First set of movers come TOMORROW!

I have been over it and over it in my mind, and I feel pretty prepared.  I still have that nagging thought that I'm forgetting something...but I will still have room in my own personal baggage as well as in our large shipment, so it's not like something will be left behind.  Still, it's that first "goodbye" to things, and it's nervewracking!

Had the baby shower this weekend, and it was very fun!   Star Wars themed!  

Thankful for the people who came and the hard work that was put into it!

We had a rest day on Sunday.  Allergies have been kicking our butts (except Ben, he's been lucky).  I'm so tired of coughing!  Delilah has been puny too. 

I'm off...I'm going to go through the list of mover stuff in my head again. 

Today I:

* Sketched Elsa's painting onto canvas.  Just have to add the black and it'll be done!

*Did some paperwork.

*Watched a movie.

*Watched my girl dog hump my boy dog's head.

*Watched people get their ears candled.

*Got really bored at work.

*Was driven crazy by my dogs who want to go for a walk when it's still pretty hot outside.

*Ate pizza and strawberries.

*Did laundry.

I haven't even done very much, but I'm pretty exhausted.

Ok, so if I said that last statement out loud to anyone recently, I'd usually get this reply, "Well if you think you're tired now, just wait until the baby comes!"  or something else about how I'm going to get less sleep once she's born.  AS IF I'M NOT AWARE AND IT'S SOME KIND OF JOKE SURPRISE I'LL GET IN NOVEMBER.  As if I'm totally not aware that I'm going to be tired when she gets here with the nighttime wake ups, breastfeeding, etc...
As if moms need to tell expectant mothers this while laughing.  Let me just tell you, it's freaking annoying.  It makes me want to slap them when they say it.
I have a right to be tired now, just like I have a right to be tired after I give birth.  I wish I could expect people to comprehend how stupidly annoying they're being, but it seems like common sense and courtesy fly out the window sometimes from mom to mom.  I will remember all these rude and irritating comments I'm getting now and will do a good deed by not saying them to an expectant mom in the future.
Another fun comment I'm getting is something to the extent of, "Oh you have no idea about [insert ANYTHING here] until you have a baby!"  Obviously I don't know how exactly things will be AFTER she is born because SHE ISN'T BORN YET.  So right now, I can say what I want about how I'm feeling or any subject and it is OK.

Goodness gracious, is it that hard to comprehend?!

I read http://www.STFUParents.com before getting pregnant, and I used to think comments like this were atrocious when sent in as screenshots.  It's even WORSE hearing it firsthand and having it on my own facebook wall.

/Rant.

Ben and I rearranged furniture in our bedroom last night (and by we, I mean he and some friends moved it).  I cleaned up and mopped.  It really opened up the room a lot and gave us some more room.  We also got the treadmill out of the nursery, so that's going to be my project this weekend....arranging it how I want it!

That's all for now, I'm going to take my dogs out for a walk before they have heart attacks.  Holy moly.

This is me, today.  5 months tomorrow!

I had a hard time falling asleep last night.  The baby was up and moving around and it was so awesome feeling it.  A couple times she punched/kicked/head butted me really hard, and one of those times, I had my hand on my belly and I felt it inside and out!

Phew.  I've been so busy today getting ready for our trip and what not.  So far, I have:

1. Talked to Mom about the shower.

2. Talked to Mary about the shower.

3. Confirmed my attendance at a showing of HP7 in MO.

4. Paid bills that are not automatically debited. 

5. Emailed the person in charge of the graduate school at ENMU.

6. Done 3 loads of laundry.

7. Ate lunch.

8. Cleaned the kitchen.

9. Wrote a note to the person watching our house.

10. Had an interview for a position at a school.

11. Continued the list of things to NOT forget to bring.

12. Let our friend's dogs out while they are not in town.

And I still have stuff to do:

1. Give dogs baths.

2. Vacuum house.

3. Dust house.

4. Mop house.

5. Clean bathroom.

6. Finish laundry.

7. Pack.

See?  What did I tell you?  I'm a busy girl!

Things to do in MO:

1. Shop for a crib/dresser at Nebraska Furniture Mart.
2. Get my wedding ring cleaned.
3. Have baby showers.
4. Get some dang maternity pants/shorts/skirts. (My hips are much wider than my waist, and Baby Ward is quite comfortable laying low...which makes buttoning my pants hard!)
5. Hang out with all of my friends (duh.)

That's all I can think of right now.  I've got a million thoughts running through my head.

Here's the most recent picture of the belly:

Huzzah!

Yesterday, I discovered that the 2 mile track around my housing area is a very enjoyable bike ride, especially with an ipod strapped to my arm blaring really awesome music into my ears.  I think this is going to be a new nightly ritual for me.  Walked the dogs too.  Maybe I'll walk them along that track instead of through the neighborhoods.

Not too happy with the school district around here.  None of them seem to know exactly the right information or they know not enough of it.  If you work in the same building as another, shouldn't there be some kind of communication?  Even if you're too lazy to visit another department, can't you just simply email others?  I guess that for some of these people collecting paychecks from the state (4 people doing the job of 1 or 2), it constitutes as too much work.  Whatever.

I'm going to go hang out with a friend tonight at her son's soccer practice.  Should be a good visit.

Got the car sold!  We'll pay a little out of pocket for everything to go through, but that's one thing off of my plate.  Got the initial paperwork sent in to Japan.  Not approved yet, because we don't have a flight number/date because the stupid base here isn't doing their part (don't even get me started on them again), but I got my stuff sent in and have been in contact with a very nice person from Japan who is being really helpful.

I need to count my blessings and the positive things that are happening in my life so that I can overcome the stupid stuff I have to deal with on a daily basis.

Here are the positive things happening right now:
1. Got the car sold.
2. I've had steady sub work.
3. I got to be at Cameo for 5 days and absolutely loved it.
4. I did 2 paintings for Colsie, one she's buying for a friend!
5. I did a really cool zombie painting and it turned out REALLY cool.
6. Got my pet paperwork turned into the Narita airport.
7. Husband has been doing P90X and is looking ever more fly than usual.
8. I'm having a good time with the girls around here lately.
9. I've been getting more motivated to continue to take pictures of our belongings for the movers to pack up.
10. Even though I don't know the exact date I'm leaving, I am still looking forward to going home to MO and seeing all my friends and family!

What flavor would you like your malt? Braaaaaaaaiiiiiiiins...t

Today was a decent day.

Slept in.
Had coffee.
Got 2 belts from Hot Topic (thanks, buy one get one half off on all accessories!)
Grocery shopped.
Had our car looked at (Please buy it, someone!)
Took dogs on a walk.
Finished a zombie painting.

Had dinner.
Surfed the internet.

Now I'm just chilling at home (Ben is at a concert) and about to start a movie because my pets are looking at me like I NEVER pet or cuddle them...they're staring at me from across the room.

My next endeavor is to finish taking pictures of Ben's Nintendo games (I do not trust movers) so that we have a physical record of what we have.  I'm going to do that with EVERYTHING in the house.  I'm not going to let ANYONE screw us over on anything that belongs to us.  We've worked hard for everything we have.

Subbing at Cameo tomorrow!  I'm super excited to see all my former students and all my friends!

Here are the pics of my vampire earrings, I put them in this weekend (It's hard to get a good picture, btw)

You can kinda see the teeth in this one.

Well, I've got work to do, so until next time!

Amarillo Yesterday

Got my new gauges!  I forgot to take a picture with the vamp ones yesterday, but here's my tiger striped ones:

Super cute, right?

Ben and I went to Amarillo yesterday with the express purpose of picking up my laptop from Best Buy.

While we were there, we:

1. Got drinks from Starbucks.
2. Went to World Market and got some gnochi, chips, salsa, and a big wok skillet.
3. Went to Old Navy where I found 2 new pairs of skinny jeans that make my legs look great and are actually tight around my ankles. (HUZZAH!) They were on sale for $25 and then the lady in the fitting rooms gave me a coupon for 25% off!Jeans that were normally $30 a piece ended up costing me $40 total for both!
2. Went to PetSmart, got some stuff for Margot. I swear, Ben spoils that cat to death.
3. Went to the mall and got some free undies from Victoria's Secret. I love those damn coupons they send out in the mail.
4. Walked around the mall seeing if there was anything else I wanted. Ended up going into Payless and buying a super cute new purse.
5. Went into Wet Seal, but came out empty handed.(It's hard to shop with a boy)
6. Got dinner at Chick-fil-a (YUM!  Wish there was one closer to where I live!)
7. Picked up my laptop from Best Buy. At first, the guy working couldn't find it. I almost had to become enraged because they've called me like once a day for the past 5 days (ummm, hello, I live 2 hours away, it's not like I live across the street!) and then if they couldn't find it....well, it would have been REALLY bad for them.

When we got back, we let the pups out, petted all the animals, and then headed over to Lynell's house cause her sister and brother-in-law are in town. For the most part, I guess it was OK, but MAN....sometimes the conversations people have are so damn boring.  I find myself zoning out because a lot of these people have NOTHING of value to say.

Today, Ben and I are having a lazy day. (That's our Sunday ritual)
We're going to start watching Dexter, but he's been on the phone all morning, so I'm just waiting patiently.

Now for some more wishlist stuff:

 $11.99 Overstock.com

 $9.00 Overstock.com

$79.99 Overstock.com

Day 3 of COD in my living room...

...and I'm officially bored of it.

I'd much rather sit back and watch a movie with Ben instead of listening to gunshots and stuff blowing up.  He's enjoying himself though, so I won't say anything...yet.

According to the USPS, my gauges COULD be here as early as Thursday!  Thank you, Hot Topic, for your super fast processing!

I want this dress...like the only designer thing I've ever seen and thought, "Holy shit, I NEED that."

Too bad it's $25000.

Any crafty people out there want to try and make this for me?  I'd totally pay for it!

Subbing again tomorrow and Friday.  I'm actually enjoying it.  The day is broken up into 2 classes, and usually there's about 6 kids (although there could be as many as 10).  It's a class of developmentally delayed 3 year olds.  Lots of linguistic problems, and I suspect MR in one of the kiddos.  Fun though.  We color, play, run around outside, and I even taught a couple how to pedal on a trike on Tuesday!  

I'm not sure what's going on this weekend, other than going to Amarillo (again) and picking up my laptop.  If Best Buy didn't fix it this time, I'm going to have a conniption fit.

I finally finished all the pet paperwork for Japan today, so I'll be making a trip on base tomorrow to get that all faxed over.  All that's left after that is to make sure they can get booked on whatever flight we get offered and get their 10 day health certificate.  It's a lot of stress and a lot of headache making sure my babies were going to be coming with us, but it's completely worth it!

I'm off to bed, super tired today.  Probably because I:

1. Cleaned the kitchen

2. Dusted

3. Swept

4. Vacuumed

5. Mopped

6. Took pets to vet

7. Took dogs on 2 walks (one was a 2 mile one)

8. Made dinner (okokok, it was just biscuits and gravy, but I still did it!)

9. Did pet paperwork

10. Painted a picture (that I already sold!)

Sold for $20 to a girl out here in New Mexico for her daughter's room

I think that's all. 

10 Things That Make Me Happy

Found this blog: A Glass Half Full, and she had this cute list on her's about things that make her happy.  I decided to make one of my own.

1. How happy Rilo is when I walk through the door.  Seriously, it's like she hadn't seen me in weeks, even if I'm just gone for an hour.  That is love.

2. The smell of Christmastime.  I can tell when it's getting close to my favorite time of the year.  Yes, it's freezing cold, but the air has a smell to it that will always remind me of my childhood.

3. Painting.  I know I'm not a professional, but I really like doing it.  It relaxes me, and I like being creative.

4. Making my husband laugh.  He chuckles sometimes, but when I can really get him going, it warms my heart and crinkles my eyes.

5. Coming home for vacation.  Yeah, Ben and I don't take "normal" vacations, our's are spent seeing family and friends and it is WONDERFUL.

6. The pictures I have of everyone.  I covered my dorm room in them, and now they're all over my house.  Only difference is that now they're in frames.

7. Having a cup of coffee and not having to do anything else while sipping it in the morning.  Sure, it tastes good when I'm rushing about in the morning trying to get ready, but it is even better when I can just sit and enjoy it.

8. Finding a REALLY good book to read.

9. Traveling with my husband.  Luckily, we're in the military and have the privilege of visiting lots of new places.

10. Candles/Scented house things.  I love smelly good stuff.

Decent day-got a LOT done!

Woke up and got stuff DONE today.

Had 2 cups of delicious coffee out of my NEW coffee cups (part of a set we just got).

We didn't necessarily need it, but I saw it and wanted it really bad.  I like it so much more than our old set.

Anyway, then I got probably 5 loads of laundry put through.  I wanted to make sure everything was tidy before our guests got here.

Took my library books back (I'm on book 4 of the Sookie Stackhouse novels), took back Megan's hard drive, and got some stuff from the BX.

Got a phone call from my teacher friend, and I went and helped her decorate her classroom.  She's been having stuff at home go on similar to my aunt, so I feel for her and wanted to help out as much as I could.  (Honestly, both men need to keep their you-know-whats in their pants and quit trying to destroy their families.)

Came home, did more laundry, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the utility room, and continued to straighten things up.  Worked out with Ben.  I've done this workout before and finished it, but today was just really hard for me and I was having a hard time breathing.  I kept feeling like I was going to throw up.  Ben said to just stop then and it would be OK, but I really wanted to finish it.  Cooled down afterwards by taking the dogs for a 40 minute walk.  (They're both passed out right now).

I made delicious turkey tacos with homemade salsa for dinner and drank a PBR to go along with it.  Watched our recorded True Blood, and now I'm just bumming around on the computer.  I need to get up and finish the guest room, but Rilo is sleeping right behind me and I don't want to disturb her, ha.

Tomorrow's list of things to do:
1. Finish getting guest bed ready.
2. Give dogs baths.
3. Vacuum.
4. Mop.
5. Dust.
6. Get new scentsy scent in my warmer.
7. Wash all towels.

I'm sure there's more, but I'm exhausted.

I'm going to make a million dollars

...when I invent something that lets you see the fantasy world that people live in.  The people who are completely in denial...I mean, who wouldn't want to see if they're crazy, or if they're just not aware of anything going on.

Taught my first day of camp.  It wasn't too bad, however, the director is a crazy biatch.  She's in a mood all the time, and is completely disorganized.  I felt bad for all the kids and parents who had to deal with her today.

Watched the newest episode of True Blood.  I LOVE Eric.  He is so handsome...and tall...and scary!

It was a good episode tonight, minus the king stuff.

Gotta work out tonight, but I'm totally exhausted after working, then coming home to a super messy kitchen and having to make dinner, start laundry, AND walk the dogs.  UGH.

I have a feeling that this post will turn out grumpy, so I'm just going to end it here.

EDIT:
I couldn't stay away for long.  Let me vent some frustration a bit.

Things I'm tired of:
1. Repeating myself to EVERYONE.
2. Picking up after my husband.
3. Cleaning the kitchen every damn night.
4. Not being heard.
5. When what I say goes in one ear and out the other.

Yeah.  Lately, it doesn't matter what I say, because I'll hear an "OK" (and this is seriously from almost everyone) and then nothing changes at all.
I don't know why I keep trying.

2 year anniversary pics/I started p90x (fml)

Just a preview from the anniversary shoot from the lovely Megan Haney:

Ben and I started P90X today.  My legs feel like jello.  This can't be a good thing.  Maybe I'll look slammin' by the time we get to Japan though.  Cooled off (in the NM heat??!!) after the workout by taking the pups for a walk.  We're all laying on the couch now, they're passed out...I'm about to.  I think Margot is hiding in the box that our resistance bands came in today. 

Things to do tomorrow: (this is a for real, seriously need to get these things done tomorrow list)
1. Pick up the car from the dealership.
2. Make a doctor's appointment.
3. Call the dentist. (iick)
4. Take the pets in to get weighed in their kennels.
5. Send my passport info in with Ben to get finished.
6. Call the CDC.

I think that's all.  None of that will get done until I have my coffee though. (At least 2 cups)

It cracks me up how brave people get when they've got a keyboard in front of them.  Coming up with rude remarks to say to someone they don't even know because there will be no repercussions.  These are the same people who in real life are sad people with no self-identity other than calling themselves _______'s mommy/daddy or _______'s wife/husband.  They are brave because they are faceless.  They are brave because there is no chance that anything they say will ever have any consequences in real life.  It's lame and funny at the same time.

I'm not just a wife.  I am:
1. a teacher
2. a woman
3. a painter
4. a pet lover
5. an adventurer
6. an explorer
7. a lover
8. a dream maker
9. a photographer
10. a fighter
11. a daughter
12. a sister
13. a grandaughter
14. an intelligent member of society
15. an activist
16. a peacemaker
17. a loyal friend
18. a trustworthy opponent
19. a cook
20. a genuine person

I could name a ton, but that should give you an idea that I'm not just one thing, and I'm not going to broadcast myself as ONE thing.  That's silly.  If my husband did that, I would question him as to why he is limiting himself to being just one thing. 

Be creative.

Know that when you say something over the internet, no one is going to respect or love you more.  In fact, I pity people who do so because I KNOW what you're all about. 

I know a lot of people who have been harassed via the internet, and to those harassers, I say, "Go to hell."  You're pitiful pieces of what could have been a real person, but instead of doing good and paying things forward, you look for things and people to put down or bother.  You're like the fat bullies in elementary school who only got away with bullying because you were bigger than everyone, not smarter, not more clever, and certainly not better than ANYONE.  Harassers, you are pathetic.  Stalkers, you are pathetic. 

I:
1. need to go shopping.
2. want my laptop back.
3. wish I could get my little mermaid tattoo.
4. went through a bunch of old stuff in storage.
5. really miss my pets. 
6. just made some brownies.
7. can't wait for Eclipse to come out.
8. wish I had True Blood season 2 on my hard drive.
9. got a beautiful bike yesterday.  Not sure of the year (I think it's a 1968), but it's a chocolate brown Schwinn Suburban. 
10. need to get new tires for my new Schwinn Suburban.
11. have a ton of pictures to go through here and in New Mexico.
12. have a lot of new painting ideas.
13. really really really need a haircut.
14. am excited about our 2 year photo shoot when we get back.
15. love popsicles.
16. am starting to grow cilantro. 
17. loved Toy Story 3.
18. want to go to PF Changs sometime when we're out in MO.
19. had Jack Stack BBQ yesterday and it was delicious.
20. think that some people (and I won't name names) should have never been able to have kids...ever ever ever.

That is all.

I'll be off for awhile I think...

My laptop needs to be taken in for repairs (DVD player and power cord adapter), so I won't be on here until it's repaired. 

Tomorrow I will:
1. Try to find clothes that don't make me look weird at Target and Old Navy.
2. Take my laptop to Best Buy cause it's still under warranty.
3. Go to PetSmart with my mommy.
4. Go get a bike for Ben.
5. Eat dinner with the JBays.
6. Love life.

Yeah, I know it's not a list of 10...which bugs me, but it's my vacation, so I don't have to do a lot!

Yesterday I heard a new word: "glamping"  It's glamorous camping.  Surprisingly, it was all men.  I'm pretty sure they liked each other a lot.  It was a little ridiculous.  A bunch of men going "camping", but having it catered by private chefs, a huge ass tent (probably could fit a wedding part in it dancing), candles, beds, etc...THAT IS NOT CAMPING, DUMMY!

Oh well.

Not much else to say except if I don't get my hair cut soon, I'm going to go insane.  I'm so sick of it.

This week is slowly creeping by.

Today I:
1. Played Fable 2
2. Did laundry
3. Took the dogs for a walk and sweated my butt off
4. Made us dinner
5. Vacuumed
6. Mopped
7. Dusted
8. Trimmed the hedges
9. Swept the front porch area
10. Cleaned the bathroom
11. Took Ben dinner.
12. Gauged up my ears (I'm at a 6 now)

I'm one tired little lady.  I've got a Netflix movie here, so I may just put that in and paint some more.  I've been trying to get stuff ready for our visit home...but there's just a lot to do, and a lot of it has to be done right before we leave.  I hate the long drive, but it's all going to be worth it to see everyone.

Here's how it is when we go home: It's like we never left and we haven't been living in New Mexico for 2 years.  We pick up where we left off and we're all just as close as ever.  It's a beautiful thing.

A Few things before I go to bed.

1. Why did I capitalize "few"?
2. Random people started following my tumblr and reblogged pictures of my paintings.  That makes me feel quite good.  My stuff is being appreciated, not just by close friends!
3. Getting lots of compliments on my stuff from family and friends.
4. I need to get my passport tomorrow.
5. I need to do laundry tomorrow.
(I'm not sure which one, but BOTH 4 and 5 won't get done tomorrow.)

I played a lot of Fable 2 tonight.  I forgot Glee was on, good thing I have DVR!


Made it home just in time for the marble sized hail and sideways rain to kick in and start blowing into the side of my house making it sound like I was receiving heavy ammunition from a group of terrorists.

I really need to go to bed.  I'm actually tired.  Here's hoping that there'll be an episode of Law and Order: SVU on!

Went to a rodeo last night.  Was pretty fun...unfortunately, the camera batteries  DIED right at the beginning.  Meh, oh well.

Only 6 days until Missouri.  I'm pretty ready to get outta this dang town.  I get so fed up with being here right as we're about to leave.

Things I need to do but probably won't:
Mop the floor
Give the dogs a bath
dust

Things I don't need to do but probably will:
Stumble
paint my toe nails

Oh well.  I need to go shower.  That's something I need to do and WILL do.

Today I will:

1. put new gauges in my ears.
2. work on a sketch for my next painting.
3. vacuum and possibly mop.
4. wear a new shirt.
5. drink another cup of coffee.
6. light candles in my living room.
7. try and find my Japan packing notebook.
8. stay inside because it feels like it's in the double digits already outside and it's only 10:15.
9. watch TV.
10. exercise.

Seems like a good list to get through the day.