Surprise!

I'm having a good week!

First, Tater decided that he could come to NY with us after all this summer. That's four of us going now. We are trying to get Braveheart to make the trip too but it may not be possible due to restrictions of block leave.

Second, Braveheart called to ask for suggestions for a date for him and his sweetie. It's really great that he'll call and ask me about things like that. It makes me happy :-)

Last, but certainly not least, Sgt. Dad washed and waxed my Jeep, inside and out! Alaskans know just how dirty our vehicles get over winter. It was a big job! It was one of the sweetest things he's done for me in a very long time. I wonder if he knows just how much that meant to me? Probably, because I told him so!

I hope this trend of good news continues.....

I Thought It Was Funny

While waiting to pull up to McDonald's Drive Through Window:

Me: You should ask them for a dog biscuit for Lexi.
Sgt Dad: They have dog biscuits?
Me: Yeah, a lot of businesses around here do that.
Sgt Dad: Do you get them a lot?
Me: No, I don't drive Lexi around that often.
Sgt Dad: I didn't mean for Lexi.
Me: *Extreme dirty look*
Sgt Dad: *huge grin*
Me: *laughing* You're a jerk

And he never did get the dog a biscuit!

Later that day while browsing a yard sale....

Me: *eyeing glassware*
Glassware seller: These right here are nice glasses. They are $1000 glasses from my daughter's wedding. She's on to her next one now and I'm still paying for the first.
Me: Uhhhh. Yes, those are nice glasses. I don't need $1000 glasses. *slowly walking away*
Sgt Dad: Did he say those were $1000 glasses?

Venting

On the way home today I stopped off at the PX to buy replacement iPhone headphones.
(Sgt. Dad borrowed and then lost them. Those of you who have known Sgt. Dad for any length of time are not surprised to hear that, I'm sure.)
So, I looked all around the electronics section and couldn't find them. I then began the hunt for an employee to aid my search. Upon finally finding one (hiding at the end of an aisle and playing with photos he took at work and then loaded on one of those electronic picture frames) I asked for the headphones. He walked me past a display and showed me some compatible headphones. I then reiterated that I wanted Apple iPhone headphones and not another brand. He looked at me as though I were stupid and said, "Well, we don't sell iPhones, so we don't have them." At which point I politely thanked him and informed him I would go somewhere else for the name brand product. What I wanted to say was, " Everybody and their mother has an iPhone, why wouldn't you carry accessories?" and further, " That's like saying we don't sell babies, so we don't carry baby clothes."

Good Grief!

Second vent:

Mr. ECH 557. I did not appreciate your close examination of my rear bumper this afternoon. Your driving is very UN!
UN-safe
UN-necessary
UN-kind and most of all
UN-productive
For all your aggressive driving, illegal lane changes, and tailgating, you didn't get any further ahead. I still ended up right behind you at the traffic light after we both exited the highway. I should have reported you after I saw you make another illegal lane change and just miss hitting another car but I let it go and was happy to be getting out of your way. I hope I never cross your path again!

Ok, I feel better now. Good Night!

Drive by..

I can't believe that the last time I posted was in October! Even now, I don't feel like I have much to say.
Pvt. Son is back from Afghanistan and promoted! He's now Spc. Son. We've been spending quite a bit of time just enjoying having him home. We've been taking him car shopping. Car shopping gets old real quick! I don't know why people try to sell a car and refuse to let potential buyers drive them! After that, and their refusal to allow us to have their car checked out by a mechanic, we've walked away.
Tater has a new girl and spends all his time working or visiting her. He has taken this semester off of school and we're working on a new school plan in which he'll be more happy... or so we hope.
Strummer is just completely wrapped up in his music. I genuinely see him with a music career. Whether that's playing for money or teaching, I'm not sure but music is his life. He's so into his music that he doesn't have time for girls.
We're moving! Yep. We are relocating from the base into one of the lovely towns nearby. I'm happy for the change and will be very happy when it's done. We've decided to do it ourselves and I'm not real excited about that part.
Sgt. Dad will retire this year and he's all but counting down the days. He's looking forward to the next stage of his life. As for me, I'm nervous about the big change and losing the job security that the Army offers.
So, that's the update. One of these days I'll post something of interest other than family updates.

As you all know, I'm full of opinions.. ;-)

One Snowy Night or Surprise Shower

A friend recently travelled abroad to Asia and discovered the complexity of electronic commodes. Imagine, if you will, the most complicated commode you have ever seen and not a single bit of directions in English! When she recounted her experience with this wonder of modern technology, I was reminded of my own misadventure with the Japanese interpretation of personal hygiene Utopia....

Here is a nearly unedited version of the email which I sent her confessing my encounter:

It was winter, 1997. I was living in Japan and working at a tutoring school in Isehara. On a typical day, my commute was an hour each way. On this particular day, there had been some flurries and forecasts for snow but life goes on and so does school. So, I drove to work anyway. Well, by the time I got there the snow was coming down harder and people had begun to talk about going home early. In this part of Japan snow does fall but it's rare and even when it comes there is little accumulation. So, we started classes but the snow became a blizzard. The trains shut down, there were no snow plows, and people drove like a Texan on ice. About 8pm the school decided to close and so I left to begin the trek home.

I had grown up in the snow and had no fear of driving. I knew to just take it slow and mentally reviewed how to come out of a fish tail.

I had two minor fender benders within 500 feet of the school from people rear-ending me. However, I pushed forward. I wanted to get home! At 10pm I had only traveled a mile. By then, I had to use the restroom- bad! So, I maneuvered between abandoned cars on the road (yes, they just ABANDONED their cars ON the road- not the side- and walked home!) and made my way to a gas station.

When I located the restroom, therein was the most complicated commode I had ever seen. With only passing trepidation, I took care of my business and then stared at the symbols trying to determine which was the "flush" button. Finally, I chose one that I thought looked appropriate and pushed. Fortunately, I had the forethought to not be sitting on it and was standing off to the side because it wasn't flush. It was the bidet! Next thing I knew, an enormous stream of water was shooting forward and I scrambled to shut the lid! Oh my gosh! There was water everywhere! I thought it
would never stop and I couldn't figure out how to shut it off! Finally, it stopped. I tried to mop up the water without much success. (Japan is notorious for not having paper in their restrooms. We all learned to carry tissues for public restroom usage.)

After an embarrassing amount of time in there, I scooted out and dashed into the safety of my car! I never again attempted to use one of those fancy commodes!

Together Makes a Difference

I'm Still Here

Well, I see it's been well over two months since my last update. This is due to my stress over Math class this summer. I'm happy to report I got an "A", as did Sergeant Dad. This fall we are tackling the next Math requirement. I imagine that I'll be just as stressed. However, this is the last required Math course. Whew!

Strummer has been flexing his musical muscles this summer. He's really learning his guitar and writing music. He has his first gig scheduled for a children's party. I believe he's volunteering his skills, however, it will still be a good experience for him. He has promised me that he'll go through with the school's talent show this year. So, I'll be able to watch him perform and video tape the event- and share it!

Tater is starting college next week. He will be moving into the dorms this week. My nest is quickly emptying! I'm glad he didn't choose a college far away. Hopefully he won't be "too busy" to come and see his Mama every week. Still, I know where he lives, works and goes to school- I can track him down!

Braveheart is, thankfully, still safe. Things are very, very busy for him. His very good friend was seriously injured and now Braveheart is missing his buddy and worried for his recovery. Please keep Braveheart and his compatriots in your prayers.

Sgt. Dad is preparing to go to Kuwait for a few weeks to aid in the transition of soldiers returning to Alaska. He shouldn't be in danger but, still, it IS a war zone. He will have his work cut out for him attempting to keep up with Math from so far away.

As for me, I'm anticipating a very quiet house with Sgt. Dad, Braveheart, and Tater all away. Poor Strummer will have ALL my attention! It's going to seem a big, empty house.

And that's about it. I intend to get back to blogging more regularly but suspect I've lost all my followers. :-)