Valentines Day & Love

Valentine's Day is to celebrate the sacrifice of true love.

Love does not always come in a happy little package.

You have to work harder on love than any job you've ever had.

It's a choice and The Irish said it best...

Love, loyalty and friendship.

A New Year, A WHOLE NEW World

Hey all my bloggy friends!  I know, I know, it's been awful.  November came, my fathers passing kind of sucked me down and things have been such a rollercoaster since.  I won't bore you all with the awful details of the bad, but will accentuate on the GREAT!

Timeline

December 10th, I was let go from my day job, the place I've worked over six years, loved and was pretty bummed out about. 

December teeeeeens, Chief was back in port, after his deployment.  This was one of the best days!

December holidays, came, were fabulous and spent a lot of time with my family.

December 31st, I worked, spent the night with my great friends and had Dennys afterwwards because I was SURE there was no way going to bed was an option.  So we headed home, I showered, got ready and fetched Chief from the airport.  I have to tell you, as I waited at the baggage carousel, my eyelids were begging me to look for the cracks in them, but I said NO WAY!  Instead, I opened my eyes up really big, and....There he was walking towards me!!!!  Me?  After all this time!  That first embrace was fantastic.

So, if you've seen my pages, I have updated my to-do list for 365 and crossed some things off.

We had breakfast with his siblings and mom after I picked him up, then a much needed nap.  We got ready for a NYD party at a friends and went to celebrate. 

some of the crew at Rach's that day

We headed to my BFF's after for some fun times and "Guam Bombs" 

GUAM BOMBS!

We all were out smoking around 11.30pm and I was SO exhausted and knew he was too, so I suggested we go home.  So we went in the house to gather our things, when...

HE PROPOSED.  Oh.my.GOSH.

Why did they ALL come in AFTER he proposed?!

I am blessed, loved, and so excited.  There is so much to share, and plans to be made and and and!



Can I get a Pulse?

Holy hannah! I am SO excited.

This has been an awesome week while Chief's been in port. And even prior. We have talked so openly about so many important things.  He's still in negotiations with Mr D and right now it sounds like New York. Not our first choice but there's a lot of great things about it. And who knows, he could end up somewhere completely different!

With that being said, we have talked about living together and moving, and we are both so excited to be together. 

Countdown for Chief to be in Minneapolis - 51 days! 

Oh.my.goodness I am ecstatic about this.

We've talked about seeing a couple of shows while he's home and a hockey game. Go MN WILD!  (they're having a better season than the Vikings!!!) 

Has anyone ever been to a Burlesque show?

I would really like to go to one and am just wondering what you thought of it?  

I am ecstatic that possibly today we'll be able to talk on the phone, and hear each others voices and YAY. I am thankful for technology such as Skype.  I am in the process of scheduling an appt to have some fun boudoir photos taken for Chiefs birthday.

Premier Designs continues to be so amazing for me. I love enriching womens lives and sharing fun jewelry. I gave away $496 in free jewelry at my last show!  I look forward to sharing Premier with many many more ladies before the holidays. 

Have you ever seen something you love and then find out a place doesn't carry it anymore?  Yep,

AVON LADIES I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!!! 

There's a cupcake apron. And I NEED it. I don't just want it, I need it. It symbolizes everything about me. Okay, maybe I'm being a lot dramatic. But I have a super cute cupcake on the wall in my kitchen, I love to make and decorate, and

I NEED THIS CUPCAKE APRON!!!!!!! 

But it's not in the catalog or online anymore.

I am SO very saddened by this.

I even plan to bedazzle it.  THAT'S how badly I need it. 

 Did you know it's National Vanilla Cupcake day?

Do you know that yesterday I resisted EVERY single temptation while at the grocery store when these were begging me to take them home?

Enough about my ranting about cupcakes and aprons and stuffeses. 

I know some of you ladies who lose your husbands/boyfriends to deployment know about the rollercoaster. The weight rollercoaster. How do you deal with this? How do you with less than 2 months go, OMG, I need to drop a few pounds!!!  It hit me. My weight hasn't changed but, where'd my body go?!  Ummm helloooooo?  I am wearing the same clothes which is a plus.  I'm still looking for 150, somewhere.  I'll get there. But...not yet!  I've cut soda considerably, the eating out has cut back. But...I'm not seeing any changes?  BLAH!  Thanks for listening.

I have so much to be thankful for today. I always do. I hope you know what you're thankful for.

MILS Friday Fill In #16

Link up with Wifey at Wife of a Sailor!

1.What is the longest road trip you’ve ever taken?

Longest...I went with my mom and my grammy out to British Columbia one summer. We left Minnesota, drove thru the Dakotas, and then the mountains, stayed a few places along the way. Stopped in Washington to visit a family friend and then many places along the way in Canada where we had family. Saw lots of really aweseome things, went across this bridge - where my mom and I were scared to pieces...

Shopped in Chinatown where we got a lobster, that stayed in the trunk over the course of the HOT day, and then into the freezer, that proceeded to snap out at my mom over dinner!  Was priceless. I was all of 13 on this trip. Certainly something I will remember the rest of my life. We stayed with a Phillipino lady in Vancouver who was a friend of the family. Introduced my to cellophane noodles and tofu. YUM!  We visited Victoria by ferry, and I was in love.

2.Do you collect anything? Tell us a bit about it.

Dollheads.  I know! Sounds crazy!  Here's my favorite post of things I collect....

3.What is your favorite part about being an adult?

Responsibility, even if sometimes it is overwhelming. Watching my daughter grow into the most amazing little lady. Reconnecting with Prince Charming "Chief" of my dreams and being in love.  There are days I'd throw it all in to be 5 again tho!

4.What song brings a tear to your eye?

Anything Bing Crosby sings. Reminds me of my daddy...RIP dad.

5.Describe your first plane ride (how old you were, where you were heading, etc).
Does it count if I was 2 weeks old? My mom was the Queen for Daughters of the Nile here in Minneapolis. We went to ... Santa Fe, New Mexico for a huge convention. My mom was pretty important!

Five Question Friday! & Follow Me Chickadee!

Link up with  The Sippy Cup Mom for Chickadee Fridays -  - I can't seem to post the picture!  Bla!

And then one of my faves, link up with Mama over here!

1. If you could speak with a different accent, what would it be (i.e Australian, Scottish)?

An english accent!

2. Can you fall asleep anywhere? (i.e floor, couch, deck)

No! I must be in bed, or on the couch/chair with a blanky!

3. Do you use public restrooms? If so, do you sit on the toilet?

Hover only!  Work is one of the few places I will actually sit on the toilet.  But there is only 2 of us that use it.

4. If you were stuck in an elevator for 24 hours, what celebrity would you most want to be stuck with?

Ahhhahhaaaaahahahaha, I love this question!  Lady Gaga!

5. Where did you & your significant other go on your 1st date?

Well, that's an interesting question...when we reconnected, we met at a local bar where I hosted karaoke one night a week...And then I went to Hawaii to be his date for the whole weekend, to include the Submariner Ball...When I got off the plane that night, we went and had dinner at this great little Japanese restaurant in the shops by the hotel.  Would we consider that our first date?  Or....maybe the Ball?  Either way, we were SO happy to see one another.

30 Days of MeMe, Day 25

Day 25 - your day, in great detail

5:50AM Alarm #1 jolts me from my snuggly warmth
6:15AM Alarm #2 reminds me I should have gotten up the first time...I'm just gonna lay here a couple minutes.
6:25AM Alarm # you need to get your butt out of bed and MOVE 
FINE!  I refresh my email browser on my phone to see if anything from Chief has come, nope. Okay...Darnit, I forgot to prep the coffee pot. Coffee is a necessity in my house, I refuse to talk until after I've had my first cup poured. Oh darnit, the cat, she's thirsty, I wonder if Sarah checked her dish...get cat small bowl of water.  Shuffle off to shower. Oooh, I love this new shampoo/conditioner Sprinkler brought home from Victoria's Secret...and this body wash...mmmmm divine.  I'm so not bothering shaving, it's cold out, I'm wearing jeans. I hate cold. I turned up the shower heat after this very thought.
Sarah managed to sneak into the bathroom while I was showering to use the facilities and thankfully remembered to turn on the fan for me. Ooops. I always think it's too cold in the morning for the fan, so I forget it most days. Love these new scents and products from the VS!

 I finished my shower, poured my creamer in the cup first then coffee (quirk #435) and went upstairs to wake my precious Minny. I shake her a little, sing her a song and get my morning hug.  Ahhh, I love her in the morning, her hair all astray and the prettiest smile. 

Off to put my face on. Little extra bronzer today. Checked to make sure Minny was moving and shaking upstairs and then back to the bathroom to blowdry my hair. Sarah and I chatted for a bit, she's decided to stay home today, not feeling well.  Okay then!  So I proceeded to get myself dressed. Might I add, it usually is the 3rd outfit I put on before I am happy with what I've picked out, but not today!  I got it on the first try. And the jewelry. Grab a cute pair of maryjane heels and gather my stuff to put in my carry along bag. My calendar, customer folder and laptop, I need something to do when there is nothing to do at work. :)
I feed and water Scotch, get him back in the house and off Minny and I go. We talked aboiut the umbrella and how to open and close it, I don't want my girl to get wet at the bus stop today and realize she has no jacket. Ish. It's 54 degrees!  We talked about Minnesota's 10,000 lakes and the allergy season and how much we hate it. We get to Sue's daycare and I walked Minny in. Off to work I go!  It's 7.35 now and I am singing in my car...What song was that, King of Anything by Sara Barielles (sp?)  I think about the newspaper and Sundays on my way to work too, and should I order it for the coupons or just keep picking it up at the gas station...hmmmm....
Ahhhh, I'm early for work, I love it. I start opening programs up and try and tend to the most important things at work. Seems to me the first 2 hours of work is a social/catch up hour with bits of work in between.  Jane brought me my favorite this morning, a northern light vanilla latte from Caribou! HAPPY FRIDAY TO ME!  Jane has been with the company since before me and we are VERY close, I don't know what we'd do with out each others friendship. Really, thru the good the bad and the ugly, we have each other. Jane and I exchange our morning hug and go about our mornings. I can't forget to link up my 5QF post or my MILS FF in post either!  I spend the morning doing quotes here and there and a few job tickets. Wow, it's slooooooow right now. Not my favorite time at all. Jane decides I need to leave at noon with her to go to the post office and target to grab food. Uhhh, ok!  I tell the sometimes like today awful Jim that we are going. Today I can't tolerate him. Jim is not only my boss but my ex's father.

*side story *  I came to work for Ex's parents just over 6 years ago when Ex wanted me to work a day job (mistake #2 - giving up my life) well, needless to say, I took a job working for his parents business. I am Jim's "mini" in all aspects of business. A few years ago mom and dad sold the business to BR and I happily work for BR under Jim, as he's still the "sales" manager. While most days we get along, the breakup was still very hard as we lived next to his parents along with WORKING TOGETHER.  Yea, I'm sure you're thinking OH WOW. Jim knows I don't ever want to see, here or smell of Ex and so we try to keep a very professional relationship. Needless to say, we had a very close personal relationship and so sometimes he gets my ugly, happy personal side when it comes out. ***

Jane and I do just that, head to the PO, and then to Target. Oooh, did you see the beautiful turquoise dishes?  I need those!  Oh...Sorry. ahahahhaaaa. I am PMS'ing, I grab creamy chicken dumpling soup, cheeze-its and frosted with sprinkles animal cookies. YUM. Oh look, Jane grabbed cheese too, I need that.  What about that Tapioca pudding?  Heavens Margaret!  Yep, it's PMS, Jane called me on it too!  tee hee
Back to work to find Ex's mom is at the office. FFS! I can't tolerate her lying 2faced self more than I ever liked living next door to them, now I have to see her and pretend to be nice!  I see Jim on the phone outside his office, praying I don't have to see her. I put my things in my office and snuck off to the girls room to wash my hands. I walk by Jane's office on the way back. WHEW - they left for lunch. Sweet baby!!! 
Forget the soup, where are those cookies...And the cheeze-its.
I got to talk to Mai-vin, my BFF and that made my day. Gosh work was long and BORING. Why don't customers follow procedures regarding jobs and samples?
Jim comes into my office about 3.50 talking about how I should really dust the sample shelf when I'm not too busy playing on my laptop. Ahhhaaaaahahahahaha, yea, NO. I'll work on that the second Tuesday of next week.  So he then turns around and says, see ya bye!  It was that slow, he sent Jane, Scott and I home!  Wahoooooo!  I am thinking Jane's ready to go, since I'm giving her a ride. I pack up all of my things and go to her office hoping she can fetch my key out of my purse that's behind me under my bag of goodies. Well, she's not ready, so she'll meet me at my house when she's done and she was kind enough to fetch my key. I left work, refreshed my browser on my phone as I was waiting for someone to kindly let me into the traffic.  OH MY GOSH! YAY!  "I miss you" is the subject line! I <3 hearing from Chief!  So as I do my happy dance in the car, it's Friday and I am SO exciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiited!  Dangit, traffics moving again, will have to wait for a red light to read more. I get to the final light before the daycare and am able to read the email. Woo hooooooo! Chief will be in MN, he's given me the date, and omg, another countdown! Sadly he won't be on the first round of leave, but the second. Which means he'll miss Christmas, and leaves on NYE to fly to MN. CRAP. HOWEVER, I can't think of a better way to start the New Year than with him. So many things running through my mind as I finish reading the email. Yay! Yay! Yay!  I get to Sue's Daycare and fetch Minny, who had a successful day with my umbrella, but left it at school. Thank goodness there's no rain coming this weekend. Doo dah doo dah!  Oh I'm still singing!  We get home, and settle in with the dog and the bird and wait for Jane. I read a ton of mail. Yay! My new Rachel Ray magazine that I got for free has arrived, well hot diggity dog. Jane arrives and we head out over to her girlfriends to drop her off. We finally get there and start heading home and there's traffic. STOPPED. DEAD. Ugh. This is why my work is FOUR MILES from home. Yes 4. I don't miss traffic.  Ish. Minny says "Holy Starclam!"  What the?  She cracks me up, and proceeds to tell me it's a phrase from her "warriors" series she's been reading.  We get thru traffic, and I can't decide if I want to wash my car, ahhhh forget it, and turn left at the light. Off to home we go. What will we do? I am not hungry and Minny isn't too much either. Sprinkler is home, so we sit and chit chat and catch up.  She is a serial dater, and so I always get to hear about the newest boy in line.  We sat out on the deck for awhile, I actually smoked. I haven't been doing much of it at all since I got sick Labor Day weekend. I feel like an elephant is still sitting on my chest. And while I only have a terrible cough, I am thinking I am OVER smoking.  It's really pretty nasty. Minny decides she wants the last piece of pizza from dinner last night, so while I heat that up, I start preparing grilled cheese sammies and tomato soup for Sprinkler and I. Super easy, and perfect for a chilly night. And while I'm not cold enough for the furnace to be on, it's chilly. We all enjoy our dinner and now here I sit writing my blog. The tv is on, but it's simply background noise.  I will plan to write my Prince Charming Chief after I finish posting this day 25. I think we got pretty personal and you know my day pretty in depth today!

Cheers!  See you soon!

Friday Ramblings

I have so much on my mind today, work is slow. Sorry if it's jumbled, all over the place, OH LOOK SHINY, venting and yea.

It's been a crazy week. I have to say I like being able to come and read others blogs and get away from life for a bit. 

I will be picking up Minny from "Camp Grammy" this weekend and spending some much needed time with my mom.  My parents moved up north before my dad passed and even though it's only a few hours in the car, we just don't see each other as often as we used to when they lived 15 minutes away. Minny and I talked this week about a move with Chief and she says in the sweetest voice, "What about Grammy?"  Like will we still see her - OF COURSE!  It will just take a bit longer to get there. Minny says, mommy if you're happy then I'm happy. Okay, please find me a box for a child who reminds me on occassion of a mini-adult, I would like to store her there forever so she doesn't grow any more.   Minny is entering the 3rd grade on Tuesday.  She tells me "I have a queevy feeling in my tummy about school mom, I'm nervous"  Uhhh, queevy?  She's attended the same school since she started and she just cracks me up. I'm queevy.  I went to orientation last night and met her teacher. She is younger than I, I am sure. New to the school. Has my child parked in the front row. Should I have mentioned that Minny's 4 girlfriends are ALL in her class, and they all sit right by each other. AHAHAHAHAAAA, I guess Ms. H will find out soon enough about the girls.

I have been dealing with friend things this week. Whether it be seeing the true colors in friends, or finding out that the "When Harry Met Sally" theory is true. First of all, if you know something first hand to be true, and someone else has a different story about what happened, do you just instantly believe what's said? No. And do you then go to someone else and gossip the non-truth instead of going to the person in question and share with them what you know?  You go right to the person in question, not gossiping. Very hurtful. I forget after AHEM 25 years of my life that people are just as awful as they were in Junior High. I walked away from drama earlier this year because people think it's fun. Well, I AM NOT that person.  As far as the "WHMS" theory...I have a friend, we'll call him Prince. I guess he has had feelings for me, and is struggling with my relationship with Chief. He hates to see me Chasing Waterfalls as he called it. Wow...I am stunned, did you really just say that? I have to say I am incredibly happy, regardless of the distance or deployments between Chief and I right now.  I am in love with Chief and that's it! Don't harsh my happiness, and then throw the "feelings" story at me. Was bummed that I have to lose a friend of 15 years.

I haven't talked much about it, but I am a Premier Designs Jeweler. I can't believe it's been a year already since I started. I started on a whim. In the process of buying my first home and renovation, I thought, what a great opportunity to serve others and play in GREAT JEWELRY with an incredible guarantee. So CHEERS to my first year, and to many more! I am very excited about my business and looking forward to taking it with me when Chief and I move. I am focusing on a Facebook page for my business and Twitter.  If you are interested in Fashion updates and offers thru me & Premier Jewelry, please follow me on twitter @BasBling 

I have FINALLY started couponing again. This was my first week back. I will shop this evening before heading to the Fair.  Wish me luck! 
Speaking of the Fair, I will be headed out there after work today with my friend Sheets (aka Greg) 
Hmmm on the menu of must have eats at the fair this year...
Smores
Alligator on a stick
Beer of course!
Cheese on a stick (my favorite!)
I need to find those roasted nuts, you know the ones that are sugar/cinammon coated and DELISH?  If you haven't had them I AM SO sorry. 
I wish someone would get Fried Greens on a stick. YUM!
Anyone else have suggestions for good eats at the State Fair?  Are there any MN ladies out there? 
Leave me a comment and tell me where YOU ARE from!


I have to say, it is friggin cold outside today!  52 degrees. Umm HELLO!?!!?  Who turned off the heat outside? I really enjoy the hot weather, and try not to complain about it EVER because winters in Minnesota are cold and SUCK. Note to self, clean off the snowblower, it may be coming soon if this weather keeps up!  Needless to say, I am wearing a sweater and jeans today. But I just can't forfeit my flip flops!!!!  Not yet. Not until it snows. Yes I am THAT girl. tee hee

I am trying not to struggle so much with not hearing from Chief. This is the longest we've gone and I am sure there's some training happening and he will email when he can. Can I just say I AM SO THANKFUL for the fact that there is even EMAIL on the SUBS?  Whew. I don't know how you ladies with Submariners who have been in many years did it!  Bless your hearts, that's for sure! Are there any Submariner SO's out there?   I will be checking in thru out the weekend, I hope you all have a blessed weekend and enjoy your families, like I plan to! 

I want to do a questionairre, and am going to post something over the weekend for you to answer questions so I can learn more about you!  If you have any questions you want me to ask - post them in the comments section or click HERE to email them to me!

30 Days of MeMe, Day 11

Day 11 - a photo of you taken recently

I took this picture one week ago while at the State Fair. In my hand, Spaghetti and Meatballs on a stick. Requested by Chief for me to have while he is on deployment.   Chief gets an F, but he can have it any time he wants, I would even make it for him...

30 Days of MeMe Day 6, late!

Day 06 - whatever tickles your fancy

Ahhh, the amazing man himself. He really tickles my fancy everyday. This is a picture from a fabulous night back in January when we reconnected after ... well forever.  He was in town on leave. We hadn't seen each other since HighSchool. And if I say he's been in the Navy 13 years, maybe that will help your math plus a year. We had such a great time this night, on a whim none the less.  It was the beginning of something wonderful. I just don't think either of us realized it yet at that point.

I love the fact that his family is here, and Minny and I have an opportunity to get to know them better, it helps the ache of being apart. I had the opportunity to spend a few hours between karaoke shows with his mom at the State Fair. I made sure to fulfill Chiefs request and try the Spaghetti & Meatball on a stick. Chief gets a F for it, but if it's something he really likes, then he can have it next time!  His mom and I spent our time wandering around the fair, just talking and getting to know one another better. She is a truly fantastic lady, and I really enjoy her company. She misses her son every day. I look forward to spending more time with his family thru out the years.