MilSpouse Friday Fill-In: 25 February, 2011

First of all, where did the month of February go? Secondly, it's been a while since I've done a fill-in. Time to get back on the wagon, because they're fun.


If it tickles your fancy, join in and read other responses at 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
Aside from a more predictable day-to-day schedule, nothing is really coming to mind. I really like most aspects of the life Spike and I are creating for ourselves!

2. Just how many peppers did Peter Piper pick? submitted by Married into Army
As many as he could before his eyes started watering too much for him to see what he was doing.

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 think I've answered this one before...I'd be a romance novelist! This post has a facetious (emphasis on the facetious!) sample of my steam scene-writing.

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 tattoos of any kind as of yet. I kind of addressed this question in this earlier post. I'll warn you, though, the tattoo I talk about isn't a "happy" one. But is is the only service-oriented one I'd consider.

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
Well, I was a Medieval Studies minor in college and couldn't get enough of it, so I'd take anything relating to the Middle Ages in Europe. Actually, I'd love to brush up on my Old English. I used to have a passable reading knowledge of it, but that's a thing of the past. Also, I'd like to take introductory Korean...just to let the Universe know that Spike and I are open to the idea of going there! (He's going to tell his branch manager that he and I will volunteer for an accompanied tour after his time as Rear-D commander is finished. I know nothing is certain, or even likely, but I'm still crossing my fingers!)

Zombie Janet

Spike came home for lunch today, and after we'd caught each other up on our respective workdays thus far (yes, we're that kind of couple), he randomly started telling me about a dream he had last night.

Apparently, in this dream (or nightmare; you decide), he was being chased by Janet Jackson. Who was a zombie. As is the norm in these sorts of dreams, Spike couldn't run quickly, but he did have a .45 caliber handgun. So, he checked to make sure the gun was loaded, checked to make sure the barrel was clear (can you tell he's an Army guy?), and then started firing. He could see the rounds hitting Zombie Janet--even going through her neck--but they had no effect in slowing her down. And then, I guess, Spike woke up. Which is a good thing, because who wants to dream about an undead singer masticating his or her still-living flesh?

Spike and I wondered: Why Janet Jackson? Why was she a zombie? Why didn't the bullets even slow her down? And how did the .45 get there in the first place?

The best answer we could come up with was that Spike was high on a cocktail of nighttime cough syrup, Sudafed, and zinc lozenges.

(Okay, this post really had no point, but I thought the story was amusing.)

Haute Camo

I started life out as a Democrat, and have since come to realize that, if forced to categorize myself politically, I am really more of a Libertarian than anything else. (Much good that does me, or anyone, come election time.) Anyway, until Spike came into my life, I didn't watch much Fox news or spend time on their website. Main reason being, even when I agree with what's being said (which actually is a lot of the time), the way in which various commentators' opinions are delivered annoys me. *coughcoughBillO'ReillyandGlennBeckcoughcough* (No offense if you're a fan--they're just not my style. I prefer the calm, boring, non-aggressive types.)

This morning, though, during Spike's traditional breakfast-time Fox news trawl on the iPad, I saw something interesting: a charity called The Boot Campaign.  Essentially, its a grassroots charity that sells combat boots, and the proceeds benefit veterans who are returning from war. Pretty cool. What drew me in was the picture of Dolly Parton sporting said boots.

I looked a little closer, and saw that Dolly's camo pants are sequined. And I thought: I've seen that material before! On my first date with Spike, in fact, in an antique store in Boone, NC.

Okay, so the pattern is a little different, but still--same concept. I have to say, Dolly definitely wears it better...but this dress (which was full-length) would have made a big splash at prom. Especially if paired with bona fide combat boots! I think that camo will always be around in the fashion world...but do you think sequined camo will ever truly be a big hit? I tend to think it's only something you can 100 percent pull off if you're rich, famous, and have a personal stylist.

Also, do you think that combat boots on top of pants is something we civilians can get away with? I do like the look, but I somehow feel that wearing it would be presumptuous on a military base...like I was trying too hard or something. Thoughts?

(Oh, and I kind of want Dolly's sweater.)

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near Me:

Wives Gone Wild 2011

At least, that's what Spike's right-hand NCO (non-commissioned officer) says regarding the unit's upcoming deployment. I know I haven't had many exciting stories lately (such is to be expected when you work at home and rarely set foot in the outside world), but I suspect that's all about to change. Spike may look back on this rear-detachment command as the most hair-raising year in his military service. I hate that Army wives have the reputation they do, but in many cases it's justified.

Also, my arms and shoulders are seriously sore because of the Wii fit game in which you have to flap your arms like a bird's wings. That's good, I guess?

Weekend Beard

I'll start by saying that Spike's sister Erin is awesome. She's awesome for many reasons, but the one I'm going to highlight here is that she's an amazing crochet-er. Look at the goodies she made for Spike and me! And pardon the relative crappiness of photos made with my phone.

Spike got a Weekend Beard. Since he can't grow a real one due to Army regulations, he now has a crocheted version to tie around his head when he's not at work. Oh, and his beard really is red. Sadly, I've only seen it in stubble form and never in its full glory. But I still call him Barbarossa from time to time.

Behold, the Weekend Beard!

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 Since I don't have a real beard (thank God) and don't really need a fake one either, Erin made me some hand warmers that match the hat she gave me for Christmas. These things are perfect for someone like me! (I.e., someone who has the circulation of an 85 year-old, and whose hands are always cold.) I have been wearing them in the mornings while I work, since they allow me to type freely. Also, I like how they kinda make me feel like a Dickensian urchin.

Holy Hand Warmers, Batman!

I think Erin should open up an Etsy shop. How many of you milspouses have husbands in need of Weekend Beards?

Nothing says "Love" like Twinkies.

It's interesting to me that the yesterday the entire Internet exploded thoughts about Valentine's Day: Why I do celebrate it, why I don't celebrate it, why it is a big deal, why it isn't a big deal, it's a celebration of love, it's just a Hallmark holiday, etc., etc., etc.

I'm not saying that any school of thought is right or wrong--to each their own. If you and your significant other took a veritable bath in roses, chocolates, and candlelight, good for you. If the two of you spent a night like any other, kudos. And if you resolutely ignored the hubbub or even attended a Singles Awareness Day party...well, that's fine too. However, I DO think that all of the opinions and conversations this holiday sparks point to one thing: Whether we want to admit it or not, loving and being loved are desires and needs that affect us all.

Anyhoo, Spike and I each did what we felt like to celebrate. Which ended up being very nice for me, since I got breakfast in bed and a lavender scent diffuser for my office.

Unfortunately, the Army messed up my Valentine's plans for Spike. I sent him a Pantygram (Google it) and had, well, plans for his homecoming. (Use your imagination, dear reader.) So of course, he was an hour and half late coming home, and was so stressed out about a task that had been sprung on him that he could barely focus both eyes on the same spot. Not exactly a recipe for romance. (Ah, the joys of Rear-D commence! I have to admit, though, you guys warned me.)

Well, I guess you learn to roll with the punches. We just had a different sort of bonding time (discussing how best to handle this challenge) than I'd imagined. And not all was lost, because earlier I'd slaved made these Valentine's Day desserts: 

Guess what? THEY ARE TWINKIES! Yes! I cut Twinkies diagonally to make heart shapes, drizzled some jam-based sauce on top, and put a cherry on each one. Presto! Twinkies make everything better, and are a great way to declare your undying love for someone. We ended the night gobbling these (the dog even snuck a bite), drinking beer, and watching True Blood. Not too bad.

Good News

Last week, at his Colonel's suggestion, Spike interviewed for a rear detachment command position. On Monday he found out that he got the job! I'm going to brag on him a little bit: apparently the Lieutenant Colonel who's going to be his new boss said that none of the other interviewees measured up. Of course, this was no surprise to me. So after only 3 and a half months in his current unit, we're throwin' up the deuces.

To clarify, we're still at Fort Riley, but it'll be a lot more responsibility for Spike...and a new coffee group/FRG for me. The majority of the Soldiers in this unit are leaving soon for the sandbox (for readers who don't speak military, as the rear-d commander, Spike will be in charge of all operations back here), and there's already been talk of starting a book club for spouses while the unit is gone. SIGN ME UP.

Actually, I went with Spike to an FRG pre-deployment meeting on Tuesday evening so that he could be introduced to the families as "the guy you call at any hour of the day or night (joy) if you have problems or questions." Before the meeting started I was reading my beloved Kindle, and a woman came up, started exclaiming over it, and asked me a bunch of questions about how I liked it. We chatted for a few minutes about the joys of having instant access to books. Come to find out, she was the Lieutenant Colonel's wife.

I think I'm gonna like it here. (I also anticipate a ramp-up in the amount of "can you believe this stuff" stories I share here on the blog.)

So, to end, I'll share one piece of information I learned at the FRG meeting. According to the JAG guy who guest-spoke, if you're a Soldier, think carefully about who you grant power of attorney to while you're gone. In fact, you probably don't want to give power of attorney to your wife (this was said in the presence of many wives, btw), because you might come home to find your bank account cleaned out, your car sold, etc. I told Spike he'd better write that little golden nugget of wisdom down so he'd remember it. Sad thing is, I know that piece of advice is strongly rooted in reality.