Just Because...

I've had so many stereotypes placed on me lately by family, acquaintances, coworkers, friends, etc. I just want to clear a few things up...

Just because I don't go to church every weekend does not mean I am not very spiritual.
Just because I'm a military spouse does not mean I'm super conservative.
Just because I'm good at my job does not mean I love it.
Just because I use reusable bags does not mean I'm an environmental nut.
Just because I stopped arguing with you does not mean I agree with you.
Just because I couldn't make an event does not mean I don't care.
Just because I make the hunny's lunch does not mean I'm subservient to him.
Just because we watch NASCAR does not mean we're rednecks.
Just because I don't cater my world around other people's children does not mean I'm anti-kid.
Just because I keep my mouth shut does not mean I don't have an opinion.
Just because I am slender does not mean I don't worry about my body.
Just because I prefer to buy organic does not mean I don't care about the cost of my food.
Just because I like to buy local &  have my own business does not mean I am anti-corporations.
Just because I have a computer does not mean I'm going to sit around and be an @$$ because I'm not there in person.

Sorry, slight vent, slight response (not to the blogging world). 

What's you biggest "Just because...."

Random Posts

I haven't posted in a while.  Things are just a little crazy around here.  If you follow me on Twitter, I'm sure you know why (if you choose to follow me, write a little note in the comments so I know who you are).  But there's so many things going on, I just sorta need to let a lot of it out.

1) I love my business.  I just wish I could devote more time to it.  Especially the experimentation with the new soap that I'm making.  I want to spend all day in my kitchen.

2) My real job leaves me very drained because I want to help people (I work in marketing) but when they refuse to work with us and just want to berate us, I get frustrated.  One day, my dream job, would be to do Inspiri full time.

3) The baby clock is still ringing like crazy.  I still want to wait for some time, but I am looking forward to having them.  Especially since one of my best friends & SIL are pregnant. 

4) I love my dogs and that they've finally chilled out.  Sitting on a couch being snuggled is about the best thing ever.

5) I got a really nice leather bound notebook from a company that wants us to pay them a TON of money for some program.  They didn't brand the notebook at all.  I decided that was a poor decision.  If it were branded, every time I used it, I'd think of them.  I threw out the other material and have no idea the name of the company.

6) After watching some of my favorite ABC Family shows, I am so stinking glad I'm no longer a teenager.

7) The hunny got me a gift of a pair of pajamas in an ACU pattern and across the butt, it says "Booty Camp".  This is why I love him.  I think I will keep him.

8) I hate laundry.  A lot.  More now than usual.  And making beds, I really hate making beds.

Told you it was random.  And mostly mundane, and not important.  What type of random stuff has been on your mind?

Things I Hate to Hear - Milspouse Version

I normally don't post a lot of military related stuff.  I'm not the best resource, we don't live on post, we haven't had a PCS together, we've only been married 1 year (although together for over 4), I don't use Tricare, and besides him wearing a uniform and deploying, the rest of our life is fairly normal.

However, there are a few things that people say that I really can't stand because I'm a military spouse.  And every one of these, I've actually had asked or said to me.

1) "Wow, he's been gone that long already? Time has really flown." Um, for you.  I'm pretty sure that at one point during any deployment year, time starts to go backwards.

2) ::Complaining about husband going on a business trip:: "Well, you understand, it's just like your husband leaving."  No, no it's not.  Unless your husband is 9 time zones away, being shot at, sleeping on a cot, and gone for 12 months. You mean he's in Chicago, to take customers to a Bull's game?  Yeah, not even close.

3) "There's a military discount, can we get that?" Happened when I went out to lunch with someone.  First, I am not always on the lookout for military discounts.  Yes, they're nice,  but I'm not the service member.  Also, since you're with me, you deserve that too? Huh?

4) "He's gone all the time, aren't you used to that by now?" Can't say that I am.  Whether it's two weeks, two months, or a year, I don't think you ever like them being gone. I usually suck it up, but I have been known to complain now and again.

5) "Wow, I'm surprised you work.  I didn't think most military wives did." ACTUALLY....most of the military wives I know are educated and are either looking for work or due to certain circumstances can't at the present time.  Please don't stereotype them.  There are some bases where it is not easy to get a job near or they know they'll only be there for 9 months.  To me, it implies you think they are lazy.  Also....many of them sell Pampered Chef, Scentsy, or have another Home Based Business.  If you don't think that's work, you obviously can't think outside of the box.

6) "If you don't like the lifestyle, maybe you shouldn't have married him." ::Blank stare:: Yes, because I 100% can decide who I fell in love with.  (PS, you told me 5 years ago that I'd be married to a guy in the military, who goes stock car racing as a hobby, and is a southern, I never would've believed you and laughed hysterically).

7) "Tell him to hurry home." If I had a nickle for everytime someone said this to me....I'd have at least $2. Because he has complete and utter control over when he comes home.  It's totally up to him.  No one relies on him.  It's like he's on vacation or something.

I know there are more, but I just can't even stand to think of them anymore.  What are your least favorite things that people say to you?

Facebook Status Updates...The Annoying Kind

Do you have friends that post the same type of thing every time they post?  I do.  Some of them are fine.  But there are others that make me want to block them.  Let me elaborate on some of these bosters.

Also, please note, that this is a joke post.  I see posts like these every day and they don't bug me one bit.  It's when it's the same post day after day after day and they don't change.  

The Unborn Baby
I have one (or three) of these people on my wall.  Every post them make is in reference to their still-cooking child.  Every one in a while is fine, but sometimes it gets old....and creepy.  For example "We took baby Q shopping for her bedroom furniture.  I stood in front of them and when she kicked, that's the one she chose." Or "Baby Q is hungry.  She really wants a peanut butter and mozzarella sandwich."

Come to Jesus
I appreciate if you are religious.  And have a strong faith.  I think that's great. And these don't bother me, if they come once in a while, but when they post 8 times a day and each time it's a new bible verse, for every status update? Also, if I wanted to read the bible, I would, um, read the bible.  And if they aren't verses, it's things of this nature "God is good! The food I was craving today was the special at the restaurant I'm work at tonight." or "God is watching for me! I couldn't find my keys this morning.  I finally checked the coat I was wearing yesterday, and there they were. The faithful are blessed."  I have a very strong faith, but to me, it is a VERY personal thing.  But then, I also believe in free will.  And that I lose my keys because I'm forgetful.


I hate Drama, but I'm a Drama Mama
EVERYONE has one of these.  They are people who say they hate drama but then they post stuff like "Oh, my poor step kids.  To have these terrible people around them, it is just messing with their head so much."  They post these when they are FB friends with the Ex-Wife's family.  Yeah, you really don't love drama.

My Kids are Better Than Your Kids
I'm all for loving on your kids and bragging about your kids, but it can be excessive.  "Little Johnny cleaned his plate at dinner." Then in the comments "He ate 4 bites of chicken, 2 spoonfuls of peas, and 1/4 of a baked potato.  He deserves a GIANT bowl of ice cream for dessert." Then "He ate all his ice cream.  What a good eater!" I get being proud, but do we really need the play by play and why they're the bestsest kids in the whole world.

Political Party
I love politics, however, I don't talk about it because it is such a hot topic.  And apparently anymore if I don't have the same opinion as you, I'm an idiot and have been living under a rock.  Or have a rock for a brain.   But you know the ones I'm talking about.  The ones that post about their candidate, why their party is the only party worth voting for, and video after video about their favorite candidate speaking.  Or their favorite social issues.  My personal favorites include those articles about abortion, war, and whether or not a boy who thinks he's a girl can be included in Girl Scouts. 

The Flasher (aka They Reveal All)
This particular person lays their whole life on FB for all to see.  "Ugh, I have the worst stomach bug ever.  I've been in the bathroom for 3 days straight."  Or "I can't believe my brother's wife's mother's new husband hit on my sister at the wedding." Or "So happy that my PAP smear came back normal!!!  That weird discharge was making me so nervous."  There are some things that should just not be on FB. 

Shrouded in Mystery...But Not Really
Perhaps my most favorite.  All of their status updates are shrouded in mystery.  And then you find out what it is in the comments, about a week later. "I can't tell you what's going on right now, but we just need prayers."  Then "Thank you for the prayers, can't tell you what's going on, but if you  know my family, you can talk to them."  Then "This is the worst day ever! I can't believe everything that is going on.  Can't talk about it right now."  If you can't talk about it, then why are you talking about it?

Negative Nancy
This person never seems to have a good day.  Everything is always going wrong.  Always.  No positive stuff.   Saw one like this other day "My two girls are sick, and my boy wanted something the minute I woke up.  Now it's snowing.  Stay out of this mama's way, it's a bad morning."  This same type of poster can also be the Flasher, but only the bad stuff that's going on.

The Self (business) Promoter
I'm am totally for having your own business, whether it's Pampered Chef, Scentsy, or your own business that you created.  But sometimes...well "Have you checked out my FB Page?" 1 hour later "Oh my gosh, I have 7 new fans on my FB page, Have you liked it yet?"  30 minutes later..."WE're having a sale in my shop, check it out!" Then another 30 minutes later "Yay, made a sale!  Will you be the next?" 

What are your least favorite type of posters?

Thank You Thank You Thank YOU

I was involved in Wife of a Sailor's Secret Santa, which is always fun.  And my Secret Santa, the lovely Navy Wife Chronicles, deserves massive kudos.

I was out of town for a while and it was crazy before I left so I am just now thanking her for the Lindt chocolates (They are my go-to happy food), the LOVELY Marilyn Monroe ornament (Have I mentioned my strange love of old movie stars such as Marilyn, Audrey, and Jimmy?), and the wine.   Oh what an evening will be had, wine and chocolates.  I may even have to bust out "Some Like it Hot".

I just wanted to say thank you so much for the lovely lovely lovely gift.  It completely made my day.

So did the zebra print duct tape that held the box together :-)

Leggings? Yay or Nay?

I used to be adamantly against leggings.  I wore them for most of the 90s.  Then I got made fun of because everyone at my new school (we moved to a different state) made fun of me in 8th grade.  Yeah, make fun of a 13 year old girl, where she has no friends, and doesn't want to be there anyway.  So leggings were forever kept out of my closet.

And then they became fashionable again.  I wouldn't wear them because they reminded me of childhood and half of the times I saw them being worn, they just didn't look good. I did think they looked cute with tunics or under a dress or something, but I didn't want to get them.

Then this Christmas came.  My mom got me a pair of black leggings and a very long sweater as a gift.  The sweater, I absolutely love.  But I was a bit nervous that I'd look ridiculous and  like a child.  But my mom has been trying to get me to wear them for a couple years now.  I decided I would wear the outfit for Christmas dinner.

And I liked how I looked.  It was cute. And most importantly, it was comfortable!   Luckily, the sweater she got was more like a tunic and so my butt wasn't there for the whole world to see.  I have to say, I love the long shirts and tunics that have been popular.  I have the hardest time finding shirts that are long enough to cover my belly & back because of the way I'm built.  I also have some super cute dresses that I love, but they're sorta short, leggings would solve the problem.  And now, I'm reconsidering leggings.

But I keep hearing so many people say that leggings aren't pants.  They're just over-glorified tights.  And it once again makes me self conscious.  Don't get me wrong, I'm comfortable in my skin, but I don't like people snickering that I look ridiculous.  I'm thinking about getting a couple more pairs in other colors.  I have lots of long shirts because they make me feel more comfortable and they'd be great with leggings.  But I'm still on the fence. 

What do you think?  Should leggings go away for good, or do you think they're OK with certain outfits? 

2012 Life Goals

I don't particularly love to say Resolution.  Sometimes, it feels to me like you want to do it for one year and then the next year, they can go out the window.  I prefer to think of them as life goals that I will work on that year. 

I usually skip the typical ones: Save Money, Work Out More, Keep the House Clean, Cook Healthier.  I should be doing those anyway and I know it.  I always try to come up with something I need to work on in my life.  Last year's, well, that didn't go completely awesome.  My goal was to complain less.  And I still do it.  A lot.  I'm continuing to work on it, but I feel it's something I will always struggle with.

This year, I have two goals.  These are two things I want to improve in my life for the future to provide me with a better life.  

1) Stop making excuses.

I say this because I am a master of excuses.  I don't clean the dishes right away? "I can take care of that later tonight after I've relaxed."  I skip the gym?  "Well, I'll go tomorrow."  I hate when someone else gives me an excuse, I need to stop giving them to myself.

2) Think, then speak.

I have a terrible habit of being a blurter.  You know the people, the say the first thing that pops into their head, without thinking of who it might hurt or how it may make them look.  Yeah, I'm one of them.  I'm trying to hold my tongue a little.  I just want to recognize what I'm going to say, instead of sounding like an idiot or offending someone.  It won't stop me altogether, but I just want to be more cognizent of what comes out of my mouth.

So how about you?  What are your life goals for 2012?