County Fair, Friday, 6:30pm

Sunset of Ferris wheel Fun



WEE time with daddy




MIL +  Harley = true love



up with the painted ponies



HOLD ON -go 'round



"...and the seasons

they go 'round and 'round

and the painted ponies go up and down

we're captive on the carousel of time

we can't return we can only look behind

from where we came

and go 'round and 'round and 'round

in the circle game..."

~joni mitchell

October 1, 2010: Reenlistment, Annapolis

 On November 18, 1999 my future husband joined the Navy. He flew to Chicago where he spent 9 weeks in boot camp. Upon completion, his parents drove from Georgia, through a blizzard, to see their middle child graduate.  Shortly thereafter, Justin spent a year in Pensacola, FL going to A and C school.  After a 2 week reprieve, Justin was sent to Hawaii for 3 years. The next duty station was in Connecticut (where we met).  When we got orders to move to D.C., we quickly agreed this would be our last stop. 

But, as usual-all-ways, things changed... 

                                                     June, 2008, Navy Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Because after 9 years, 3 duty stations, 1 wife, 1 baby on the way, and a bad economy...my husband decided to reenlist for 3 more years...

And then suddenly?  It's that time again.  To this date, my husband has served close to 11 years.  Safe to say the odds of staying active duty for the full 20 are in sight...

Here are some shots of the ceremoney...and an added bonus?  My in-laws, who drove up from Georgia, got to witness their first, albeit brief, reenlistment ceremony.

Fall is ON!!

Last year I did not partake in the pumpkin patch-hay ridin'-farm lovin' festivals that infiltrate this here country side east of the Mississippi.  This year -OH HELL YEAH!  Bring it on FARMER JOE!

We went to Montpelier Farms.  A very hip place for the young and the young at heart. Milo and the husb were not the biggest fans of the corn maze, but it was cool, so I made them walk through it. Like a good mother/wife.

The hay maze was much more their comfort level. Lame Simple, but more comfortable...;)

The biggest hit was the big 'ol bouncy house.  He went in twice.  If we had the yard, THIS would SO be in the budget!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! It's like Disneyland!  But more "rustic." And less Mickey.

Hey, hay ride! Milo grabbed daddy's hand saying, "tractor, tractor, tractor!" He actually kept himself seated throughout the whole ride, which toured the entire farm.

This years maze theme is "Salute the American Soldier." This piece of awesomess was composed of hay. And maybe some metal and a flag.  Hard to tell.

It's like I'm in a parade. But without the hundreds of fans cheering me on...

I still can't believe that he stayed put in this thing. It may have been my heimlich grip around his waist and the threat of walking home if he even thought about escaping...

It's the great big pumpkin, Charlie Brown!!

This, of course, is the, "Milo!  Hop up on the horsey so mama can take your picture!"
"AAhhhhh, NOOOOOOOOOOOO"
...click...

                                                       The fun really doesn't stop here...

                                                                             or here...

or here....I really loved this place...made me want to go buy a farm and put a bunch a fun stuff on it...

and the BEST PART??

BAM. 



Stop yelling at me. He'll get a sibling sooner or later...

                                                        Sit in chair, buckle in

 insert tray, lock in place

                                                have a snack, converse

insist on safety while in moving vehicle

I'm assuming this is all very typical "only child" behavior.

Also?  This kid stuff cracks me up...

bored? lonely? Get yourself a 2 year old...

We know how to have a good time around here.  Or at least Milo does...

stop the imadness WAIT! there's an APP for that!!

I've been noticing the "i" craze:

ipod
iphone
ipad
itouch
itunes
ichat
igoogle
ihome
imax
ivillage

 ithis, ithat, ieverything. What about...

mepod
mephone
mepad

Because it's ALL ABOUT ME.  I want it bigger, faster, shinier, smaller, smarter, prettier, sleeker...AND IT BETTER SMELL GOOD, TOO.

And, then, there are all the APPS.  For everything.  I mean, the ieverything.

IDEA! iIdea! I'll invent the ieverything!! Then I'll be the champion of the universe!! I'll be the richest ibitch EVER because ihave the ieverything!

Mother Nature?  Father Sky?

Yeah...there's an app for that too.

Feeling claustrophobic? Download inature and in a nanosecond you'll be at the iocean sitting on your iyacht.  Or the imountains, skiing down the islopes.

The possibilities are iendless.

since you've been gone

My husband-guy periodically leaves for very important top secret missions.  I probe him as to the particulars, but he's a sucker for his security clearance.  Which I'm okay with, because it pays my bills.

haha.

Yes, he knew he was marrying someone with $25,000 worth of student loans.  And maybe a credit card with a balance that included 4 zeros.

Anygolddigger, when he does these "business trips" I am forced to find my inner single parent energy.  Fortunately, I was able to score some shifts at work and I could really play the whole single working parent gig. Unfortch, that leaves a pile of trash, laundry, and dishes.  AND,  I miss my naps.

So when I get a parking ticket AND get backed into by an SU-fucking-V within 45 minutes of each other, I am also forced to find my inner WHATTHE FUCKITY FUCK I DON'T DEAL WITH THIS SHIT WHERE IS MY HUSBAND calm-casual superwoman-ness.

The lady that backed up into me (haha) was supercool as we exchanged car insurance info. I almost wanted to see if she wanted to go get a Margarita and an appetizer afterwards.  But I had the kid and well, y'know... Meanwhile, Milosis was in his car seat, having a less-than pleasant sniffle. I guess a big jolt to the car while mama is not in it, can terrify a 2 year old.

(quick story: We were parked at a gas station.  I got out of the car to pump gas.  As I inserted my credit card, I heard a big BANG.  That would be my bumper getting french-kissed)

So when we got home I did what any normal person who just got backed up into would do.

"Call the insurance company to file a claim?"

Oh, no, not this girl.  I rearranged the living room.

I could insert all the excuses (dinner, gym-tan-laundry, spider webs), but honestly, I just didn't feel like dealing with it.

(you hear that?  that's the sound of my husb shaking his head, rolling his eyes and sighing)

The next morning, I got a call from the car insurance company -it rhymes with Fate Charm. Fortunately, the whole thing will be covered by the lady's liability, along with a rental car and blah blah blah.

When I hung up with them I thought, "maybe I should ask them if/when this whole deal will expire. Because I'd like to rearrange my bedroom next and I just don't feel like dealing with the whole -get my car fixed- thing."

Moral of this story: Don't park behind a vehicle that is bigger than yours at a gas station right after you get a parking ticket for parking in the wrong spot AND an expired employee parking permit.  ALL while your spouse is out of town and you really need to take out the trash/laundry/think of what frozen dinner you'll throw in the oven tonight.

And entertain a 2 year old.

Also?  My hat is OFF to those who truely juggle the single/working/parent thing.