Is it weird that I totally forgot I have a blog? I just went to follow my niece, Courtney's blog, so we can follow her on her mission trip this summer. Then I remembered I also have a blog! ha ha! And now the year I was supposed to be blogging about is THANKFULLY almost over! Two months until the AWC graduation. It would not all have been so bad if this winter hadn't been so brutal. Even the locals are in disbelief. It is April 5th, 46 degrees with a brutal cold wind. My feet want to wear flip flops so bad but it still is just too cold. :-(
This week I am planning Andrew's promotion party. His promotion ceremony to Colonel was surreal and so exciting. Two of his seminar mates were also promoted so we are having a Triple Threat Promotion Celebration next Friday. It will be fun. I'm currently on Pinterest trying to find a fun cocktail to serve at the party.
We have requested packers/movers for the week of June 9th, which is after Andrew's graduation and boys last day of school on June 6th. We are all anxiously awaiting the move home.
Andrew is away this weekend for his new Army job as G-3 - something I had better get used to as this job will apparently keep him very busy and very out of town. Typically a weekend away wouldn't make me blink an eye - he's done it our entire marriage. I guess I have gotten used to having him around because last night it felt weird not having him here!
Nothing exceptionally noteworthy to mention - just thought I should update while I was reading my old posts! :-) Maybe my next post will be FROM TEXAS! :-)
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Root Canal
Just what I wanted to do when I got to PA was get a root canal. Oh well, it is done and over with. The endodontist was really nice and he liked my Texas accent. I warned him that I take more than 1 shot for deadening. After testing me TWICE he kept adding stuff, so 5 hours later I am still partially numb! Didn't take as long as I anticipated, but came home, inhaled ibuprofen, and then laid on the couch with Logan and watched "Sandlot". At least now I can feel my tongue but boy is my mouth sore! When the regular dentist gets back from vacation he will have to do a crown. Shew!
Have to go in the next day or so to get my photograph taken for the War College yearbook. And probably also my ID. They recommend you go during your husband's appointment, but that would be at the crack of down tomorrow....so in the interest of a better photo, I am going on my own! HA!
Yesterday I got caught up on work and lots of general paperwork for schools, doctors, etc. It is quite cumbersome to move the whole family and I get to do it again next year. At least when we get back to Melissa I will not feel lost!
I am SO THANKFUL for an app called "Waze". If you don't have it on your iphone - GET IT! It is a GPS that also has interactive stuff where people can report accidents, or disabled vehicles and it will re-route you accordingly. The app has been SPOT ON while we have been here. It's so cool and I haven't gotten lost yet! Whew!
Andrew just left to go meet a former Army boss who lives a couple of hours away for dinner. I am amazed at the network he has built throughout his career. He is very good about keeping in touch with people and it serves him well. Just about every day he goes into the post, he comes back and tells me he ran into someone he knew from way back when who is in town for such and such. Yesterday it was a JAG officer who helped him in Afghanistan!
I'm just going to take it easy the rest of the night with the kiddos since Andrew is out for a bit. We have had a lazy day so tomorrow we will get out and go do some more exploring.
Love to all!
Have to go in the next day or so to get my photograph taken for the War College yearbook. And probably also my ID. They recommend you go during your husband's appointment, but that would be at the crack of down tomorrow....so in the interest of a better photo, I am going on my own! HA!
Yesterday I got caught up on work and lots of general paperwork for schools, doctors, etc. It is quite cumbersome to move the whole family and I get to do it again next year. At least when we get back to Melissa I will not feel lost!
I am SO THANKFUL for an app called "Waze". If you don't have it on your iphone - GET IT! It is a GPS that also has interactive stuff where people can report accidents, or disabled vehicles and it will re-route you accordingly. The app has been SPOT ON while we have been here. It's so cool and I haven't gotten lost yet! Whew!
Andrew just left to go meet a former Army boss who lives a couple of hours away for dinner. I am amazed at the network he has built throughout his career. He is very good about keeping in touch with people and it serves him well. Just about every day he goes into the post, he comes back and tells me he ran into someone he knew from way back when who is in town for such and such. Yesterday it was a JAG officer who helped him in Afghanistan!
I'm just going to take it easy the rest of the night with the kiddos since Andrew is out for a bit. We have had a lazy day so tomorrow we will get out and go do some more exploring.
Love to all!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Settling in
Adventures of the weekend included:
DODGEBALL! Every Friday night they have dodge ball on post for the kids. TOTAL HIT with Luke. He LOVED IT!!! Said he met a few kids. Logan didn't like it as much because there were fewer kids in his age bracket and they were all younger than him. I'm sure more will show up next time. Found a really good frozen custard place after that and all approved!
Saturday we invited another Army family over. They have two boys - One is Luke's age but he will go to a different middle school. They were very nice - wife very talkative and invited me to try bunco with her.
Sunday we decided to explore Harrisburg. I wanted to find the mall. The first had a decent Macy's where we got the boys some dressier clothes. They have a small version of Bass Pro there but we were unimpressed since we are used to the HUGE one in TX! The other mall wasn't far away so we went there as well. Hadn't heard of the dept. stores in that mall but the smaller stores were familiar and it will be a place I can go for stuff. Drove through downtown and saw the Capitol Bldg. I'm sure there is adventure to be had down there somewhere, but overall not too impressed. :-( I guess we will have to venture into Philly to find something impressive?! Maybe I just don't know where to look, yet!
I have been looking for my "go to" spot for gifts and a fun place to take girl visitors. I finally found it - and not far at all from the house. They are only open on Fri/Sat/Sun, but they have antiques and also some cool gift stuff that will get me by in a jam! Two people commented on my Junk Gypsy tshirt while I was in there, so I figured I was in the right place! ha!
Last night the homesick feeling crept in and I had a few moments of tears and pity. I'm much better today, guess I just had to have my moment!
The owner of the house we are renting is the office manager for a dentist office. She got me in for an appt because a tooth had chipped during our drive to PA. Turns out I need a root canal - and they are sending me to a specialist since her dentist doesn't do them. I have an appt. tomorrow at 11 so at least I can get it over with. LOATHE dental work of any kind and that was not the news I was looking for, but whatever needs to be done and then I can get a crown and call it good. BOO!
Looking forward to Friday night - we will go to Allentown to see our niece, Meagann, perform with her summer traveling flag corps group. She is also homesick, so maybe we both just need good hugs!
On the War College spouse facebook page I just found a gal that sells "Lu" jewelry? Never heard of it but I found her business facebook page and I think I am in SERIOUS trouble! VERY cute stuff and let's hope it isn't super duper expensive! Anyway, looks right up my alley so that will be fun to check out!
Thinking of you all and missing everyone like crazy. Trying to knock out some work today and some paperwork stuff. Andrew just took the boys for a bit so I am enjoying some peace for a few moments, anyway!
Love to all!
DODGEBALL! Every Friday night they have dodge ball on post for the kids. TOTAL HIT with Luke. He LOVED IT!!! Said he met a few kids. Logan didn't like it as much because there were fewer kids in his age bracket and they were all younger than him. I'm sure more will show up next time. Found a really good frozen custard place after that and all approved!
Saturday we invited another Army family over. They have two boys - One is Luke's age but he will go to a different middle school. They were very nice - wife very talkative and invited me to try bunco with her.
Sunday we decided to explore Harrisburg. I wanted to find the mall. The first had a decent Macy's where we got the boys some dressier clothes. They have a small version of Bass Pro there but we were unimpressed since we are used to the HUGE one in TX! The other mall wasn't far away so we went there as well. Hadn't heard of the dept. stores in that mall but the smaller stores were familiar and it will be a place I can go for stuff. Drove through downtown and saw the Capitol Bldg. I'm sure there is adventure to be had down there somewhere, but overall not too impressed. :-( I guess we will have to venture into Philly to find something impressive?! Maybe I just don't know where to look, yet!
I have been looking for my "go to" spot for gifts and a fun place to take girl visitors. I finally found it - and not far at all from the house. They are only open on Fri/Sat/Sun, but they have antiques and also some cool gift stuff that will get me by in a jam! Two people commented on my Junk Gypsy tshirt while I was in there, so I figured I was in the right place! ha!
Last night the homesick feeling crept in and I had a few moments of tears and pity. I'm much better today, guess I just had to have my moment!
The owner of the house we are renting is the office manager for a dentist office. She got me in for an appt because a tooth had chipped during our drive to PA. Turns out I need a root canal - and they are sending me to a specialist since her dentist doesn't do them. I have an appt. tomorrow at 11 so at least I can get it over with. LOATHE dental work of any kind and that was not the news I was looking for, but whatever needs to be done and then I can get a crown and call it good. BOO!
Looking forward to Friday night - we will go to Allentown to see our niece, Meagann, perform with her summer traveling flag corps group. She is also homesick, so maybe we both just need good hugs!
On the War College spouse facebook page I just found a gal that sells "Lu" jewelry? Never heard of it but I found her business facebook page and I think I am in SERIOUS trouble! VERY cute stuff and let's hope it isn't super duper expensive! Anyway, looks right up my alley so that will be fun to check out!
Thinking of you all and missing everyone like crazy. Trying to knock out some work today and some paperwork stuff. Andrew just took the boys for a bit so I am enjoying some peace for a few moments, anyway!
Love to all!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Pennyslvania - the adventure begins!
Finally settled in after a crazy couple of months preparing for the big move up north. My mind hasn't yet grasped that I am...living in PA! WHO KNEW?!
I am ready to get the kids out and meeting friends. Boredom is setting in (sigh). Friday nights on post they have 2 hours of dodge ball for the kids. I am hoping they love it! They have youth sports through the post and lots of kid activities. Still trying to figure out all of that!
We are all registered for school and anxiously await orientation. Luke will be taking Spanish this year. Luckily, his father speaks it WELL! The middle school is under construction and will remain that way during the year. The orientation will be held at the high school and they aren't allowing students to step foot at the middle school until the first day. I was hoping to be able to show Luke around before the first day. :-( We have been assured that tons of teachers will be available to show the kids where to go. I hope it goes well! Luke's school starts really early and he will be riding the bus as it is several miles away. Logan's school is small and not far from here so we will figure all that out, but he starts a full hour after Luke.
Andrew is all signed up and ready to roll for his War College classes to start on August 5th. At least then we will start some sort of routine. For now, we are winging it each day and going around finding stores (I am ready to find my "go to" store for gifts, etc.), things to do...it is sort of fun finding new towns and exploring them. We found Chic-Fil-A about 20 minutes away in Mechanicsburg, and thought we hit the jackpot! HA! Next stop will be Harrisburg, where the "big" airport is and apparently they have a mall but I have been told not to get my hopes up. I am afraid I have gotten spoiled living so close to downtown McKinney!!!!
I have continued my walk/running each morning. The dogs are seriously lacking exercise since we do not have a fence here. The hills in this neighborhood are KILLER, so I have to walk more than run, but the hills make up for it. I have been taking Rocko with me for the first mile and 1/2 each day, then I drop him off and continue on my own and run as much as I am able. I tried to take Charley one day, but she spotted a rabbit and nearly took me down. I literally had to sit down on the street to keep myself from falling on my face. Both dogs have escaped more than once and it is soooo stressful!!! We have a large 10x10 kennel that is 6' high we leave them in when we leave the house. Other than that, they are connected to dog leads or we let them sometimes hang out on the back porch, which we can close off. Much easier to have a yard with a fence!!!
We had our first dinner guests over yesterday. Andrew knew one of the other students from some other class they had taken together. Turns out he and his wife are Aggies and she lived in Austin for years, so we have lots to talk about! Super nice. Their daughter is Luke's age and they have a son who is 8, so he and Logan played well. It was nice to get to know such a nice family so quickly. The Mom left town today for a week, but I think I have found my first official friend! She is texting me as I type! :-)
The house is starting to feel like home. It was weird trying to entertain without my big kitchen bar. Counter space here is limited so I am going to have to figure out where to put out food for buffet style - may have to actually use the buffet in the dining room, instead of cramming everything in the kitchen. (Brilliant, I know!)
The weather is WEIRD here! At first it was VERY HOT and VERY, VERY HUMID. ICK! I was very surprised and wasn't expecting humidity like that! Now it has cooled down and we are almost cold in the mornings! Yesterday afternoon was mid 70's and absolutely gorgeous. I can live with that! I want to get a fire pit, I think that will get a lot of use! Planning to order more cushions for the teak furniture we have put on the screened in porch (to replace the ones Charley ate!). It's a GREAT place to hang out - when we have cushions to sit on! ha ha! Luke likes to read out there.
Our first out of town visitors were Kris and her girls, visiting from South Carolina. They are a hoot and kept us entertained! We went to Hershey Chocolate World (very commercial...kind of disappointed) - we did not go to Hershey Park (amusement park) yet. We also went to Gettysburg and it is IMPRESSIVE. The museum is VERY well done - and the battlefields are massive. The kids are already saying they don't want to go back - it can get old, but definitely a must see when any of you come visit!
Well, there you have it for my first installment of life in PA! I found myself repeating stories over and over, so I think this may be a good way to give updates to family & close friends if I can be good about making the time to blog on a regular basis! Love to all!
I am ready to get the kids out and meeting friends. Boredom is setting in (sigh). Friday nights on post they have 2 hours of dodge ball for the kids. I am hoping they love it! They have youth sports through the post and lots of kid activities. Still trying to figure out all of that!
We are all registered for school and anxiously await orientation. Luke will be taking Spanish this year. Luckily, his father speaks it WELL! The middle school is under construction and will remain that way during the year. The orientation will be held at the high school and they aren't allowing students to step foot at the middle school until the first day. I was hoping to be able to show Luke around before the first day. :-( We have been assured that tons of teachers will be available to show the kids where to go. I hope it goes well! Luke's school starts really early and he will be riding the bus as it is several miles away. Logan's school is small and not far from here so we will figure all that out, but he starts a full hour after Luke.
Andrew is all signed up and ready to roll for his War College classes to start on August 5th. At least then we will start some sort of routine. For now, we are winging it each day and going around finding stores (I am ready to find my "go to" store for gifts, etc.), things to do...it is sort of fun finding new towns and exploring them. We found Chic-Fil-A about 20 minutes away in Mechanicsburg, and thought we hit the jackpot! HA! Next stop will be Harrisburg, where the "big" airport is and apparently they have a mall but I have been told not to get my hopes up. I am afraid I have gotten spoiled living so close to downtown McKinney!!!!
I have continued my walk/running each morning. The dogs are seriously lacking exercise since we do not have a fence here. The hills in this neighborhood are KILLER, so I have to walk more than run, but the hills make up for it. I have been taking Rocko with me for the first mile and 1/2 each day, then I drop him off and continue on my own and run as much as I am able. I tried to take Charley one day, but she spotted a rabbit and nearly took me down. I literally had to sit down on the street to keep myself from falling on my face. Both dogs have escaped more than once and it is soooo stressful!!! We have a large 10x10 kennel that is 6' high we leave them in when we leave the house. Other than that, they are connected to dog leads or we let them sometimes hang out on the back porch, which we can close off. Much easier to have a yard with a fence!!!
We had our first dinner guests over yesterday. Andrew knew one of the other students from some other class they had taken together. Turns out he and his wife are Aggies and she lived in Austin for years, so we have lots to talk about! Super nice. Their daughter is Luke's age and they have a son who is 8, so he and Logan played well. It was nice to get to know such a nice family so quickly. The Mom left town today for a week, but I think I have found my first official friend! She is texting me as I type! :-)
The house is starting to feel like home. It was weird trying to entertain without my big kitchen bar. Counter space here is limited so I am going to have to figure out where to put out food for buffet style - may have to actually use the buffet in the dining room, instead of cramming everything in the kitchen. (Brilliant, I know!)
The weather is WEIRD here! At first it was VERY HOT and VERY, VERY HUMID. ICK! I was very surprised and wasn't expecting humidity like that! Now it has cooled down and we are almost cold in the mornings! Yesterday afternoon was mid 70's and absolutely gorgeous. I can live with that! I want to get a fire pit, I think that will get a lot of use! Planning to order more cushions for the teak furniture we have put on the screened in porch (to replace the ones Charley ate!). It's a GREAT place to hang out - when we have cushions to sit on! ha ha! Luke likes to read out there.
Our first out of town visitors were Kris and her girls, visiting from South Carolina. They are a hoot and kept us entertained! We went to Hershey Chocolate World (very commercial...kind of disappointed) - we did not go to Hershey Park (amusement park) yet. We also went to Gettysburg and it is IMPRESSIVE. The museum is VERY well done - and the battlefields are massive. The kids are already saying they don't want to go back - it can get old, but definitely a must see when any of you come visit!
Well, there you have it for my first installment of life in PA! I found myself repeating stories over and over, so I think this may be a good way to give updates to family & close friends if I can be good about making the time to blog on a regular basis! Love to all!
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