31 Days of Military Life ~ DAY 2

So DAY 2 of Life in the Military is get into the community you are in no matter where that may be and experience life outside the gate. This is vital to both you and the community. Sometimes the community does better at embracing us then others but their take on who and what we are is a direct result of us and our take on who and what they are...it's kind of a catch22 but you make the best of it and they will too!
 
So this is one of the neat things of military life...being able to get out and experiencing the local culture. The Red River Revel just kicked off so we thought we would mosey down and check it out. I had already had a small taste at the quilt show on Thursday but now that the festival has kicked off and is in full swing we thought we would spend our Sunday morning/afternoon there.

Not to be unfair but I think we have already experienced one of the very best arts festivals ever but we still always try to take in the events like this no matter where we live. So off we go to the downtown area, found a free parking spot and headed to the Rx3.

 Our $5 tickets!

Personally, I was a little bummed that they charge admission...to be fair, it is only $5. They only charge on weekends and after 6 on weekdays (which is $10, so we will not be going during that time frame!) but still I really think it is crummy to charge for these things. To me you know you are going to make the money one way or another. Especially when you are charging to park (which was another $5, unless you park really far away), sodas were $2.50 and most of the food prices started at $5 and my one egg roll was $2) For us, we knew this going in but IMO if you want to maximize your attendance don't charge - just my .02!


Since is was mid-morning and we had only had our coffees this a.m. we thought we would go straight for the food booths. Lots of choices, I went with the fried rice ($5) and egg roll, it was okay, definitely would not choose it again. MiB had a gyros ($8) which he said was stellar. Oh and we also had beignets!

 Waiting on the mini-bini's!

Don't worry Cafe Du Monde we still love you the best! And trust me NOTHING has compared to you since we met in June. I miss you dearly and hope I will see you again soon!

Just to give you a bit of feel for the other food offerings there was muffalato pizza (which I wish I would have tried), roasted corn, turkey legs, grilled pork chops, sweet potato fries, fried dill pickles, mushrooms or zucchini, funnel cakes, pulled pork, taco salad and the list goes on and on! I want to believe it was good so I will!

After filling our tummies we headed on to the vendor booths. Some very unique things, some pushy artisans, some humble ones, some arrogant ones, some sleepy ones (wish I would've taken her pic :). But for the most part some really neat, unique, clever, interesting, one of a kind things to look at. Some really pricy things, some cheap things. Most said no photos, which I get but it also means I have none to share with you except the piece we purchased for ourselves. There were a lot of choices and we could have come home with more but this one spoke to us both.

 I'LL TAKE 'EM

This is our LilBlue to a T. She went through a stage of denim skirts and boots and attitude. I loved it instantly and knew I was going home with it. Thank you Ms S for having a military discout...this will replace the caricature that we had of LilBlue on a horse that was ruined in this move. Those things are irreplaceable but this definitely takes the place of the ruined one and lessens the blow of losing it! I think it is priceless and so screams HLM to me!

31 Days of Military Life ~ DAY 1

This is a challenge I saw on another board (or two) that I read/lurk and honestly I didn't "officially" link up/sign on or anything but I thought it was a neat idea so I am going to give it a whirl. Basically, I am going to attempt a post every single day this month. S C A R Y cause I'm committing to a post everyday but I will attempt to relate it to the everyday happenings of our world in the military arena. Yeah, I know, it may be boring as all getout on some days cause really we have been doing this so long it no longer seems out of the ordinary but hopefully it will be a neat little deal.

EDITED: WooHOO I did figure out the whole linking thing! I have a button (thank you soooo much NESTER!!!) on the other page with everyone else :) Oh, and I will hopefully remember to update this post to link each day!

Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5 
Day 6 
Day 7
Day 8 
Day 9 
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
Day 24
Day 25
Day 26
Day 27
Day 28
Day 29
Day 30
Day 31



Day One - Mandatory Fun.

If you've read my blog you may have heard this term. I think it is a little misleading because anything is what you make of it and we have always looked at it as a way to spend some time together while MiB is working. Call it what you want but I will take any and all time with him pretty much regardless of circumstances. So my thoughts on mandatory fun aren't the norm...no surprise there, my thoughts on most things are not the norm! LOL

Unfortunately, the view of mandatory fun from the majority of blue suiters is not favorable. It's look at as having to attend a function when you'd rather not. Seriously, some events are more fun then others but supporting your fellow Airman regardless of the event is the heart of the situation. We have all gotten those civilian invitations that we would rather not accept but we do it out of respect for the sender or a relationship of someone close to the sender. The same is true for mandatory fun. Graduations, promotions, retirements, revenue producing activities, civic mixers, holiday gatherings, cook outs, pool parties, and the list goes on and on...you name it they happen every week in this business, sometimes every day! It's pretty much the sameo sameo but the individual/groups change and should they be shortchanged just because you have already done this for 685 other Airmen? NO! Each and every one deserves that same level of commitment from you and/or your work center/squadron/group. As we say, "it's the right thing to do"

Too many blow it off, too many punch at 5ish and never return until duty the next morning or take off on Friday afternoon and totally ignore their blue suit until Monday a.m. again. That's just not the way to go about living this life IMO. Because it IS a lifestyle and if you or someone you love is choosing to do this you need to embrace that to make it the most it can be. And if you can't/don't perhaps you need to reconsider your career choice, just sayin'...

So in a nutshell that is my thoughts on mandatory fun. This weekend we have three events that fall into this category. One last night (OKTOBERFEST), one tonight (Wine&Dine) and one tomorrow night (Civic Leaders Mixer). Let the socializing begin :)

Wine & Dine Event

 Our wonderful table mates for the evening!

KFay and Col F - V's

Mrs & Chappy along with CV, sorry JV I cut you out of the pic! :(

 

MiB and I

What a fun evening! The shrimp kabobs were really tasty and so was the strawberries w/pound cake! The club did good on this one!