Blazing through Navy life one duty station at a time.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Foto Friday

25 March 2011 002.1
"Mommy, I think I will have some leftovers.  And some soy sauce."

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Three things for Thursday

I may have mentioned that we've moving soon.  I may also have mentioned that we have no idea when.  Yes, that's right, still no clue.  Sometime in the next few months.  That's about all I know.  Well, that's not exactly true.  I know a bit more, but it's a long, complicated story fraught with complications built on top of dueling personalities and ideas.  Enough said.


Anyway, in the spirit of my new and nearly full time pastime, online house hunting, here are the three things that for me are essential when searching for a new home from 2700 miles away:


1. Zillow.  I'm just going to go ahead and assume that everyone in America has visited this website, and if you haven't, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?  If you're like me, and you love yourself a good episode of "House Hunters" (maybe even a bad one, you know, where the buyers are REALLY annoying), then Zillow was made for you.  On this website, I get to be a legitimate stalker without feeling creepy.  Market statistics, purchase history, square footage and number of rooms, what more could a girl ask for?  The listing my realtor send me are great, but I seem to always check Zillow after for just a few more facts.


2. Google Maps street view.  What did the world do before Google?  I love their maps for one simple reason - street view!  There's no better way for me to check out a neighborhood than through Google Maps.  Sadly, not every map of every neighborhood has it, but for my purposes, most do.  Even though I know the city we're moving to, it definitely helps to get a 360° view of the area.


3. Ikea.  For help in picturing all the things I'll need to round out our new home, I can't wait to have an Ikea within driving distance again.  I mean, it will be a 3.5 hour drive, but still.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Over the weekend

I'm back!  I think...I probably shouldn't make promises I may or may not keep.  Blogging has definitely proven to be a challenging venture for me.  On the one hand, I know that I need to make an effort to post multiple times a week, even if I really don't feel like it.  On the other hand,  I am hesitant to post on the days that I am feeling less than inspired.  The end result is that I hit weeks where I don't post at all.  All I can say about this is that it's a work in progress, like much of life.


We had some great family time this weekend, topped off by a surprise spring snow shower which afforded us an extra day to our weekend.  Little Dude enjoyed harassing the dog, playing with his cars, and a trip to the big city to see "Mars Needs Moms" at the movie theater.  He seemed to enjoy the movie well enough.  As for me, I just can't get over the strangeness of motion-capture animation.  It would probably explain why I have never seen "The Polar Express".  Coming back from the movie on Sunday night the snow storm hit.  What a way to celebrate the first day of Spring!.


Enjoy some snapshots from our weekend!

22 March 2011 017.1
Our poor, sweet dog.  He stayed under there with her for nearly an hour.

22 March 2011 021
I mean seriously, don't all toy cars need platforms?

22 March 2011 025
Little feet and legs at the movies

22 March 2011 028.1
Heaven.  Although he was concerned that the hood didn't open.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the tragedy that has been unfolding in Japan.  My heart goes out to all those affected.  If you can give, do.  The Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity are excellent places to start.  Please also keep all the military families involved in you thoughts.  The Red Cross is helping military dependents in the voluntary evacuation of the area.  You can go here to read more about supporting military families in Japan.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Foto Friday

It's still Friday here out West - better late than never!


I haven't been feeling very creative this week, hence the lack of posts.  Here's hoping my little mini getaway this weekend with Pilot Pete helps! 


In the meantime, enjoy a scene from our Friday night.  (I know, we're so exciting!)

Friday, March 4, 2011

Foto Friday

28 February 2011 003.1
"I have to do my homework on my computer Mommy."
He's killing me.  First, he needs to go to school.  Now this.  Stop trying to grow up!!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Three things for Thursday - the burnout edition

So, we're moving.  Again.  Soon.  When, you ask?  Well...I don't know.  See, that's the thing about military moves.  Sometimes they're quick and unexpected.  Other times they're expected, planned, and executed perfectly.  Most often though they're chaotic and uncertain.  Even when you know your exact move date, you're never ready.  For us, this move is proving to be the most complicated so far.  There are varying ideas about when we should depart, and none of the interested parties can come to an agreement.  There's the added complication of a shortage of federal funds for military moves (we can thank Congress for refusing to pass a Defense budget - that's right, it's March and the fiscal year started in October).  As of this moment, all I know is that we're moving.  


After living in a rental for the last three years, I am beyond excited as the prospect of becoming a homeowner again.  I have been scouring the real estate listings in our new/old city.  Since we're lived there before (for the three years before we moved to Nevada) this house hunt will prove to be a little easier since we're familiar with the area, and know where we want to live.  That doesn't mean I haven't made myself cross eyed looking a listing after listing, trying to figure out floor plans and deciding whether it's a house we could call a home.  So I'm a little burned out.  I close my eyes and see pictures of the interiors of other people's houses.  I dream about what kind of an offer we'll make, and how the closing will go.  Yeah, I'm only a little obsessed.  Needless to say, this hasn't left a lot of time for me to look at anything else online this week.  So here's my list of three things - three things I have discovered this week in lieu of three things I'm loving:


1. My child really wants to go to preschool.  Pilot Pete and I were discussing taking a trip to go house hunting.  A little voice from the back seat of the car piped in with "Of course we need to go there.  Because we need to find me a school because I'm ready to go to school.  I need to do some learning."  Well, okay then.


2. I really hate Walmart.  I know that a lot of people feel the same way.  I know others (like my mom) love it.  After living in a very small town for three years with no other alternative but Walmart, I can safely say that I will not be frequenting Walmart when we move.  There are so many things to say about this, but I think I'll just leave it at that.  You get the picture.


3. I really wish that people who work in drive thrus would not hand me my coin change on top of a dollar bill or a receipt.  I just lost 31 cents tonight because someone thought it was a good idea to put the money on top of the receipt and hand it to me like that (of course the change fell).  I know I could've opened my door to pick it up off the pavement where it dropped, but it was dark and cold and I was annoyed.  I know I could have made the girl open the register and get the change she just dropped, but there were other people in line behind me, and it was only 31 cents.  All I ask is this: hand me the coins, then the bills or the receipt.  That's all.  I know working the drive thru is a thankless job, but come on, help a tired lady with a cranky three year old out.