Also, for your reading enjoyment, you can now read the newly formed blog of my favorite Housemate ever: Lindsay.
She has just been sent to Alaska by the army, so that should be fun to read about !!!
February 08, 2010
The Outer Circle
So, I've been living in Georgia for....about 3 months now ( that's not counting the time that we spent in Texas for the holidays). Which, in the mega scheme of things, is not a terribly long time. But it has seemed like AGES. One reason time is crawling: No matter where the move is to, one of the hardest parts of changing location is trying to rebuild the friendship base.
And while, for the most part, I think I'm making progress on this front-I was starkly reminded several times this weekend that I'm not quite in the inner circle yet. Being "left out" is one of the nastiest feelings one can feel, but when you move to a new place it is GOING to happen to you. I promise.
But, the really good thing about all this, is that its left me pondering my priorities. I don't think I told you this, but right before I left Washington-I was taken out to lunch by a girl in the ministry there and then flatly told how I had made her feel left out for a year and a half. It was an awful slap in the face and I can't even tell you how much I cried about it. But, even though I was terribly hurt by the accusation, I felt strongly, at the time, that I was not completely in the wrong. I mean, it goes both ways, right?!? I cannot be held responsible for every single person feeling like they're accepted and wanted at every single party and social engagement, right?! I mean, who made me queen of the social scene?!?
However, here I am feeling very much like she apparently did for a year or so-and I see very clearly how she felt the way she felt. When those around you are comfortable with each other, comfortable with their routines, their coffee dates, their friends, their date nights...when all of that seems relatively stable and set in stone, it can be difficult for the outsider to get up enough gumption to force themselves into the picture. And we are left fighting a inner battle where part of you feels hurt and bitter towards those people leaving you out, and the other part of you realizes that part of YOUR job is to be friendly and kind to everyone-no matter how you're treated back.
Which brings me to your homework: I need you to go read this post written by my friend Tabitha ( ignore the part where she talks about me...that's not why I'm asking you to read it-focus on the end part)
Tabitha's sentiment is that while she herself is trying to get out there and make friends, she's going to instead focus on OTHER people who might be just as lonely, or maybe lonelier than herself! I love it!
And she put so beautifully into words what I had been mulling over all weekend! I never want to forget the feelings of loneliness and outofplaceness that I have felt every time I have moved-I don't want to forget, because I want to be the champion of others who are out of place themselves. Because, such people are everywhere. They are NOT just in the military environment ( although, they abound here.), but there are people feeling wallflower-esque at every church, school, club, gym, social event, and workplace. And so, even though I feel shy and uncertain right now, I will remember the principal that my Grandmother always lived by....
My Grandmother was pretty shy, but you never would have guessed it-she always had people around her, and she was the champion of the wallflowers-Why? Because, when she showed up somewhere, feeling as insecure as ever, she'd look around the room and find the person standing by themselves, the person who looked the most uncomfortable, and she'd go talk to them. I know that's probably not a new concept, but its something I've remembered since I was small, and I have used it more times than I can count-and it ALWAYS works. You end up stop thinking about your own comfort and start worrying about someone elses!
And so...While I have not yet made it into the "inner circle" here at Fort Benning, I have come to realize that the "outer circle" is much bigger and has room for many more friends-so here I am.
And while, for the most part, I think I'm making progress on this front-I was starkly reminded several times this weekend that I'm not quite in the inner circle yet. Being "left out" is one of the nastiest feelings one can feel, but when you move to a new place it is GOING to happen to you. I promise.
But, the really good thing about all this, is that its left me pondering my priorities. I don't think I told you this, but right before I left Washington-I was taken out to lunch by a girl in the ministry there and then flatly told how I had made her feel left out for a year and a half. It was an awful slap in the face and I can't even tell you how much I cried about it. But, even though I was terribly hurt by the accusation, I felt strongly, at the time, that I was not completely in the wrong. I mean, it goes both ways, right?!? I cannot be held responsible for every single person feeling like they're accepted and wanted at every single party and social engagement, right?! I mean, who made me queen of the social scene?!?
However, here I am feeling very much like she apparently did for a year or so-and I see very clearly how she felt the way she felt. When those around you are comfortable with each other, comfortable with their routines, their coffee dates, their friends, their date nights...when all of that seems relatively stable and set in stone, it can be difficult for the outsider to get up enough gumption to force themselves into the picture. And we are left fighting a inner battle where part of you feels hurt and bitter towards those people leaving you out, and the other part of you realizes that part of YOUR job is to be friendly and kind to everyone-no matter how you're treated back.
Which brings me to your homework: I need you to go read this post written by my friend Tabitha ( ignore the part where she talks about me...that's not why I'm asking you to read it-focus on the end part)
Tabitha's sentiment is that while she herself is trying to get out there and make friends, she's going to instead focus on OTHER people who might be just as lonely, or maybe lonelier than herself! I love it!
And she put so beautifully into words what I had been mulling over all weekend! I never want to forget the feelings of loneliness and outofplaceness that I have felt every time I have moved-I don't want to forget, because I want to be the champion of others who are out of place themselves. Because, such people are everywhere. They are NOT just in the military environment ( although, they abound here.), but there are people feeling wallflower-esque at every church, school, club, gym, social event, and workplace. And so, even though I feel shy and uncertain right now, I will remember the principal that my Grandmother always lived by....
My Grandmother was pretty shy, but you never would have guessed it-she always had people around her, and she was the champion of the wallflowers-Why? Because, when she showed up somewhere, feeling as insecure as ever, she'd look around the room and find the person standing by themselves, the person who looked the most uncomfortable, and she'd go talk to them. I know that's probably not a new concept, but its something I've remembered since I was small, and I have used it more times than I can count-and it ALWAYS works. You end up stop thinking about your own comfort and start worrying about someone elses!
And so...While I have not yet made it into the "inner circle" here at Fort Benning, I have come to realize that the "outer circle" is much bigger and has room for many more friends-so here I am.
February 03, 2010
slightly nauseated
So, the question is....am I nauseated because of this BABY that is growing inside me and who hasn't gotten the MEMO about me being in the "TOTALLY AWESOME" second trimester that everyone has told me was "SO GREAT"....oooooooor is the nausea from all of the UNKNOWN life-changing decisions that are coming up today?!?!
Its a toss up.
I realize its been a few days since I've last blog....annnnd really the only relatively good excuse for that, is that Brett has been using my computer's video camera to practice the presentation that he's giving today and that he's been working 24/7 on for the past...two weeks. Seriously. I mean, I've seen Brett...but talking or carrying on a normal life has been out of the question. However, I have not complained ( I promise), because he's here in the kitchen.....and the fact that he just got back from Afghanistan three months ago has not escaped my notices just yet. Nope. I still remember. And I am still utterly grateful for any time that I can see him and breath the same air.
Ok, so right. Yes. Brett's been busy with his Captain's Schooling and I've been busy staring at him while he's working and then...BAM! Saturday happened.
Saturday, Brett and I are driving down the road and he's like, " Soooo, we should decide what posts we'd like to move to in June if I end up not working here at Fort Benning, because I have to tell them what I want on Wednesday."
And in my mind I'm like, "WHAT?!?!?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE AREN'T GOING TO STAY HERE AT FORT BENNING?!?! WHY WOULDN'T WE?!?!"
And out loud, I was like, " Well, I guess..." and then I started listing posts in order of where I'd "want" to go according to people that we know there, established Navigator ministries that I know of, and of course, location ( i.e. Hawaii).
So, yes, I was very calm.
And I was calm all the way up until Monday, because up until Monday it was really just a backup plan. That little list that I'd rattled off in the car, it wouldn't really happen. NOoooOOOoo.....I mean, me having to move somewhere right before or right after having a BABY...and Brett probably missing that Baby's birth because he'd most likely have to go to Ranger School before taking command...oooooh, that wouldn't HAPPEN! (!!!!)
But, then, Monday happened. The day that Brett found out that if he ever wanted to teach at West Point ( which he kinda did) than he really WOULD have to take command of a company right away. As in RIGHT. AFTER. THE. CAPTAIN'S COURSE. Which ends in....ooooooh. June.
So, that brings us to yesterday. The day that I thought. Geez. Wow. Army. It really does like to surprise you and turn your little world upside down over and over again, doesn't it?! So, I started praying like crazy and that brought me to my Bible reading for the day, which started out like this:
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain....( Ps 127)
And you know what? That was just what I needed to hear! And sure, by the end of yesterday Brett had decided that he should stay on the path that he was already on, the path he'd already semi-decided on...which is to try and get a job here at Fort Benning. And while that would still have to be decided on by the army and so forth and so on...
I just went back to that verse. Because it doesn't really MATTER what we decide or what the Army might decide....THIS HOUSE is being built by the Lord. Our LIVES are being watched over by the Lord.
And yes, I'm scared at what just might happen...I'm scared Brett might miss the birth of our child, that we'll have to move to some new state in six months, that Brett will take Command and immediately be deployed again...these are all things that scare me, and yet I KNOW....with out a SHADOW OF A DOUBT that whatever happens, it will only happen because its come through the Lord's hands first. He will have decided. He will have prepared us.
Ok...the nausea is definitely coming from this Baby. NICE.
Its a toss up.
I realize its been a few days since I've last blog....annnnd really the only relatively good excuse for that, is that Brett has been using my computer's video camera to practice the presentation that he's giving today and that he's been working 24/7 on for the past...two weeks. Seriously. I mean, I've seen Brett...but talking or carrying on a normal life has been out of the question. However, I have not complained ( I promise), because he's here in the kitchen.....and the fact that he just got back from Afghanistan three months ago has not escaped my notices just yet. Nope. I still remember. And I am still utterly grateful for any time that I can see him and breath the same air.
Ok, so right. Yes. Brett's been busy with his Captain's Schooling and I've been busy staring at him while he's working and then...BAM! Saturday happened.
Saturday, Brett and I are driving down the road and he's like, " Soooo, we should decide what posts we'd like to move to in June if I end up not working here at Fort Benning, because I have to tell them what I want on Wednesday."
And in my mind I'm like, "WHAT?!?!?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE AREN'T GOING TO STAY HERE AT FORT BENNING?!?! WHY WOULDN'T WE?!?!"
And out loud, I was like, " Well, I guess..." and then I started listing posts in order of where I'd "want" to go according to people that we know there, established Navigator ministries that I know of, and of course, location ( i.e. Hawaii).
So, yes, I was very calm.
And I was calm all the way up until Monday, because up until Monday it was really just a backup plan. That little list that I'd rattled off in the car, it wouldn't really happen. NOoooOOOoo.....I mean, me having to move somewhere right before or right after having a BABY...and Brett probably missing that Baby's birth because he'd most likely have to go to Ranger School before taking command...oooooh, that wouldn't HAPPEN! (!!!!)
But, then, Monday happened. The day that Brett found out that if he ever wanted to teach at West Point ( which he kinda did) than he really WOULD have to take command of a company right away. As in RIGHT. AFTER. THE. CAPTAIN'S COURSE. Which ends in....ooooooh. June.
So, that brings us to yesterday. The day that I thought. Geez. Wow. Army. It really does like to surprise you and turn your little world upside down over and over again, doesn't it?! So, I started praying like crazy and that brought me to my Bible reading for the day, which started out like this:
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain....( Ps 127)
And you know what? That was just what I needed to hear! And sure, by the end of yesterday Brett had decided that he should stay on the path that he was already on, the path he'd already semi-decided on...which is to try and get a job here at Fort Benning. And while that would still have to be decided on by the army and so forth and so on...
I just went back to that verse. Because it doesn't really MATTER what we decide or what the Army might decide....THIS HOUSE is being built by the Lord. Our LIVES are being watched over by the Lord.
And yes, I'm scared at what just might happen...I'm scared Brett might miss the birth of our child, that we'll have to move to some new state in six months, that Brett will take Command and immediately be deployed again...these are all things that scare me, and yet I KNOW....with out a SHADOW OF A DOUBT that whatever happens, it will only happen because its come through the Lord's hands first. He will have decided. He will have prepared us.
Ok...the nausea is definitely coming from this Baby. NICE.
January 29, 2010
Like pulling teeth
That particular idiom has a WHOLE NEW meaning to me now that I've had a tooth pulled from my scull. It was intense. And apparently that tooth did NOT WANT TO GO. Sure, it didn't hurt thanks to that tooth numbing needle that they injected me with first, but who really needs pain when you've got this lovely thing called "pressure"?!? If pressure means literally pulling someone up from their chair by their very tooth...well than, wow, I've never felt pressure until now....
Which, incidentally, I was reminded with perfectly clarity after reading my comments after my last post-WHY I had waited so long to have my wisdom teeth removed-thanks to my friendship with Amy and remembering how she seriously ALMOST BLEED TO DEATH after her wisdom teeth were removed, I did not relish the thought of going into the chair myself. So thanks, Amy. Thanks for being one of the reasons behind my procrastination!
But, now that it's all said in done, it really wasn't so bad...my "hole" doesn't even hurt that bad, I mean, sure, I can't open my mouth very wide, but other than that I'm pretty much back to normal. So that's done. We can check "remove one wisdom tooth" from my to do list. Now on to bigger and better things.
I have a deadline looming at work, plus two parties to throw next weekend ( a baby shower and a super bowl party)...busy, busy, busy!
Which, incidentally, I was reminded with perfectly clarity after reading my comments after my last post-WHY I had waited so long to have my wisdom teeth removed-thanks to my friendship with Amy and remembering how she seriously ALMOST BLEED TO DEATH after her wisdom teeth were removed, I did not relish the thought of going into the chair myself. So thanks, Amy. Thanks for being one of the reasons behind my procrastination!
But, now that it's all said in done, it really wasn't so bad...my "hole" doesn't even hurt that bad, I mean, sure, I can't open my mouth very wide, but other than that I'm pretty much back to normal. So that's done. We can check "remove one wisdom tooth" from my to do list. Now on to bigger and better things.
I have a deadline looming at work, plus two parties to throw next weekend ( a baby shower and a super bowl party)...busy, busy, busy!
January 27, 2010
The loss of wisdom
So, after much procrastination ( read: 6 years)...I am finally getting my wisdom teeth taken out. Well, I'm getting one taken out tomorrow, because it literally cant wait. That's right! I procrastinated so long that its actually risking my other teeth!! oops.
And then I'll have the other three out after I deliver a child. And after delivering a child, pulling teeth should be comparatively easy.
Anyway, I'm now celebrating the fact that I finally went to the dentist ( I hate the dentist), I'm eating sour skittles. Awesome, because there is nothing like coating your freshly cleaned teeth with an extra layer of sugar. haha!!
Seriously though, I found a really cool dentist who actually spends a lot of his time donating his dentistry services to mission organizations, traveling to third world countries to donate his skills! Pretty cool!
In other news, I just watched the video for the new ipad, I gotta admit it looks cool...but NOT cool enough to get one, the whole time I was watching the informational video I just kept thinking that with my laptop and my iphone I have all those features. It seems down right frivolous. I guess our economy isn't doing THAT badly if we can have something like this on the market.
And then I'll have the other three out after I deliver a child. And after delivering a child, pulling teeth should be comparatively easy.
Anyway, I'm now celebrating the fact that I finally went to the dentist ( I hate the dentist), I'm eating sour skittles. Awesome, because there is nothing like coating your freshly cleaned teeth with an extra layer of sugar. haha!!
Seriously though, I found a really cool dentist who actually spends a lot of his time donating his dentistry services to mission organizations, traveling to third world countries to donate his skills! Pretty cool!
In other news, I just watched the video for the new ipad, I gotta admit it looks cool...but NOT cool enough to get one, the whole time I was watching the informational video I just kept thinking that with my laptop and my iphone I have all those features. It seems down right frivolous. I guess our economy isn't doing THAT badly if we can have something like this on the market.
January 25, 2010
Costco and too much fluff.
That's right, Karissa and I are braving it out in the "real world" and heading to Costco in "the big city" tomorrow. Yes, we're gonna drive two hours to get there. And yes, that's a long freakin way to go for bulk goods...but sometimes you have to take your adventures where you can get them and mine is coming in the form of a needless roadtrip ( for me, anyway...I think karissa ACTUALLY needs dog food..) trip.
On the flip side today I didn't get much further than the mail box, when I went out to post some letters...so yes. Life. It's pretty exciting.
But, luckily I do have a reason to put on non-elastic pants, today. I've got a "wives get to know you" dinner for the other Captain's wives who are currently here for the Career Course ( FYI: that's what Brett is currently doing all day, every day.), and I'm generally excited about that. I mean, I'm all about mingling and getting to know new people...its just I don't feel particularly "cute" these days. My shirts fit all weird and my pants fit all weird too. Life is not looking cute. Being pregnant is NOT cute. The worst part is that no one would possibly know that I am preggers by looking at me...they would just think I'm "fluffy around the edges" which...I AM. I TOTALLY AM.
Boo.
I wish I could just skip to being a hot mother of a three year old. ;-)
( that's the age that I predict I'll get my figure back.)
On the flip side today I didn't get much further than the mail box, when I went out to post some letters...so yes. Life. It's pretty exciting.
But, luckily I do have a reason to put on non-elastic pants, today. I've got a "wives get to know you" dinner for the other Captain's wives who are currently here for the Career Course ( FYI: that's what Brett is currently doing all day, every day.), and I'm generally excited about that. I mean, I'm all about mingling and getting to know new people...its just I don't feel particularly "cute" these days. My shirts fit all weird and my pants fit all weird too. Life is not looking cute. Being pregnant is NOT cute. The worst part is that no one would possibly know that I am preggers by looking at me...they would just think I'm "fluffy around the edges" which...I AM. I TOTALLY AM.
Boo.
I wish I could just skip to being a hot mother of a three year old. ;-)
( that's the age that I predict I'll get my figure back.)
January 20, 2010
pooped
So, BOY-all those days when I didn't leave the house or talk to anyone but Brett-well, I completely made up for them today!
We currently have three guys staying in the bunk house, not to mention the guy who's staying the guest bedroom, plus we got a surprise evening with three guys who just graduated one of the schools here at Benning and had an evening pass and wanted to spend their time chilling in our living room -and this was all after I spent the day with a brand-new army wife and then rushed to the grocery store for extra food ( see above guests) and then rushed home to have a work meeting. This was followed by three conversations on Skype with great friends, followed by three conversations on ichat with three other great friends.
And now I'm POOPED.
UTTERLY POOPED.
Luckily I only felt mildly queasy while all of that was happening so YAY for Hiphopopotamus letting me GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED for the second day in a row.
That's right, the SECOND DAY. Yesterday I had a chiropractor's appointment ( which means I had to put on real person clothes at a decent hour), a lunch date, grocery shopping and then spent the evening playing cards with the Woods. POSITIVELY A WHIRL OF ACTIVITY.
I mean, normally pick just ONE of those actions and that would be IT for a WHOLE entire DAY, but no....no, I have been doing them ONE right after the OTHER...without even taking a nap in between.
I know.
Incredible.
And now its 9:30, which means its bed time. ( we can't change EVERYTHING about me!! they call them "baby" steps for a reason) haha!
We currently have three guys staying in the bunk house, not to mention the guy who's staying the guest bedroom, plus we got a surprise evening with three guys who just graduated one of the schools here at Benning and had an evening pass and wanted to spend their time chilling in our living room -and this was all after I spent the day with a brand-new army wife and then rushed to the grocery store for extra food ( see above guests) and then rushed home to have a work meeting. This was followed by three conversations on Skype with great friends, followed by three conversations on ichat with three other great friends.
And now I'm POOPED.
UTTERLY POOPED.
Luckily I only felt mildly queasy while all of that was happening so YAY for Hiphopopotamus letting me GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED for the second day in a row.
That's right, the SECOND DAY. Yesterday I had a chiropractor's appointment ( which means I had to put on real person clothes at a decent hour), a lunch date, grocery shopping and then spent the evening playing cards with the Woods. POSITIVELY A WHIRL OF ACTIVITY.
I mean, normally pick just ONE of those actions and that would be IT for a WHOLE entire DAY, but no....no, I have been doing them ONE right after the OTHER...without even taking a nap in between.
I know.
Incredible.
And now its 9:30, which means its bed time. ( we can't change EVERYTHING about me!! they call them "baby" steps for a reason) haha!
January 18, 2010
You are what you eat
So, the last week I have been experience what I would call my first cravings. I say that because up until now I have hated all foods and the thought of all foods. For me, someone who loves food, this was very distressing. So its nice to at least have my appreciation back, even if my stomach has not commiserated completely as of yet.
ANYWAY. So I will now tell you the things that I have craved and see if you can see any sort of pattern:
Cinnamon Rolls
Homemade Biscuits
Bacon, Egg, Cheese Biscuits from MacDonalds
Frozen Waffles ( i.e. Eggos)
PopTarts
So, if this list is at ALL telling, I can already foresee what type of baby I'm going to have: A Breakfast Baby.
P.S. The only things I've actually GOTTEN on my list are the cinnamon rolls ( because I was at the store when I thought of them the first time.) and PopTarts ( because the stupid ghetto store that is near us did NOT sell Frozen Waffles-which is what I wanted more than ANYTHING IN THE WORLD). It is very hard to be pregnant and live in the middle of nowhere. I feel as though I know EXACTLY how Laura Ingles felt on Little House on the Prairie. hehe
ANYWAY. So I will now tell you the things that I have craved and see if you can see any sort of pattern:
Cinnamon Rolls
Homemade Biscuits
Bacon, Egg, Cheese Biscuits from MacDonalds
Frozen Waffles ( i.e. Eggos)
PopTarts
So, if this list is at ALL telling, I can already foresee what type of baby I'm going to have: A Breakfast Baby.
P.S. The only things I've actually GOTTEN on my list are the cinnamon rolls ( because I was at the store when I thought of them the first time.) and PopTarts ( because the stupid ghetto store that is near us did NOT sell Frozen Waffles-which is what I wanted more than ANYTHING IN THE WORLD). It is very hard to be pregnant and live in the middle of nowhere. I feel as though I know EXACTLY how Laura Ingles felt on Little House on the Prairie. hehe
January 14, 2010
Dress for success
So, kids, I don't know if you know this-but working from home is THE BEST. I don't know what you do for a living, but you should really see if you can finagle a way to do whatever that is at home, because there is nothing like working in your PJs. But, I must tell you-be careful, otherwise you'll end up in the spot I did a few days ago:
Imagine its 11:15 in the morning and imagine that Abigail is lounging on her bed ( in her PJs) checking her emails-because that's the norm for most days ( I know, you're jealous of my life...tell me about it later). Now, imagine that she starts getting emails from the higher-ups saying they're trying to put together a video meeting so that Abigail can meet some other people that she'll be working with at "headquarters" ( that sounds fancy doesn't it?)-and even if it doesn't sound fancy, Abigail had the knowledge and knowhow to realize that MOST people who have jobs on a weekday at 11:15 are NOT wearing their PJs....But NO BIGGIE, the meeting wasn't going to be until tomorrow so she was safe!
Safe until 5 minutes later when the meeting was quickly moved to 11:30. It was now 11:25.
But, don't you worry your little head, Abigail is a smarty, she knows that her computer camera can see only "this much" of her....so she assesses the situation. She was at that moment was wearing an ( incredibly soft) t-shirt from Old Navy that had a giant ( not very classy) peace sign on it-in red, white and blue star spangled glory. This number was paired with some pink cropped paints with lace around the bottoms. But hey! No one was going to see THOSE! So, Abigail threw her hair in a pony-tail and THEN in PURE GENIUS she threw on a green scarf ( to cover up the peace sign)...and so, if she angled her computer camera just right no one would ever know that she was not meeting business casual standards....
And I really think this would have worked. I really think I would have gotten away with this plan, if there hadn't been technical difficulty....which I'll now tell you about, but first I must remind you that I actually live with my main boss...he and his wife have an apartment off of the main house, and he was the one setting up this meeting.
So when technical difficulties happened, and they couldn't support three cameras he quickly invited me over to his office to sit in front of his computer and use that camera.
And that would have been fine-but I had to walk in and sit down at the computer with people looking on. Meaning, everyone got to watch me walk in, in all my mismatched PJ glory...with an added green scarf for extra flair.
Lovely.
Imagine its 11:15 in the morning and imagine that Abigail is lounging on her bed ( in her PJs) checking her emails-because that's the norm for most days ( I know, you're jealous of my life...tell me about it later). Now, imagine that she starts getting emails from the higher-ups saying they're trying to put together a video meeting so that Abigail can meet some other people that she'll be working with at "headquarters" ( that sounds fancy doesn't it?)-and even if it doesn't sound fancy, Abigail had the knowledge and knowhow to realize that MOST people who have jobs on a weekday at 11:15 are NOT wearing their PJs....But NO BIGGIE, the meeting wasn't going to be until tomorrow so she was safe!
Safe until 5 minutes later when the meeting was quickly moved to 11:30. It was now 11:25.
But, don't you worry your little head, Abigail is a smarty, she knows that her computer camera can see only "this much" of her....so she assesses the situation. She was at that moment was wearing an ( incredibly soft) t-shirt from Old Navy that had a giant ( not very classy) peace sign on it-in red, white and blue star spangled glory. This number was paired with some pink cropped paints with lace around the bottoms. But hey! No one was going to see THOSE! So, Abigail threw her hair in a pony-tail and THEN in PURE GENIUS she threw on a green scarf ( to cover up the peace sign)...and so, if she angled her computer camera just right no one would ever know that she was not meeting business casual standards....
And I really think this would have worked. I really think I would have gotten away with this plan, if there hadn't been technical difficulty....which I'll now tell you about, but first I must remind you that I actually live with my main boss...he and his wife have an apartment off of the main house, and he was the one setting up this meeting.
So when technical difficulties happened, and they couldn't support three cameras he quickly invited me over to his office to sit in front of his computer and use that camera.
And that would have been fine-but I had to walk in and sit down at the computer with people looking on. Meaning, everyone got to watch me walk in, in all my mismatched PJ glory...with an added green scarf for extra flair.
Lovely.
red robin knows
Somehow Red Robin Gourmet Burgers knew that I was feeling better and they sent me a coupon for a free appetizer in honor of my new found interest in food. How sweet of them.
Its for real
So, today I went to my first "exciting" OB appointment...But, first I would like to discuss the rain on my parade:
Stop asking me if I'm getting an ultrasound! I knooooow that most people, out in the real world, have fancy doctors where they get to see their baby every visit. But, I'm dealing with the military here! I will probably only get ONE ultrasound at around 20 weeks, and other than that I probably won't get any unless there are any problems or abnormalities. Now, it shouldn't really upset me-but I guess every time someone asks me for pictures I have to get myself back to being ok with the system I've been given. And for the most part I am ok with it! I mean, hey! This baby is gonna be free! And now days babies are EXPENSIVE. So I will count my blessings and be happy with what I get...
which is a heartbeat! YAY!
So, Hiphopopotamus, ( as he or she is currently named) is real...and the heartbeat was super easy to spot! She just dropped that little thing on my tummy and Bump-de-bump, we were in business. SUPER COOL! An super serial!
I still think I'm in a bit of shock about having a baby....nice that you have nine months to wrap your brain around it.
I think it was cool for Brett too...Poor guy, he's only been dealing with the NEGATIVE affects of pregnancy the last few months, so I think it was a nice change of pace for him to finally have something good happen! hahaha!
Stop asking me if I'm getting an ultrasound! I knooooow that most people, out in the real world, have fancy doctors where they get to see their baby every visit. But, I'm dealing with the military here! I will probably only get ONE ultrasound at around 20 weeks, and other than that I probably won't get any unless there are any problems or abnormalities. Now, it shouldn't really upset me-but I guess every time someone asks me for pictures I have to get myself back to being ok with the system I've been given. And for the most part I am ok with it! I mean, hey! This baby is gonna be free! And now days babies are EXPENSIVE. So I will count my blessings and be happy with what I get...
which is a heartbeat! YAY!
So, Hiphopopotamus, ( as he or she is currently named) is real...and the heartbeat was super easy to spot! She just dropped that little thing on my tummy and Bump-de-bump, we were in business. SUPER COOL! An super serial!
I still think I'm in a bit of shock about having a baby....nice that you have nine months to wrap your brain around it.
I think it was cool for Brett too...Poor guy, he's only been dealing with the NEGATIVE affects of pregnancy the last few months, so I think it was a nice change of pace for him to finally have something good happen! hahaha!
January 13, 2010
The nice things
Here is a not so great picture I'd like us to consider for the purpose of today's blog post....
I snapped this this morning when trying to get a good shot of Hunter ( the cat)-but this cat is hard to photograph because where ever you are, Hunter wants to be righthereontopofyou.
So, today we will look at two things about this picture that actually make me happy about living in Alabama/Georgia.
First, this cat.
This cat is my favorite kind of cat. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's a dog. For one thing he looooves people. And he wants to be with you as much as possible, so he's really good for a snuggle and some unconditional loving.
And two, if you go for a walk, and I'm not even kidding, this cat will GO WITH YOU.
And not just a short distance but a long ramble through the woods, and this cat will walk right along side you, no running off exploring, maybe just a few bounds ahead-but then he's back, waiting for you to catch up the pace.
Its pretty much the greatest.
And then there is the second thing that I'm loving about AL/GA....notice the SUN in this picture?! That's right, friends! As much as I bemoan the lack of coffee shops and the lack of my favorite restaurants or mountains and ocean ( ok, maybe I should stop now)....this place has sun...and in the winter time! How fabulous is that? AND speaking of the sun, it doesn't go down at 4 in the afternoon either! Which is also a plus.
So, there you have it. Some nice things about where I'm living.
I snapped this this morning when trying to get a good shot of Hunter ( the cat)-but this cat is hard to photograph because where ever you are, Hunter wants to be righthereontopofyou.
So, today we will look at two things about this picture that actually make me happy about living in Alabama/Georgia.
First, this cat.
This cat is my favorite kind of cat. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's a dog. For one thing he looooves people. And he wants to be with you as much as possible, so he's really good for a snuggle and some unconditional loving.
And two, if you go for a walk, and I'm not even kidding, this cat will GO WITH YOU.
And not just a short distance but a long ramble through the woods, and this cat will walk right along side you, no running off exploring, maybe just a few bounds ahead-but then he's back, waiting for you to catch up the pace.
Its pretty much the greatest.
And then there is the second thing that I'm loving about AL/GA....notice the SUN in this picture?! That's right, friends! As much as I bemoan the lack of coffee shops and the lack of my favorite restaurants or mountains and ocean ( ok, maybe I should stop now)....this place has sun...and in the winter time! How fabulous is that? AND speaking of the sun, it doesn't go down at 4 in the afternoon either! Which is also a plus.
So, there you have it. Some nice things about where I'm living.
January 09, 2010
Here are some not so interesting thoughts I'm going to share with you since I've banned myself from Twitter/Facebook and would normally do so there....
Tums taste SO much better than they use to. I mean, they are practically like candy. And BONUS they help me to not belch like a 300 pound man who's just eaten a dozen chili cheese dogs. SERIOUSLY. I have never been a burper. I mean, I couldn't burp if I tried. But, NOW, now I am a champion. I mean, WHO KNEW?! But, I'm pretty sure at this point I could win contests with my abilities.
Lost, what a great TV show! You can currently watch all 5 seasons that are out ( the 6th starts at the beginning of Feb) on Hulu...and I don't know what kind of TV you watch, but let me just say that this show is going to BLOW YOUR MIND. Every single season is going to seriously make your brain explode. Which, is actually nicer than it sounds. Anyway. I finished the 5th season this week in the most embarrassingly fast amount of time possible. Seriously. I don't think I did anything else.
Glee sound track, here's something that I will put on my list of things that are embarrassing and yet I am not really embarrassed about loving. Kinda like US Weekly. I mean, that's QUALITY journalism, people. QUALITY. Anyway, the glee sound track is delightful. It makes me smile every time I listen to it, and normally I'm not a person who "sings along"...but you cannot HELP but belt it out. And I have probably never wanted to be able to sing well until this music...*sigh* now I wish I could. I think it would be so satisfying. Case in point:
Tums taste SO much better than they use to. I mean, they are practically like candy. And BONUS they help me to not belch like a 300 pound man who's just eaten a dozen chili cheese dogs. SERIOUSLY. I have never been a burper. I mean, I couldn't burp if I tried. But, NOW, now I am a champion. I mean, WHO KNEW?! But, I'm pretty sure at this point I could win contests with my abilities.
Lost, what a great TV show! You can currently watch all 5 seasons that are out ( the 6th starts at the beginning of Feb) on Hulu...and I don't know what kind of TV you watch, but let me just say that this show is going to BLOW YOUR MIND. Every single season is going to seriously make your brain explode. Which, is actually nicer than it sounds. Anyway. I finished the 5th season this week in the most embarrassingly fast amount of time possible. Seriously. I don't think I did anything else.
Glee sound track, here's something that I will put on my list of things that are embarrassing and yet I am not really embarrassed about loving. Kinda like US Weekly. I mean, that's QUALITY journalism, people. QUALITY. Anyway, the glee sound track is delightful. It makes me smile every time I listen to it, and normally I'm not a person who "sings along"...but you cannot HELP but belt it out. And I have probably never wanted to be able to sing well until this music...*sigh* now I wish I could. I think it would be so satisfying. Case in point:
Target Practice
Remember how last year I had to buy Brett two guns while he was in Afghanistan? And remember how supportive and wonderful I was? And how I didn't complain about it at all?
Yeah. Me too.
Anyway, we now live out in the country where he can shoot his guns whenever he wants ( which there is no end to his delight)...and today he unwrapped one of his Golden Birthday Presents to find the PERFECT TARGET PRACTICE companion ever.
I got him a poster of Edward from Twilight with some insipid quote underneath. Brett was very excited.
I think its going to help relieve him of a lot of stress.
Yeah. Me too.
Anyway, we now live out in the country where he can shoot his guns whenever he wants ( which there is no end to his delight)...and today he unwrapped one of his Golden Birthday Presents to find the PERFECT TARGET PRACTICE companion ever.
I got him a poster of Edward from Twilight with some insipid quote underneath. Brett was very excited.
I think its going to help relieve him of a lot of stress.
January 07, 2010
In a day
Thanks Hulu, Thanks so much for giving me ALL FIVE SEASONS of Lost at one time. I mean, honestly, I don't know what else I would have done today.
Well, I take that back, I did do ONE other thing. I went for a long walk with a new friend. This was nice on two levels. One, I talked to another person other than Brett-which is nice, just for varieties sake and two, I was scowled yesterday for not exercising. Which, COME ON! I do NOT feel like exercising right now! But, today, today when tempted by real live conversation with another girl I was willing to put my nausea aside and go for it! And it was good...and I only felt slightly sickish once in the thirty minutes. So score.
In other news, it could possibly snow here tonight. I'm not holding my breath, but its in the forecast....is it seriously cold everywhere in the USA right now? Amazing!
Oh, and thanks for all the lovely comments from all you lovely people! I really appreciate it-I knew I should have shared this sooner ;-)
Well, I take that back, I did do ONE other thing. I went for a long walk with a new friend. This was nice on two levels. One, I talked to another person other than Brett-which is nice, just for varieties sake and two, I was scowled yesterday for not exercising. Which, COME ON! I do NOT feel like exercising right now! But, today, today when tempted by real live conversation with another girl I was willing to put my nausea aside and go for it! And it was good...and I only felt slightly sickish once in the thirty minutes. So score.
In other news, it could possibly snow here tonight. I'm not holding my breath, but its in the forecast....is it seriously cold everywhere in the USA right now? Amazing!
Oh, and thanks for all the lovely comments from all you lovely people! I really appreciate it-I knew I should have shared this sooner ;-)
January 06, 2010
The Big Reveal: Live it with me
So, I sorta kinda snapped out of it today-when I leaned over to pick up my bible off my bedside table and threw up instead. Well, not right then but I pretty much barely made it to the toilet.
And that's what you've been missing for the past month and a half.
I'm not entirely sure why I decided to keep it from my blog for so long, I mean, at first it was so I could tell our parents in more personal forms of communication other than an internet post ( I think everyone appreciated this. ha.) ....but then, once that was taken care of...along with a lot of other wonderful people who celebrated/were shocked, right along with us...I dont know. I don't know why I held back from blogging about it.
Until today. Today, I'm blogging about being pregnant/knocked up/with child/preggars/on the nest/expecting/ a bun in the oven/ riding the baby train.
Its kind of crazy that after blogging about college and about being out in the real world, getting a job, getting married, and countless other big changes I would now come to this-something that I hesitated to blog about.
When I was pondering it, I think the only other thing that I haven't blogged about in a very timely manner would have to be when I first started having feelings for Brett, but that was mostly because I knew he was reading my blog at the time and I didn't want to give anything away. So, that brings us to this little piece of news. I have been keeping this "little" secret from my blog for...oooooh....8 weeks.
That's right kids. I'm 10 weeks pregnant. Sooo mark your calendars ( in pencil) for the first week of August and get ready for some major changes in the Wilson household.
So, I kept it a secret a long time. And I was basically waiting to tell my blog that I was pregnant after I had my first ultra sound, you know...the one where they prove to you in no uncertain terms that you've got a little person in your tummy. But, that's not until next week, so why the early reveal after all this time? Well, that takes us back to me throwing up over my bible this afternoon...
You guys have been missing out. You've missed the Christmas where I spent MOST of my time not moving...and the other half of my time hunched over the toilet. You've missed my new bed time: 8pm. You've missed the New Years that Brett and I spent in bed...reading. And you've missed my discovery of peppermints as the best quick fix for nausea, and my wonderful ex-roommate/nurse Lindsay sending me contraband hospital remedies, and you've missed my darling husband being SO INCREDIBLY USEFUL and THOUGHTFUL you'd probably start calling him Prince Charming if you saw it, you've missed my new inability to do pretty much ANYTHING during a given day, and you've missed my new found hatred for having to stand up during a church service. You've missed my current love of PB&Js and how for a two week span all I wanted was apples ( I don't like apples normally)....
And to be honest, if next week, something goes horribly wrong and there is no little heart beat in my tummy I'd want to tell you about it. And I'd want you to know about this past month and a half so you'd know just what a journey this has already been...AND if next week I'm more excited about this pregnancy then I have been thus far...well, then-you'll know why!
So there you go. The big reveal. Now lets all count down the days until next Thursday together. ;-)
And that's what you've been missing for the past month and a half.
I'm not entirely sure why I decided to keep it from my blog for so long, I mean, at first it was so I could tell our parents in more personal forms of communication other than an internet post ( I think everyone appreciated this. ha.) ....but then, once that was taken care of...along with a lot of other wonderful people who celebrated/were shocked, right along with us...I dont know. I don't know why I held back from blogging about it.
Until today. Today, I'm blogging about being pregnant/knocked up/with child/preggars/on the nest/expecting/ a bun in the oven/ riding the baby train.
Its kind of crazy that after blogging about college and about being out in the real world, getting a job, getting married, and countless other big changes I would now come to this-something that I hesitated to blog about.
When I was pondering it, I think the only other thing that I haven't blogged about in a very timely manner would have to be when I first started having feelings for Brett, but that was mostly because I knew he was reading my blog at the time and I didn't want to give anything away. So, that brings us to this little piece of news. I have been keeping this "little" secret from my blog for...oooooh....8 weeks.
That's right kids. I'm 10 weeks pregnant. Sooo mark your calendars ( in pencil) for the first week of August and get ready for some major changes in the Wilson household.
So, I kept it a secret a long time. And I was basically waiting to tell my blog that I was pregnant after I had my first ultra sound, you know...the one where they prove to you in no uncertain terms that you've got a little person in your tummy. But, that's not until next week, so why the early reveal after all this time? Well, that takes us back to me throwing up over my bible this afternoon...
You guys have been missing out. You've missed the Christmas where I spent MOST of my time not moving...and the other half of my time hunched over the toilet. You've missed my new bed time: 8pm. You've missed the New Years that Brett and I spent in bed...reading. And you've missed my discovery of peppermints as the best quick fix for nausea, and my wonderful ex-roommate/nurse Lindsay sending me contraband hospital remedies, and you've missed my darling husband being SO INCREDIBLY USEFUL and THOUGHTFUL you'd probably start calling him Prince Charming if you saw it, you've missed my new inability to do pretty much ANYTHING during a given day, and you've missed my new found hatred for having to stand up during a church service. You've missed my current love of PB&Js and how for a two week span all I wanted was apples ( I don't like apples normally)....
And to be honest, if next week, something goes horribly wrong and there is no little heart beat in my tummy I'd want to tell you about it. And I'd want you to know about this past month and a half so you'd know just what a journey this has already been...AND if next week I'm more excited about this pregnancy then I have been thus far...well, then-you'll know why!
So there you go. The big reveal. Now lets all count down the days until next Thursday together. ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
