Sunday Football...

...is SO much better when my Soldier is here!

Today is day 2 of R&R.  We're just hanging out here in Neenah (I now know the answer to the question "Where the hell is Neenah?", hahaha).  I can't imagine anything better in my life right now than spending these 2 weeks with my hubby.

So, his flight was LATE...not on it's own accord.  He tried to get here earlier and switched flights.  GREAT idea in theory.  However, the plane that he had changed to required maintenance and he would have been stuck in Atlanta until Sunday...so he got a seat on a flight into Minneapolis ---first class!--- and arrived in Green Bay at 10:30 pm.  It was the LONGEST DAY of my life! 

I have NEVER gotten butterflies about homecoming before, but I was nervous.  Last R&R, his parents were at Fort Campbell, and that was priority.  First homecoming, I didn't know what to expect.  Last homecoming, I was up to my ears in FRG responsibilities.  So this know-how-it-happens and no-responsibilities had me in touch with my feelings about it...and yup, I was nervous.  And over tired.  I don't know if I slept at all between when he called from Kuwait and when we hit the hotel here.  Okay, 10 to 40 minutes here or there, but that a full night of sleep does NOT make!  I was exhausted!

So far we've spent 2 nights here in Neenah.  We've had the chance to try out a pizza joint here...Cranky Pat's.  MMMMMMMMM....that's pretty much all I've got!  We've walked in some beautiful weather during the day...makes me want to drive up and walk around Door County this coming week.  Maybe we will!  Who knows.  Yesterday we hung out in the pool...today, the pool is closed.  I'm actually NOT happy with the staff here at the Days Inn.  They spend a lot of time sitting in the breakfast daybreak area and not a lot of time working.  I don't know why the pool that I searched so hard for is closed, but they are not doing a damn thing to get it back open for my vacationing butt.  *sigh*...I'm not happy about it.

Tomorrow morning, we head back to Green Bay for the rest of R&R.  Next weekend is already full...fish with Mom on Friday; baptism preparations and a Gamblers home game on Saturday; baptism and Packer game on Sunday.  The following weekend is an early Halloween party on Friday night with the girls; an early birthday celebration for Neil on Saturday; and R&R is over already on Sunday morning.  *sigh* Our vacation is MUCH too short!

But I am enjoying every minute with Neil while he's here.  I have learned not to take any of it for granted.  So, as the Packer game winds down with 8:57 left in the game, I am going to go curl up with my handsome, sexy hubby.

Life is good!

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1.03.01

We're Not Even Halfway...but it's SO worth it!

So today is it!  Today, I am heading to the airport to pick up the hubby.  Nope, we're NO WHERE near half-way, but this has already been one HELL of a deployment!  If can break, it pretty much has.  I spent almost 17 days sicker than a dog.  This has BEYOND sucked!  So, yup, I'm seriously looking forward to this! 
Car decorated -CHECK
Outfit picked out- CHECK
Hotel booked for 3 nights- CHECK
Yup yup yup...this is pretty much gonna ROCK IT!!!!

So if I fall off the edge of the digital universe for a week or so, I haven't fallen far...just into the arms of my Soldier!

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1.03.01

...in case you missed the 4am Facebook status update...

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls...if you would direct your attention to the center ring... Now, straight from her limited engagement at the local nut house, for your viewing entertainment, our very own Nikki "I need a day at the spa (paid for by someone else of course)" Demerath.

Watch closely as she pulls out her hair in a hairried path to project completion. Notice how she laughs in the face of sleep. Observe her unique style of multi-tasking, multi-faceted disorganization. And "why", you may ask? Because she BELIEVES in the program. She knows that the efforts she puts in are not futile. She knows that helping to build and sustain surviving and thriving Families is crutial to sustaining the all-volunteer force that protects and defends her, her country, and her way of life. She knows that everyone has a role -a niche- and this is hers. She has learned this from her mentors and from those who have supported her and who she helps to support who then turn to do the same for others. She knows this is so much more, so much bigger than one person, one Family, one group of volunteers, one unit. And she is honored to serve in her small, seemingly insignifcant -somedays more challenging then others- way. And she is Blessed and honored to have found friends and other volunteers with the same drive and passion; honored to be among them and to call them friends. She is Blessed and thankful for her supporting Family; her blood relatives and her Army Family who support, encourage, and are willing work beside her. She is Blessed to meet more Families who, through their own tough times, are not only surviving but are determined to THRIVE and join the cause to support and build EVERY ARMY FAMILY through communication, information and education. She is in AWE of the incredible network of support and caring she has came into and is continuing to help build. She is Blessed and thankful to those who have trusted her enough to give her the opportunities she has gotten to care and grow with the Army Family.

If you think any of the above may describe you...know you have helped shape who and what I am today; my actions and speach; what I work towards daily; and my desire to serve Families. I am thankful for each and everyone one of you, and the opportunities you have given me...the things you help me realize and then to achieve...the support and motivation you provide. I am truly BLESSED to know you all and have you in my life. There are too many to call out by name; you all deserve the best in life and a HUGE (((HUG)))...yet those aren't enough! Know that I do my best daily to honor you in all I do. Thank you all so much!

I Do NOT Need a Day

After dealing with idiots all day (yes, I ventured out in public...not just in my head), I have determined that it must have been Post-wide "Piss Nikki Off" day.  Unfortunately, NO ONE told me. 

I started on a trek for lunch (Burger King), a gatorade (shoppette), and the laundrette (TN shoppette).  Figured an hour and a half ---TOPS. HA!

So I went to airfield.  Figured I could kill two birds with one stone...lunch from Burger King, first.  A veggie burger (I like them, so sue me) with mayo, pickles, onions, tomatoes and lettuce.  And an OJ.  To go.  Grabbed my bag, headed to the shoppette side for gatorade.  Yes, I should have used my bank card instead of my Star card...but heck, USAA reimburses me the $2.00 ATM fee, so I'll just suck it up instead of kicking myself.  Okay...back into the car and over to the TN shoppette for laundry (it's less crowded with more machines).

So I pull into the lot, and hit the ATM.  And walk over to the shoppette to get singles for the change machine.  Only to discover that I HAVE TO BUY SOMETHING TO GET SMALLER BILLS!  WHAT?!?!?!?  When the hell did that crap start?  Okay, whatever.  Where the hell is the gum?  ??????  Yeah, never did find it.  Bought an overpriced granola bar instead.  Walked back to the laundrette side...TO FIND OUT THE CHANGE MACHINES ARE OUT OF ORDER!  Only today, trust me.  You HAVE to be kidding me!!!! Yes, it came out of my mouth as I stomped out of the laundrette and threw my laundry back in the car.  I was NOT going back to the shoppette to buy something else to get quarters. NO FRIGGEN' WAY.

Okay, fine.  There is a bank and a credit union on this post.
...which I found out that you need to have an account at to get change at.  Okay, first of all. WHAT??????

Are you serious?  Bank of America wanted a fee...FORGET THAT!  Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union demanded I be a member period.  Now, let me see if I understand this FCFCU, I just spent $2 to get $10 out of your damn ATM and you won't trade me the $10 bill  for a roll of friggen' quarters????  Is there a national quarter shortage I don't know about?  Why do I have to know a fricken' secret handshake to get change????  
WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!
  
So, after practically throwing myself through the glass doors at FCFCU (it was 4pm and they locked the doors already), I sat in my car and cried and cursed for about 10 minutes.  Actually had like 3 people knock on my window and ask if I was okay.  Not a good place to have a break down apparently.

Okay, last resort.  The cashier's cage at the PX.  THANK GOD they still exchanged paper money for rolls of coin without having to know a secret handshake or whatever.  It probably helped that I was on the verge of tears when I asked the poor lady if she could do that for me.

So, off to the Lee Village Shoppette and laundrette.  By this time I have been out of the house for an hour.  SUCKS!  But the laundrette was empty when I got there...clothes in and out of the washer and dryer.  

...and you know what just put the icing on my craptastic day?  I FINALLY went to eat the sandwich I ordered from BK...and IT WAS A DOUBLE CHEESE BURGER INSTEAD OF A VEGGIE BURGER!!! I could have understood if it had been busy, but I was the ONLY person in there (I think my presence broke up a poker game in the back, actually).  Hell, I was order number 17 FOR THE DAY! ...and the OJ tasted like crap (of course, just about everything does right now...side effect of the amoxicillin-type stuff I have 5 days left of). So I just came home and had soup.  


The only peace of mind I have about the whole day is that one day they will all get theirs.  And, yes, I will laugh.

"Sending Signals"...and "Neogotiations"

Really?  HELLO WORLD...North Korea's been at this "We want this or that but we're not going to listen to your rules and our people will be the ones to suffer" crap SINCE THE 1950'S!  C'mon!

Look.  I'm not trained in international politics.  However, it's not really that difficult.  You don't let the bad guys run the talks!  How long do you 'send signals' before you come to the conclusion that they JUST DON'T GET IT...or just don't care?  I mean, I understand diplomatic courtesy, etc, etc.  but this is beginning to be ridiculous!  And these 'neogotiations'?  C'mon!  The only people getting anything out of this is the North Korean government...and then they violate the rules anyway and we either look the other way or if we punish them it's the people, not the government, who suffer. ...and if we're waiting for the people to rise up, well, um, don't see that happening.

No, I don't have a solution.  BUT somebody needs to come up with SOMETHING...because this just isn't working.  Anybody else think it's a little crazy?

As I am sitting here...

So, this morning, for reasons unknown to me, my alarm clock never went off.  Sucks.  I was supposed to be at an AFTB course.  Never flippin' fails.

I decided instead to listen to some music and browse the web (both which were in the plans for yesterday but got nixed because of some idiot issues).  Just hanging out commenting on Facebook, browsing sites and listening to 2 albums that I downloaded on iTunes last week but hadn't gotten around to. 

I can't believe I waited this long to buy these albums.  Okay, I'll admit it.  I'm still kind of holding a grudge that these 2 adult men just can get over their issues and work together again.  But since I don't EVER see that happening (and I do understand.  Personal differences of opinions have ruined more than one relationship and no one should be forced to work with someone for my benefit.  I get it.  But....), I went and downloaded 3 albums -altho I've already heard most of the one. 

All I can say is OH MY GOD THESE MEN ARE MUSICAL GENIUSES!
Don't believe me?  Go listen to the albums.  In order of my preference...

Chinese Democracy by Guns N' Roses (Axl Rose is a songwriting MASTERMIND!  Not to mention I love his voice!...doesn't hurt that he's hotttt too =D SO worth the 14 year wait on this album!  Not a song I don't LOVE! )

Slash by Slash (LOVE that man's guitar!  All that talent wrapped up in one hottt man! One of the best guitarists ever?  How about THE best.)

Contraband by Velvet Revolver (again...HELLO Slash!)

...didn't take me for a hard rock girl?  Don't underestimate me...
....just sayin'...

Reasons that I LOVE Thrifting...

Okay, I have to admit that one of the greatest reasons (other than Family) to come to Green Bay for me is the mass amount of thrift and second-hand stores.  I LOVE THEM.  And one of my favorites by far is St. Vincent de Paul.  Today, I managed to spend $9 on cassettes...which doesn't sound bad, until you realize that they are 4 for $1 right now.  So that's 36 cassettes!  And the 16 I bought Tuesday...well, at least my car has a functioning tape deck =D

But I have to share the COOLEST finds from today.
1)  A CD that was part of the 2007/2008 US Army Recruiting package.  It's all music by SFC Jamie Buckley.  And his music is AWESOME!  He is not only a Soldier, but a country musician and SONGWRITER!  Head over to www.jamiebuckley.net and check him out!
2) A book-shaped memory box for my nephew...for 50cents!  WOO HOO!

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE thrift shops?
-N