Dare I start blogging again???

It has been forever since I have even visited my blog. I was so busy with school. I graduated in June 2012. Now I am searching for a job, which by the way, it not as easy as it use to be. There have been so many changes since my last posting. Patrick graduated from High School in June of 2012 also. We had a wonderful turn out for his graduation. It was so great to see those who could come and enjoy the weekend with him. Two months later, almost to the day, he was off to Basic Military Training in San Antonio, TX. I have to admit that those 8 1/2 weeks were the hardest of my life. You would think that being a military wife I would have been use to the ones I love being gone. I have to tell you that it is 100 times worse when it is your baby boy. So getting through those weeks without crying was a challenge. We were able to hear from him through letters, which he wrote home A LOT. Love him for that!! Also he would call on Saturday or Sunday, we never knew which day or what time. Which leads me into the first phone call home. I had forwarded the phone to my cell and I didn't even want to go to the store but we need stuff for dinner so Matt and I went. Well Patrick called. I will never forget which isle I was in or what we were looking for. I was so happy to hear his "Hi mom!! It is so great to hear your voice." Then there was silence. I honestly thought I had lost connection. I kept asking "Are you there Patrick...I can't hear you!!" Then I heard a sob and that just broke my heart. I quickly went to sit down so we could talk. We only had 15 minutes, which is not a lot of time and I wanted to have him call Mark on his cell so he could say hi. He was telling me all about what he was going through that first two weeks and we both were crying and trying to hold onto those quickly diminishing minutes. I finally told him he had to call his dad and we said our I Love Yous and disconnected. I was so overwhelmed, but I went back to the isle I was on...pasta by the way. Then a couple of minutes later my phone rings again and it's Patrick, he only had less than a minute but wanted to call me back to tell me he loved me. I got through my shopping and once in the safety of Matt's car, started bawling. Called my mom and cried some more. I was a freaking mess!!! LOL His first three letters were the hardest. He missed mom hugs and couldn't figure out what he was thinking. He hated Texas with a passion, but as the weeks went on he became stronger and his letters and calls were so much easier.

October 10th was so exciting for Ruth, Darryl, Mark, Matt and I. Ruth has purchased us all airline tickets to San Antonio, TX to see Patrick graduate. We got into San Antonio, TX around 6:30 PM. We got to the hotel and mom and Jim were there to greet us. This was going to be an awesome weekend. Thursday morning was the Airman's Run and Coin Ceremony. The Airman's Run was the first time we had seen Patrick since he left MEPS on the 14th of August. He looked so different. So tall and confident, at least more than before because he has always been confident. After the run we went to find our seats for the Coin Ceremony. It was hot & humid in TX. It was horrible, but I would do it again just to see my son. Matthew was the first to see him when he marched in. There were over 700 Airman graduating that day. We went through the ceremony and Matthew went to stand by Patrick. He said to Patrick, "If I touch you Mom will kill me". I quickly made my way to Patrick and we just hugged and cried!!! It was so wonderful to see my son again. We spent the rest of the day on base just talking and shopping and catching up. The next day was graduation and he looked so handsome in his uniform. That day we were able to go off base with him and we went to Ruth's favorite shoe factory and then to the River Walk. It was a long day, but spending it with Patrick was the best. Saturday was just a hang out at the hotel and have a home cooked meal day. We were able to have him longer (back on base by 10:30 pm). Then Sunday was another base liberty day. When it came time to say goodbye to head to the airport, I didn't want to let him go. Hardest day by far. He has grown up to be such a wonderful young man. He reported to Tech School the next day and that is where he is now. His new duty stations is in Cheyenne, WY. He wasn't thrilled at first, but has now warmed up to it.

So as we wait to pick Patrick up at the airport on the 22nd for his Christmas Exodus, Matthew has gotten himself a new job. He is now working at UPS, thanks to his Uncle Chris for letting him know there were openings. His first week was good but his second week was difficult. He was pretty sick and when you are sick an there were negative vibes going on at work, it really made it hard. He kicked his cold and he has been going strong ever since.

Mark is working at the brand new Fred Meyer. He is still looking for other work but in the mean time, he is loving what he is doing.

I am so thankful for my mother and father in-law for taking us to San Antonio, without them we wouldn't have been able to be there for Patrick. It is that kind of love that keeps us all going. Family is the most important. So as my final words to you all, love one another, don't let petty arguments come between you and your family. Be thoughtful of what your family members are going through. Don't be uncaring or sarcastic. Remember that they will be the ones that will be with you if something horrible happens, or if something wonderful happens. Life is too short to be selfish. I hope you all think about that during this holiday season!!! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

Rejoining the Blogging world!

It is hard to believe the last time I blogged was in March! We have been rather busy the past six months. Along with going to school, we have moved into a house finally! Yay!! Apartment living was not our style at all. So that is over and done, thank heavens. We moved into the house on June 3rd. It is a cute three bedroom, two and a half bath with a two car garage and a very nice front and backyard. The dogs love the backyard which is fenced in. The only thing that bothered me was the fact there was so many gardens, but not flower gardens. Landscaping I guess, so we had to go get some bark because Chloe and Indy were getting all muddy. It is so much better now and looks fabulous. The inside is cozy. We have a living room and dining room with vaulted ceiling, a nice comfortable kitchen with lots of cupboards and considerably more counter space that the apartment. Cooking is so much nicer and we can all fit in there and not step on each other. Pergo flooring in all of those rooms. Next we have a nice family room that has the love seat, two IKEA chairs, all of the DVD's and Blueray, Murphy and Indy's bunk bed that Chloe LOVES and Mark's desk along with a beautiful wood burning fire place. This is going to be a very nice room in the winter time. Laundry room and 1/2 bath are off the family room. Upstairs has the three bedrooms, the Master is larger than the one in the apartment and has it's own bathroom and walk-in closet. Patrick's room is smaller but he is good with that and Matthew's room is larger and it seems to be the place to hang out because he has a large TV and the X-Box 360. The deck off the family room is in OK condition, sooner or later is has to be replaced, but we are living with it as is for now. We have four or five tall fir trees in the back yard and the house also came with a very nice shed, so all lawn equipment is now stored in that! It was perfect for the family BBQ we had last month. It was so nice to spend time with family members I had not seen in over six years. Fun was had by all!!

So Matt and I took summer classes. It was difficult because it is rather hard to study when the sun was shining, but we got through it. :) Patrick has had a fun summer also. He spent a week with the Medina family at Sun Lake. Of course when he got home all he would talk about was the hot girl he met and how much he wanted a jet ski!! LOL Patrick also enlisted in the US Air Force on the DEP. Our good friend Gary Medina swore him into the Air Force. Check out my Facebook if you want to see the video. He should find out in January what his job will be and then when he will be sent to boot camp in Austin, TX. This is his Senior year of high school and there is so much to accomplish before his graduation day on June 9th. (Yes Jan...June 9th! I know Emily and Kyle are getting married that day so it looks like we won't be able to make it!! I am very sad about that.) I am not sure when I am due to graduate from college next summer. I need to talk with my advisor when school starts on the 19th of Sept. I only have 9 more classes to take and I will have an Associated Degree in Accounting. Mark is working his behind side off at the restaurant. Being the Manager is not easy when there are crazy servers to deal with on a daily basis. He works long hours, but I have to say at least he is not out to sea and he doesn't have to deal with nasty XO's and Warrants that have no business being in the CG!!

So with all of that said, I will again try my hardest to blog more frequently. I have three classes this fall and I have a feeling they are going to be difficult. Intro to Business, Business Math (not a hard one) and Advanced Excel (UGH!!). So my attempt will be to blog at least once a month...we will see!!

Challenge

We are handed all sorts of challenges during our life. Some not so great and some that we can control ourselves. I am about to control one of my personal challenges. Some a lot of us have to struggle with on a daily basis anyway. So now it is springtime!! Time to look forward to warmer weather, Capri's and tank tops, sandals and swim suits. OK, right now no swim suits. My point being, during the winter we tend to hibernate like big old bears and eat up a storm trying to insulate ourselves from the cold. We don't exercise much because the weather is to rainy, snowy, windy or just plan yucky. We curl up with our warm blankets and watch TV or play on the computer. We do the bare minimum to get through the darker yuckier days just waiting for that weatherman to announce that spring has sprung!!! So it has happened, Sunday was the first day of Spring. Guess what, we are actually having a beautiful sunny day today which is wonderful for me to start my new challenge.

Today I started the 24 Day Challenge. I have to do a 10 day herbal cleanse. I have wanted to do a cleanse for sometime because I have heard that it is a good thing to do anyway. Well with the program I am on, the first three day I have to drink this fiber drink in the mornings. All I can say about that is yuck!! It is the nastiest stuff I have ever tasted. It is one of those "challenges" that I am going to have to endure the first three days and then again the 8-10th days.

 When I went to be measured and weighed last night, I was disappointed that I have regained 12 lbs of the 30 lbs I lost before I left Kodiak. I have to say I can't be surprised, disappointed yes, surprised no so much. Living in an area where we are walking distance to Arby's, Jack-In-The-Box, Quizno's, and Panda Express just to name a few of the restaurants around us. Oh and not to forget Cold Stone Creamery!! Yikes what a great ice cream parlor. Starbucks is always one of my weaknesses, but to be honest if I get a pastry usually it is the reduced fat very berry coffee cake. :) I will be missing my Starbucks. I can not have ANY coffee of any kind during my 10 day cleanse. On of the women I chatted with last night told me she was total coffeeholic like me. She knew everyone at her local Starbucks and when she went through the drive thru she recognized their voices and could name them by name. I thought I was bad. I also thought it was going to be difficult this morning...but Patrick made the coffee and I decided if I was going to take this seriously I was going to have to follow the plan. I have already drank over 74.4 ounces of water. Water is my new best friend.

Even though Matthew isn't on the program I am, he has volunteered to be my workout and walking buddy. He has also gained back his weight and wants to make healthier choices. I am very proud of him for making that choice. I don't want him to be heavy like I am and he is so young, he will be able to make the change easier than I am I think.

So my eating plan is pretty cut and dry for the next 10 days. Fruit, eggs, oatmeal, lean proteins, complex carbs, nuts, raw veggies and lots and lots of water!!! For a coffee substitute they have a product called SPARK. I was surprised that I was feeling kind of tired and I drank it up and I feel really rejuvenated. I can drink that in the morning and in the mid-afternoon. For my mid-morning snack I am having strawberries and eggs. I have to eat six times a day which is going to be hard for me, but I am going to stick to the plan. LOL

Things I have to avoid:
Fried Foods, refined sugars, corn or white starches or bread ( I love bread!!!)
Wheat products
Dairy: cheese (love it), yogurt, milk, white sauces or dressing
Alcohol (they note the following after this one: you're on a cleanse...hold out for 10 days) I won't have a problems with this one
Coffee or soda...well I already told you about the coffee part, soda won't be an issue!

So this is the beginning for me. I am striving to look great in my gold dress in July for my nieces wedding and getting my energy level back up and my waistline back down. I will keep you in the loop as to my progress, wish me luck!!

Busy Busy Busy

I wish I could give a good enough excuse on why I haven't been posting. School?? That sounds like a good one. I have been rather busy with school. I love it. Someone asked my mom recently if I was going to be a "perpetual" student. I think they have me confused with someone else in my family. No, I am not going to be a perpetual student. I have goals. I want to get a great paying job so my husband can relax and maybe sometime in the not to near future semi-retire from his current job. Not that he wants to do that anytime soon. He is thriving at his new job and the prospects for advancement are HUGE!! I have always been a person who loves to work. I have had a job in every city we have lived in, with the exception of Kodiak. My job right now is school. I realize that for some people they don't understand how I can go to school and not work...lets see the VA is paying me to go to school. If you aren't familiar with the 9/11 GI Bill, maybe you should read up and familiarize yourself. What a wonderful program for both Matt and myself.

Let's see what is going on in our lives...Matt and I are doing great in school. I happen to have finished as of Friday, but I have to go in to our Fundamentals of Computers class to support Matt on his PowerPoint presentation. Matt is almost done. He has a few more days left. Patrick is on the JV Soccer team at Kentlake High School. He is so excited for his first game on Tuesday. The best part is family is going to be there cheering him on. The wonderful feeling it is to be home again.

We are currently looking to either buy or rent a house ("rent" only until next Spring). Renting would work, so when we go to the bank to put in for our loan, Mark will show some longevity in his new job. It has become quite unbearable living in this apartment. I guess people who pay their rent on time and don't make tons of noise just don't have the priority over section 8 people. So needless to say we are looking and hoping and praying that something great comes along. I look on a daily basis. Mark finally pushed the new managers buttons on Tuesday. I guess he doesn't take to being called a liar too well. Oh well, if the truth bothers you so much maybe you should try to fix the problem instead of brushing it under the carpet.

I am still struggling with seizures. It is so difficult for me. I hate having them and the final straw for Mark was this past Monday when I had a partial and he finally called my Dr and told him that Tegretol XR has worked for many many years and he wanted me back on it along with my Lamictal. So that will take care of both the partial and the grand mal. Once I get off this roller coaster ride of medication changes, I think I will feel some what "normal" again. I have high hopes. I can't wait to get off the Keppra. Not a good medication.

What else is new??? Well, Chloe is new. She is our newest addition. We lost Murphy in December and adopted our little spit fire on the 31st of December. She has been a joy to have with us. She is just so full of love it is overflowing. She will be five months old on Tuesday and almost fully potty trained. People said it would be difficult in an apartment, but she is so smart and caught on. She LOVES rocks. She has two in particular that she has latched onto and brought into the house. She loves her stuffed toys, Indy has stolen a small squeaky bear from her and every time she goes near him, he growls and she thinks it is the coolest game ever!!! It was very difficult leaving her alone with Indy in the house. We had done it once right after we got her and we went to breakfast with Ruth and Darryl. Came home to howling (Indy) and that sharp puppy bark (Chloe). After that I was extremely nervous leaving them alone. Afraid of disturbing the neighbors...well that feeling is over with. Since Mark is working days now (his Manager quit a few weeks ago), we have had to leave them alone. With some small problems, one being the banana plant that tormented Chloe and she had to take it out and few puddles, they have been doing fabulously (knock on wood).

I am heading to Idaho next week to visit my mom. I haven't seen her since this past August when Aaron and Dianna got married. I have just about two weeks between quarters and the price was right. So for once I am leaving my family behind. It is going to be a short trip, but I am looking forward to spending it with my mom. Then school starts again on the 28th. I have three classes this quarter. One of which I am so excited to take...Quickbooks Pro.

Well, that is it in a nutshell. I will try (like I have said so many times before) to keep up on my blog. At least to give you updates on Patrick's games and such.


Hugs to all!!!

Goodbye 2010

Wow it is hard to believe we are almost done with 2010. What a hard year it has been for us. We have had such a change in our lives. Here is a year in review: Lets see...January through May was pretty stressful. Mark was starting to get ready for retirement. The best news then was the fact he was off that awful ship. In April we lost our beloved dog Noel. She went on her own terms and she is now at Rainbow Bridge. Matthew graduated in May, we are so proud of him. We left Kodiak Alaska in June. We got home to Kent WA on my mom's birthday. She and Jim were waiting for us in Bellingham. We stayed with Ruth and Darryl until August 1st when we moved into our apartment. Our friend Gary and his family transferred from North Carolina to Covington and Patrick started school with his best bro Breton. The A-Team!!! Mark retired from the Coast Guard after 23.5 years. Matthew and I started school in September at Green River Community College. I love being in school. Mark found a new job as Restaurant Supervisor at the Yankee Grill/Holiday Inn in Renton. He is throughly enjoying his new career. On the 5th of December we lost another of our beloved dogs, Murphy. He will always be in our hearts as well as Noel. They are both together at Rainbow Bridge. Besides those ups and downs after almost 7 years of being seizure free I started having them again. I have had three since the beginning of 2010, two within a month and a half. So needless to say a new neurologist was in order. I have an MRI scheduled for 1/14/2011 of my brain. My doctor has added another medication and I seem to have gotten so much better.

As I look forward to 2011, I am thrilled to have 2010 behind me. I am so happy for the strength my family has and the support of our family here in Washington and Idaho. I can not even express how wonderful it was to spend the holiday season with family. I did miss my mom, but I am hoping to get to Idaho this next summer.

So with everything behind us, I am wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Be safe and we love you all.

Changes: Good and/or Bad?? Remembering. (***Warning It's Long***)

As I sit here starting to write a new entry, I am watching KING 5 news about a gun man that is on the loose and that I-5 is closed down by Everett (while typing this novel, the man was caught and the drama is over). We have lived in so many places in Mark's 23.5 years in the Coast Guard. 1. Novato, CA 2. Vancouver, WA 3. Port Angeles, WA 4. Novato, CA (again) 5. Astoria, OR 6. Ketchikan, AK 7. Kodiak, AK. I think the scariest was when we lived in Alameda, not that Alameda was bad we had a few things stolen and this was on an active Naval Base with Mil Pol. What I am referring to is Oakland. Mark, back in the day, had a police scanner and we would hear about the same "black male, wearing blue jeans and Raiders jacket" causing hate and discontent on E 14th St. almost on a daily basis. Driving through Oakland was just plain scary. That was when Patrick was just a newborn.

Vancouver Washington wasn't as bad. We lived in an apartment and there were thugs that lived there but if you kept your mouth shut and didn't antagonize them, they pretty much left you alone. I think that these instances helped me decided that smaller towns were more to my liking.

As you all know, we are not in a small town. We are in a fast growing metropolis compared to Port Angeles, Astoria, Ketchikan and even Kodiak. How does one adjust to the sudden changes, for example, gun shots in the middle of the night, noises in the parking lot in the middle of the night, a strange guy at 6 am looking as if he is trying to break into a car?? It helps to have a larger dog with a even larger bark and a nice can of pepper spray. Don't get me wrong, I am actually enjoying the change of "going places" like Seattle's Pike Place Market, the waterfront and eating Ivar's clam chowder for lunch. We just have to remember that we have to now lock the car doors and the front door to the apartment. I know that people just don't watch the news because there is so too many "bad" things happening out there. I guess I would rather know what I am up against rather than be ignorant to reality of what is actually happening out there. You can not put yourself into a cocoon with blinders on and hope that these "bad" things really won't touch you. It is always that person who says "that happens to other people, I never thought it would happen to me".

As far as "good" changes, I would have to say that being with family is by far the best thing. We have been to several family gatherings. We were fortunate to be able to go to my nephews wedding and to be able to see my family more in the past two months than we had in three years. Other good things that are happening is Matthew and I will be starting college. I am scared and excited all at once.

It is so hard to believe that my boys are getting older. Matthew first year in college and Patrick a junior in high school. The next two years will be full of excitement for both I am sure.

In all of our years throughout Mark's career we have met so many different people and would never change that for the world. The friends we have made are such treasures to me. The places we have been and the amazing/fun things and scary things we have seen and been through. For example, the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, the Oakland firestorm of 1991, Matthew's first ride at six weeks old on a 41' Coast Guard Utility Boat on the San Francisco Bay even though it was overcast  and couldn't actually see the fireworks in 1991, watching the Blue Angels take off from Naval Air Station Alameda during Fleet Week in 1995 at the END of the runway, spending 4th of July's in Portland on the CGC Bluebell for three years in a row and even sharing that experience with Ruth, Darryl and even my dad. Our second time in Novato and the fun times we shared on almost a nightly basis of BBQ's and volleyball games. I honestly don't think I have ever laughed as much as I did during those games. Watching the amazing storms in Astoria Oregon and seeing the devastation of the November 2006 storm which took off the gutters of our house and left tons of debris on our favorite beaches, seeing my son, Patrick make All-Stars in his first year of baseball. I have to say that our most amazing and adventurous time was in Alaska. Seeing the wild animals up close and personal is something I will never forget. The eagles and bears (both black and brown). That is truly God's Country. The mountains were just unbelievable and the fact that we could climb them and see as far as the eye can see was beyond cool. Climbing Old Woman in the early summer and Pyramid (in the snow) and being eye level with a small plane was awesome!!!!  So those are some of the amazing/fun & scary events we have been through.

Now a new adventure begins and I am embracing it with everything in me. I know we have the support of our families and that means a lot to us. I am so proud of Mark for his service in the Coast Guard. He served his country well for 23.5 years. He changed many people's lives through his leadership, friendship and knowledge. I love him with everything in me and I guess that is why we have been married for as long as we have, through the easy times and the tough times. It is hard to believe we have been married almost 22 years on the 3rd of September.

So I guess I have been rattling on and I should sign out. Keep smiling and keep us in your thoughts as we embark on our new adventure.

Today is the day!

Mark is officially retired as of today. It really is bittersweet. Being a Coastie has been all he has known for the past 23 1/2 years. He is very excited about his new phase in his life. So off to Seattle to do all of the paperwork for medical and all the other stuff he needs to get done today.

It is also Patrick's first day of school. His first complaint is the fact his first class is at 7:35 am. This school is going to be just like when I went to school six classes everyday. Normal....alot of homework everyday but he will do awesome.

Another piece of news, Patrick can't get his WA state drivers license until he completes driving class. So he is now enrolled for driving school and will start that on the 14th of the month. It rather stinks considering he has a provisional drivers license from Alaska and has been driving almost a year and a half.

Matthew and I start college on the 20th. We are both pretty excited. It will be a crazy driving schedule but we will iron out all of the wrinkles as it goes.

So needless to say we are now hitting the busy time of the year. We are loving the fact that we are around family and friends.

I am going to try really hard to keep you all posted on how all of this pans out.

Hugs,
Annie