Care packages

I send JC and a few of the guys in his unit care packages. It's fun for me, and I know that they all appreciate it. Some of these folks don't have the best support system, so it makes me happy that I'm able to bring a smile to their day from time to time.

This afternoon I had the most amazing experience! About a month ago, a girl I went to high school with mentioned that her parents are on the Board of a non-profit that sends care packages to deployed soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today was care package packing day. There were about a 100-150 of us packing about 500 care packages! Little kids from Girl Scout/Boy Scouts; high school students working on service projects; friends and family of soldiers from all branches of the military. I spent the afternoon with a woman who has no family or friends in the military, and was keeping an eye on her high school student. She was enthralled with everything I told her about the Army, and I quickly realized just how much I've learned about the joys of the military lately. In a time where I've had to defend my position on supporting our troops - to feel this sense of community - was utterly fantastic!! I can't wait for the time to roll around to do it again.

It may sound cheesy... but it felt SOOO good to do something little for the men and women that do so much for us each day.

Stress induced giggles

It's been a long week and I have a case of the stress induced giggles... In fact, my entire department has them! It's the last quarter of our fiscal year, which means chaos in general, but this week has been especially bad (crazy customers, missing FedEx packages, trainers stuck in airports).

By 2 PM yesterday, I was close to rolling on the floor laughing... Really, what are the alternatives? CRY?!?! I refuse to let all the crap here make me cry! The height of work stupidity was when I finished creating our 2010 calendar (yes, I know it's only February 2009, but I already have 2010 training obligations) and Excel SHUT ITSELF OFF as I tried to save. Yep, I love my calendar; I love our facility's computer network; HECK, I love Microsoft. Feel the love folks, feel the love....

I thought that a little sleep and that today is Friday (YAY!) would give the group perspective... no dice, I'm afraid! One of my crew (a sweet, innocent guy that I'll call Mark) wandered over this morning and mentioned that he had read a new study. Lord knows where online he found it - but apparently this study pronounces that middle aged women who work more than 40 hours a week are more susceptible to early onset dementia. He announced this to "the girls" and I with a straight face!! People - I'm 30 and the girls are just about the same age too. We just couldn't contain the laughter. Every time we looked at each other we just started laughing all over again. Ahh... he's lucky that he made this little announcement to us instead of women that are actually middle aged. It could have gotten him beaten before he hits his 24th birthday....

Ah... I can't wait to get out of this place and veg out with my doggies this weekend!

Hurry up and wait....

I like the Army; I respect the Army... but DARN IT, they are frustrating sometimes!

My brother - JC has only been overseas for about two months, so when he called and said that his leave was scheduled to start on March 1, I was surprised. But then thinking about it... there are so many people that are over there, and everyone has to take leave at some point, right? From experience, I know that getting from point A to point B is NEVER an exact science with the Army - or any branch of the military for that matter! Despite my own inner voice telling me not to get excited that he'd be home this weekend; I WAS EXCITED. (At this point, I should point out the conspicuous utilization of the word "was".)

You got it folks, he won't be home this weekend. The newest predication is sometime in the next 10 to 14 days. That narrows it right down for you, huh?! As long as he shows up, I DON'T FREAKING CARE!! Maybe that means he'll actually be home for his birthday. In the meantime, I'm covering ALL the bases and sending his birthday present early next week. It takes 11 days for mail/care packages to get to his FOB... Take THAT, military!! I'm always prepared for this stuff!

Sleep? What's that all about?!

I am an insomniac. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to sleep... I just can't most of the time. Friends, family, co-workers wonder how in the world I function on 3-4 hours a night of sleep. Honestly, I don't know; you just do. I guess you get used to it.

In the meantime, I use this "free time" to catch up on all the magazines, books, knitting, TV shows, quality time with my dogs, writing letters, sending care packages, etc. that I'm missing out on while I work a zillion & one hours a week (I'll address that topic another day...). This week alone - I've finished a scarf, read two book and cleaned out my DVR.

In the pursue of a "normal" night's sleep I've tried lots of different remedies. Sleeping pills, warm milk, aromatherapy, ambient light, vitamin supplements; you name it - I've probably tried it. The last time my doctor and I chatted about my lack of sleep she spurted out this theory and I'm not sure if she's crazy or brilliant. She theorizes that my problem is that I'm not sleeping WITH anybody (Oh, get your minds out of the gutter people!!) and that my body needs the breathing pattern, sarcadian rhythms, warm body, whatever to depend on to lull me to sleep.

My favorite insomnia theory actually comes from a movie... I stumbled across "Dream for an Insomniac" back around 2002. It's a cute independent film starring Ione Skye, Jennifer Aniston & Mackenzie Astin. The premise is that Ione's character is an insomniac that can't get a decent night's sleep until she finds true love (aka Mackenzie). I know this theory holds no water... but it's romantic and I like it!!

Vehicle Appreciation

I freely admit that I am blissfully ignorant of most vehicular functions. With that said - I know that my brother, father and other amazingly helpful males may not always be able to assist me in my time of need. I'm not completely helpless... I pump my own gas, can refill windshield wiper fluid, check the oil level and the air pressure on my tires. Plus I'm smart enough to know to get my oil changed every three thousand miles and to keep a AAA membership. Beyond that - I depend on my car to tell me what's wrong. Seriously, if an indicator light goes on... I head STRAIGHT to the mechanic.

I love my car! I spend enough time in traffic each day that a good relationship with my car is an absolute must. At this point, I should admit that I am the proud owner of a gas-guzzling SUV. Next time I need to purchase a new vehicle, I'll head for the hybrid SUVs, but I'll still buy a SUV. Part of my decision to own a Tahoe is that I like the ability to load up with people and stuff and just go & part of the decision is that I'm just so short! I really like the ability to see over the smaller cars. It's my few moments of tall each day!

The "check engine" light came on in my Tahoe, so she's visiting the mechanic today. I'm hoping that he calls and lets me know that A. It's fixable, B. It's not going to cost an arm and a leg, & C. That it'll be fixed today. In the meantime, my fabulous mother was kind enough to let me borrow her car. Truly, she is awesome! She has never hesitated to let my borrow her car (and she usually volunteers because she knows I feel horrible asking).

Driving other people's cars is fun. I like the variety, but inevitably - it makes me appreciate my car even more. I like knowing that it can whizz by the slow car in front of me; the familiar feel of my car that negates the need to over think the driving experience...and just DRIVE!

The beginning of a beautiful frienship...

Hi gang, I'm Cole... And I'm new to this whole blogging thing. Yep, I know I'm way behind the times! Just bear with me and I'll try to catch up quickly. You'll quickly notice that I'm majorly sarcastic (sorry in advance!), but I have the best of intentions.

For those of you that stumble across my humble blog - WELCOME! Any comments you leave (as long as they are nice) will be returned in kind. Now, here's a pilfered FaceBook note that I recently did to give you a glimpse at who I am.

1. I am a hopeless romantic.
2. I work too much... but my New Year's resolution is to try and stop that!
3. I love to knit.
4. I keep my passport with me at all times, in the event I need to flee the country. (No, I'm NOT kidding... All right, all right! I do keep my passport with me, but I've never actually needed to flee the country)
5. I still wonder what I'm going to be when I "grow up".
6. I really don't like being the center of attention.
7. I'm going to give in and write the book my friends have been pushing me to write (some day!)8. I like to see the best in people... even when they don't see it in themselves.
9. I am so amazingly proud of my brother, his buddies, my cousins and everyone else serving in the military.
10. I love to give gifts to people for no reason.
11. Eleven is my lucky number.
12. I'd love to have 3 or 4 kids.
13. I sometimes think it would be cool to open my own Doggie Day Care.
14. I am really good friends with my parents.
15. I pray every night.
16. I love board games.
17. I think that some people should just stop complaining! (I'm a glass half full kind of girl)
18. I have a list of everything I'd do if I won the lottery.
19. I am a crier...and I'm ok with it. It doesn't make me any less strong; just slightly more emotional.
20. I think that this is going to be a year of changes.
21. I am proud to have worked hard for everything I've accomplished in life.
22. I just can't imagine life without my dogs.
23. I read amazingly fast, and it totally messes with my monthly budget.
24. I've already pre-ordered the Twilight DVD.
25. I embrace my geekiness.

Cole