[What I Did] The Stage

Back in high school, I was really into theater and chorus. It was something I really loved doing. I got to be with my friends and have fun and act and sing.

I definitely miss high school, and if I could, I would go back just so I could do these things.

In theater, I was in one big stage musical ("Thoroughly Modern Millie"), several smaller plays and several Dramatic Interpretations for Theater Meets, including Claudia from Interview With A Vampire (the novel, not the movie).

Thoroughly Modern Millie cast. I'm in the middle row, second from the left in the blue dress.

TMM, with Tanika Lee (left, blue dress) and me (right, gold dress). I got soy sauce dumped on me right after this.

Today, I popped in the DVD of my high school production of TMM and just sat in awe. It's been so long since I've done anything like this, and it makes me so sad that I can't anymore (no auditions at the local theater group).

Now, granted, I'm not the best singer, not by far, but I like to pretend I have a pretty nice voice. I was in chorus for 9 years, from second grade to senior year, minus one year that I pretended I was too cool for it. I miss it, too. One thing I love about church is getting to sing the hymns and stare at the sheet music like I know how to read it. I don't. :]

One thing I remember about chorus was the time we got to go up to Temple Square and sing. It was so beautiful, even if I did have to wear one of the worst uniforms ever to be imagined.

Singing in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, December 23, 2007.

Another angle of the JSMB. This place was gorgeous.

I even did some singing with my friends for a talent show. We had a little one night band called Sisterwife. We were a cello ensemble, with only one cello and a drummer. It was pretty awesome.

I'm the one who looks like a cracked out Dorothy. :]

Sigh. I can't wait until I am able to do something similar to this again. I miss it so much.

[What I Did] Tumblr

I made one.

Go here to see it. Follow if you have one. I'll follow back. Duh. :]

Something I've learned: watermark your original photos. People will steal them. True story.

My friend's photo, posted here.

My friend's photo, stolen and watermarked by this person.

People like that make me want to punch the world. :/ Sigh. But what can you do? What would you do if it happened to you (your photos being stolen and used as someone else's)?

[What We Did] Trunk or Treat & Followers Fest

So last night we packed up our truck and headed on base. Husband's unit (who is deployed) was holding a Trunk-or-Treat, and I wanted to have Bear experience something Halloween-y. The base fire department was there, too. Husband really liked that. :]

 In case you can't tell, Bear was a Jedi master. The firemen even gave him his own lightsaber. He was super sleepy the whole time though, and he started to get a bit fussy. That's what happens when he only takes one nap.

There is a fall festival on base tonight and another opportunity for dressing Bear up. I think I may even do something fun with my appearance this time. I love Halloween. :]

[What I Did] Family Days

I know I'm not perfect. Far from it, in fact. I'm quick to anger and I have a tendency to snap when someone says something that I perceive to be snotty. I get frustrated very easily, especially when things don't happen just the way I want them to. I have a very low tolerance for stupidity (driving with me is nearly impossible).

But I'm trying.

I'm learning how to watch my tone. I'm learning to think before I say something that someone might call "catty" or "childish." I'm not always good at this. But I'm learning.

I need to, because I have to be a good example and strong leader for my family. I have to keep it together (my mind and temper, that is), not only for me, but for my guys. I don't want something avoidable to wear me down and break my spirit. That is not something that Bear needs to see in his Mommy, nor Husband in his wife.

Something that is helping me do all of this is spending days out of the house with my perfect little family. Walking down to the park, wandering around San Diego, going to the fair with friends...All of this is helping me be a better person.

I make it a point to try and get out of the house at least once a day, even if it's just going to the MCX and looking at all the stuff I've seen a zillion times. I always try to leave for my doctor's appointments an hour early so we have time to walk around Balboa Park for a bit. I try so hard to avoid going back to our little apartment, and the distractions that dwell there.

I need to start bringing my camera to more things. I missed out on some pretty amazing Sea World pictures yesterday. I hate not being able to capture everything, even if it's only on my cell phone. Being able to hold on to these memories is something I cherish.

My family is the thing I love most in this world. Husband and Bear are my anchors. They are my inspiration. I want to prove to them that I can be better than I am, regardless of the situation. Everything I do is for them.

My guys have saved me in more ways than I can count. I strive to be a good, caring mother and wife in all things I do. If I fail something, seeing how much they care makes me want to try again.

I love them. Plain and simple.

Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. No matter what. 

[What I Did] 104.6

Today started off awesome. Good moods for me and Bear. Perfect lighting for pictures. To do list nearly done.

Then four p.m. rolled around. And Bear was warm. Too warm. I checked his temperature...

Yeah. Not good at all. So Becca and I loaded him up and took him to Emergency. By the time we finally got into the triage room, his temperature had raised to 105.3. The corpsman gave him some Motrin and Tylenol.

We waited, talked to the doctor, got him all checked out. Everything looked normal. No ear infection. Not teething. No red throat. Normal. But an hour after he was given the medicine, he was still burning up.

The doctor told me he wanted to get some blood work done.

We waited, Becca was asked to go to the waiting room...and the "torture" began.

My poor Little Bear was pretty much restrained by one corpsman while another attempted to take blood from his right arm. I say attempted, because Bear was SCREAMING and trying to pull his arm away. The needle came out, and blood started pouring out of his little arm. So the corpsman and I changed places, and he got it out of the left arm.

The whole time, Bear was screaming, looking at me like I was the one hurting him. He was calling for Husband, saying "Dadadada!" I was crying, I hated seeing that look on his face, in his eyes.

After they were done, they bandaged him all up, and we got to wait again.

My poor baby...I feel so horrible. We still don't know what is wrong with him. I'm so scared that it is something he picked up from me taking him out and about.

When we were finally able to leave, his temperature was down to 101.8. His blood work came back normal. I was told that if the blood culture came back odd, we would be notified. So far, nothing, so I'm assuming it's normal as well.

On our way home, Becca filled up my front driver side tire...only to discover that there is a screw in it. So tomorrow I have to go get that changed out. I'm so stressed right now. No fun.

Sigh...10 more days, and I will have Husband and Bear will have Daddy...

[What I Did] Distracted

I woke up this morning with a plan. A list of things I was going to do today, because they need to be done.

1. Drop off my job application. 
2. Grab some Starbucks with that extra shot of espresso to avoid my mid-day sluggishness.
3. Go on base and check out the gym.
4. Clean out the fridge.
5. Do the dishes.
6. Tackle my mountains of laundry (both clean and dirty).
7. Sweep and mop.
8. Clean my room.
9. Work on that necklace, that painting, that chalkboard, that pillow, those granny squares...

Wanna know how much I got done?

1. Drop off my job application. 
2. Grab some Starbucks with that extra shot of espresso to avoid my mid-day sluggishness.

 Yup. I fail hardcore. But, I have a very good excuse:

"What game should I play, Darlin?"

Yeah. This handsome Devil Dog got to come home for 3 whole hours to shower and do some laundry. Definitely the best three hours I've had in almost a month. The few days he had here (July 1-July 9) were riddled with stress and irritation (both on my part). But today...Today was just what I needed.

The stomachache I've had for three days went away as soon as I saw him. I got to be held. We kissed. Everything I've needed, I got it. Just having him near me relaxes me, and trust me, I've needed to relax these last few weeks...

My guys. <3

I even snapped a few pictures. Which makes me happy. I love pictures of my guys.

I think this was a legitimate excuse for not doing my list, don't you?

Needs sleep.

Even though he did get his smallpox in my hair. :/

I took him back, came home...then turned around and went back on base to find him. He forgot his laundry. Silly Husband. So after a "Duh" and a smile and about a zillion air kisses, we sadly parted ways for another two weeks.

Marine Bear playing with his ducky squeaker.

Husband left one of his boonie covers here for Bear to love on and play with while he's in the field. Bear does enjoy playing with his Daddy's hats. :]

Sigh...Here's to completing my list tomorrow!

[What I Did] Guest Blogging

Hey everyone! Head on over to Elise's Pieces and check out my guest post, cuz Elise is awesome. :]

Click me!

[What I Did] Mall Trip

So I've decided I don't do enough "everyday life" posts. It seems like all I do is crochet and complain and listen to music. No more, I say! Now, I will be a human being who goes out and does things.

Like this:

At the mall with Becca and Toni.

And this:

Olive Garden. Yummy <3

And some more of this:

I love the glasses I'm wearing. They have Cookie Monster on them.

I'm finally having fun here in 29.

I've met and become friends with these two awesome girls:

Olive Garden!

We do crazy things, like make rainbow cupcakes and color our hair pink and purple and blue, and hang out till 12:30 in the morning. Plus, our Marines all work in the same shop, so we get to hang out as a group as soon as Mojave Viper is over with. Yeah!

Friends rock. :]

Source: google.co.uk via Anna on Pinterest

Top: Shade
Glasses in Photos 1 + 3: Hot Topic 

[What I Did] Welcome Home, Daddy

So Husband is going to be home soon (either today or tomorrow), and I wanted to have a totally unique "Welcome Home" banner. So I painted it on my wall. :]

Yup, it's a chalkboard. A TURQUOISE chalkboard. I made the paint myself. I'm pretty proud. :]

It's in my dining/craft room, so when he sits down to eat the nommy chicken pot pie and vegan cupcakes I'm going to make him, he's going to see it and go "Aw, Darlin...You missed the edges." To which I will reply "Hon, you have to do SOMETHING. I'm not going to do all the decorating myself." Because I'm nice like that.

What do you think?

Ciao!