Images

Last night we had an impromptu candlelit steak dinner with tomato caprese and red wine. Godiva chocolate bars for dessert. I feel like we should have used our nice china! But like I said – it was truly impromptu. The mood was killed when Chuck made me watch Mission Impossible 4 right afterwards anyway šŸ˜‰

Itā€™s Chuckā€™s last weekend before he leaves for 29 Palms for a month, for pre-deployment training. At least I get him for Thanksgiving Day – and he will be back just time for Christmas!

Iā€™m actually so ready to get this deployment on the road! The limbo stage is annoying. I think both of us are readyā€¦

Remember that diversity of thought and ideals (and the freedom to express them without fear of persecution) is what makes this country so great. I think that each of you is intelligent, principled, and patriotic, regardless of who you voted for today.

I honestly believe this, and know that every American has a passion AND logic for what he/she believes more so than in so many parts of the world today. I think itā€™s really sad that regardless of what my vote is, someone close to me on either side will respect my intellect, values, and patriotism less as a resultā€¦

I am embarrassed to say that I did not vote this year. I did order my absentee ballot weeks ago, but it never showed up. Not sure if I did something wrong or if they didā€¦? Regardless, I should have stayed on top of it better. To be honest though, I really had a hard time this year in terms of who to vote for. Thatā€™s why I admire both my Obama supporter friends and my Romney supporter friends, because they are so convicted in what they want for this country. I, on the other hand, am more befuddled than ever! I agree that we are in such a pivotal, volatile time in our history, so I really felt the (hypothetical) power of my vote this year, and it scared me a littleā€¦

Too late now of course, but Iā€™m looking forward to hear what America decides!

Came into work today and the phones, Internet, and central network are down, so now is as good a time as any to update my Tumblr!

This past weekend was not only Veteranā€™s Day weekend, but the 237th Marine Corps birthday. The past three years, we celebrated with one of the elegant balls – Chuck in his dress blues, me in a gown, and a lot of pomp and circumstance to go around. Theyā€™re always lots of fun, but this year – since Chuck is now part of a motley 19-man team rather than a huge battalion – we celebrated with a low key ā€œBallbequeā€ at the Gunniā€™s house.

It was fun, if not a bit chilly for an outdoor party. I enjoyed the bonfire in particular šŸ™‚ I didnā€™t so much enjoy the full roast pig all charred on the grillā€¦ It made me depressed.

Anyway, it was good to meet Chuckā€™s new leaders (I felt like I was at a parent teacher conference sometimes, with very drunk teachers!) It was also good to bond more with the Marines I already knew, and their wives and girlfriends.

We are all just gearing up for this deployment over here – wonā€™t be too much longer now. Then Iā€™ll have a two-time war veteran to be proud of and thankful for!

Annual Oyster Roast on the Cape Fear River at the Chamber of Commerce. All you can eat fresh oysters and shrimp, open bar, and live music. Great time with new co-workers, community entrepreneurs, and the hubby šŸ™‚

ā€¦a Facebook post from one of my fellow military wife neighbors that suddenly warmed me up. Her husband Steve was injured in Afghanistan last year. His leg injury stubbornly refused to heal. Finally, this fall, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and is currently undergoing chemo treatments. They are a beautiful, young, upbeat couple of just a few years, and theyā€™ve already been through so much together. We can all learn a great deal from an experience (and subsequent attitude) like theirs!

P.S. Sorry for the crappy blurring job – I was in a rush šŸ™‚

Our ā€œH-Squared (Halloween & Hurricane) Partyā€ was a big success! Despite the heavy rain and wind gusts, pretty much everyone still managed to show up. Not only did they show up, but most stayed late, got creative with costumes, and partied/danced hard. Probably too hard for some of them (usā€¦) but we all need those nights šŸ˜‰ I am still so sore!

The only disappointment (for me) was my costume! I was Cruella deVille, and it looked okay in person, but I didnā€™t get a single good picture in it. I guess itā€™s hard to take decent pictures in dim party lighting – especially since we had black lights, strobe lights, and those string party lights in spooky purple. Most of my shots of pretty much anything came out fuzzy šŸ˜¦ Anyway, After getting caught out in the Hurricane helping someone find parking, my wig and make up were so messed up that I just ran to the bathroom and only kept on the dress (and red shoes of course.) Too bad!

Everyone else looked great though. Chuck and Shane were among my faves – they were LMFAO. Donā€™t they look RIDICULOUS?! Good times šŸ™‚