Hmmmm, it's been quite a week!

I am behind in my blogging...that's what a week's worth of company will do to you :) It's all good though and we enjoyed all the guests!

It was a lot of fun to have the Littles here. Of course they were accompanied by GiGi and G-Pa along with Aunt Turtle and Uncle Jimmie. They got to splash and swim, look at lots of planes, play on our stairs, eat catfish (which they LOVE), see the coolest diorama's ever and just enjoy being Tourist on an adventure of their new surroundings! They even got to see an alligator...which was tops on their "to do" list!

 

 Getting inside Miss Liberty!

 This was huge for them!

Splashing downtown...they had sooooo much fun!

 

 The downtown murals up close and personal...really magnificent!

These two murals are the largest public murals in the nation. Known as the Once in a Millennium Moon Murals they are full of  symbolism. Looking at them is almost overwhelming due to all the embedded meaning depicted. Their detail is amazing as well. I have seen them from afar as we travel the highway that gives a good view numerous times but going to see them up close was WOW!

 Who knew an Elvis statue in Shreveport! Aunt Turtle was all about seeing that :)

 Checking out the diorama's...everyone loved them. They are really spectacular!

In the Barnwell gardens...the goldfish were really cool!

After our touristy about and around the downtown area we stopped in at the ElDorado for a nice buffet lunch. There was something for everyone! I loved the fresh pineapple! Another day we ate at the Blind Tiger. I had heard great things about this restaurant and it did not disappoint. The catfish was really good according to my dad and the Littles. The red beans and rice were tops according to Uncle Jimmie along with the ettouffee. GiGi and Aunt Turtle liked the appetizer platter offerings especially the dipping sauce! My Santa Fe grilled chicken salad hit the spot for me so it was all good!

Later in the afternoon we experienced another REAL RARE TREAT...

 

I know this will be talked about for years to come...what an awesome experience!

I'm so glad they all were able to make the trip, especially my dad. I thought he might bow out, but he didn't! We really put them through the paces trying to getting in as much as we could showing them the base and surrounding area. 

 G-Pa catches a few Zzzz's before dinner!

It was a great week! I was worn out too! But like I said we are gearing up for another crew! Hope your days have some fun adventures in them, if not, start making plans now, summer will be gone before you know it. We are trying to nail down some of our own summer travel plans, it's hard with work and school schedules to de-conflict but we are hoping to get something scheduled soon!

It's NOT just another day...

It's a holiday weekend, yes...but it's not just a holiday weekend. 

Memorial Day

So worth the read...

All gave some, some gave ALL...while the percentage of American's who choose to serve their country is small the sacrifices made to do so are not. It is done freely without regard to those sacrifices. However, on days like today it is worth making mention of the sacrifices made. Our military men and women are giving much. They do what they do for many different reasons. I have met THE most amazing people ever. They get up each and every day to put on their uniform to protect the sacred freedoms of our land. Some days are harder then others, especially when you are on foreign soil I am proud to have an affiliation with one who wears that uniform and has for nearly 26 years. I am proud of all the men and women who wear a uniform and I say THANK YOU...

8 Ball Makeover

So yesterday someone had a birthday, I didn't know it, not that I should have, but when I did find out I just thought it would be fun to do something. I like fun. I am not the creative type but you know some things just come easy and this one was waaaaay too easy.

 Before and After

I think it turned out pretty neato! And you know the recipient gets asked lots of questions and he is so open to new ideas. He is also a real strategic thinker so having another tool in his toolbox to assist him in coming up with answers will be great for him, I'm sure! LOL

The MIGHTY 8 Ball

KJ

Today was another one of those fun days when we got to reconnect with one from our past. We got to see him just a year or so ago so it was a BONUS to be able to see him again today and we feel extremely honored that he took the time to have lunch with us :)

KJ is now a civilian but served with MiB at the 3rd Herd while we were in OKC, it was back in the day and we have some of THE sweetest memories from this assignment and KJ!

 MiB and KJ

 All of us :)

And KJ took one of us too :)

And lunch was simple, Chick-Fil-A cause that didn't have those on the Island...which works for us cause that is one of MiBs favs! Though now in retrospect we probably should have introduced him to Cane's cause that is also a great place.

Heritage Dinner

Oh what a night...seriously, one of the neatest events we have attended!

 

 The "passed items" were yummers, this was the cucumber rounds stuffed with pimento cheese however the toast points tapanades (and I'm not positive they were actually tapanades but that is what they reminded me of) they were GOOD!)

 Couple "characters" from days gone by, loved the period uniforms!

 Couple "characters" in modern day uniforms!

 

The memorabilia was really something and this particular piece just made me chuckle!

Our place settings were just simply awesome!

The raspberry sorbet was a really nice treat, and even though it was the palate cleanser, it was probably my favorite :) Though I loved the soup and the the grilled shrimp, too.

Lots of heritage of course but the stories we heard, oh my, those were the mostest! That is really what is the most fun, hearing the stories from things and events from days gone by. Some are a little (okay maybe in some cases a lot:) embellished but they are still great fun to hear and many bring lots of chuckles; others are truly learning lessons if your listening closely!

 Miss M...she was the planner extraordinaire for this event and did a PHENOMENAL job! 

 MiB with the Air Commodore...mini reunion because they had also been deployed together! Their symbolic cups were swapped on the handout, darn those last names that start with M and look close especially in dim light with aging eyes! LOL

After the formal portion of the dinner, the group was adjourned to the patio for cognac and cigars. I did not partake in the cognac as the aroma alone was enough to turn me off. And I don't do cigars! However, as the night wore on they brought out the "good stuff" so I was told. There was a cup brought in to the ladies, who had abandoned the patio for the comfort of the AC. We were encouraged to "let it just touch your lips". Yeah, no matter if it was the good stuff or not it still tasted like rubbing alcohol smells to me! I'll just stick to my $5.00 bottle Chianti thankyouverymuch Aldi :) But again it was a really spectacular evening and it is definitely going into the great memories category for me!

THE Mighty 8th Commander with the "good stuff"

Thursday Thoughts!

I'm going to a swanky dinner tonight! Dressen' right up and going out. This evening we will be attending a heritage dinner celebrating the 70th anniversary of the MIGHTY 8th!

I have many things to do and have already accomplished a lot so I feel pretty good about today. I'm choosing to be on the computer less and less. It is hard but I like it.

Gotta run, still much to do!

Thoughts:

• Pool is O P E N :)
• Already really warm here...
• Really ready for fresh 'maters :)
• Working hard on that exercise thing!

The other really uplifting news is that The Littles are planning to be here next week :) Can't wait for the precious hugs and lots of questions, it's going to be a F U N time I know! Oh, and my parents will be here with them, so bonus :)

A scholarly afternoon...

It's graduation season and that brings scholarships! As a parent I loved the scholarship awards night with LilBlue. Probably much more so since she took home some big money. That makes any college tuition paying parent VERY happy :)

This afternoon a few of the private orgs came together to hand out some well deserved scholarships. There were some happy momma's and daddy's along with AF members and spouses. Who doesn't enjoy receiving a little financial assistance?

 BESG

 TOP III

Way to go everyone!!

Seriously, it's true...manners do count!

I am a manners type of girl. I'm not a manners police type, it's just that I notice them. I like manners. I think it's just right. It makes me so very happy and honestly proud to hear my own child (who is 21 years old!) use her manners.

I am forever using titles with the Littles and other younger people in my life. I just like them, manners that is. I think it should always be Uncle Bill, Miss Maxine, Aunt Tami, Mr Jerry. I don't know why, I just think it's the right thing. I am also the one "titling" those in uniform even out. Right, wrong or indifferent it's what I do. There are some people who are sir, or Colonel or Chief in or out of uniform. To me no matter the relationship I just cannot get past the title. Some think it's too formal and really they try to get me and others (like me) to "loosen up" but I feel if I do loosen up we lose something. Something that I can't quite put my finger on but we have already lost too much of whatever it is.

I was so pleased when I recently had the opportunity to be on a three way phone call with LilBlue and got to hear, "yes ma'am", "no ma'am" without any coaching from me. It was a heart swelling moment in my parenthood experiences. Those moments are priceless

I also enjoy hearing her use please and thank you, and frankly, the more the better. And recently in the hospital when she was upchucking she even said thank you each time she was assisted in the midst of the hurling, really, she did, I was somewhat amazed myself.  But it was awesome. I just think manners will serve you well no matter where you are or what you are doing. Seriously, I believe that wholeheartedly! Now, I don't want you to misunderstand me and think you should "put on your manners" in hopes of getting something, no, no, no, that would make me sad. My desire is that people would just makes manners apart of who they are. I think it would be a nice improvement for anyone.

Sooooo, that's me on my cereal box today, I'll crawl off now before I get started on thank you notes...yeah, I know, I am one of those, I think thank you cards are the right thing. But I fear it's another one of those lost art areas.

I hope you have a great weekend, I'm planning to :)

Thursday Thoughts

Positive and Productive...that's my main thoughts these days. Just keep it positive and be productive. Sometimes that is hard, REALLY hard. Press on...

Been an up and down week. Lots went on and is going on. I have met myself coming and going on the EastSide road. I know this drive often causes me to internally scream, especially if I am making it for the THIRD time in one day but other times it gives me a few quiet moments to reflect on where I've just been or where I'm going. I find myself in my car rather often as of late and as long as everyone drives the speed limit I am good!

I do get a bit out of sorts if I get behind someone going too slow! It's not easy knowing the speed limit if you don't make this drive very often but those of us who do know EXACTLY what the speed limit is and where it changes. It's also crucial to my timing to go the speed limit, it can make or break me. I hate getting on the main base too early and having to kill time, but I also don't do late! I know it's nuts but someone going 40 in the 50 then 25 in the 45 messes me up.

Anyway, today finds us attending yet another memorial...I tell you, I have attended way too many of those here. I find it depleting of my soul, I find I need to really take time to replenish myself after events such as these. I also find it really causes me to pause, to not take life for granted, I have been known to make more spontaneous decisions since we came here (I know most of you find THAT hard to believe, but it's true). I have been throwing caution to the wind, not often, but I have, I guess witnessing and being exposed to more death has made me loosen up a little. So there is positive from these events if you put the right perspective to it.

Thoughts:

• Thirsty Thursday tonight!
• Weekend w/o many commitments :o)
• New hair stylist may have been found...

Hope you day is positive and productive! 

Mother's Day

My honey let me sleep in, I managed to do that until after 7. Which is BIG in my world, I usually wake up and then have to get up, I don't do well going back to sleep...I wish I could but I just don't do that well.

I did a bit of nothing, then did some more nothing, while baking a cake. MiB went to the river and I had the house all to myself and did some more nothing while I also did a bit of laundry. Once I knew MiB was headed home I started a little bit of lunch prep. MiB was cooking out on the grill for me. I much prefer a home meal to out. I just do. I am not sure if this stems from the fact we eat out often for events or that I just prefer my own cooking but I like to eat at home! So it was baked potatoes, salad, corn, rolls and a nice steak on the grill! It was heaven. We ate at the table for the first time in I cannot even remember, we lingered over our food, talked about nothing and savored the moments of just being. 

After lunch we took in a movie. Yes, I chose a chick flick! I had read the book, it was good, typical ending, the guy gets the girl, but that's okay with me, I enjoyed it! 

Then this evening we had a little farewell gathering in the neighborhood for one of our own. The DOC and Ms S are moving on. We will miss them, they are a wonderful couple and we have loved them from the moment we met them. It's another one of those bittersweet things that comes with the territory!

I'm so sorry there are no pictures...I had my phone available just didn't use it! Booooo for me :/

Mighty 8TH 8 Miler and more...

It was a late night and an early morning but the weather was what MiB calls near perfect. He prefers a cooler rather then warmer day for running and a little mist doesn't bother him at all. In fact he likes a bit of mist!

Pre-race

Speech writer and fam :)

Lined up and ready to go!

 And they are off; it was a nice crowd!

 Done...

I was a bit disappointed in that I was not aware the race offered a 5K along with the 8 mile run. I know I would not have tackled 8 miles but I would have done a 5K. May not have made running the whole thing but I know I could have finished! Next time :) MiB would have liked to have made it in a little sooner however with all the travel we have done and little to no miles under his belt in the last few weeks I was impressed he even ran! But he is such the runner and competitor :) 

It was a full day as we left the race and shifted gears to head on to a cookout. (We did go home to clean up and change clothes first, cause I know you might have been wondering that!) The turnout was fabulous especially considering it was NOT cookout like weather. Just goes to show you it's not about the conditions! Everyone had a great time, we met some new folks and enjoyed baby holding, running after a few toddlers and vacuuming at the end! Many hands made light the work but a big shout out to the Sly Crew for spearheading a super fun event! So glad we could make it!

Then this evening we were at a another event for the 8th. The museum here that honors the 8th is in desperate need of some umph to make it a bit more then just a collection of really neat things in a smelly old building on an installation.  A very diligent, dedicated, active group has gotten together to bring the museum into a new home that will really be impressive someday.
 
The guest speaker for this event was a VietNam era war ace. He shared his combat skies experiences and can I just say, "WOW"! Amazing the things he shared! As impressive as he was I must make mention of the dessert...cause you know how I feel about cheesecake. (It's probably my favorite dessert of all time) Not to lessen the speaker but when the cheesecake was brought out I was a little distracted. I mean you could have talked about anything and I would have been okay! LOL

The presentation was beautiful...

Great events all day, whew, I'm tired and off to bed! Night all :) Tomorrow I am on chillaxin mode! After all, it is Mother's Day and I am a mother!

Military Spouse Appreciation

Well, this certainly snuck up on me...in fact I did not even realize it was until my own LilBlue made a comment to me on FaceBook. I'm somewhat indifferent to "days" like this.

I found the Wiki page enlightening. The fact that Military Spouse Appreciation came into being the year I graduated from high school was enough to make my eyes bug out a little! WOW and I really did not realize it coincides with Mother's Day weekend. I have been educated indeed!

There are lots of nice things out there about military spouses, they are really nice I read them and in my brain I am usually in agreement and find it interesting that someone has put it all into words. I find reading those things sometimes funny, sometimes emotional. I also realize that it's just how we roll. Military spouses are a different breed. And even then we are not all alike, some are still even a cut above and have more tenacity then others. It's a lifestyle, if you embrace it, you learn it, you do it, you become it. Others struggle, take longer to get it together, fight against it, those are the ones we come alongside and help, it works, we take care of our own, we are family. It's a mindset, you serve, you find yourself in roles you don't want or necessarily need, but the overall picture can be seen and you know meeting the needs of others is necessary. You want the young ones to feel connected, you help them get there, you want to see them grow, to carry on, to be the next generation and to know how to do it. It's not always all cake and flowers, or graduations and promotions...sometimes it's ER rooms and tissues, sometimes it's bouncing a fussy baby and coloring with a toddler while mom gets a breather, or helping out with a phone call on pay issues or explaining a process that you don't even understand yourself but you know is just the way it is. 

I wear no uniforms, no blues or greens.
But, I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But in the military world is where I live.
I am not in the chain of command, orders I do not give or get.
... ... But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I am not the one who fires a weapon, Who puts his life on the line.
But my job is just as tough, I’m the one who is always left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and pride filled man.
And the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines, I see things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do my kids and me.
I love the man I married. The military is his life.
So I pledge to support my hero and stand among the silent ranks known as THE MILITARY WIFE.

Congrats to all the military spouses out there and hope you enjoyed the day set aside to recognize who we are. We speak a different language, we live daily in a world of unknowns, we are our own family, we are military spouses! Thanks LilBlue for reminding me of this day, love you :)

Thursday Thoughts

Pretty sure I am missing her more then she is missing me...

Still praying for a smooth, speedy recovery and that she continues to gain more strength every day. I know she will be glad to be able to get to back to some sort of "normal"! I am thrilled she is getting along so well with "real" food. She feels better for sure, even though she is still really sore or in her words feels like someone "socked me in the tummy",  and she is still easily worn out; she is better and that is/was the goal!

I have a lot of thoughts but none are easily going into words today...

•  Love sleeping in my own bed :)
• Glad to be able to go when needed...
• Being far away makes some days not so easy.
• I think we are having company in a few weeks :)

Home again...

Long day...six states and two White Grill cheeseburgers later and we are home. It is good to be in our own space. While we do enjoy the travel it is nice to look at the rest of May and know that we are supposed to be home. I think we are both looking forward to getting some home time. Perhaps some of those still not hanging on the wall items will be hanging, or not! Looks like we are going to have visitors. I am UBER excited about that, hope it all works out that they can come :)

 MiB getting us checked out from Offutt

So it wasn't easy to leave the girl, but she IS doing good and I know she is only going to improve. I am sad that we didn't get to do more, but there is only so much you can do when one is recovering. I am just thankful we could be there and help her through this. I know she is still in good hands, the Bud has taken over. I am thankful for so many unspoken things this evening, God is good!

I'm off to bed, I know I am hoping for a wonderfully restful night in my own bed! NIGHT :)