know about the Army? Zilch. What do I know about the FRG and leading meetings? Nada. So, how on earth am I supposed to lead a meeting?!

Besides that, there was a smidgen of drama. I'd been IM'ing the aforementioned wife I met at the deployment ceremony back in June. Before I left, apparently she'd asked me if I could give her a ride. I totally missed that one. Not to mention, I thought I'd sent her a text when I got there but I didn't hit the "send" button. Well, I thought I did but apparently my iPhone didn't think I did. So, when she arrived, I got a go-to-you-know-where look and the cold shoulder. Great. After a few minutes of chatting with the other ladies at the table, I finally got her to speak to me. She invited me to work out with her at the gym today, but I couldn't. =( I'm afraid that's just going to cause more drama. *sigh*

But, the good news is that when I got home last night, I was able to Skype with Joe!!!!! He finally got internet in his room, so we can talk! I'm actually waiting for him to get on right now. =D Hehehe. It's sooo nice to be able to see his face and know that he's ok. You know? One more thing that makes deployment suck a little bit less. =) That's what it's all about, right? Finding things that make it suck less - aka the silver lining. 

Now, for the giveaway. =) One of my favorite bloggers, {who I hope to meet soon!} JG, is having a giveaway!!!!! =D She's giving away a Scentsy plug-in and 3 scents to go along with it! I don't know about you, but I'm thrilled about this giveaway. I love all things Scentsy! I have one large one and one plug in. I'd absolutely love to have another plug in for my bathroom! So head on over to her blog and enter! To be able to win this, she's requiring that 30 lovelies (aka bloggers) enter her giveaway. So click on her button {above} and get your toosh over to her blog! =)

Oh, and please leave a comment telling her I sent you there! Pretty please!!!