Where are my ladies in waiting?

I have come to the conclusion that I was born in the wrong century. Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t trade modern conviences such as water and electricity for “all the tea in China,” but it would be nice to go back to a simpler time. Lately, things have been stressful and i have found myself “getting away from it all” by stitching, reading about the Victoria era or “playing” with my tea collection (as in rearranging, not the tea with a teddy bear way!)

When we were vacationing this past week my husband commented that I enjoy “old lady hobbies.” Not in a mean way, but we were talking about my lack of “close” friends. I told him that I missed having a close friend who I could rely on and talk openly with about stuff without feeling like I would be judged. Now it’s just hard. My “civilian” friends don’t really want to hear about my thoughts about military life or they just don’t understand it and end up asking a bunch of questions. As an officer’s wife I always hold back on my true feelings with other spouses because I am expected (real or percieved) to be strong and an example to the others. I never get to be the one to fall apart.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my life and the military is a large part of it, but even if you want children sometimes you want to strangle the little buggers. I made this choice and I never regretted it. For me, I feel like my life has a purpose, it’s something worth doing no matter how hard it is. When I wake up alone because my husband is on another training mission, I know it’s so other families out there won’t have to face the lose of their Soldier because they weren’t properly trained. When he is at work late catching up on things, I know it because he wants to send his Soldiers home to spend what precious time they have with their spouse and children. When he is deployed, I know it’s because he is trying to give others the freedom that so many in America take for granted. It’s worth the sacrifice and worry.

In the military you learn that friends will come and go – physically not the friendships themselves. Moving is part of the nomad life we chose and for the most part it is great for George and I. There is always another adventure around the bend, and no matter how bad a duty station is, if you stick it out for a while, you’ll move somewhere else. Sometimes I just wish I could clone myself so that I would have someone interested in the same stuff as me.

None of my friends here understand neewdlework (although I am so thankful for those of you online who get me in this regards – you guys keep me inspired.) No one really gets interested by stories and history (or furniture!) of the Victorian era and for most my tea cup collection is regarded with the same smiles you give a 5-year-old offering you imaginary cookies and tea.

I think the problem is that at my age (a proud 29-years-old) that all of my friends have children and other obligations and I am still running around being spoiled by my husband and shopping without a care (o.k. I care when he finds the reciepts and it’s not for groceries!) I think I am too much of a princess at times. Don’t get me wrong, the tiara slips off when I have to work or sit in an 8-hour class for my master’s but other than that, I have few worries.

I have worked hard to get where I am, my grandmother always told me that it would pay off in the end, I just thought I’d have friends to share it with. Instead I just share in their interests and play with their children, then come home and revel in my joys alone. My friends are always telling me I should start having children ... maybe I should, then I could force them to enjoy my hobbies ... it’s worth looking into!

A glimpse of heaven ...

Here's a little more about our vacation.

We left after work on May 18. Actually we left at like 8 p.m., but luckily we were only driving the 3 hours to Houston, where our puppy would spend the next 5 days eating Omaha Steakhouse hamburgers, fed to him by grandpa (an I spoil him!?! Yeah right!!!) The next morning we left for New Braunfels, Texas, home of tubing on lazy rivers and Bar-B-Q that still makes my mouth water at the very thought.

After checking in to our condo and unloading the motorcycle (uggg, that's what I forgot to get pics of!) we found that the room they had given us was for a family as the second room had twin beds. So back we went to the office (about a mile away- they have 3 or 4 resorts they oversee). I explained that there were two couple and could we have a condo with two queen beds. So she just switched out the keys and the parking passes (which they terrify you by saying if you don't use your car will be towed, but we are proof that they don't- in fact the security guard I spoke with said it was too much paperwork! Ahhh ... security!) When we got back we realized she was too lazy to ceck and had given us a rier view instead of non-view that we'd paid for. Suckers! George and I quickly claimed that bedrom, but since Gordon and Mindy we only there for the weekend, they didn't mind. (He and George are like brothers seperated at birth.)

After unloading, we headed out for BBQ at Rudy's (ya gotta try it) and then got Mindy a bathing suit becasue she forgot her and me some shorts becasue I thought they were cute.

Next order of business –– the rest of us must find our bathing suits! The boys headed out for beer and water camera (thank you my love for remembering!) while Mindy and I got ready, then off to get tubes. We floated on the river for maybe two hours and since it was getting late, exited at our condo (back stairs lead right to the water) showered for dinner and dropped the tubes off at the rental shack (a term used LOOSELY for the pieces of wood thrown together for buildings used to sell overprices innertubes to suckers like us). We went to the Gruene River Grill (in Gruene, Texas) which is where the pics of me i the white dress are from. It was a beautiful place overlooking the river and we had some "adult" drinks while waiting for a table. Tired (an a little drunk) we headed back to the condo for some R&R and a little TV time.

The next day, we were all up (not so) bright and early and headed back to Gruene for the Americana Music Fest at Gruene Hall (oldest dance hall in Texas!) ater a hearty meal of breakfast burritos from Taco Cabana. At the music fest we spend the next 10 hours partying hard (well I was the designated driver so I indulged my d. coke needs). There we basked in the joy of true Texas country singers such as Two Tons of Steel (love you guys!), The South Austin Jug Band ( that right - JUG BAND), Cory Morrow, Ray Wylie Hubbard ("Snake Farm" ... nuff said!) and a few more I can't remember right now.

Amid the wild Texas music we wandered around the town sqare shopping where I got four important things:
1. A tea cup for my collection
2. enough fudge to make me swear off fudge forever (that takes A LOT of fudge)
3. the newest Pat Green CD and
4. a shirt that says "Screw you, we're from Texas!" (who could pass that up!)

After a long day we headed home where George and Gordon proceeded to watch Top Cowboy on CMT or maybe it was GAC. Anyway, Mindy headed for bed right away, but I stuck it out a while to look at the cute cowboys in tight fitting jeans. Alas I succumb to the days activities and headed to bed before I found out who won.

Monday we had breakfast at the oldest bakery in Texas (we like old stuff, judge us! It just means it must be good.) After filling up on kolachies and apple pies, Gordon and Mindy headed back to Houston (she had to work) and George went shopping at the San Marcos outlet mall. It is so huge I takes nearly a day to walk it, that's not even shopping time! After my feet gave out we headed for Starbucks and back to the room for some rest before dinner.

Tuesday we went to the Army Recreational Site in the hill country for an article for this week's paper, then hit the Dry Comal Creek Winery for some wine tasting. By now it was after lunch, so we headed back to the river for a 2-3 hours kayak trip. It was fun, I dare say easy, but that probably because I left my husband do all of the work. I did scream a bit as we went over the rapids and the water was still cold, so I think he was happy he put me in the front. After dinner we relaxed and wathced the newest episode of The Sopranos before heading to bed.

The next day we sadly packed up and headed back to Houston, where more adventures awaited, but I'll fill you in later!

Here's some pics ...

This one is my favorite:



Here are some more of the pics from our vacation. There are more to follow ... maybe. They are from the river and we'll have to see if I don't hate the way I look too much. I also got my hair highlighted last Friday, so these are the first pics with my new do, although it may be a little hard to tell.







See ya later!

Excitement overwhelmes me ...

I am so excited. In 48-hours I will be basking in the Texas sun, happily burning to a crisp. Well maybe not burning since I do have the sense to wear sunscreen, but maybe just a little. The past week has been crazy as I try to get my regular week's work done as well as the assignments for next week. Tommy has been in and out of the office the last two weeks fighting broncitis, but I'm sure when the medcine wears off he'll tell us all about it (although it might be more fun to hear about it while he's on meds!)
I turned in the last of my homework and feel as if a weight has been lifted. I am already making a list of the assignments due at the end of next semester, so hopefully it won't be so crazy at the end, but we'll see.
I did some stitching Tuesday night and scrapbooking last night, so I am almost to the point of managing my stress. Two months has definitely been too long. I was stitching a freebie scissor FOB sent to me in an exchange by Donna in Edmonton. I absolutely love it and while I have a small list of stuff that needs to be finished, this one looks to be a quickie. It is a pattern by Ellen Maurer-Stroh Designs.
Other than that I am trying to secretly pack because once Sgt. major sees his bag being packed we have one CRAZY dog on our hands. I am so excited about the vacation, so I'm off to make more lists for our shopping spree ...

Tea Time: Spot of Tea with Easter Bunny

Hello All! I just wanted to write a quick note to show you the newest addition to my tea cup collection. George was in Georgia for training, so I went to visit him for Easter. We took some time to explore Augusta that weekend (and visit Starbucks like a thousand times). Anyway, in one of the little antique stores I found this pretty little cup. there were quite a few to chose from but for some reason this one stood out and I had to have it. Lovely, isn't it?

I'm back ...

Hello all ... Sorry I have been away so long (hangs head in shame). There has been a lot going on here and I have just been trying to keep my head above the water. Let me recap:

Military Life: As many of you know I am married to an Army officer. He returned from deployment in December, was home for a little over two months before he left for training. He finally returned home last week, so things are getting back to normal. He recently took over a new group of Soldiers so my task is to meet with the families and make sure that they are doing well. This part is both scary and fun because you get to meet so many new people, but at the same time you are worried that they might not like you. (I know what you're thinking Lime, "What? Someone who doesn't like anybody named Michelle must be CRAZY!") We also got new commanders at the two levels above us, so it had been busy going to all of the events and socials associated with that. (Again, Lime is thinking, "Bet they'd love you in tie-dye attire!") For the most part the ups and downs of it all is normal, but for me, a modern day gypsy (and yet, still a princess) I tend to like the fact that it's not the same old thing everyday. I love mentoring younger wives and helping families deal with the military life in general. It somehow makes me feel as if I am contributing in this whole thing.

Career Life: Work has been a bit of a challenge lately. Don't get me wrong, I am still, for the most part, in love with my job, it just seems as if the drama level has intensified and everywhere you turn, if you say the wrong thing it can be taken the wrong way, or be misconstrued and told to someone else and then they are mad and ... well let's just say, this is the high school part of my teen years that I didn't like and thought I was past it. On the positive side, I have applied for a few new jobs and hope (fingers crossed) that I get at least an interview. One is working with military families, but I don't want to jinx it, so I'll fill you in later.

Parenting Life: Ha! Scared some of you huh!?! Nope, still just the puppy, but he has been acting out over the past few months since George comes and goes so much for long periods of time. I'm just trying to stay sane, but it's a struggle. (And some of you think we should have kids! What are you thinking!?!)

Student Life: Well in the last month I have had to finish an 6-page, 8-page and 4-page paper. I was going out of my mind trying to find the time, but YEAH! Yesterday I turned in the last one! One semester closer to that master's!

Craft Life: Ha! What craft life??? I haven't picked up a needle, paintbrush or glue stick in nearly two months. No wonder my stress level is high. I am planning on working on something this week is I'm able to. Probably scrapbooking since we are going to see some friends when we go on vacation next weekend But I gotta clean the house a little. Sad that even that is something I look forward to becasue it means I have some time for me.

But back to that happy note a second ago ... VACATION!!! What a beautiful word. We will leave next weekend to spend about 10 day away from here. We are going back to New Braunfels (Texas) with George's best friend and his fiancee, then we all head back to Houston where they go back to work and we DON'T! I hope to get some good pics of us and will post them as soon as possible.

Well I guess that's it for now. I promise to post more, now that things are settling down ... I don't want to be like Tommy Gunn (We love you dude, but remember when you post ALL THE TIME? It got me out of a lot of work!)

Well, gotta go and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Ain't life grand!?!

rose_michelle