Veteran's Day

I am a veteran... I have been serving my country for over a quarter of my life. Tomorrow I am going to take my bags and get on a plane and leave my family and my little ones for longer than most people can imagine being apart over work... but that's why I do this job... I do it because other people don't, won't , or can't. I am proud of my job, my country and my accomplishments. I don't ask that you feel bad for me, I have chosen this life, I have volunteered for it and I love it. Keep in mind not just today, that veteran's are not always the people who wear the uniforms. The families of these people sacrifice so much for our country that most civilians never will truly understand the dedication of the spouses, mothers, fathers, families, siblings and children that keep a watch light on, and a weathered eye on the horizon. It is because of their dedication, and their support and their love, that soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen around the world can do their job... and it is those soldiers sailors marines and airmens dedication to their job that allow their families to sleep soundly at night knowing a veteran stands the watch.

Happy Veteran's Day! I am not sure if I will post again before I leave. If I don't. I will talk to you all again before Christmas, because I WILL be home for Christmas ;)

TMI Tuesday: Conspicuous Luxury

TMI Tuesday: Conspicuous Luxury

This week’s TMI Tuesday was the idea of http://virtualsin.wordpress.com/

Jack's Answers

1. Do you have a set of dishes that are used for special occassions (e.g. china)? Yes or no. If yes, how often do you use the special dishes?

a. any day because every day is special

b. once a week

c. only for holidays and celebration

d. never, it is displayed in a china cabinet or collecting dust in a box in the attic

No Special dishes here. I have small children and they are not practical. We did not have a big wedding... as I may have mentioned before we just kind of ran off and got married on our own. I have 3 separate sets of dishes and for special occasions such as holidays when I am feeding 20+ people at a time, it is usually a hodgepodge of different dishes and silver.

2. Do have clothes that you never wear because you are saving them for a special occasion? What is that item of clothing? What would be the appropriate occasion?

Again, not really. I am a very basic jeans and t-shirt, or sweat shirt kind of girl. Its pretty rare that I get dressed up or save a specific piece of clothing for an occasion. I have in the past attended many balls and events where floor length gowns were appropriate so I have had them in my closet, but usually after 1 wear they move on.

3. If you suddenly became very wealthy, which servants would you employ?

a. cleaning service

b. housekeeper

c. cook

d. valet/maid/lady-in-waiting

e. chauffeur

f. dog-walker

g. other

I have spoke with Atlas in the past of hiring a housekeeper just because I was almost too busy at the time to keep up. That would probably be one of the first people that I would hire. I would hire a nanny too. God love my children but sometimes I need a break and a nanny would be awesome. I would hire a cook for some things but I still enjoy cooking so maybe that would be a part time investment. I don't ride around in cars too much so a chauffeur would be a waste of time, and my dogs walk themselves ;)

4. If you were wealthy, how many homes would you own? Where? (locations–mountains, tropical places for the winter, foreign country/city)

I find this question kind of amusing for the simple fact I just bought my second house... which is on the beach. My first home is out in the country on a nice plot of land and is a large log cabin... so It seems as though although I am not wealthy... I have all the homes I need for right now. When Atlas and I leave the beach I am sure we will buy another home at our next location... for us, with dogs and kids, it is easier and cheaper to buy a home than find someone who is willing to rent to us.

5. If you were going to take on a really expensive hobby, which of these would it be?

a. buy an airplane

b. buy a yacht

c. buy a small winery

d. raise exotic animals
Hm, an expensive hobby. I love to hunt and fish so I would probably go with something like that. Travel and hunt and fish in new locations... and yes that gets expensive. A trip up to Alaska to hunt Elk or Moose can cost upwards of 10K... a tuna charter to go out for the CHANCE to catch a bluefin tuna in Massachusetts can cost up to 1000 dollars for 6 hours. So... although I would love to travel I need something to actively be doing and seeing while traveling and getting out into nature and truly appreciating it for what it is would be my hobby of choice.

6. What kind of car would you buy if you had an unlimited budget?

a. expensive sports car

b. luxury car

c. monster truck

d. expensive hybrid or electric car

e. cheap car (I’d be too nervous driving an expensive car).

f. something for the chauffeur to drive me around in

Again, I kind of chuckled. I just bought my car of choice this past year, I have a 2011 yellow and white 2SS Camaro. I love it ! I also have 2 practical everyday use vehicles, a big pick up and an SUV... So I think I would stick with the cars I already have. Maybe trade the 2011 Camaro in for the 2012 ZL1 Camaro... maybe I would do that without unlimited funds though ;)

Bonus: Currently, what is your favorite luxury item or decadent thing that you do?

I am not sure. I enjoy the car... but probably my house. Its Atlas and I's dream house and there is very few things that I would trade it in for. I am very happy with the things that I have, I am not too much for luxury but every once in awhile I enjoy nice things.

Getting ready to go

Have you ever had to leave you significant other/spouse for a semi significant amount of time? How did you handle things on the lead up to it, and what happened. This isn't the first time Atlas and I will be separated by many miles for longer than a month but this is the first time that I am the one who is leaving.

Usually leading up to the separation it goes in phases, most people are very clingy, then try to be very intimate, then usually fight and get angry and then things calm right before they leave. This is a normal response because you know its coming and you are really looking for a reason not to miss the other person.

Its truly stupid thinking but that is what happens with most people. Atlas and I are not most people. We haven't changed a thing. We are the same happy go lucky couple today that we were at the beginning of the year. Its the the back of our minds... and in front of our eyes all the time. I have my suitcase out and my travel paperwork on my bed stand. Saturday is coming whether we are ready or not.

I am ready to go. I just want to go and get it over with, come home and enjoy the holidays. This year won't be the same, its really going to be a difficult holiday season. My one sister is not coming home from Florida, my mom won't be here, and my other sister is not the girl that she was last year.... Its as though everything has changed. Last Christmas was the first time in a long time my sisters and I were all in the same house together, it was the last time we were all able to be together with my mom. Crazy isn't it?

I will be packing up and getting out of town 2 days after Christmas this year. Atlas and I will be starting our new life down in Virginia very soon... Looking forward to a new year and a new start.

I have not mentally prepared myself to be away from my little ones for 5 weeks. I am nervous about not being with my kids more than I am going to training and being apart from Atlas. I guess we will see soon how it all works out. I bet he appreciates me a lot more when I come home.