Nothing says 'Happy Friday' like chaps.
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The Big Noob
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Cowpoke
Posted: Aug 22nd, 2008, 7:38am MST
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MIT Hax0rs
Posted: Aug 22nd, 2008, 7:31am MST
Reason #37 that I will really miss Boston: People are so damn smart!
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Moving
Posted: Aug 22nd, 2008, 7:26am MST
So say we all!
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Rubin the Recommender
Posted: Aug 20th, 2008, 11:07am MST
Co-worker and friend, Matthew Rubin, launches a new rubinrecommends.com today. Most of the new music I've purchased in the last 2 years, I've discovered here.
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iPhone GUI PSD
Posted: Aug 20th, 2008, 10:15am MST
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Mad Men: Season One $29
Posted: Aug 19th, 2008, 11:13am MST
Amazon is running killer deals on Blu-ray discs right now. Mad Men is only $29.95! Two weeks ago, I finally caved (yes, all signs point to me being an anti-adopter) and watched Mad Men season 1. It took less than 6 episodes to become my favorite show on television.
Katie D
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Sack lunch ideas?
Posted: Aug 19th, 2008, 10:25am MST
So I need some very portable lunch ideas that don't need to be heated up. And after today's fluffernutter casualty, I also need a sandwich container. I can't even begin to explain to you how cheated I felt looking at all that gorgeous marshmallow just hanging around inside the bag. Had I been alone, I would not have been above sucking all the marshmallow creme out of the bag. But I was at school, in public.
I know that this weekend I will make a huge batch of chicken salad spread that both of us can snack on during the week. I may also do some cucumber sandwiches. Hmmm, and maybe a ham salad next weekend. My mom was the best sack lunch maker. She would always make sure that nothing got soggy/gross and there was always variety. She would also buy fun seasonal sacks and put our lunches in there--sometimes she'd even write a menu!
Any ideas are appreciated! -
The things you learn from feed stats
Posted: Aug 19th, 2008, 8:59am MST
So, just doing a little checkeroo on my blog stats and I found this little gem:
Someone googled "Hamm brothers Olympics makeout." I don't even know how to take that. I get some weird hits, but this is at the top.
The funniest, to me, are "If you were a hot dog would you eat yourself" and of course, all you ...um, I don't know what to call you...that google "wife flashing" or some variation of that. That's in reference to the time I got wasted on Lake Travis and my bikini bottoms came untied.
People are also pretty curious about what goes on a relish tray and whether or not Freddie Mercury was married. Oh and one from last weekend "Who is that young man that plays the boyfriend of Emmalyn on Army Wives?" That is verbatim, people.
Do you keep track of how people find your blog? What are some of the weird google hits you got? -
Oh yeah...
Posted: Aug 19th, 2008, 5:11am MST
I just remembered I hate getting up early. When I was working, we both got up at 4:45am and I practically had to have an IV of Sbux to keep me going.
I only had to get up at 6 this morning, but we have been on a no alarm clock system since May! Howie was not pleased and made himself a cocoon in the comforter so that the lights wouldn't bother him.
School is pretty good--very easy, but I think the course is designed to be that way. The big shock came when we were watching a video on how not to drink hydrochloric acid or something and the credits came up. The film was made in 1988. Most of the kids in the auditorium said, "That's before I was born!"
Yup, today's college freshmen were born in 1990. Geeeeez. -
Back to School!
Posted: Aug 17th, 2008, 3:16pm MST
I start going to one of my classes tomorrow. It's supposed to be a gravy class--essentially I have to 'relearn' all of that lab safety crap I took in high school and college.
So, it's 4 hours a day M-F this week. I am bringing the lappy, so expect some live blogging if I can get away with it.
Next Monday I start my regular schedule. I am still trying to get my sack lunch routine squared away. I am pretty good with a sandwich, a fruit, and some nuts, but I tend to underestimate my caloric needs for the day so I may need to pad that with some extra protein.
Okay, so this is the most boring post in the history of the world. We had a really hard workout today and I am exhausted! We haven't skipped a day yet--let's hope we can keep it up for a while.
We went to the PX today to buy fancy dog food and the Vladimir Arts guy was there. Our favorite set, "Winter Solitude" was on display and the guy said he had like 3 copies left. We thought about it and decided to forgo...another great piece of USMA art will come along eventually.
Okay...time for a snack--I am dragging tail!
The Big Noob
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Wanted: Missouri State University Web Designer
Posted: Aug 16th, 2008, 8:50pm MST
Missouri State is looking for a master of webs. MSU has always had an outstanding art program and you coastdwellers may find this hard to believe, BUT, one can live like a king off of $40K in Springfield. (via Authentic Jobs)
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Bottle Rocket: The Criterion Collection!
Posted: Aug 16th, 2008, 7:01am MST
O, happy day! On November 25, Criterion will finally be adding Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket to its collection. Like all the other Anderson films in the collection, the DVD is scrumptiously illustrated and packed with special features. FINALLY.
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The Curious Job of Kevin Cornell
Posted: Aug 14th, 2008, 3:39pm MST
I have a major man-crush on Kevin Cornell, so pulling the trigger on this was a no-brainer. Oh, and Kevin? Maybe a print or poster of those thumbnail sketches, too? Or, perhaps, I'll just sign over my next paycheck to you?
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Apple runs Windows
Posted: Aug 14th, 2008, 7:43am MST
You know the mobile checkout devices at the Apple store? They are running Windows. Oh, the irony.
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The joy of $8 gas
Posted: Aug 13th, 2008, 11:35am MST
"Sure, $8 gas is unfair to poor people, but so is all of capitalism."
"We spent 50 years using government money to build the freeways that led to the driving-centric, mall-rat lifestyle I grew up with, so it will surely take decades more to restructure our society into something better. And as bummed as I am to pay a lot for gas, it's a fair price for improving society."
You don't have to agree with Joel Stein's LA Times article, but I sure do. Speak up—I'd love to hear your take on this.
Katie D
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Howie's Epic Fail
Posted: Aug 13th, 2008, 5:40am MST
Howie is having some emotional problems. Why? Well, it can't be his steady diet of Science Diet dog food and love. He must be unsatisfied in some other way *laser focus to his nuxstable peach sac*.
His latest escapades? The other day, after our workout, we were getting some calories and talking next to the kitchen sink. Howie raises his leg and pees on Hubble! I am not kidding. I smacked him pretty hard. Then, he somehow got a hold of my dirty workout shorts and ate them. Well, not ingested, just destroyed.
The Big Noob
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"Because You Left"
Posted: Aug 12th, 2008, 9:41am MST
What sounds like the start of a sad bastard song isn't that at all. Cuse and Lindelof have unveiled the official title for Episode 1 from the next-to-last season of LOST. 'Because You Left' starts filming next month, and is set to kick-off the season in late January 2009. I don't care how you get here, just get here if you can.
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Boomtown: Season 1
Posted: Aug 12th, 2008, 9:23am MST
A weak conversation with Simmy on the new NKOTB album, led us to Donnie Wahlberg, which led us to Donnie's role in Boomtown; the 2002 TV Series. Despite a unique and well crafted show, Boomtown was canned by NBC after only 13 episodes. Amazon has Season 1 for 12 bones! Trust me, it's worth it; if only for the opening credits.
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Cloaked in science
Posted: Aug 12th, 2008, 9:21am MST
The one thing every high school girls' locker room was missing. Only 13 years too late.
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A Modern Promise
Posted: Aug 12th, 2008, 9:10am MST
Say what you will about Jakob Lodwick—the dude knows how to promote music. Look at this gorgeous page for "A Modern Promise" by Francis and the Lights, the inaugural release on his new music company Normative. The execution and layout is deceptively simple. And that video is breathtaking; as the Futon said, the last 20 seconds is absolute gold.
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The Big Virb Project
Posted: Aug 12th, 2008, 9:00am MST
We love The Big Word Project, and evidently they love Virb. Oh, how we can't wait to launch Version 2. September, you have a call on line 2. September, line 2!
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DataCase for iPhone
Posted: Aug 12th, 2008, 8:47am MST
It sure ain't the prettiest app, but works like a charm. I can now store, view, share documents, audio and video on my iPhone via WiFi. DataCase will even allow you to set individual directory permissions. Again, not pretty to look at, but I've been needing this utility for quite a while. Done!
Katie D
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Go USA! A+! #1!!!
Posted: Aug 12th, 2008, 6:27am MST
So, it has been enthralling watching the Olympics the past few days. Michael Phelps is an amazing athlete and it is so awesome to watch him break records and win gold medals. When we were watching the mens 4x100m men's relay, we were screaming so loud that I think we really scared the dogs. We were so excited that they beat the French. And the female swimmers are doing great, too! I don't think I have been this excited to watch the Olympics since 1996, when I thought I was going to grow up and be an Olympic gymnast.
Last night we got totally wrapped up in the Men's Team Gymnastics final. The US, having lost the Hamm brothers, weren't supposed to have a chance. Yet, the kicked ass! Well, sort of. It fell apart on the pommel horse a little, but they still got bronze!
So, we have obviously been addicted to watching tons of Olympics--I love it! -
Workin' Out
Posted: Aug 11th, 2008, 12:19pm MST
So, today is day 4 of the husband/wife workout plan. Well, we haven't gone yet. I'm waiting for him to get back from class first.
My arms are still very sore, but I have to get over it 'cause I think we are doing more pullups today. We've been doing about 45 minutes of cardio and then weights, then abs. I have taught him some of my crazy bootcamp ab moves. Everything has gone pretty well so far, we really like it!
After vacation, we like to ease off on the spending. Since we got back on Thursday I've spent $0! We do need some essentials soon like milk and bread, so that won't last long. I have definitely been digging deep on the pantry meals, though!
The Big Noob
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Grape-Nuts
Posted: Aug 11th, 2008, 6:41am MST
This morning I was eating a bowl of Grape-Nuts thinking "why are these called Grape-Nuts". So I googled it and came across nograpesnonuts.com. Click on "Our Story" for a brilliant video on the invention of Grape-Nuts. Best cereal website evar!
Katie D
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Army Wives
Posted: Aug 11th, 2008, 6:29am MST
So I'm watching the episode where Frank comes home "because he feels he needs to." I love how he called from Kuwait in the last episode and said he would be home the next day. Good stuff!! haha
Um...the guards at the gate are Soldiers and not contractors. Boo. Strike 1.
I want to see that Lifetime Coco Chanel movie.
The whole drug scene was a little contrived. I don't think the Gen was being that hard on her...just concerned.
Why is the new LTC in his greens?
This new boyfriend of Emmalyn's is shadesville.
Oh yay, a post deployment sex scene. Frank can actually be kind of sweet sometimes. Minus his jerky controllingness.
Roland's outfit is pretty snazzy. That looks like a very expensive tie.
Uh-oh...Sherwood confrontation. I can't really relate to her feelings--she should come clean!
oooh...I like the green couches in the bar. Oh no...Roxy failed the GED practice test.
Bed rest looks like crap.
Uh...I could not sweep the front steps in a mini skirt and hooker heels.
Eek, here comes the Frank sees Denise kissing Hot Doctor's hand scene.
See!! Shadesville boyfriend is the drug dealer. Eh, we all date a skeever once. It's a learning process.
"Adult playdate"? "A really great alternative"?! Okay...wtf?!
Boring non-eventful patches...
The pills!! Hopefully he can get over it.
I like Denise's dress. Aww...Hot Doctor didn't make it. :(
Lee
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Olympics!
Posted: Aug 10th, 2008, 7:29pm MST by leenathan
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again. The Olympics are only held every 4 years, because any more often and it it would just be too much awesome to handle. I’ve forgotten how much I love all of it. The global unity, the national pride, the purity of sport, it’s all there. I swear [...]
Katie D
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New Girl's questions!
Posted: Aug 9th, 2008, 8:57am MST
My answers to NGOP's questions from yesterday.
Question 1: What's your fave comfort food?
Hm...if we're talking breakfast, my mom's scrambled eggs. I have almost gotten the recipe down. Anything else, it's her Chicken Spaghetti casserole, which I always get for my birthday dinner.
Question 2: What's your favorite article of clothing you own?
This pair of Nike running shorts that I have not been able to find since I bought them at the Nike outlet in Round Rock. They aren't like the ones everyone wears...they are just a little different and fit PERFECT.
Question 3: What's the best gift you ever gave/received?
I think it would have to be our 2 week blowout in London for midtour leave during OIF 06-08. It was an unforgettable experience. I think we'll be doing something like that for the next deployment. You just leave the real world behind and live in paradise...
Question 4: If you could pack your bags tonight and go anywhere (on a trip), where would you go?
Florence, Italy.
Question 5: What are some things you collect?
I collect the Story Book Collection dolls by Madame Alexander. I started getting them for birthday and Christmas when I was 12. I have completed the Alice in Wonderland series and I'm almost done with the Wizard of Oz series. They are creepy looking to some, but I love them. -
Why haven't we done this before?
Posted: Aug 9th, 2008, 8:51am MST
Yesterday, after knowing each other for 8 years, my husband and I worked out together for the first time.
It was awesome! We have decided to do it as much as possible from now on. We did some cardio and then did an upper body work out (including a pull up pyramid...which I haven't attempted in over a year!)
We're going back today to do some more cardio, maybe some suicides and a core workout--I am so excited!
In other news...the Olympics are on!! I heart the Olympics! We watched most of the opening ceremony last night and it was incredible!
The Big Noob
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Pennies
Posted: Aug 8th, 2008, 9:29am MST
I don't know if I'll stick to this iPhone App once the new wears off, but it is VERY well done. Pretty to look at, too. Are you a budget freakazoid like me? If so, check out Pennies.
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The End is Near, again.
Posted: Aug 8th, 2008, 8:58am MST
If you will recall my LHC (Large Hadron Collider) end-of-the-world-type-shit post last month, I thought it was only fitting to let you know we are WERE less than 24 hours from ignition. At the last moment, armageddon got pushed back to September 10th. Again, chances are that our pretty, blue, space-front property will NOT implode; but just in case I'm gonna start working on my Atom Smasher's Eve list of things to do in the next 30 days. Gizmodo did it. I'm gonna do it. You should too! Maybe we'll make a little game out of the end of the world.
Katie D
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Guilty Pleasures
Posted: Aug 7th, 2008, 3:09pm MST
1. Expensive and stinky cheese. Luckily my husband has learned to like it!
2. Champagne. The dryer, the better. During the deployment, dinner was often only champagne and a champagne truffle (healthy).
3. Gossip rags and blogs. I heart US Weekly, OK! magazine and perezhilton.com. It's hard to explain!
4. Nars cosmetics. The eyeshadows are the best! They never crease.
5. Marshmallow fluff. I love it so much that I can't buy it. There is nothing like a Fluffer Nutter sandwich, man. Nothing.
6. Sparkling water. It is hard for me to drink still water when I know the pleasures of bubble water all too well. Pellegrino is my favorite.
7. Scented candles. I love Yankee candles, but I can't burn them all the time--too expensive! I have gone through a big Yankee jar in like 10 days before! Lemon lavender is my current favorite scent.
8. Pasta dishes that have fresh mozzarella, fresh herbs and olives. Yummm...
9. A real Caesar salad. Since Caesar salad is Mexican (yes, it is). The dressing has to have mustard, egg, olive oil, worcestershire, tabasco, and anchovies. And it can't be creamy!
10. A really good pedicure. I haven't found a place here I really like yet. Soon! -
We're baaaack!
Posted: Aug 7th, 2008, 10:56am MST
A bizarre, yet fun trip indeed. Here's the recap:
Sunday, we drop the dogs off at the pet resort and drive on to St Louis. We stopped in Kirkwood and grabbed an appetizer at a little brewery there. Then, we stopped in Springfield, IL and grabbed a cheapie motel room. We decided we wanted to go out, so we stopped at "Starship Billiards" which is a Star Trek themed billiards bar. ...
On Monday, we woke up and headed to Chi-town. We checked in to our hotel and walked around the city for a bit, where I fell in love with a floor sample sectional at Bloomingdale's Home. Unfortch, it's just too big, so we didn't get it. We had drinks at this great champagne bar downtown and after doing some sightseeing by foot, decided to stop at this sketchy bar (lured in by the "50 imports" sign. 50 imports, there were not) where we played photo hunt and listened to blues. Then, the sky opened up and the city was under a tornado warning! The wind was gusting really strongly and we got soaked! We took cover near the Weber Grill Restaurant and rode it out for about 45 minutes and then limped back to that champagne bar. When the weather calmed, we stopped for dinner at this great little Italian place, Pizano's.
So, on Tuesday, we decided to explore Navy Pier. Whilst walking around, these people offered us free tickets on a 2 hour cruise of Lake Michigan. They assured us there was no catch (like a timeshare presentation). What they didn't tell us was that there were extra tickets to the City of East Chicago, Indiana's Senior Outreach Program. So we were on a boat with a lot of seniors. We stayed on the top deck drinking for a little while and then went down to the buffet area to grab some food. Lucky for us, the entertainment came out. I'm talking full on lounge singer, replete with "Love Boat" and "Copa Cabana." We got sun burned, but it was a good time (for free). Then we did a little bus tour and saw the sights (some more). That night we went out for a nice-ish dinner and I got TOASTED. We started out with cocktails (champagne cocktails for me, always) and then had a nice steaky-seafoody dinner with a bottle of wine. Oh and these amazing oysters on the half shell that were the best of my life!
After dinner, we went out to this place called Dublin's and talked over some cider. Then, we're walking back to the hotel and think "Piano Bar? Hellz yes!!" so we did some dancing at "Frank Sinatra's Favorite Bar" (authenticity disputed)--oh and drank some more! Oh, and then we came back to the hotel for more drinks (what were we on?? I honestly don't remember the last hour of the night).
Luckily we held it all and were just super hung over in the morning. We grabbed coffee and muffins and tried to recover before heading out of there. Of course, we saw an IKEA billboard leaving Chicago and we wanted some cheap lunch so we pulled over and got our fill of meatballs and good furniture. We got a little chair and picked out some trinkets.
We pit stopped in Springfield, IL again and saw the Lincoln land sights. The downtown area looked pretty cool and we were going to grab a bite to eat there, but OH, most of the restaurants closed at 3pm. The one we tried to eat at closed at 7pm. WTF?? So we ended up getting some (not so great) BBQ at a chain restaurant before crashing and burning.
We made it back safe and sound. Howie and Bear were really excited when we picked them up, but I noticed that they had not eaten all of the food I sent with them. I packed 8 servings and they came home with about 4. Needless to say, they both scarfed their faces off when we got home. Anyway, they seem fine--just dirty. -
Heavy, emotional post. Read at your own choosing.
Posted: Aug 2nd, 2008, 8:11am MST
Sara's post got me thinking about things I rarely like to think about.
When my dad died last summer, it had been an awful season for out battalion. Dad's rapid decline was hot on the heels of R&R (2 weeks after, I think). I sent the Red Cross message going on his Dr's advice that he would succumb to pneumonia in a few days. The message took about 3 days to get there and it took him about 3 days to get home. When Hubble finally got here, the last thing I wanted to do was go to a depressing VA hospital in rural Texas and see my estranged father withered and dying. I wanted to just be with Hubble and forget all the horribleness.
Well, we went to the VA and I saw my dad there, all hooked up on one of those thingees that forcefully fills your lungs (not a respirator--no breathing tube). The mask that went over his nose and mouth was being pushed around so much that he had a wound on the bridge of his nose. He had a central line in his chest.
My dad wasn't that old--77. He had already survived a double bypass and prostate cancer. But around the time I got engaged, he got weird. As in, when I told him we were getting married, he asked my mom and I, "When's the baby due?" Classy, Dad. His behavior just got more bizarre from there.
There are a lot of reasons I have so many unresolved feelings (that frankly, my husband doesn't understand). When I was 15, my dad was getting treated for his cancer. The situation and the medications led him to be depressed and he often lashed out at me for not visiting him enough. He lived about 80 miles away from me and I couldn't drive. Nothing I could really do about that. My mom took me to visit him one weekend and Dad took me out to eat at an Owens Country Restaurant. While we were eating, he decided I was being rude and belligerent and so took me back to my mom's driving like a crazy person. On the way there, he decided he no longer wanted to be my father and never wanted to see me again.
A week later, he was immensely sorry and apologized. From that point on, I dreaded seeing him.
When I was in college, I changed my major during my first semester. My mom was a little upset, but realized I was an adult and didn't really care. My dad freaked out. He told me I was just setting myself up for lifelong failure and again decided he didn't want to be my father. Uh, ok. He apologized a few weeks later. Now, I just wanted nothing to do with him.
My dad was then just angry at everything. He was, quite frankly, horrible to be around. Sometimes he would call me, and because I didn't want to answer the phone, would let it go to voicemail and he would leave freakishly sad messages about how he wished things could go back to normal. He would get angry that I was wasting the money he sent to my mom for college (about $200/month). He never realized that tuition had gone up since he was in school (in the 1940s).
When I got married, my step-dad walked me down the aisle. My mom and step-dad paid for the whole wedding and were the people my husband and his family knew as my parents. When I told my dad this, he flipped out and decided as my punishment, he wouldn't come to my college graduation that was a few weeks before the wedding. Then he said he wasn't coming to the wedding.
I sent an invitation to Dad anyway and his brother. His brother mailed the invitation back to me, unopened with a sweet little letter about how I was going straight to Hell for not allowing my dad to walk me down the aisle since my dad had given up so much for me while my mother was away boozing it up with my crazy step-dad (which is absolutely not true. My dad blackmailed my mom during the custody trial).
Then, I am innocently enjoying my wedding day, galloping out of the church with my new husband, when my dad opens the limo as it's getting ready to drive away and tries to start talking to us. He started crying and saying how he wished it could just be normal. Luckily my husband managed to get him out of the car before I had a horrible freak out.
So, back to last summer. Hubble came home on emergency leave. We saw Dad and were just waiting to hear from the doctor as to when he passed. Well, his week of leave came and went. As soon as Hubble's plane had pulled away from the gate, I got the message. Dad was gone. Ughhh....perfect.
He is buried at the DFW National Cemetery. I was angry that I was being forced to go to a military funeral at a cemetery where a young officer from our unit, who left behind a young family, was buried. My mom was going to go with me, but my dad's kids from his first marriage asked that she not come. So I was forced to go alone. Dad's other kids forced me to hold the flag after it was presented and then said that they wanted to give it to his first wife. I was just beyond angry at the whole situation, which probably isn't that healthy.
I saw my dad's brother there and said hi, but he refused to speak to me. I still have the letter he wrote in our filing cabinet.
My dad was an engineer officer during the Korean war. He got out as a 1LT. He had an engineering degree from Georgia Tech and was a PE for numerous firms. But for whatever reason, that didn't satisfy him. He was always looking to be better, to get rich quick and leave behind what he thought was a life of mediocrity.
Writing this all out really helped, but I don't think I have forgiven him yet. One day. -
Howie and Bear's Adventure
Posted: Jul 31st, 2008, 7:14pm MST
We took the boys on a little hike to the spring near our house today.
If you look closely, you can see the water bubbling up.
The boys taking a drink of the fresh water.
We had a good time and even got them running a little bit, which was a bit hellacious cause I think it was like 95% humidity! They got to splash around a little bit, but I'm not sure that even of them enjoyed it. I had to trick Howie to going in the river by throwing a stick in...
Then we got bored and put sunglasses on Howie. -
I got an semanswer!
Posted: Jul 31st, 2008, 12:58pm MST
"Semanswer" is my abbreviated version of what I usually get in the medical community -- a semi-answer. I love my parents, but they usually just think I am being a baby and don't listen to anything I have to say about how I'm feeling. My parents are convinced my symptoms right now are anxiety related. Yes, my life is so stressful. What with no job or responsibilities and getting to follow my dreams...
I fetched my blood work results today--I am definitely not diabetic!! I do have slight hypothyroidism and post-menopausal estrogen levels (beats me). I called the TriCare office today to make a follow up appointment, but they didn't have any for the next month so they forwarded me to my clinic's desk. The lady who answered told me to call the TriCare office (uh, I did and they connected me to you), then she transferred me to a random voice mailbox and I left a message. And someone called me back--today! I am going back in a month and they will follow up with more blood work. The [super nice] nurse who called me said I might have a pituitary/endocrine problem.
Strangely, the doctor didn't test my blood lipids. Initially, when I got my letter and it said all my other results were normal, I was really excited that my cholesterol was normal. Well, he didn't test it so I don't know for sure. I will request that when I get my next labs done.
In the mean time, I have tortured my husband by adapting to a different diet. Instead of being protein focused, we are now carb (complex, not simple) and veg focused. We'll see if that improves my cardiovascular symptoms. I hope so! -
"I just wanted to warn you, I'm a fainter."
Posted: Jul 30th, 2008, 7:25pm MST
I said this to my husband on one of our early dates. It's completely true. I can feel it coming and no amount of putting my head between my legs or lying down will help. I have fainted in both of these positions.
Just before his first deployment in 2004, we were living out of a hotel room in Killeen. He had just PCSed to Fort Hood and was deploying 14 days after he got there, so no time to find a house (plus I still had a sweet apartment in Austin). Anyway, I had been feeling sick all day and my hubby went out to a taqueria and brought me back a lengua torta (you can google that and figure out what it is). Anyway, I had a case of food poisoning or something and spent the next 24 hours within 18 inches of the bathroom. Sometime the next night, I apparently crawled out of the bathroom, made creepy eye contact with my husband and fainted. I woke up moments later and assured him I was fine, I was just a fainter.
Fast forward to 2005. I wake up on a Saturday morning and go to join Hubble in the living room. I stop at the bedroom doorway and say "my legs feel funny. I think I'm going to faint." Him: "Why?"
Me: unconscious.
I woke again and he said "Ok, I get it. You're a fainter!"
I try to inform most people that I faint a lot, but they usually just laugh. But I assure you, if I'm going to faint, I'll always tell you! I hear it's creepy looking, though. -
How did I meet my husband?
Posted: Jul 30th, 2008, 11:51am MST
Well, it all started at a Mc Donald's. No, really. I'm not kidding.
My freshman year of high school, our boys soccer team actually made it to district playoffs! There was a bus set up to send students down to the game, and my friend Alyson asked me if I wanted to go. To my complete surprise, my mom actually said yes (she rarely allowed me to do anything).
I get down there and my dad calls to berate me about something, which tremendously annoys me. Then, some d-bag spoiled asshole (whose parents owned a now defunct marina on Lake Texoma) starts throwing ice down the back of my pants (you know when you bend forward while sitting and you get that little gap back there?). It has not been a good evening thus far. I was not really paying attention to the game and only knew a few of the boys who were playing. They lost the game. As the athlete and student busses got ready to go back home, they told us we were making a pit stop at McDonald's for food. Aly and I go inside and she says hi to some random kid on the soccer team I've never seen before, but he has AWESOME hair. He sits down at our table with his chicken mcnuggets and turns out he's Aly's ex. We exchange pleasantries and then he lays down the line that was the true ticket to my heart: "Sorry...with all the yelling, I'm a little hoarse," and illustrates with his hands a tiny horse.
I had a crush immediately and then I saw him everywhere at school. I tried my best to describe him to my mom, despite not being able to pronounce his last name. A mutual friend asked me for my phone number to give to him and he called me and we chatted a few times. He "sort of" had a girlfriend at the moment (that was also his prom date), but he asked me on a date just before prom.
Again, my mom surprised me and let me go on a date with this guy she hadn't met and let me have him over when she wasn't going to be home! I was beyond stoked. We rented "American Beauty" and talked. Then my parents came home. Then my dad noticed his hat. It was an Aggie hat. (boooooo, hissssssss) Luckily, they decided they liked him. We were inseperable and liked to make out in the boys dressing room behind the stage.
Not long after that, he got ready to go off to West Point. I wrote him a letter everyday, and he wrote me a few times during Beast. Once the school year started, he decided I was too much to deal with and broke it off. I still sent him a birthday card, but he just turned into a complete asshole. I was heartbroken.
When he came home that Christmas (2000), we went on a few dates and I thought we were going to pick it up again. When he got back to NY, he broke it off again. I professed my love and he turned me down. Repeat this scenario for every major break he had from school. (At this point, my parents decided they don't like him)
The summer of 2003, I had just graduated high school and he decided that maybe I was an alright chick. He professed his love and I turned him down. I had a boyfriend and I wasn't about to just drop everything to go to Ring Weekend just because he decided he was ready. He names a boat "The Big Tease" after me. We don't speak for almost a year.
In 2004, I was finishing up my first year at college. My dorm room was all packed and I had nothing to do. I saw his screenname on AIM and decided to message him for shits and giggles. I had a great way of tormenting him throughout our tortuous courtship. He's single (for once!!) and is getting ready to come home for his post graduation leave.
Once I get home from college, he calls and asks if I'd like to go to the driving range with him. Sure...golf is innocent enough, right? Well, we just kept talking and joking and I can't deny that I'm still in love with him. So I play the petulant princess and make him by me champagne and sneak it into the movie theater that night to see Shrek 2. I got tipsy and I finally kissed him after 12+ hours of holding back. Then we knew we were finally ready to make it work.
4 months after that, we were engaged and then married in late 2005. He is the only person in the world that can put up with everything I do--that is a genuine compliment. He's the love of my life and he couldn't be more perfect. I LOVE being his wife. -
Well, I had my labs drawn yesterday. ...
Posted: Jul 29th, 2008, 5:11pm MST
Well, I had my labs drawn yesterday. Now I wait for them to notify me by mail. I got lucky and had 2 great NCOs take my blood--no bruising or blood squirting across the room like last time.
Not much going on. I made some peanut butter cupcakes--I think my flour was old or something? They didn't rise well and have more of a cookie consistency. Maybe I can get away with calling them "cupcookies."
Howie ran/walked his first mile. Well, I did carry him a little bit when he gave up at about .8. I was afraid he was going to stroke out on me so I carried him home, laid him on the AC vent and gave him some ice water. Now he's all chilled out on his bed chewing on his puppy keys. -
Update on birth control
Posted: Jul 27th, 2008, 5:14pm MST
Since it is mostly what my parents are concerned about (being in obstetrics themselves).
They have suggested Implanon--some sweet rods that can be implanted subcutaneously into my arm. Um, no thanks. That or the hormonal IUD or a mini-pill (progesterone only as opposed to what most people take.)
I think I am going to go with a sweet diaphragm and when we decide to have kids, I will poke a hole in it and then we can reinact that scene from "Parenthood" where the smart family goes all crazy. Haha.
Either way, everyone has me super stressed out. Except my husband who made me laugh by admitting that he had no idea salt contributed to hypertension. I might see if I can finagle my way into an EKG tomorrow, too.
Lee
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New Ride
Posted: Jul 27th, 2008, 1:47pm MST by leenathan
A few weeks ago, after talking about bikes at work, a coworker said he’d give me his old cycle. It had been involved in a tragic crash rendering it just out of service, and rather than repairing it back to a ridable state, my friend splurged on a nice new bike. So, one day after work, we [...]
Katie D
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Ok, starting to deal
Posted: Jul 27th, 2008, 1:45pm MST
Well, I have been given a good verbal shaking by my parents (my mom and step-dad) and am slowly coming to grips that I will be medicated for the rest of my life. (Dad, I am still pissed by the way!)
This may be TMI, so read further at your own discretion.
I stopped taking hormonal birth control today, as it increases heart attack and embolism chances in people like me. This means we have to switch to non-hormonal...ewwww. I had thought about getting an IUD, but after talking it over with my parents, I decided it is not for us. There are too many risks for sterilization, plus the idea of checking the coil every month freaks me out. Also, I don't want to have to deal with having my cervix dilated to have it implanted. So...barrier method it is. Boo, hiss.
They are going to put me on blood pressure and cholesterol meds, which makes me sad/feel like a failure. And I have to stop drinking. AT ALL. I love wine and champagne so much, so that will be tough to deal with.
Also, if I do have diabetes (almost certainly pre-diabetic) we will have to think about having kids. I am not sure how comfortable I will be dealing with diabetes and pregnancy and also have a giant baby. :( -
On the horizon
Posted: Jul 25th, 2008, 5:02pm MST
Well, Monday I go in to get tested for diabetes, thyroid crap, and thanks to my temp doc's not so great bedside manner "liver cancer and leukemia" (which I know I am not likely to have).
I have metabolic syndrome--read: the blood lipids and BP of a 70 year-old. My cholesterol is crazy high and my blood pressure is just high. For me to lose a pound takes about 6 weeks of constant diet and exercise. I always cry when I go to the doctor and get blood work done because I work so hard at keeping my numbers down and it never works. And the doctors criticize me for not watching my diet, which is just not true. Anyway, because of the metabolic syndrome, I am at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. They think it might be type 1, too, because I have been having bouts of increased urination and thirst since I was about 12.
I am trying not to feel so sorry for myself, but I feel like it is my fault for not trying harder (even though I know I shouldn't). I have family history of cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol--ALL FROM MY DAD. I have been told I am pretty much guaranteed a massive heart attack. Also a cause of my unresolved feelings about him.
Ugh--who knew this would be so emotional?!? Also, why am I broken all the time? -
Spilling my beans
Posted: Jul 25th, 2008, 8:05am MST
I decided I would share some of my most embarrassing moments (I find them hilarious, personally) so that you all could get to know me a little better.
During the first part of the deployment this last time, some girlfriends and I convinced our Rear D commander to come join us on 6th street. I got summarily wasted and thrown out of a couple of bars after I tried to get in showing my credit card and spilling a full Stella all over some poor unsuspecting cube monkey.
While we were on R&R, I had booked us a couples massage and manicure at this really nice hotel in London. It was fabulous and I loved all the treatments. As we were leaving this super ritzy hotel, I was fishing around for something in my giant purse and tripped on my jeans and fell up the stairs, my face landing inches away from some society lady's shoes.
That one time I accidently got way too drunk on margaritas on Lake Travis and my bikini bottoms came untied in front of a boat full of strangers! hahaha
When I was in college I was leaving my poetry class. It had rained while I was in class, so the stairs were slick from people tracking in water plus 100 years of wear and tear. My phone started ringing, and since this was during deployment #1, I frantically reached into my backpack trying to get it out. As I was doing this, I fell down a flight of stairs on my butt, and sent about 35 pages of poetry all over the stair well.
Oh and that time Erin and I had to go run and hide from Ricky, the Louis Vuitton salesman, after we decided he would be disappointed if he knew I was returning one of the things I had bought. That was such a fun weekend!!!
So, there you go. I'm probably forgetting some, but I think these are pretty definitive. -
Yay!
Posted: Jul 25th, 2008, 7:57am MST
I called the appointment line this morning and I got an appointment for today! I am going to write my symptoms down so I won't forget any (I always forget something) and hopefully they will draw blood and run my numbers!!
Howie was taking snoring to new levels last night! I have never heard a living thing snore that loud!!! -
Symptoms I can't ignore
Posted: Jul 24th, 2008, 4:26pm MST
After severing my ACL and ignoring it for a week (oops) and shrugging off multiple years of constant stomach pain (severly infected gallbladder that my liver had grown around), I think I have learned my lesson. Maybe.
I have been noticing that I am completely intolerant to heat. Haha, I know. But I used to be able to walk around in high 90s weather just fine. Now if it's in the 80s, I'm sweating like crazy. In fact, I'm sweating like crazy sitting here in the AC. I'm also constantly thirsty and get headaches like everyday. I wake up every night dying of thirst and burning up hot.
I called my mom just to make sure I wasn't crazy and she said I was right--hormone/thyroid problems.
I called the MTF today to make an appointment, but they are currently 12 physicians understaffed and therefore have to leave 200 appointment slots open everyday. Appointments are booked 4 weeks out. They said I could make an appointment Aug 22, but I could only do that if I called tomorrow.
I am calling bullshit on this stupid policy that was in place at Hood and now at FLW. Let the appointment ladies book appointments 29 days out. They are not imbeciles. I hate, hate, hate it when people are bound by the red cord of bureaucracy. (Which is why I vow to never work in corporate America again.) -
Attention Service Academy Grads!!!
Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008, 6:50pm MST
You--and your spouses/kids--are eligible for the new GI Bill!! Check it out: http://www.gibill2008.org/faq.html
The "catch" is that you have to fulfill 3 years of service in addition to the ADSO required to repay your education. So, if you had to serve 4 years to fulfill you ADSO for a ROTC program, you could not access benefits until you had completed your 7th year of service.
It's not the greatest, but definitely better than nothing! We will be using this! -
Some random nuggets of information:
Posted: Jul 23rd, 2008, 2:32pm MST
- I got my heart rate up to 203 today! Sweeeeet!!
- I set a new 5 mile PR; 39:59
- My mom's maternal advice on when I should have kids was largely based on an episode of "Paula's Party" from the Food Network.
- We went to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast this morning and saw loads of Secret Service there, but no VIP. Maybe it was training? Although, if it was training, would they really go so far as to have one of them dress up in the Cracker Barrel apron? They were a 50/50 mix of suits and plain clothes.
- I am unsure of what to make for dinner tonight. Quesadillas, maybe...
- The weather was really nice today, so my husband went to play golf.
- Bear ran away when I was taking him on an unleashed walk, and has temporarily lost unleashed privileges.
The Big Noob
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Wanted: Design Mentor
Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008, 12:30pm MST
Friend, dotcomrade and fellow New Yorker, Adam Spooner, has posted a job listing for a design mentor. Check it out on Authentic Jobs.
Katie D
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*sigh* Money Woes...
Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008, 12:19pm MST
No, not ours. A person somewhat close to us, though.
I feel like, all too often (and I'm sure Robyn will back me up on this), members of the military over estimate what they can afford. And when the debt becomes insurmountable, they veil it with the fact that members of the armed forces aren't paid enough.
You know what, I agree! However, that doesn't mean someone is going to wave a magic wand and start paying E-1s a six figure salary. I mean, look at the high brass--they aren't making a crazy amount of money if you compare their experience, education and responsibility. (But, they do get sweet housing...)
I am just super tired of seeing service members fall into the 72 month auto loan, 10% (and higher!!!) credit card rates, etc. *Side note: I noticed that VW was advertising 0% 72 month financing!!! That is insane! I wonder if anyone actually qualifies.*
In other financial news, I got a new budget program today and have had tons of fun playing with it. -
Dog Update
Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008, 9:24am MST
Well, my lovely neighbor was so kind as to accompany me to St Louis to take Mr. Howie to the specialist. We stopped at the St. Louis Bread Company (thinly veiled Panera franchise) and ate on the patio with Howie while I worried if he was going to have heat stroke while we were out there.
Anyway, after sitting in this vet specialist's office for a few hours, we met a lady with a very sick shih tzu who had no idea what was wrong with the poor little thing, a lady with a black lab with Addison's (she confessed that she had spent over $13,000 getting her dog well), a very bitchy English bulldog named Lula-bell and a Boston Terrier.
Once we saw the surgeon, he said he couldn't find any abnormalities doing a digital exam or on the xrays. (At which point I silently decided to take no further services from these people) They did make sure to caution me that if it is torn, it could blow at any second and I might be better off leaving the dog to be sedated and taking all kinds of fancy additional xrays that can be analyzed by a veterinary radiologist (HAHAHA). The estimate for these services was $300+. I got the distinct feeling, that although these people cared about animals and everything, they were a little scalpel happy. The charge for his 15 minute exam was $120. gah
Anyway, at least the little monster doesn't need leg surgery. I have scheduled him to be neutered in about a month-woohoo! Maybe he won't start fights with the neighbor dogs once his walnuts are gone...
The Big Noob
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The Process
Posted: Jul 22nd, 2008, 8:46am MST
The Process. Typical look into designing for clients. I don't miss this this.
Katie D
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The Dark Knight
Posted: Jul 21st, 2008, 7:20am MST
We saw it. Was it good? Yes. Entertaining? Check. One of the best movies of all time? Uh...no. Did Maggie Gyllenhaal look dehydrated throughout the entire movie? Yes. Yes she did.
Would it be considered so Oscar-worthy if Mr. Ledger hadn't had such an untimely death? Probably not.
Yes, Heath played a great crazy serial killer, but I think it stops there.
Anyway, that sums up my opinion. I've been listening to all my peers rave about how it is on par with "Gone With the Wind" or "Citizen Kane".
I think America's obsession with super hero/fantasy/sci-fi movies is just evidence of our need for escapism. -
Vacation!
Posted: Jul 20th, 2008, 6:21am MST
We are trying to keep money tight while we are a dual-student household (the Army is only paying part of Hubble's tuition), but Hubble said that if I could find a deal on a nice hotel within moderate driving distance, that we could go on his 10 day break.
I found a deal on hotels.com for a 4 star hotel in downtown Chicago for $99/night! It was one of those things where you don't know the name of the hotel until you make the reservation, but I had done that once before and wound up getting a junior suite in San Antonio with a view of the Riverwalk for $120/night. A pretty sweet deal, if you ask me. Anyway, we are staying at The Whitehall Hotel and going on a tour of The Robie House (I am an Art History/architecture dork). Also a little good food
Anyway, next month we are driving to Chicago for a few days! We have both never been, except by way of a layover at O'Hare (which totes doesn't count). We are going to have such an awesome time! Now I just have to book the dogs to get boarded... -
Something I can't live with out
Posted: Jul 17th, 2008, 7:45pm MST
A blue surgical towel. I use them for cleaning, dusting, polishing, wrapping hot/cold packs, napkins--just about everything.
My dad gives all of us a pack of ten or so every year. The best ones are the oldest ones, though. They been washed a few hundred times and kind of have this seafoam-y color.
I love to use them for mirror and glass cleaning because they are completely lint free. My dad ALWAYS has one on him. Especially if he's parked in front of a Nascar race with a beer and bowl of chili.
It took Hubble some getting used to. Especially when we explained to him that they are surgery towels, usually used to soak up blood and then tossed. But these have never been used and they are one of my favorite things ever! Now Hubble uses them and gets excited when I bring him his lunch with a cold beer and a blue towel.
The Big Noob
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Music. Words. Color. Type.
Posted: Jul 17th, 2008, 1:14pm MST
Today, I revived Justwatchthesky from the internet graveyard/landfill of "coming soon" pages. The scope is narrow: An exercise in documenting words in the music I listen to with color and type. The constraints are simple: (1) Only use Georgia (serif) or Helvetica (sans) and (2) try to post as often as possible. We'll see how long the experiment will last, but for now, I'm enjoying it. It's like a music blog/splash page hybrid. Very popular in Sweden.
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Jez Burrows: A Writer's Designer
Posted: Jul 17th, 2008, 10:43am MST
Ms. Jones has a nice little chat with Jez Burrows, this year's Penguin Design Award runner-up. "Indie rock and infographics make pretty good partners, I think."
Katie D
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I miss bootcamp
Posted: Jul 16th, 2008, 1:31pm MST
I miss my bootcamp in Austin! Although I hated puking/not being able to put my pants on after a work out/and getting up at 4:30am, it was worth it.
There isn't much of a group exercise option here, much less a bootcamp/CrossFit opportunity. I would love to have access to a balls-to-the-wall outdoor workout.
This year, I started a bootcamp on my birthday. There's nothing like getting a PR on a cold dark morning in mid-January.
Now, I'm off to drag myself to the gym... -
I really love my husband
Posted: Jul 15th, 2008, 6:50pm MST
but does he have to whistle so much? Everytime he studies, I am blessed by melodic (used loosely) whistling to whatever music he is listening to.
Right now (since I can't hear the music that is backing him up), he sounds a bit like a dying cat-bird. -
Travelin' Man
Posted: Jul 15th, 2008, 4:28pm MST
So, on Thursday Howie is going to St Louis for his first consultation. I am interested to see what they say--they seem to be dog ligament experts --www.avsstl.com.
Then on Friday, we are taking him to Jeff City for a consultation with the vet of a family friend. The main incentive here is having some that takes a personal interest in the dog and price. Frenchies are hard to intubate and I want to avoid putting him under twice, so I think I may line him up to get neutered, too. His peach (nuxtstable sack) is creepy.
He's a pretty good traveler when he isn't upset/in pain so hopefully he will do well. Aside from having people touch his owies, that is.
The Big Noob
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Daruma-otoshi
Posted: Jul 14th, 2008, 5:00pm MST
A floor-by-floor demolition blows minds, saves environment. What the frak, indeed!
Katie D
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Mommy's Little Hellion
Posted: Jul 13th, 2008, 10:17am MST
So, this is another post about the French bulldog. I was just about to blog on Howie's incessant humping of Bear until....I saw him humping and peeing on Bear!! At the same time!!
It was totally nonchalant. A little dominance humping, a little urinating. I raised my voice and sent him straight outside where he took a "Tom Hanks in 'A League of Their Own' pee". I don't want him to get in the habit of peeing on things. That said, I did notice that he took a big leak on my pajama pants when I left them on the floor while I was showering.
I feel bad for him with all the injuries/butt infections, so I think I am a little lenient and don't really drop the hammer like I should.
He is just my problem kid... -
McCain's First Person POW Account
Posted: Jul 11th, 2008, 2:50pm MST
Politics aside, I thought it was a great article--informative and gave a lot of clarity.
Read about it here.
Lee
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Fun with robots
Posted: Jul 10th, 2008, 9:41pm MST by leenathan
Do people really fall for this? I mean honestly. (7:35:55 PM) Marylou (?): Hi (7:36:08 PM) Leeee: pardon me for asking (7:36:12 PM) Leeee: but who is this? (7:36:44 PM) Marylou (?): hey, Age/Sex/Location? (7:37:15 PM) Leeee: I asked first (7:37:43 PM) Marylou (?): hey whats up babe, U got a webcam? finally someone adds me, I am soo fuckin [...]
Katie D
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SERIOUSLY?!?!
Posted: Jul 10th, 2008, 2:24pm MST
The dog is going to give me a heart attack. Now he has something wrong with his butt. I'm not kidding. It's all oozie and gross.
I cleaned it out really well and fixed him up with Bactine, witch hazel and neosporin. I am hoping it is like a hemmorhoid thing or something. gawdddd....I just want him to be normal like he was before we moved here! I am trying not to freak out and burst into tears, but with the looming surgery/consultation, I just feel like his health is getting out of control.
Hopefully when my hubby gets home he can help me out. I should probably have him stop at a drug store to get a betadine scrub on the way home.