Archive for the ‘random ramblings’ Category

no sleep = cranky Lacey

August 17, 2010

It’s 3:41 and I have been awake since oh, midnight something. Mind you, we didn’t even go to bed until a bit after 11. Yawn. We’ve been in this time zone for almost 3 weeks now, is my body ever going to adjust?! I tried going without naps, I tried taking short naps, I’ve tried getting up for a bit, I’ve tried laying there tossing and turning, I’ve tried getting up for good at 7am, I’ve tried sleeping in till 9am. If the option is out there (short of the bottle of wine I haven’t opened yet and sleeping pills which never work on me anyway), I have tried it.

To no avail.

It is getting very old.

Worst part?

Today is our Saturday. The day I could REALLY sleep in but, no. My body has different plans.

And my poor family.

I am already exhausted most of the time due to the CLL, then add on to that that fact that I am not getting any rest and it is taking a huge tool on my mood. Which in turn takes a huge toll on my family. Even though he would never admit it, I am sure Bryan is glad to be going to work lately to get away from me (although, I guess that won’t work for the next 3 days since he is off). I am much better at controlling my mood for Jacey than I am for him. I don’t know if it takes so much out of me mentally to put on a happy face for J that there is nothing left for him or if I just figure he is an adult and he can understand better. No clue what my reasoning is there.

Anyhow, I guess I should stop wasting time complaining. Life is busy enough without wasting time.

This morning, Bryan and Jacey are going to change the oil and rotate the tires in the vehicles. Normally I would go and help, but with Bryan’s schedule being so haywire lately (plus his commute is about double what it will be once we are in our house), he hasn’t had much one-on-one time with J, so I am going to attempt to lay down and sleep while they are gone. This afternoon, I don’t know what we are doing yet. We might go check out the Y that we plan to join once we move into the house. They have a waterpark that is open to the public, so we may hit that instead of the base pool. Or we might not, at this point who knows.

Tomorrow, we move into the cottages (temp houses) over on main base till we close on our house. Thank goodness, because I am sure the inconsiderate neighbors and screaming kids here in TLF are not helping my sleep issues. We’ll be closer to the plane noise, but no attached neighbors. Fair trade off in my book. We have to be around for cable/internet hook-up that afternoon and I have to get my allergy shots at some point. We’ll probably also hit the pool again, it’s hard to keep my little daredevil off the high platform diving board now that she has discovered the thrill. I suppose at some point I should also make a menu and grocery list too, since I’ll actually have more than 6 inches of counter space to work in.

Thursday, we are getting the vehicles tinted (my front two windows and Bryan’s whole car). We should have already done it, but it’s been a bit busy. We both have dark gray vehicles with black interior which equal HOT in this Vegas sun and I am tried of roasting my legs and hiney on the leather seats every time I get in the truck. At least Bryan has cloth seats so it is a bit more tolerable (of course 9 times out of 10 he is in a flightsuit when he gets in his car, so his legs are protected unlike mine). Afterward, we are heading to check out the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. Something fun for J since we have to take care of “business” so much and drag her along.

Friday, Bryan is back to work for his 5 and hopefully we’ll have the seller signed contract on our house so I can get J registered for school. We’re less than 2 weeks away from school starting and I am beginning to get a bit stressed over having her registered based on the address of the new house (and having a school supply list would be helpful too). Keep us in your prayers that things keep moving along smoothly and quickly. This market is so nuts right now.

 

Lacey

Viva Las Vegas

August 7, 2010

 

 

Beware, this post is going to be picture heavy. Also, please remember all but two of these are SOOC (straight out of camera), shot with my P&S or iPhone and some not by me…LOL!

 

I suppose since my body (and Bryan’s snoring) won’t let me sleep, I *should* be productive and actually get this blog post out. Being that is it 0445 and I have been up since 0316, I can’t promise that it will be understandable, just done…LOL!

As of my last PCS related update, you know that we moved into TLF on July 19th. That final week in Florida went really smoothly. The movers did a great job, we got the house cleaned/keys handed over and Bryan’s final base outprocessing went off without a hitch. At that point though, I was a little leery…nothing in the AF ever goes that smoothly for that long :).

On July 25th, we said goodbye to Florida and began our 6 day, seemingly never-ending journey. Many have asked why we drug it out so long, but there was really no choice. With Bryan and I each driving a vehicle, there was no chance for me to rest/sleep and the CLL fatigue starts setting in and we’d rather be safe than sorry. So, 6 days it was. That night we stopped in Jackson, MS. I don’t have any pictures from that day though, I think I was too excited to finally be on the road and better yet, on our way to being on the flip-side of this PCS. Knowing about a PCS for 9 months is rather annoying, there is truly something to be said for short notice orders.

July 26th, our journey took us from Jackson, MS to Dallas, TX with a potty break at the Louisiana state line and a side trip to the Libbey Glass Factory in Shreveport, LA (I used to go there as a child and wanted to take Jacey). This day was by far the worst. No offense to any Louisiana lovers out there, but driving through that state is torture, only 2nd to driving I-10 from Beaumont to El Paso in Texas. Boring with a capital B.


(Jacey the the Louisiana state line)

 


(us three at the hotel in Jackson)

 

July 27th, our journey took us from Dallas, TX to Lubbock, TX with a stop in Abilene, TX on the way. Not only did we want to show Jacey where she was born, but we also couldn’t pass up lunch at my all time favorite restaurant, Abuelos. We ate there so much when I was pregnant with Jacey, she should have came out wrapped in a tortilla. It was fun to take a walk down memory lane and see Bryan’s old planes and where our old house on base used to be.


(Jacey at Dyess, where she was born)

 

 

(where our old house on Dyess used to be)

 

(Bryan’s old plane, the B-1)

 


(lunch at Abuelos, pure heaven…one spinach and one avocado enchilada)

 


(wind farms between Abilene and Lubbock)

 

July 28th, our journey took us from Lubbock, TX to Albuquerque, NM. We made a stop for lunch  along the historic Route 66 and then went and rode the tramway up to Sandia Peak once we got settled into our hotel. Oh, and let’s not forget our fabulous dinner at Tucanos…yum. I had never been to a Brazilian grill before but was thrilled when we found one here in Vegas the other day, since driving to Albuquerque for dinner is not an option :).


(Jacey on Route 66, getting her kicks:)

 

(the ride up to the top of Sandia Peak)

 


(Albuquerque at night from the top of Sandia Peak)

 


(us three at the top of Sandia Peak)

 


(the highest I have ever been, minus airplanes)

 

July 29th, our trek took us from Albuquerque, NM to Flagstaff, AZ. This stretch of road was beautiful although the July 30th stretch barely beat it out as the best. We stopped at Meteor Crater to explore a bit and were going to stop at the Petrified Forest until we looked at how much time that would take. By day 5, we were all just ready to be done. Flagstaff by the way, is absolutely gorgeous and will definitely be some place we’ll take a long weekend away to in the future.


(Jacey in front of Meteor Crater)

 


(Meteor Crater)

 


(Meteor Crater…I thought the clouds where awesome)

 


(somewhere between Albuquerque and Flagstaff)

 

July 30th, the final day of our trek from Flagstaff, AZ to fabulous Las Vegas, NV. We were all so ready to be done, we didn’t really do/see a lot. We did make a landmark first visit to an In-N-Out Burger where they knocked McDonald’s out of the line up as favorite fast food restaurant for Jacey (which if anyone knows Jacey immense love for McDonald’s (yuck), you’ll know how big that truly is). We also stopped at Hoover Dam, so Jacey could see it but decided to do the tours and such on another day since we are only 45 minutes away (plus is was hot…109 degrees and nothing but concrete). It is a good thing, since we sat in traffic for an hour just to get over the dam. If they ever get the dam bypass finished, it will be so much better.

(somewhere right outside of Flagstaff)

 


(somewhere between Flagstaff and Vegas)

 


(In-N-Out first-timers)

 


(Hoover Dam)

 


(Hoover Dam)

 

July 31st, our 11th anniversary. While technically, we arrived in Vegas on the 30th, due to some issues we didn’t actually get to see any of Vegas, so I am adding the 31st to this post. We started the morning off house hunting, no easing into Vegas life here…LOL! We followed that up with an anniversary lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and then that night, we headed down to the strip for a true Vegas experience. Bryan has wanted to see The Blue Man Group for years, so that was his anniversary present. The show was fabulous and it was neat getting to see the awe in both Jacey and Bryan’s eyes at the grandeur of the strip. Before heading back to the room though, we did the true Vegas touristy thing, got a picture by the historic welcome sign. That was nuts, but fun. I guess we are officially Las Vegans now (yes, as weird as that name is, I looked it up).

(us on our 11th anniversary)

 


(Jacey at the Venetian after the show)

 


(official Las Vegans)

 

Other than the rain (and we are talking tropical storm bands through Mississippi and then monsoons through New Mexico…just regular rain the rest of the way), we had a very uneventful trip which is good. I wish I could say the same about our attempt to settle into TLF. We had made reservations months ago, so there was no issue there. First, we drive in circles trying to find the TLF buildings (their versions of maps are, let just say, not the least bit accurate). Once we finally find the building and go in, we are hit with not only the most intense fish/wet dog/dead body/something smell but also the tiniest TLF I have ever seen. The TLF’s here are smaller than the hotel rooms we stayed in along the way. While it wasn’t going to be fun, we could have dealt with that because, let’s face it…long-term TLF is WAY cheaper than a hotel offbase but the smell…OMG. There was no way on earth we could deal with that, so we head back up to the front desk, get a non-availability slip and ended up in the Cannery. We go back to TLF on August 9th and are assured it will not be the same room…we shall see.

Lacey

we’re alive

August 3, 2010

I think…LOL!

I have been so swamped on this end that getting a blog post out has not been a priority. Even now, I am just checking in for a minute although I promise, a longer post about the PCS road trip is coming…someday. House hunting has consumed us since we got here Friday and we are putting in an offer tomorrow, so keep us in your prayers!

Lacey

It’s 0525. I have been up since 0400. No good reason, just up. Since sleep is apparently not on the high on the list of priorities for my body right now, I thought I would grace you with my presence.

Have I ever told you how much PCS prep sucks?!

Don’t get me wrong, I am looking forward to this move immensely, although right at this exact moment, I can’t differentiate between my desire to move and my desire to have this move over with.

My outlook calendar is bursting with color, my to do lists are never-ending and my energy level is dwindling. Bad combination. I am so very thankful Bryan made it home on the 8th instead of today, as originally expected because I don’t know how I would have gotten it all done without him and not taken someones head off in the process.

Thanks to a TMO (traffic management office for those non-mil types) screw up (who’s surprised…not me), we move to TLF (military temporary living facilities) Monday. Movers come Tuesday and Thursday. Yes, that’s not a typo, Tuesday and Thursday. My house will sit full of boxes and unlivable for a day because somehow Wednesday just totally fell off the radar even though back on June 8th we were booked for July 20th, 21st and 22nd. Only in the military can a day just vanish off the calendar. But…well…yeah, let’s not go there. We hand over the keys to the house on Friday and hit the road to Las Vegas on Sunday.

At this point, Sunday can not get here soon enough. Only 8 days 1 hour 43 minutes until we are on our new journey.

Anyhow, it is now 0551 and I have to be up at 0645, so I suppose I ought to go attempt to lay back down. Bryan and Jacey are headed to the Gulfarium with a friend while I get my last cut and color (I am going to really miss Wendy), then we are all meeting for lunch. Once we get back home, it is back to the to do lists…sigh.

No rest for the weary, uh wicked. Eh!?

:)

Lacey

intervention

July 8, 2010

I need an intervention and not the kind that Ben & Jerry are currently trying to give. While I know that they may have good intentions, they are not helping my cause in the least. In fact, I do believe that they are making it worse. Dairy Queen and Blue Bell have tried to lend a hand as well but they too are not helping.

Sigh.

I really do not know what is wrong with me. Sure, I have always liked ice cream, but here lately the like has turned into a full out addiction. Is it boredom? Is it mild depression? Is it stress? I dunno but it has to go. Somehow, someway.

But man, sugar withdrawals are killer. I’ll get through a few days until I can no longer handle the pounding headache, give in and eat ice cream. Headache goes away but then I am miffed at myself for giving in and not being “in control”. If this is how drug addicts feel, I can understand why quitting is so hard. And, we won’t even mention what it is doing to my hips. I am petrified to go to my doctors appointment on Monday. He’s never made a single comment about any gains I have had here or there, but I feel like I am not only letting myself down but him as well.

Do they make ice cream addicts anonymous? Ice cream rehab?

 

 

Lacey

a challenge (or two)

June 12, 2010

So, is anyone up for a couple of challenges? Fitness challenges that is?

I am starting the one hundred push ups and two hundred sit ups challenge. I have finally decided that I AM going to be able to keep up with Bryan’s pt requirements for the military and while I have no issues with the run, I cannot do push ups or sit ups to save my life.My endurance is strong, but my core strength sucks. I can do plank into upward facing dog in yoga but can’t come back up on a push up. Pitiful really ;).

So, today I did the initial test. 4 sit ups and 3 push ups. Those numbers are so bad, I shouldn’t even admit to them but alas, I am not going to improve by hiding behind my weaknesses. I plan to do the actual program on M-W-F, starting Monday. I even downloaded the iPhone apps for both programs, so I have an easy way to track that is always with me no matter where I am (since I won’t finish the program before we move). As I get going, I will post my progresses sporadically to keep myself accountable. Help me out there too though…okay?!

 

Lacey

do it anyway

June 11, 2010

Bryan sent this to me last night. I have seen it before, but it is worth repeating.

Always, do it anyway!

_________________

The only way to be happy and successful; Do it Anyway

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you;
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight;
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten;
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

– Mother Teresa

Lacey