Midterms

I'm stressed. I'm lacking sleep. I'm living off caffeine and quesadillas. I have not left my desk in three days unless I am eating, sleeping or going to the bathroom. Luckily, it will all be over by Wednesday and I can go back to my "normal" life...whatever that is.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In



Ok, I know. I know. I've been MIA. School has been crazy and so has life in general, but I swear I'll be posting more (don't we all say that?)!

Anyway, here's my MilSpouse Friday Fill-In answers...thanks Wife of a Sailor!

1. Aside from no deployments, what is one thing you would want to make the MilSpouse life “perfect”? submitted by Oh How Delightful
I think being about to choose where you live and for how long would make it "perfect." Even though we all know the military would still find ways to mess with us.


2. Just how many peppers did Peter Piper pick? submitted by Married into Army

I'm guessing not very many unless he was getting paid to do it.


3. If you could have any career in the world with nothing holding you back, what would you do? submitted by It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To

I want to be a social worker and work for the Department of Veterans' Affairs. I'm currently in school working towards my BSW and I will continue school until I receive my MSW. I really hope I get the opportunity to work for the VA, it would be a dream to help veterans on a daily basis and get paid to do it.


4. Do you have a service oriented tattoo and if so what is it. If you don’t what would you get? submitted by The Squid’s Accomplice

No, I don't have a serve oriented tattoo and I wouldn't get one.


5. Imagine a block of time has opened up in your busy day for you to take a class in anything you like. What subject would you choose? submitted by To The Nth

I already take at least 4 classes per semester but if could take anything I would take a yoga class :) Since I've started yoga, it has given me so much peace and relaxation, and not to mention a great workout.

I Hate This Part of the Deployment

I hate this part of the deployment. The part where we've come nearly 3/4 of the way on this year long deployment to still have a few months left. You feel like you've been run over by a semi truck and still have to crawl your way to the finish line. I feel defeated and weak. I just want to have a tantrum and yell, "I don't wanna do this anymore! I want to get off this crazy ride! I want off!"

I was talking to Mr. I this morning and I was telling him about this awesome music festival that is coming to our area this summer. I heard about it on the radio and it sounded like so much fun. You camp at this campground for 4 nights and during the day you enjoy five to six different performers. When I looked up the dates, I realized it would be a Wednesday through Saturday night type of thing and Mr. I's command thinks it would be better to "hold off their leave until school gets out" so he'll still be in-processing and "working" during that time. I literally started crying (yeah, I'm telling you people, I'm losing it).

I wasn't crying because we couldn't go to this festival...it was deeper than that. I was crying because so many times me and my husband have wanted to do things and couldn't because of the Army. We have never had a honeymoon, and we've never been on vacation...we really haven't done much. Between my school schedule, the cost of my school, and the Army, I feel like we never get to do anything. We both work our butts off to make a better life for ourselves and our future children, but we need a break for ourselves.

A couple months after Mr. I gets back, we're going to PCS. I feel like its a vicious cycle. Like we're never going to win (whatever that means). I feel like this is how our life goes:

He works. I go to school. I work. He trains. We move. He works. I go to school. Iwork. He trains. He deploys. I work. I go to school. He comes home. We move.

I just want to go somewhere warm, and sunny, that has a beach where we can enjoy just being with each other; no Army interuptions, no assignments due, no distractions. I really, really want that and I think that was the reason I started crying today.

I'm just trying to crawl my way to this deployment finish line the best I can but some days are harder than others...today was one of those days.

Yoga and Salsa Verde

Yeah, you read that correctly. I said, "Yoga and Salsa Verde." Those two things have kind of been consuming my life for the past couple days. I made a big 'ol batch of some kick ass salsa verde. I practically put it on EVERYTHING! Especially chicken quesadillas (corn tortillas, of course, gotta keep the tummy happy). I'll put the recipe at the end of the post, so you can all indulge is the green goodness.

Now to the yoga part. I've never really done yoga before but some of the poses were always incorporated into my exercises. I've always loved aggressive sports and I continuously thought of yoga as a cool down, not necessarily a complete exercise.

As the years have gone by high impact sports have become increasing more uncomfortable. I guess 10 years of soccer, 4 years of cross country, and 3 years of softball can do a number on your joints (especially my knees). This past winter my knees were not doing well in the cold, so I quit running and started using my elliptical more. Let me just say, I don't like ellipticals, the movement is so awkward for me, the only thing I like about them is how many calories they burn.

One of my other passions is kickboxing, I took the classes for a few years and LOVED it! I stopped doing it once we moved to our last duty station because there wasn't a gym close enough that offered the classes. One day, I would LOVE to join a kickboxing gym. It's one of those dream goals that I have for myself. We're moving again in like seven months, so nows not the time for me to fall in love with a kickboxing gym but I'm definitely going to look into it at our next duty station. But my point of writing about this is because at the end of every class we would do yoga for the last 10 or 15 minutes and it was so nice and relaxing and I completely enjoyed it.

I've thought about the relaxing aspect of it a lot lately, especially while Mr. I has been away in Afghanistan. I could use all the relaxing techniques I can get! So, I was talking to Mr. I on Wednesday and somehow yoga got brought up. I was telling him how I've been wanting to try it out.  I also mentioned thinking about possibly purchasing a DVD (I'm too chicken to take a class without testing the waters first). My smarty pants husband reminded me that he added Netflix to the Wii while he was here on R&R and that I could probably find a DVD there to follow. DUH! I don't know how I forgot about that, but I did. So, I searched Netflix and VIOLA! There were a bunch of DVDs and I actually found one that was called "Yoga for Health: Gastro-Intestinal Disorders." Oh, Yoga, you know me so well!

I did some "Crunch" video on Thursday. I don't think that was necessarily the best choice because it started out nice and easy then all of a suddent it became hard as hell quite challenging. I did the "Yoga for Health" one today and really liked it. It actually flew by and didn't even feel like I did an hour at all. Today I'm a teeny tiny bit sore which I like because then I know its actually doing something.

I'm really excited about trying more videos and eventually attending a class (they have them here on post). I'll let you know how it goes once I get enough courage and perfect this pose ;)

And if you've made it this far(you're awesome and certainly deserving), here's the salsa verde recipe:

Ingredients


2 chicken breasts

2 cups chicken broth

1 small white onion

3 clove garlic

2 teaspoons salt

2 pounds fresh tomatillos, husks removed

4 anaheim peppers (you can use jalapenos or serrano peppers if you wish, I just prefer the taste of the anaheim)

fresh cilantro (however much you like)


Directions

1.In a saucepan, combine chicken breast with chicken broth, half the onion, two cloves of garlic, and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, and then boil for 20 minutes.

2. Prepare the tomatillos by removing the husks and giving them a rinse. Now its time to prepare the peppers. This is when you control the heat of the salsa. If you want it crazy hot throw in the peppers whole. I personally don't like my salsa verde screaming hot so I cut them open and take out the seeds and the ribs. This will remove all the heat if you do it correctly.

2.Now place the tomatillos and anaheim peppers in a pot with water, enough to cover them. Bring to boil, and continue boiling until tomatillos turn a different shade of green (from bright green to an army green color). Strain tomatillos and chiles, and place in a blender with the other half of  the onion, 1 clove garlic, and some cilantro (or not, if you're not a fan).

3. At this time the chicken should be ready. Reserve broth, set chicken aside to cool, and discard onion and garlic. Shred the chicken with a fork (or two :)).

4.Pour in reserved chicken broth into the blender Blend all ingredients until they are completely pureed.

And there you go!

It should look something like this, and taste like heaven.

 

 

Trying to Find the Silver Lining

I've had a rough week and I don't feel like whining and complaining about it, so instead I am going to force myself to search for the positive things that have happened in the last seven days.

1. I got a much needed, new vacuum on Sunday. A Dyson DC23 Turbinehead and I love it (and no, the Dyson people didn't pay me to say that).

    2. I deep cleaned my entire house on Tuesday and it felt amazing. Cleaning is somewhat therapeutic for me, it gives me a sense of control and makes me feel calm. When my house is completely clean I can fully concentrate on the other things I need to get gone.

    3. I'm struggling through my Precalculus class and my textbook didn't come with the access code for a tutorial website (I bought it used), so I was desperate willing to pay for the access code from anyone who would let me. Well the following conversation took place with a fellow classmate: 

Me: Hey, did the access code come with your book? 

Classmate: Yeah. 

Me: Do you use it? 

Classmate: No. 

Me: ((dying with excitement but playing it cool)) Can I buy it off of you?

Classmate: You don't need to buy it off of me...you can have it. 

(he hands me the access code)

Me: Noooo, I can't take it. 

Classmate: Yeah, you can. You can have it.

Me: Are you sure?! I will pay for it!

Classmate: ((laughs)) No. Don't worry about it. It's all yours.

And I thought to myself, "Wow, there are still generous people in the world!"

Sometimes when you've had a bad day (or week) you feel as if humanity has gone down the drains. Then, the universe comes and smacks you over the head with a great gesture from a good sameritan and the world is good again!

4. Mr. I came back from his last two mission safely. I am so very thankful for this.

5. I found out that next week will be in the 60s. That is fabulous news! I need to dethaw and I think my Snow White skin could use a little sun.

6. I made the Pioneer Woman's Fettuccine Alfredo this weekend and it was to DIE for! No, really. It's butter, cream and cheese...you will die if you eat it. Hahaha, but what a way to go! I'm just kidding.

But seriously, it was so easy and it was soooooo good! I used half & half, since that's what I had on hand and, of course, I used gluten free pasta and even with the changes it was delicious! I can't wait to make it for Mr. I.



7. A perfect stranger gave me a compliment the other day. It made me feel good :)

This actually did make me feel better. Cheers to the silver lining!

Dear Winter

My skin HATES you!

Because it looks and feels like 

THIS!

I cannot wait until warm weather comes.

Not only because I need some warmth and my poor skin needs

 some moisture

but it also means I will be a couple months closer

 to welcoming my LOVE home.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

So, I have never done one of these before but many of the blogs I read participate in it, so why not give it a shot?! Head over to Wife of a Sailor to learn more and link up!


Without further ado...the Milspouse Friday Fill-in.



1. Since most of the country has had nasty weather, what has your weather been like this week?


We live in central Virginia and the weather has been in the mid 30s most of the week except for Wednesday which was in the mid 60s. It was completely bizzarre but I loved the warmth and humidity even though it only lastest less than 24 hours.



2. What is/are your best money saving tip(s)?

-Making meal plans and going to the grocery store only when you have a list.
-Using coupons at the commissary and with sale items.
-Using self check out at the commissary can save you a few bucks each trip since you don't have to tip the baggers and in addition its burns more calories!
-For students I always suggest buying used textbooks from online (half.com, Amazon, Ebay, and craigslist).
-I also save a lot of money by buying regular items off Ebay such as Wii remote controls, handbags, perfume etc. Now, there is an art to buying off Ebay successfully. You have to make sure its a reliable seller (check their ratings), double check the shipping costs (because sometimes their unreasonable), check for warranty or guarantee, and you want to check the pictures as well as condition. I pretty much only buy brand new items.
-Don't swear by your credit card. For big ticket items (usually only electronic for us) we use a credit card which has no interest for X amount of months, then we stick to our "pay off plan" which we created before we even purchased. Other than that, we only put things on a credit card that we will pay off monthly.
-Don't buy things that are unneccessary. Live simply.




3. What was your favorite vehicle you’ve ever owned?

I've only owned three vehicles in my entire life...1998 Honda Accord, 2001 Toyota Corolla, and a 2007 Dodge Caliber. I would say my favorite is the Caliber but if I could put the Accord's engine in it lol.


4. What is a question you’d like to see asked in a future fill-in?

If you were allowed to deploy with your husband to a war zone would you and why?




5. Fill in the blank: You might be a MilSpouse if…

Your husband talks all in acronyms and you understand him completely.

"I miss the way you smell..."

Those were the words from my husband. He is strange in the sense that he doesn't normally want care packages because he's thinks they are a waste of money. He says he has the bare essentials out there and that is all he needs. But when he said, "I miss the way you smell, could you send me something with your perfume on it?" I knew he was having a rough time.

Our ACS (Army Community Services) has something called "The Pillow Case Project." They offer deployed soldiers and their families two free pillow cases with a picture of their loved ones on it. When Mr. I asked me to send something that smelled like me, I immediately thought of this program. I picked up our pillow cases this afternoon and this turned out fabulous!

I'm going to make it a Valentine's Day care package with a couple cards, some treats and I'm gonna write "100 reasons why I love you." It will be a totally cheesy care package but I think Mr. I needs that right now.

I will mail it out tomorrow. I can't wait until he gets it!