Friday Fill In

Thank you wifeofasoldier.com for another Friday fill in! Love that you had the help of other bloggers!

So I finally had a moment of free time after the second surgery to sit down and write on the blog. There has been quite a bit going on and it's a bit overwhelming. Happy Friday

1. What is your must have gadget? submitted by Flying High With My Flyboy
I imagine that would be my iPhone. I would be lost without the thing. I often feel naked if I don't have it with me.

2. How does your adulthood compare to what you imagined it would be like when you were a little kid? submitted by L to the Third
I imagine that my image of adulthood was easier and less complicated. I know my dream of marrying my best friend came true. Our life is exciting and I am experiencing more than I ever imagined as a kid.


3. What is your favorite chocolate recipe? submitted by Our First Deployment
Cinnamon Dark-Chocolate Fudge

4. How do you deal with military life when it gets to be to much or to hard? submitted by Combat Boots And Pointe Shoes
Currently, the military life is the hardest it has ever been. Deployment is easy compared to living at Walter Reed. You aren't worried about him getting hurt, because he is and you are surrounded by other young soldiers who are living with new legs and arms. It really puts things in perspective. I can't imagine complaining a day after living here for almost two months.

5. What piece of advice would you give a new Military spouse facing their first deployment? submitted by The Albrecht Squad
My advice would be to take it one day at a time. If you don't take it one day at a time, it will become pretty unmanageable. Use a calendar to cross off the day before and stay clear of countdowns such as 365 days until he is back. I feel that it's too long. Instead mark off day 1; done, day 2; done. It feels like you have accomplished more that way!! Best of luck to any of you that are! ALSO!! If your husband gets hurt, I recommend contacting the Red Cross, SFAC at Walter Reed Medical Center (Washington, DC, Bethesday, MD, or Belvour, VA, Wounded Warrior Brigade. Rear Detachment does not facilitate the soldier to the hospital and will often not have the current information until the soldier arrives at the specific location. Please look at yesterday's post for any more advice. God Bless you both on your journey.

Ward 57 at Walter Reed Hat and Wounded Warrior Jacket in the Courtyard at the Hospital

Friday Fill In

Sorry it's been awhile, but Walter Reed keeps you busy! I decided to do a Friday Fill In with Wife of a Sailor because I had time.

1. Do you or your {spouse} ever wish your {spouse} was in a different branch of the military? submitted by The Turner Family

We don't really wish that, only for the better bases near the ocean (Navy).

1. What duty station(s) are on your “No Way, Hell No, Not Going, Have Fun Unaccompanied” list and why? submitted by Every Branch

I would have to say Korea again. No way!

1. If you could be one age forever, what age would you choose and why? submitted by Three Krakens

This is tough, but I dont think I would want to live one age forever PERIOD, especially if everyone else grew up in front of me. Hello... hasn't anyone ever read the book Tuck Everlasting?

1. If you were a breakfast cereal, which one would you be? submitted by the C.W.

I would be Kashi Cinnamon Oat Cereal because it's rich in fiber, protein and taste delicious. Besides anything with cinnamon in it is amazing to me!

1. What is your morning beverage of choice and why?  submitted by NH Girl Displaced

Coffee with cream. I also drink yogurt with fruit (smoothie). 

Foto Friday, Friday Fill In & MilSpouse Weekly Round Up

Foto Friday, with House Hold 6 Diva, theme this week is SOOC (Straight out of the camera) which means no editing the photograph! Next week is "Edit This". Please join her and me in showcasing your pictures! Remember to leave a comment on her page and also link the post, not the homepage!

This picture is from the fall and I love it because it reminds me of happy, sunny days this past fall

at airborne school...

because this is all that I have been seeing lately...

the pups and snow.... taken with my iphone on our walk.

Friday Fill In with Wife of Sailor
1. Since most of the country has had nasty weather, what has your weather been like this week?
See picture above! It's been pretty intense. All the white out is overwhelming, but beautiful.

2. What is/are your best money saving tip(s)? 3$ a day in a shoe box. Seriously, it works. Think about it this way too; $21/week or $1,095/year. Oh and dont buy a starbucks everyday!

3. What was your favorite vehicle you’ve ever owned?
I had to drive my grandmother's 89 celebrity to school in high school and then I had three jeep libertys. They were the best! Lots of memories.

4. Fill in the blank: You might be a MilSpouse if….
you have been married longer then you have been physically together! Or your address is always changing!

Wife of a Sailor will be including some of our answers in a future post (with a link to your blog, of course) Thanks Wifey!

MilSpouse Weekly Round up this week is hosted by, No Model Lady. I love her blog and she has a lot of interesting and funny things to say.

All you have to do is pick your favorite post from this past week and link up with the linky at No Model Lady! After you have linked up, when you have a few free minutes, come back and catch up with some of your favorite ladies!

Don't forget to link up next week with the fabulous fellow milspouse Jessica at The Lowe Family News.

Foto Friday, Friday Fill In & MilSpouse Weekly Round Up

Foto Friday with HouseHold6Diva, theme is Reflection....

Be sure to head on over to House Hold 6 Diva to comment on the best picture for the week!




Friday Fill in with Wife of a Sailor

1. If you were a famous movie star, what types of movies would you star in?
Romantic Comedies, like Mama Mia so I could go to Greece and hang out with Pierce Brosnan.

2. What is a vacation you would like to take if money were no object?
I would go to Italy, hands down. I would eat all the bread, pasta, and wine. I would take a bike ride in tuscany with the sunflowers. I would go see the pope and I would buy a villa... and maybe a sailboat.

3. Did you have pets growing up?
I had a spaniel, named Skippy, but he died when I was 3 or 4. My mother told me he ran away, but they had to put him to sleep. I believed it because he would runaway all the time. He was a ladies man!


4. What do you do for exercise?
Good Question!! I love yoga. I enjoy the breathing and stretching. I grew up gymnastics. I am super flexible and double jointed. When I don't stretch my balance and my weight is off centered. Yoga helps. I started attending Zumba, and I am a big fan!! It's fun with friends and the music is super!

5. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as a MilSpouse?
I think the best advice is: "take it one day at a time", otherwise it's way too long of a journey.

Riding the Roller Coaster, Weekly Round up! Make sure you check out Like Sunshine After Rain to link up with the rest of them! (PS I love her blog name! It makes me happy!)

Thanks everyone! See you next Friday TGIF!

Foto Friday, Friday Fill In & MilSpouse Weekly Round Up

Foto Friday this week with House Hold 6 Diva, the theme is L I G H T! There are so many possibilities for this... After you view mine, go on and check out her blog with her fotos and those that also contributed. They have some wonderful artists! Next week's theme is Reflections!

Happy Friday!

Friday Fill In


1. What do you usually want to know about someone when meeting them for the first time?

I suppose you ask their name, but that is probably obvious. Do they have a family? Where are they from? I guess those are good questions.


2. Would you like to know everythign about your spouse or regularly surprised?

Can it be a little bit of both? I think it would get boring if you knew every little detail about your spouse. There has to be some surprises. I like surprises. You cannot possibly know everything about a person, so I think I would rather have a lot of surprises.. even if they weren't so pleasant (like his bathroom habits in the field).

3. If you could live in one city for the rest of your life where would you live?

This is a tough question. Being away from my home state Michigan, makes me want to be back and I would have to say Plymouth, MI. It's a really friendly city with a cute main street. Since I have lived away, I am ok with it and I would want to be where there is a beach nearby and a deep history. Maybe on the east coast?

4. When you go out of town, what is the one material thing you always take?

I usually always take a book. I also bring extra underwear! HA!

5. Using no more than 10 nouns, and only NOUNS, describe yourself.

wife, army, michigan, puppies, daughter, sister, friend, home, address,  Milspouse!

Weekly Round up this week is with Singing in the Rain. Link up with her and you'll also meet some other great milspouses!

Foto Friday, Friday Fill In & MilSpouse Weekly Round Up

"Stairs" is the theme for House Hold 6 Diva's meme Foto Friday.

Friday Fill In


1. What are you looking forward to most in 2011? from Jessica Lynn Writes

I am looking forward to my husband returning from Afghanistan into my arms!!!

2. What is something random you do on a boring night when your significant other is away? from Lovin Ma Soldier
I enjoy watching trashy tv shows (real houseswives, millionaire matchmaker, basically anything on Bravo) without any comments about how trashy it is! I know it is! haha (Even though I secretly think he enjoys it just as much... ) I also like to do puzzles.


3. What has been your greatest adventure as a MilSpouse? from Misadventures of An Army Momma
This life is an adventure, but I think my greatest is learning how this life style can change the way you thought your life was supposed to be for the better. It's a blessing and there is so much I can give back. I cannot wait to do more of that.

4. What is the ugliest fashion trend you ever bought into (I’d like to make fun of you, so can you please provide a picture as well)? from More Than An Army Wife
This is a funny question. I probably would go with pink ugg boots and a jean skirt when I was 19 for a canada night. Too cold and just not cute!Sorry, there is no evidence to back this up.

4. What was the high point of last month?
Before my husband left, we made a snow man and he cooked me veal marsala for my birthday. I think that was the high point. Also, when my parents and sister came to visit and we played catch phrase at night!

Thanks again for some great questions this week! Look forward to more! Head on over to Flip Flops and Combat Boots to link up with this week's Milspouse Weekly Round Up #19. You can also help her to create her button. I think her blog name is so cute and she has to have a cute button too! Happy Friday

Friday Fill In & Foto Friday

Weekly Roundup # 15 Swing on over to Empty Nest, PCS and All the Rest to link up with other Milspouses blogging about their experiences in this fast paced world! It's a great way to meet others and read about similar stories. Every week there is a new host. Who knows you could be next! Next week it's Elizabeth from The Young Retiree. If you miss out this week, there will always be next! Thanks Ladies for hosting. I love Fridays in blogosphere!

FrIdAy FiLl iN!

1. What is the best gift you have ever received or given? from;Jessica Lynn Writes ?

This memory sticks out in my mind when my husband and I were driving to one of the many family members houses on Christmas together. It was the only time we had to ourselves. We both gave each other jewelry. I gave him a pocket watch engraved and he found this beautiful tiffany heart locket for me. I was trying to be spontaneous and apparently he was too. He held out his hand and I placed it in it. He did the same for me. IT was almost like out of a movie. I remember feeling very happy and special. I still have to find a picture for that locket. This was over 4 years ago. 

2. Do you celebrate holidays differently when your loved one is deployed/gone or do you keep tradition? from;The Albrecht Squad ?

This is the first holiday we will be separate from deployment. This year I will not be traveling back to our home state.  Instead I will be holding down the fort with the pups until my parents and sister visit.

3. If you celebrate Christmas, do you put an angel, star or something else on the top of your tree?

Growing up, we used an angel. Since we have only been married two years, and last year we didn't have a tree in Korea and this year there is a waterford star ornament at the top. We do not have an official tree topper! I might need to get one next year! I like stars though.

4. What are your three favorite websites

Goodness! I suppose those websites that I frequent the most are google, facebook and foxnews.

5. On your man do you prefer… boxers, briefs or boxer briefs? Or commando? (yeah, I’m starting to get desperate for questions!)

This question, is too cute! Since joining the army, I have witnessed quite a change in underwear. Before joining it was vineyard vines boxers. During basic training it was issued khaki colored "spankies." Then, boxer briefs came around and have stuck with us.  I definitely like the boxer briefs. Very sexy. Commando in pants for guys is just wrong!

Thanks again Wife of a Sailor for another GREAT week of questions! I personally love the last one best!

Foto Friday.... "Landscape"

Last week's picture "Sweet as Candy" made it up on House Hold 6 Diva's featured pictures this week. I am truly honored. Thank you Anastasia from Wild Blue Wonders, for commenting. I appreciate it. 

I took this a couple of weeks ago from outside our backyard during sunsets. There are some beautiful sunsets in North Country, even if they are at 430pm. 

After I read what this weeks theme was this morning, I took my camera on our daily walk. It was a bit of a struggle to stop the pups in the snow with my gloves...

but I found a couple great shots of the sun rising behind the snow clouds.

TGIF!

Friday Fill In & Foto Friday

Please join Wife of a Sailor and other milspouses on Linky. It's a great opportunity to meet more women and connect on a different level. Thanks Wife of a Sailor! Great questions this week.

1. Where do you see your life in 10 years?

In 10 years, I will be 36 and hopefully a full time kindergarten teacher with all my kids born. I want to be a better painter and photographer. I hopefully will have traveled to Italy and France with my husband. I hope I have a home, I OWN! I hope it is filled with healthy, happy people.

2. What do you like most about your job?

Since my current position is Army Wife, I like it very much... well most of the time. I am however looking for another job that requires less moving and more money! HA!

3. What are three things you do everyday, no matter what day it is?

Bathroom, eat, brush my teeth. I would say shower, but I sometimes skip that! HA!

4. What would you do with an extra 5 hours in the day today?

I would probably use it for sleep, however, I think I would try to be able to stay awake and read longer. Sometimes at night I fall instantly to sleep. I shouldn't complain for those who have insomniatic tendencies.

5. What is your favorite Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) cookie recipe?

This is pretty top secret, but I will let you all have it:

Ingredients
1 1/4 cup butter, softened
2 1/4 cups confectioners sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chocolate sprinkles

In a bowl, cream butter, sugar and cocoa until light and fluffy. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add flour; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Roll into 1-inch balls; dip in chocolate sprinkles. Place, sprinkled side up, 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. (I put down tinfoil)
Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes for till set. Cool on a wire rack. Yield: about 5 1/2 doz

Seriously... They are addicting. ENJOY! Happy Holidays.


 
House Hold 6 Diva created a fun new adventure that I have gotten into recently. I enjoy taking pictures, although new to it. I seriously love this Milspouse. She opens so many doors and gives so many of us opportunities to meet. I hope one day I can personally thank her!

It's amazing to see last weeks entries of "Texture".

"SWEET" is the theme for this Friday. I love that instead of food, Ann Marie snapped an adorable "foto" of her daughter in sweet pigtails. I like the softness of it. Sweet = Sensational!

My original thought was to use my Iphone photo of our tree with a card placed in it by my husband who deployed this week. Then, I tried something a little more creative with my baby nikon. It's sweet as candy....

This week I was feeling blue...


My husband left me a sweet card on the tree...


It's sweet like candy... I can't wait until Christmas morning!

Friday Fill In & Foto Friday

Friday Fill In with Wife of a Sailor and other MilSpouses. Take a look.

1.  If you were given $1,000 right now, how would you spend it?
I think we would save it for our trip next summer. We are hoping to either go to Europe or Hawaii to see some friends.

2. If you had to choose a movie title (a real one that already exists) for your life story, what would it be? Love Actually

3. If you were a teacher, what subject would you like to teach?
I would like to teach art to kindergarteners.

4. Has being a MilSpouse changed how you view holidays or how your holidays are celebrated? If so, how? If not, what hasn’t changed?
It does change the feeling of Christmas when you do not get to celebrate with your husband when he is deployed. It seems like there are a number of other milspouses that dont get to spend Christmas with their soldier this year. Hopefully you won't have a blue Christmas and you at least can spend it with some family members. It does make me a little jealous to think of other families cuddling up together because of our men who protect them and our country overseas.  

5. What is your favorite Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) memory?
My favorite Christmas would be when celebrated our engagement and all of our loved ones were their to congratulate us. We had lobster macaroni and cheese, beef tenderloin sliders and other yummy food! :)

Foto Friday "Texture"

 Snow flakes make everything white

 Natural organic textures

Icicles melting off the gutters...

Friday Fill In & Foto Friday

Hello Milspouse Bloggers! I am super excited! Today, I am participating in two Friday activities. "Foto Friday" is brand new and started by House Hold 6 Diva and of "Friday Fill In" is from Wife of a Sailor. Thanks for viewing my blog. I look forward to reading yours! Come again next Friday!

House Hold 6 Diva                               Wife of a Sailor

Theme for Foto Friday: Things You LOVE..... "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens... small tiny packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things!" Sound of Music

God's creations

  Our pups, Charlie and Lucy

My husband....boots safely on the ground

A Mother's Love... I didn't take this one, but I thought I would still add it in.  My pregnant mother glowing. I love this picture! She looks so cute.

Friday Fill In

1. If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, with all human neeeds -such as food and water, were taken care of what two items would you want to have with you?

This is easy. My husband and some chapstick! 

2. If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have?

Oil and Red wine vinegar. It would be simple, but a little surprise at the end.

3.  If you had to live on a ranch, what kind of animals would your raise/own?

Horses! I would love to ride horses! Pigs (Oink), I could help the family Sausage Company with their meat! I would also adopt dogs!! Ooh and cows too. How amazing would it be to make your milk and cheese? so organic

4. If your life was portrayed as a movie, who would you choose to play you and your significant other?

We would be like the characters in "The Quiet Man", John Wayne and  Maureen O'hare. We can fight like animals, but we love just as fierce. Of course, he would not drag me by my hair into our house from town. Obviously, that is a little extreme. :) I think we had this question in a different format a couple weeks ago and I also said John Wayne for my hubby. hehe

5. What was the last thing you put a stamp on? (envelope dah, but what was in it?)

I am a big fan of the post office. I love it! I love sending mail and I adore stamps. I am pretty sure I have mentioned this before on the blog. However, the last thing I put a stamp on was a birthday card for a family member. His birthday was today. Happy Birthday Adam. 

Friday Fill In

Thanks Wife of a Sailor for another great week of questions! Visit her website and join Linky to also become a part of these questions. Thanks for stopping here too!

1. A different twist on last week’s question. This week, the first question is: what’s the nicest thing a MILSPOUSE has ever done for you? (brought to you from navy_smurfette)
My favorite milspouses have done so much for me. They are always there to listen, be a soundboard and a friend.

2. How often do you drive faster than the speed limit?
I am pretty good about staying around the speed limit. I am guilty of it on the expressway mostly. NEVER ON BASE. The MP's are not guys I want to mess with on base.

3. Did you have a nickname in school? If so, what was it?
It was Height because of how tall I am and my maiden name.

4. If your life was a book, what would the title be and how would it end?
"Height to Peacock" I would obviously want to know the ending because that is how I like to read books. (I read the last page). I like surprises, but sometimes I am afraid I might not like it and I don't want to get to the end and realize how awful it is. I would hope that it would be a happy ending, filled with love, laughter and family.

5. Look back (in your planner if you have one) to September 14th… what did you do that day?
I was driving to Georgia for my LT's Airborne Training. I didn't even have to look at my planner. It was a pretty fun drive with my husband.

Friday Fill IN

Hey Everyone! TGIF! It's spaghetti night here at the Peacock's Household. Thanks to Wife of a Sailor, I have met some wonderful Milspouse. Please join me and everyone under Linky in this Friday Fill IN.

1. What's the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
You all are strangers to me, but some how we are connected via our blogs. You all inspire me to learn more about this life and promote awareness. So many people have no clue to this lifestyle and our words give a little bit more of a realistic point of view.

2. If your are having a hard time falling asleep, what do you do to help yourself?
Typically, I pray the rosary. The repetitive words and sound are peaceful. It's almost a mantra.

3. Name something that makes you want to be a kid again.
If I have to pick one (other then responsibilities of bills) I would say the feeling of being untouchable. No worries. Sleep filled worriless nights.

4. What is something you never believed until you experienced it?
I never believed I would be a grown up! Somehow that happened!

5. What can't you say "no" to?
I have a tendency to always make everyone happy and not say "no". However, I usually never say no to my sister. Anything she wants, I am usually more then happy to make it happen.

Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Fill In

Good Morning blog world,

Today is Friday Fill In. Join me, Wife of a Sailor and other military wives from Linky to answer some of these 5 questions.

1. Are you a night owl or an early bird?
I am probably more of an early bird right now, only because I have two pups now that wake up at 5:17am everyday to be fed. I try to go back to bed after all of their needs, but for some reason, my mind wanders of all the tasks I have to accomplish for that particular day.

2. What makes you jealous?
Jealousy is an ugly color on anyone, but sometimes I am envious of my civilian friends who live "normal" lives with their husbands.  Obviously, it's not something I dwell on too much because I would be one unhappy milspouse.

3.  Have you started Christmas/holiday shopping yet? When will you finish? There are only 63 days left!
The most I have done regarding Christmas shopping is to make a list and start a savings account. We try to pay all cash for gifts and make a budget. In the past couple years, Christmas shopping just hasn't been fun for me. People are more concerned about gifts and not necessarily being with family.

4. What would you have a personal chef make you tonight?
My Cordon Bleu sister would be my personal chef and anything she had on the menu I would be happy with. Sometimes I wish I could cut an onion just like her!

5. Where was your first kiss?
My first peck was at a new years even party circa 1999.

Have a Happy Friday!

Friday Fill In

Head on over to Wife Of A Sailor to add your own MilSpouse Fill In.

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

The longest road trip was from Michigan to Ft Still, OK. 18 hours in the car with my pup! I drove straight through. 

2. Do you collect anything? Tell us a bit about it.
Do I Ever? I am a pack rack and so is my LT. It's getting a little out of hand. We have way too much sports paraphernalia I collected the 50 state quarters. My dad actually bought me the collectors mint additions. I collect Pride and Prejudice books and sea shells. 

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

4. What song brings a tear to your eye?
American Soldier, Toby Keith

5. Describe your first plane ride (how old you were, where you were heading, etc).

My earliest memory of a plane ride was with my whole family to Disney World. Every jerky moment made me a nervous nelly!! 

Friday Fill - In # 15

Friday Fill in comes from Wife of a Sailor! This week is MilSpouse Friday Fill in # 15.

1. What is the silliest get-up you have ever worn outside of a Halloween party? (from To The Nth)
My Catholic school uniform everyday from 1st grade to 12th grade. HA!

2. What is something that you gave up in order to live the military lifestyle? (from Pennies from Heaven)
This question is tough to answer. There are so many sacrifices we make, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I would say not living close to family, every other sacrifice I may have made, I could still pursue it with this lifestyle.... it would be a little tougher though. :)

3. If money wasn’t a factor and you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? And why? (from Life and Times of a Displaced Jersey Girl)
HANDS DOWN! Italy. I have never been there, but being raised in an Italian family, obtaining a degree in Art History and my love for Italian wine and cooking has given me the biggest desire to travel there.

4. If you were going to join the military, what branch would you join? Or which MOS/rating would you choose? (from Anonymous)
This question is funny! Of course I would choose Army, because my husband would be ticked otherwise... actually he wouldn't. If I told him I wanted to join the Navy, he would 110% support me. I love that about him. He always encourages my dreams! My branch would have to be Field ARtillery too. I would like to be King of Battle and know a little bit more regarding my husband's job.

5. What is your favorite thing to make for dinner? (from Armendinger Party of 4)
Ok... I feel like this is the most important topic: FOOD! If I had to pick, (I am sure my answer will fluctuate at different times) I would say chicken friend rice. It's fun, easy and very tasty. Plus, it's a family favorite.