Oh, you mean I supposed to write in here?

I had no idea.:P

A cycle has come and gone since I last posted. I've been busy with our company website, and answering all the new people's questions. The Big Hat is in to another cycle, only two (and part of a third) left until we are no longer on the trail. I can't wait. Unless the powers that be extend him (oh no nonononono!)

The boys are fine, our puppy has turned into a bizarre looking, but very sweet, little dog, and I am very busy with everything. We'll be here for Christmas as usual, and I am thanking the heavens that he is home for yet another Christmas. I doubt we'll be so lucky next year.

so, Merry Holidays, Happy Christmas, or whatever it you are supposed to say nowadays.

So

Long time no talk, eh?

I've been busy. Really. CCD starts in another two weeks, the Big Hat and I have training for it next Sunday. (God Bless our RE for knowing the Big Hats only get Sundays) Family Day (Mid-Cycle) is almost upon us at the end of the month, so there are shirts and other things to get ready. My mom is coming for the end of cycle blow-out (otherwise known as, time for the Big Hat and I to hike the big trail on Pine Mountain) The puppy has a Vet appointment on Tuesday. I've got three different meetings coming up. The kids have various school and activity things that require my time. It's time to start seeing the endo again for the youngest, since cold season is upon us (and shoot, could the Big Hat bring any more germs home from work? Seriously, all you need to do is get these guys within sneezing distance of the enemy and kablooey!)

Plus, the puppy has been having playdates with her brother, who one of the other Big Hat's owns. (see above)

There just isn't time for a girl to think. ;)

School

The boys went back to school today. Too bad it was a short day, but ah, tomorrow, I get to enjoy a full day of quiet bliss.

Dear Mr. National Guard Recruiter,

You are a very nice man, but I am reaching the end of my patience. I do not want to join the Guard. I know I can retain my rank, get 15K in enlistment bonuses, and work towards retirement, and all during one weekend a month, two weeks a year.

However, I also know that signing your little contract earns me a one-way ticket to Iraq, and 12-18 months away from my children, not to mention my husband. Oh, what's that you say? The husband and I can go to Iraq together? Well golly gee, why didn't you say so! I am sure my mother would love to raise my four children!

Seriously, they must be getting desperate. I did one tour in Kuwait, that was enough for me, thanks. I'd like to keep all my limbs and assorted body parts. I came home to a baby who called my mom 'mama' and didn't want anything to do with me. I'd prefer not to go through that again.

In Big Hat's land, they are taking the recruits to the NBC Chamber tomorrow. The Big Hat likes to be the one in the chamber. He must enjoy getting snotted and/or puked on. No thank ye. I must admit, though, that the video Big Hat #2 takes is pretty funny. Yesterday was Eagle Tower. No one fell off, thank goodness. Not that that happens :looks around: A word of assvice to anyone who might have a loved one currently in training, please don't call the Big Hats and whine that Pvt Bobby Joe needs to call his mommy. Really, that rarely ends well for your son.

In volunteer work news, it looks like I'll be busier than I thought. Good.

In running news, I broke my stupid 10 minute mile plateau finally. The Midnight Madness 5k is in a few weeks. BBQ platter, here I come!

In Georgia news, it's damn hot.

Great, the youngest just took apart the puppy's kennel. sigh

Saturday Faturday

The Big Hat has to work today (of course! Training never ceases in humid-testosterone land!) and I am finishing up our new company website to be launched in two more weeks (when the poor guys finally get to use a phone) The pictures I am getting so far are hilarious. I can't wait to see what these guy's mommies and girlfriends think of them sweating like horses (see, I didn't say pig, because pigs don't sweat. College made me smert!) covered in grime, and looking like they are having the absolute worst time of their lives.

and really, it is a pretty sucktastic time, so I can't blame them. Would you look happy if some giant man is yelling in your face and forcing you to do bizarre exercises? I think not. Someone asked me at one of my volunteer meetings the other day if I still remembered my drill sergeants. Well, um, yeah, kind of hard to forget the giant man with bad breath who screamed in your face every 5 seconds. Assholes.

The boy children go back to school on Tuesday. Thank goodness. Though I wasn't thinking that when I was throwing down hundreds of dollars in school supplies last week.

Doh! I just remembered car plates are due next month (though one out of the three if free, thank you Mr. Purple Heart) That means it's the Big Hat's birthday. Hmmm, and I wonder how I could embarrass him this year? He didn't seem to appreciate Abba's Dancing Queen that I set as his ringtone on volume level 7 last year. I was calling to sing happy birthday too.

Well, there is always that Elvis impersonator...

Today's funny soldier sighting

When dropping off food to my husband, who has duty, I noticed a soldier walking towards the edge of the building. As soon as he was out of sight of the evil drill sergeants, he started strutting like he was hanging out with his friends back home. He disappeared upstairs and came back down, strutting until he reached the corner and line of fire of the evil big-hatted ones, whereupon he promptly went back into what I used to call the"omg-please-don't-notice-me-omg-omg"walk.

Poor guys.

Puppy!

oh yes, a new one. The husband brought her home with him from work.

Samson doesn't know what to think. Oh, we named her Delilah. She won't need to cut off Samson's hair though, he seems to do that just fine on his own.

Blogathon is over, and I want to thank everyone who came, supported us, blah blah everyone else said it better than I.

But really, thank you, from way deep down in me, thank you.

Blogathon

I know some of you are peeking :raising my eyebrows:

Once again, in one week, the blogathon starts, and Betty and the Mil Wives are doing it for the Fallen Heroes Fund. You know want to hear what I have to say about life in general, maybe some funny basic training (god, did I forget to mention my husband is a drill sergeant?) stories, or what about the time I was in Kuwait and happened upon a company of naked infantrymen?

Yeah, you know you want to hear about that.

and the cool games! You know you want to play those.

So hurry, go sign up to sponsor us, you've got one week left!