Stop & Smell the Roses Vlog Link-Up

So, I realize that this is my first post since November (and I'm sorry!!), but I'm really wanting to get back into my blog and create something good & meaningful here at Change is Necessary for Growth. Just because I haven't posted in awhile, doesn't mean that I don't 'religiously' check all of the other blogs that I subscribe to or follow.

One of them is House of Rose, by blogger Mandy. She and I danced together at the same dance studio growing up...I'm sure I could dig up lots of fun pictures of her & I with awesome dance costumes, rocking the BIG hair! :) So anyway, she started a vlog (a.k.a. video blogging) link-up 7 weeks ago, and I *love* tuning in to watch a few of them. It's called "Stop & Smell the Roses" and the basic premise of it is to do just that....STOP, and smell the roses...or talk about some things that you're thankful for this week. And everyone that makes a video links-up on Mandy's page so that we can all share!

I was sitting at work today, and I just really wanted to participate in this vlog link-up. I've never created a video for my blog before, so please be kind...and along with that, I don't have any video editing software, so this was done in 1 take, no Intro or fun graphics/transitions...hopefully I'll get there! So here it is, hope you enjoy and hopefully I can keep my momentum going to vlog next week & start posting regularly on my blog. And thanks Mandy for hosting!! :)

If you have something that you're thankful for, jump on over to House of Rose & link-up! Until next time...

Early Morning at the Airport

Well...don't you just hate it when you get to the airport and come to find out you've been bumped to the next flight...which leaves almost 2 hours later. And you're at the airport before any of the breakfast places open
:( AND I could have stayed in bed sleeping a bit longer with my puppies!! Yep...that's me.



BUT, okay, I'm done complaining because I get to see this guy in just a few hours...

For those of you that don't know...that's my husband, or who I usually refer to as the hubby! :) He is currently in northern California completing some AF training and getting ready to deploy soon. I haven't seen him in about a month, and miss him SO much (plus it's probably going to be awhile before I see him again). So I'm super excited to spend a few days with him in sunny Cali (sorry Monterey friends...I wish I could make it down to see you, but don't worry, I'll come visit as soon as I can)!!

So, I'm off to hunt down some airport breakfast & do some SERIOUS people watching (seriously, one of my favorite things to do)...and read my new Vince Flynn book. If you've never heard of VF, check his books out...they are awesome! I got turned onto them by some coworkers...and I can NOT put these books down once I start them. You'll have to read up on them if you want to know what they're about ;) ...I wouldn't give the summaries justice. Next on my list is One Day (which is coming out soon as a movie that stars Anne Hathaway).

Goal-Setting for the Following Week

1. Find a place to live in Omaha (moving in the next couple of months)

2. Schedule movers from base

3. Go through clothes, papers, and anything else...GET RID of stuff we don't need!

4. Apply for jobs (tired of doing this already)

5. Start new knitting project for expecting mother/friend

6. Keep running (ran Sat. = 1 mile; Sun = ran 1 mile/walked 1 mile)

7. Start cooking dinner with things I have at home instead of buying more

8. Try not to be so stressed and overwhelmed and emotional about the move ;)

Bloggin' From San Antonio Airport

Well, I went to visit the hubby this weekend in Texas...it was such a good trip and we had so much fun! We went out to eat (a bunch!), saw Iron Man 2 and even made it to a Blue Festival. The best part was obviously seeing the hubby after 2 months...

Man, is it hard being away from him...(warning: complaining to follow)

I consider myself a pretty independent person and I've lived by myself before...so it's not like anything new to me to be on my own. But, dang it, it was so hard leaving this morning knowing I'm going home without him! I was bawling like a baby when I left!!! :( I knew when Cody went into the military that this was what was going to happen...but it STINKS! I don't know when I'm gonna see him next and I think that's the hardest thing.

I don't know how all of the other military wives/girlfriends do it, that have their husbands away on deployments/TDY's for a year or more...I would like to say I'd be fine and keep myself busy. But I don't know, I think I'd go crazy. Especially these women who have kids...god bless them! They are admirable!

Okay, I'm done ranting...just not happy to leave!! :(
A more positive post to come soon!! :)

Introduction

So, hooray for my first post! Basically, I've decided to start a blog to update family and friends on what is going on in my life. Hopefully you will all find it fun and interesting and will want to keep reading! :)

The title of this blog really encompasses my life over the past year. So many changes have happened to me over the last 12 months, I can't believe 2009 has actually come and gone. Starting in Jan., the love of my life graduated from Basic Training for the Air Force. I traveled with his parents to see him graduate in Texas and couldn't have been more proud of him! I traveled back to IL, back to my life in graduate school (btw, I had been in school for basically 95% of my life :0) and I just couldn't find myself happy in my situation. Cody and I had been talking about how much we both wanted to be together, and he had actually got stationed in Monterey, California (um, beautiful vacation spot) for a year while he was training. I made some decisions, decisions that I am so happy that I made now that I'm sitting here almost a year later. I decided to leave my graduate program (although I was lucky to be able to finish up a Masters of Science before I left) and moved to Monterey with Cody:



We got married in Santa Cruz, March 8, 2009:


So, here I am...been in Monterey ever since with my wonderful hubby! It has been an adventure. But nonetheless, all of the changes that I have been through this past year, I have really grown as a person. I have always been a pretty independent person, but this whole year has been a major contributor to my independence. I miss my family and friends terribly, but have been lucky to visit a few times since I left the Midwest. And being newly-weds is so much fun!! :)

Being NYE and almost 2010, I am very much anticipating what all the new year is going to bring. Now, my blog will most definitely include all of the things that I enjoy doing (e.g. cooking, knitting, etc.), but a large influence in starting this blog is that starting tomorrow, I will be venturing into the land of vegetarians. This blog will accompany me on my journey! I plan on posting more on this topic soon. But, now to end this super-long post...Happy New Year to all! Hope you have a great celebration :)