Because I'm moving...

...I've gotten lazy. I live in military housing-have for the past 12 years. Although I've been fortunate to live at one post for this long, I've never really felt like the two houses I've lived in have been home. I've been able to paint the walls and carpet the institution-like tile, but I've always known in the back of my head that I wouldn't be here forever.

Now that we are moving in January, I've begun to detach myself from our current house. We moved here three years ago from just up the street, because we were told after 9 years we lived too close to the firing range and could suffer from hearing loss. Luckily, I read this in a letter, because I wouldn't have been able to hear whoever was going to tell me. Just kidding.

I've made a best friend across the street and another just up the street. I will miss them terribly, but I've found that your friends are friends, regardless of where they live. My BFF lives in Wisconsin and we are just as close as ever. She'll always be my BFF because she knows too much!

Anyway, what I'm trying to do is apologize to Adam and Addison. I realize my housekeeping has been lax lately. I'm trying, I really am. I spend a lot of time doing my research on houses in the area we are moving to, seeing what is available, how much we can afford, etc.

I really do want to decorate my porch for Fall. I just don't care. I've slowly put my Fall decor throughout the house, just not outside yet. Maybe it's painful to realize it's the last time I will decorate this porch, at this house. I'm guessing yes, since I'm getting a little teary realizing that yes, we will leave this house, and even though I'm ecstatic about moving to Savannah, I will miss our time here.

Wordless Wednesday, Wife Beater-style

You da man, Boy

Addison had his first scrimmage on Saturday, during the Opening Day Jamboree for the Columbus Youth Football League. His team did well, but did allow a touchdown but not the extra point. We didn't score, unfortunately, but Addison did complete a pass. We are so damn proud.

I'm NOT that parent

I've already been warned by Adam, not to be that parent during football season. You know that parent, the one who has a big mouth and yells at their kid and talks shit about the other kids and the other team.

I don't know why he thinks I am like this. We've been married 12 years and never once have I, during any of Addison's sporting events, said anything mean. I've never yelled anything but encouragement, even for the other team.

People have a perception of me, that I'm a hothead. I do have a quick Irish temper, and sometimes have a hard time holding my tongue, I admit. I say what's on my mind and really don't care if anyone listens, and if they do and don't like it, tough shit. That being said, though, I don't know why people think I have no self restraint.

I told Adam that although I don't have a lot of class, I do have some. Enough to make me not yell at Addison or any other kid. For cripes sake, they're 9 and 10 years old. They are learning. I try to praise Addison and teach him at the same time. It's not going to be an easy season for Addison, since we were told they will not win one single game, but he's excited about playing nonetheless, so I am too.

I refuse to be that parent, and I refuse to respond to them. Let them look like an asshole, I really don't care. I will defend my child, because he's sure to get some criticism, being the quarterback. If it's warranted, that's fine, but if not, oh hell no, game on. Just kidding-no, really.

Arghhhhh!

I am stressed. But it's okay, because it's for a good reason.
We are moving, per the Army's orders, to the Savannah, Georgia, area in January.
One of the best things about being in the Army is BAH, or basic allowance for housing. The Army pays our rent, mortgage, etc. We have been paying the full amount allowed to us via Adam's rank to privatized military housing, and it's a waste of money. I know it's hard to understand unless you are current or former military, so let's just say it's a good thing for us at this time.

We decided to pursue buying a house when we move. Why? Because we could find a nice house for a good price and pay considerably less for a mortgage payment instead of giving privatized housing all of our money for duplex living. We've lived in military housing for 12 years, and since Adam's a B.A. we can afford the mortgage on a house.

Cutting through all that crap, I had no idea (well, I did, I was just in denial) how much goes into a home-buying process. We are still in the very beginning stages, too, where we are figuring out the best area to live that has the best elementary school, because besides price and location, the school district is our number one priority for Addison.

Luckily, we do our banking and insurance through USAA, which is for military, and they are SPECTACULAR. They have a realtor, approved by them by background checks, etc., calling me within 24 hours. I guess it's time to work with a realtor and let them know our wants and needs, and let them do the rest of the work. I absolutely hate being bugged, like when shopping for a car or even at a store, when they just won't leave you alone, so I need to take a different tact and realize the realtor is there to HELP me, not try to make me buy a car.

That said, it's a confusing process, but I am feeling good about it all.

Favorite pic ever

This is my favorite, favorite picture of all time. Something about it tickles my funny bone. Well, not the color scheme we had going on in the kitchen/dining room, but we don't live there anymore so it's all good.

Bessie was the coolest dog ever. She just got up in the chair and started eating out of the bowl, so Adam and Addison played along. I miss you Bessie, more every day.

iHeart my iPod

One of my favorite authors and bloggers, Jen Lancaster, once had a blog entry about what she had recently downloaded to her iPod, so that is my inspiration for this entry. I like to read other's blogs about what they recently downloaded, for the simple fact that I don't feel bad for having both 2 Live Crew and Abba on the same playlist. It's cool that other people are as diverse in their music choices as I am, because I was starting to worry about some of my own choices.

Anyway, here are some recent downloads of mine:
* I'm Yours by Jason Mraz -It's got a great beat and Adam loves it too.

* Got Money by Lil Wayne and T-Pain-'Cause I love my rap

* Barracuda by Heart-Gets me pumped up to go vote for McCain and Palin, who I have a mad girl crush on

* The Block by New Kids on the Block-Their new album, because I still love them

* Boom and Alive by P.O.D.-Songs that get me pumped

* That's What You Get by Paramore-An all around good song

* Don't Think I Don't Think About It by Darius Rucker-I always loved Hootie and the Blowfish and wanted to check out Rucker's foray into country music

* So What by Pink- love her, love her girl power songs

* Desensitized by Drowning Pool-an album from 2004. I used to call this "devil music" because all I heard was screaming but it's actually really good music. Their best song by far is Bodies-always makes me work out harder and then want to kick someone's ass after.

If there's something else I should be listening to, let me know.

A Must-Read

I got this e-mail from a good friend, and I felt the need to share it. Read the whole thing-I had tears in my eyes by the end.

Rules for the Non -Military

Dear Civilians, 'We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:
1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem - kick their ass.
2.When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest - kick their ass.
3.Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.
4.(GUYS) If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others that you used to be 'Special Forces,' and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.
5.Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, 'Do you fly a jet?' Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).
6.If you witness someone calling the US Coast Guard 'non-military', inform them of their mistake - and kick their ass.
7.Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her - of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.
8.Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC). The President (for those who didn't know) is our CinC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked!
9.'Your mama wears combat boots' never made sense to me - stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore could kick your ass!
10. bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying 'Let's go kill those Commies!' And stop asking us where he is! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me- if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass!
11. 'Flyboy' (Air Force), 'Jarhead' (Marines), 'Grunt' (Army), 'Squid' (Navy), 'Puddle Jumpers' (Coast Guard), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. Using them could get your ass kicked.
12. Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get it's ass kicked.' 'It's the Veteran, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.' 'It's the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.' 'It's the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.' 'It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.' One more:13. If you ever see anyone either standing for or singing the national anthem in Spanish - KICK THEIR ASS.

Wordless Wednesday Erin-style

Virus Attacks!

I've thought about writing about Sarah Palin and my girl crush on her, or how Tom Brady's injury has thrown me into denial. But since I'm steering clear on politics because, really, I'm not out to change anyone's mind or tell them their opinion is wrong, and since writing about Tom will force me to face the truth, I decided to write about the virus attacking the Nash household.

Totally inane, I know, but I just don't have the energy to get fired up today.

It started Saturday morning, when Addison and I lolled about on the couch, because we didn't feel quite right. By Sunday night, Addison had developed a cough and was lethargic. Adam and I decided to keep him home from school Monday, and I'm glad I did. Poor kid was hot and coughing and feeling like crap. I didn't feel great, but not bad, nothing some ibuprofen couldn't help.

What I do want to do is point out how lucky we are. Adam's unit is awesome, always has been. Well, except for the few hundred times they pissed me off, but that's not a hard thing to do. What they are awesome at is taking care of families, and that includes medically. Instead of having to call the hospital and TRY to get a same-day appointment, and ultimately end up at a walk-in clinic for hours on end, the unit docs will see family members. I'm so appreciative of these soldiers who take time out of their busy schedules to see us.

I was worried because it sounded like Addison was wheezy, but the doc assured me his chest was clear. I'm very grateful.

Addison is now on the mend, but be sure to take your Vitamin C because there is a wicked virus going around, everywhere.

Dida Update-I'm still a bitch

Dida showed up at practice yesterday. Although she was not wearing the usual Adidas pants, I was glad to see she had on something different-until I saw they were pink Adidas pants-with a RED cotton jacket-it was 90 degrees outside. I'm pretty sure they were the same pink pants I had when I was 14, and the same size I wore then, because obviously they don't fit her well.

My friend saw her and said, "Oh, she thinks she's cute." I take this at face value, because this friend does not just rag on people or say something like that unless she really thinks it, and she's pretty smart. I had never thought of that but it does make sense, she struts around like she's Gisele or something.

On a good note, she had on different undies than two days ago. PHEW. Yes, I will continue to be a bitch and report on what she's wearing, just because I need something to fill up those hours when the boys aren't home.

Mortified

Last night Adam had a jump (which ended up being cancelled because the plane was broken-nice) so I had the pleasure of taking Addison to football practice. I go to watch him, and see how he plays, and make plans for the money he will make and give to me when he's in the NFL.

Although I'm a Gemini and supposed to be a social butterfly, I'm not. I'm a quiet person, sometimes too quiet, according to Adam. But I hear everything. And what I heard last night blew my mind.

There were three little girls hanging out near me, one white girl and two black girls. I wasn't really paying attention to them until I heard one of the black girls say to the other, "So you don't like white people?" They continued to talk but I couldn't hear the rest. I thought maybe I had heard wrong, but my hearing is one of my best senses.

Her comment left me baffled. Baffled and angry. She couldn't have been more than 8 years old, so tell me, where do you think she learned this from? Maybe friends, but I'm betting the farm I don't own that she learned it at home. That's what angers me.

I have always said I love that Addison is a military child, growing up in a neighborhood and school full of every sort of nationality you could think of. Addison has had friends who are Puerto Rican, black, Mexican, Peruvian, Samoan, etc. Addison doesn't see color, he sees the content of someone's character. Apparently the parents of that little girl have taught her different, and that disgusts me.

If I had been feeling more sassy, I would have asked her point blank, "So you don't like me?" just to see what she would say, but then again, it's not my job to educate her that you don't not like someone just because they're a different color than you. I know, I used a double negative in that sentence, but I can't think of a better way to word it, it bothers me too.

I'm still in shock over what I heard, and I hope and pray that the girl learns better someday.

Why yes, I am a bitch

***Update*** "Dida" was not at practice last night. I am strangely disappointed. She better show up tonight or I'll be crushed.

I'm a pretty observant person. I have to constantly point out to Adam signs on the side of the road that say "Merge in one mile" or "Construction-speeding fines will be doubled." I catch spelling errors everywhere, TV, magazine, book, you name it.

Addison started tackle football three weeks ago. And, in that three weeks, I have noticed this one mom. Well, I have carefully observed all the parents and realized they bother me, but this lady, whoa.

She wears the same Adidas track wind pants EVERY DAY. No shit. I don't like to judge people, but it's something I've noticed. I pointed it out to Adam, and yesterday we debated over how often we think she washes them.

"You think she washes them every day?" I asked. He shook his head no. "Well, how often, then?" He held up one finger. "Once a week? That's gross." I shuddered inwardly and started to try to covertly glance at her and see if her pants looked dirty.

I know us military folk don't make a lot of money, and the less rank you have, the less money you make. But come on, I'm pretty sure Dida, as I've nicknamed her (Adidas, without the A and S), has more than one pair of pants. And, it's 90 degrees everyday. Does she not own any shorts? Maybe she outgrew them, granted, but Wal-Mart does sell shorts for cheap.

Not to be really nasty, but Dida is not the slimmest woman. The pants are tight-it looks like her crotch is hungry 'cause it's eating her pants. I can read her lips, and not the ones on her face. 'Nuff said.

This is the nastiest though-she was leaning over last night and giving everyone a real good look at her bright blue undies. Adam leaned over and whispered, "Take note of her underwear, and see if she has those on tomorrow too." That was when my gag reflex kicked in.

Congratulations Hun!

Today was one of the proudest days of my 34 years, and 12 of being an Army wife. My husband, Adam, got offically promoted to master sergeant, or pay grade of E-8. It's not an easy rank to get to, by far. Most people retire from the Army after 20 years as an E-7, or sergeant first class. Adam just hit his 13-year mark in the Army in mid-August. He's my hero, and is a good example of what happens when you work hard and keep your nose out of trouble.

The best thing about Adam is he really knows how to balance work and home life. He's had soldiers he was in charge of come back years later and tell him, basically, that while he wasn't their favorite person while he was in charge of them, they realized after they left what a great leader he was, and how much they learned from him. He leads by example, and he is able to shed his tough exterior when he walks through the door every day. He leaves work at work, and I appreciate that, because he knows better than to try to order me around!

Congratulations, Hun, you have made me enormously proud. You deserve every stripe on that rank.