I want to write about so many things that I just do not know where to begin! So, I did a tag. It’s sort of mindless, but they are fun, and you do get to know a little bit about me (and my husband too)! I swear the thoughts and words are there, and I will get them hopefully sooner than later.
1. How did you and your spouse meet?
We met through a mutual friend. I became friends with her in high school, and he met her at university. One evening Steven was having a small get together and happened to invite our friend Michelle, and I tagged along. We immediately hit it off. We were totally Myspace friends the next day (soooo we’re old).
We met through a mutual friend. I became friends with her in high school, and he met her at university. One evening Steven was having a small get together and happened to invite our friend Michelle, and I tagged along. We immediately hit it off. We were totally Myspace friends the next day (soooo we’re old).
2. How old were you when you two met?
I was 20, he was 23.
I was 20, he was 23.
3. How long have you been together?
We started dating at the end of March in 2007 – so, almost 7 years!
We started dating at the end of March in 2007 – so, almost 7 years!
4. Where are you and your spouse originally from?
The Sacramento area of California (Northern/Central)
The Sacramento area of California (Northern/Central)
5. How did you feel about him joining the military?
I think I was every emotion at first. I was scared that he would change. I was mad that the Army kept changing dates and time frames and we were apart longer than expected. I was happy that it was a whole new chapter for us. I was excited for the doors it would open for him and for us. I was… a little bit of everything. I still am, to be honest.
I think I was every emotion at first. I was scared that he would change. I was mad that the Army kept changing dates and time frames and we were apart longer than expected. I was happy that it was a whole new chapter for us. I was excited for the doors it would open for him and for us. I was… a little bit of everything. I still am, to be honest.
6. Where did your spouse go to Basic Training?
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
7. Has your spouse ever been deployed?
Yes. He was deployed from August to November of last year in Afghanistan. We got extremely lucky that it was so short. He was not in a safe place.
Yes. He was deployed from August to November of last year in Afghanistan. We got extremely lucky that it was so short. He was not in a safe place.
8. Ever been to his promotion ceremony?
No, but hopefully soon! He joined as a Specialist (E4) because he has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology.
No, but hopefully soon! He joined as a Specialist (E4) because he has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology.
9. How long have you been a military wife?
I’ve been Steven’s Wife since October 1st, 2011. Steven swore into the Army in August of 2012.
I’ve been Steven’s Wife since October 1st, 2011. Steven swore into the Army in August of 2012.
10. Did you marry him before or after he joined?
Before! The idea had not even crossed our minds yet.
Before! The idea had not even crossed our minds yet.
11. How did your husband propose?
Romantically! Steven took us for a few days away to our very favorite place in the world: Monterey, California. We had been there a day or two. THAT particular day we had spent at Old Fisherman’s Warf, Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and topped it off with dinner at Bubba Gump’s. We got back to our hotel and decided to take a walk on the beach. It was January, and it was California cold. He teasingly told me to go touch the water, and after some convincing, I finally did. I turned around and Steven was quite a ways away down the beach, running at me with a corked wine bottle in hand. He claimed to have found it and of course my immediate response was: is there a message in it?! AND luck would have it, it did! My sweet Steven had written a letter (had soaked it in tea and burnt it around the edges to make it look like it had indeed been lost at sea) explaining how much he loved me and how he could not imagine his life without me. When I got done reading it, he got down on one knee, and asked me to be his wife. YES! YES! YES!
Romantically! Steven took us for a few days away to our very favorite place in the world: Monterey, California. We had been there a day or two. THAT particular day we had spent at Old Fisherman’s Warf, Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and topped it off with dinner at Bubba Gump’s. We got back to our hotel and decided to take a walk on the beach. It was January, and it was California cold. He teasingly told me to go touch the water, and after some convincing, I finally did. I turned around and Steven was quite a ways away down the beach, running at me with a corked wine bottle in hand. He claimed to have found it and of course my immediate response was: is there a message in it?! AND luck would have it, it did! My sweet Steven had written a letter (had soaked it in tea and burnt it around the edges to make it look like it had indeed been lost at sea) explaining how much he loved me and how he could not imagine his life without me. When I got done reading it, he got down on one knee, and asked me to be his wife. YES! YES! YES!
12. Where did you get married?
Wilson Vineyards in Clarksburg, California. It’s BEAUTIFUL, it’s in the country, and it was AMAZING!
Wilson Vineyards in Clarksburg, California. It’s BEAUTIFUL, it’s in the country, and it was AMAZING!
13. How old were you two when you got married?
I was 25, he was 28.
I was 25, he was 28.
14. Did he wear his uniform on his wedding day?
Again, the Army was not even in our plan at that time.
Again, the Army was not even in our plan at that time.
15. Where is your spouse currently stationed?
Fort Riley, Kansas
Fort Riley, Kansas
16. Do you live on base?
Not currently!
Not currently!
17. How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation?
We had been married about ten months when he left for basic training. Seven months later he returned home for a few weeks before we moved to his first duty station.
We had been married about ten months when he left for basic training. Seven months later he returned home for a few weeks before we moved to his first duty station.
18. What is your favorite base so far?
Fort Sam Houston, Texas! That’s where Steven went to his MOS (job) training.
Fort Sam Houston, Texas! That’s where Steven went to his MOS (job) training.
19. Do you think your spouse looks good in his uniform?
Duh!
Duh!
20. Do you think military life is more advanced than civilian life?
I’m not entirely sure what this question is asking. Military life is like…. You have to live it to fully understand it, in my opinion. Before Steven joined I had a lot of opinions about it, and most of them were wrong. It’s NOT easy though. Yes, it’s guaranteed income for him, it means money for housing. It also means being separated A LOT (and a lot of that time you do not have any form of contact), not knowing if he is safe, living across the country (or in some cases, the world) from your friends and family, and living in a completely different place than you are used to (maybe not for all, but probably for most). It also comes with dealing with a lot of misunderstanding from the outside world. We are at war folks. The media only tells you what it thinks you should know.
I’m not entirely sure what this question is asking. Military life is like…. You have to live it to fully understand it, in my opinion. Before Steven joined I had a lot of opinions about it, and most of them were wrong. It’s NOT easy though. Yes, it’s guaranteed income for him, it means money for housing. It also means being separated A LOT (and a lot of that time you do not have any form of contact), not knowing if he is safe, living across the country (or in some cases, the world) from your friends and family, and living in a completely different place than you are used to (maybe not for all, but probably for most). It also comes with dealing with a lot of misunderstanding from the outside world. We are at war folks. The media only tells you what it thinks you should know.
21. Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent?
Yes. We have relatively good healthcare, we can live off post if we want (and we are), going on post to the commissary and exchange is nice.
Yes. We have relatively good healthcare, we can live off post if we want (and we are), going on post to the commissary and exchange is nice.
22. Do you have a lot of military wife friends?
Yes! Most of which I have never met in person.
Yes! Most of which I have never met in person.
23. What is the hardest part of the military life?
Being away from the ones you love, whether it is Steven who is away or us both being away from friends and family back home. Thank goodness for technology.
Being away from the ones you love, whether it is Steven who is away or us both being away from friends and family back home. Thank goodness for technology.
24. Do you own military wife stuff?
One of my very first and greatest milso friends, Julianne, bought me an Army Wife keychain when our husbands graduated from basic together (I love it and it has been on my keys ever since). I have three Army sweatshirts (none of which title me as wife). I bought a 3x T-shirt that says Army Wife & Fort Riley on it for $3, so it’s a pajamma shirt. I think that’s all… actually.
One of my very first and greatest milso friends, Julianne, bought me an Army Wife keychain when our husbands graduated from basic together (I love it and it has been on my keys ever since). I have three Army sweatshirts (none of which title me as wife). I bought a 3x T-shirt that says Army Wife & Fort Riley on it for $3, so it’s a pajamma shirt. I think that’s all… actually.
25. Do you support your spouse as a member of the military?
VERY much so. I would support Steven no matter what he did, though. He went to school for physical therapy and exercise science, and I supported him then (and learned a lot about anatomy in the process). He had several odd jobs in between college and the Army, and I backed him then, and for awhile was the only one with a steady career. AND You better believe I support him practicing what he went to school for and in A LOT worse conditions to better himself and his country! He’s so dang good at it too!
VERY much so. I would support Steven no matter what he did, though. He went to school for physical therapy and exercise science, and I supported him then (and learned a lot about anatomy in the process). He had several odd jobs in between college and the Army, and I backed him then, and for awhile was the only one with a steady career. AND You better believe I support him practicing what he went to school for and in A LOT worse conditions to better himself and his country! He’s so dang good at it too!
Winter Wonderland Tag ❄
Over the weekend Winter officially began! I am quickly learning the difference between a California winter and a Kansas winter! Saturday night and a little into Sunday morning it snowed eight and half inches here! Back home, it was in the seventies. My husband and I are learning to dress a little bit warmer and drive a little bit slower!
My friend Loey (her blog & youtube) tagged me to do the Winter Wonderland tag, and I’m sure she meant for me to do so on my YouTube channel, but a blog it is!
1. Favorite thing about winter?
Warmer clothes, scarves, hoodies, hot cocoa, and the feeling of the warm and fuzzies! I love watching the snow fall from the warmth of my home!
Warmer clothes, scarves, hoodies, hot cocoa, and the feeling of the warm and fuzzies! I love watching the snow fall from the warmth of my home!
2. Scarves or Beanies?
Scarves! I am not a big fan of beanies or hats in general. I do like big floppy hats though, but I never feel like they do much for keeping me warm. I have a ridiculous amount of scarves. I recently went through them and donated several, but the majority of them are still in my closet.
Scarves! I am not a big fan of beanies or hats in general. I do like big floppy hats though, but I never feel like they do much for keeping me warm. I have a ridiculous amount of scarves. I recently went through them and donated several, but the majority of them are still in my closet.
3. Favorite holiday movie?Scrooged and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation have been a part of my family’s Christmas tradition since I can remember. They are definitely two that we would always watch together at least once! I also love Elf, the Santa Clause, and A Christmas Story (Which I watch at least twice when TBS plays it for 24 hours straight!), and How the Grinch Who Stole Christmas! I’m also a big sucker for the Hallmark and Family channel original movies!
4. Favorite winter nail polish?
Of course I could not just choose one. Orly’s “Star Spangled” is a very festive red with spakles. OPI’s “I’m Not Really a Waitress” is a darker, shimmery red. Sally Hansen’s “Trouble Maker” is a dark purple. Sally Hansen’s “Golden-I” is a shimmery and sparkly gold!
Of course I could not just choose one. Orly’s “Star Spangled” is a very festive red with spakles. OPI’s “I’m Not Really a Waitress” is a darker, shimmery red. Sally Hansen’s “Trouble Maker” is a dark purple. Sally Hansen’s “Golden-I” is a shimmery and sparkly gold!
5. Favorite Starbucks Holiday Drink?
Peppermint mochas! I don’t think I like any of the other winter drinks they offer. Peppermint mochas, though, for sure! A white mocha with a pump of raspberry is available all year round, but I seem to get it more in winter.
Peppermint mochas! I don’t think I like any of the other winter drinks they offer. Peppermint mochas, though, for sure! A white mocha with a pump of raspberry is available all year round, but I seem to get it more in winter.
6. What are your top 3 winter essentials?
Friends & Family (I’m counting this as one) because the holidays are just not the same unless they are shared! Hot Cocoa because it’s delicious and keeps me warm! WITH marshmallows preferably! and warm, fuzzy socks! I have a ridiculous amount of Christmas themed socks.
Friends & Family (I’m counting this as one) because the holidays are just not the same unless they are shared! Hot Cocoa because it’s delicious and keeps me warm! WITH marshmallows preferably! and warm, fuzzy socks! I have a ridiculous amount of Christmas themed socks.
7. Name one item on your wish list this year.
Urban Decay’s Naked 3 Palette. Isn’t it on EVERYONES? The colors are absolutely gorgeous and I think they’ll go great with my skin tone and eye color!
Urban Decay’s Naked 3 Palette. Isn’t it on EVERYONES? The colors are absolutely gorgeous and I think they’ll go great with my skin tone and eye color!
8. Favorite holiday song?
Any and all on Hanson’s Snowed In Christmas album! “Everybody Knows The Claus” is my favorite.
Any and all on Hanson’s Snowed In Christmas album! “Everybody Knows The Claus” is my favorite.
9. Did you go Black Friday shopping this year?
NO! This year Black Friday turned into THANKSGIVING shopping and THAT’S just ridiculous in my book. I would much rather spend time with my family than fight crowds for a good deal. Holiday time like that is irreplaceable! OK – So I was half a country away from my family this year. IT’S the principle of the thing! I did take advantage of Cyber Monday though!
NO! This year Black Friday turned into THANKSGIVING shopping and THAT’S just ridiculous in my book. I would much rather spend time with my family than fight crowds for a good deal. Holiday time like that is irreplaceable! OK – So I was half a country away from my family this year. IT’S the principle of the thing! I did take advantage of Cyber Monday though!
10. Must have winter lip product?
Chapstick, lipgloss, lip balm! Lipsticks that are moisturizing. I don’t have a particular one that I MUST have. I do like deeper shades though!
Chapstick, lipgloss, lip balm! Lipsticks that are moisturizing. I don’t have a particular one that I MUST have. I do like deeper shades though!
11. Will you be rocking an ugly Christmas sweater this year?
I think it might even be a requirement! My husband and I got somewhat ugly sweaters to wear. They’re not covered in tinsel or anything like that, but they are not something we would pick out for ourselves otherwise.
I think it might even be a requirement! My husband and I got somewhat ugly sweaters to wear. They’re not covered in tinsel or anything like that, but they are not something we would pick out for ourselves otherwise.
12. Have you ever had a white Christmas where you live?
This will be our first Christmas in Kansas and YES! It will be a White Christmas! Back home, in the middle of California, it RARELY snowed and never on Christmas. I don’t think it even rained on Christmas most years!
This will be our first Christmas in Kansas and YES! It will be a White Christmas! Back home, in the middle of California, it RARELY snowed and never on Christmas. I don’t think it even rained on Christmas most years!
13. Favorite winter candle scent?
Bath & Body Works Leaves (which is probably more of a fall scent – sorry!) and Hot Buttered Rum! I do like any candle scented like Sugar Cookies, Apple Pie, or Cloves! I’m a lover of most of your typical winter scents.
Bath & Body Works Leaves (which is probably more of a fall scent – sorry!) and Hot Buttered Rum! I do like any candle scented like Sugar Cookies, Apple Pie, or Cloves! I’m a lover of most of your typical winter scents.
14. How will you be celebrating this holiday?
This year we will be spending Christmas in Kansas, and with our new friends who have become family! We all will be wearing Ugly Sweaters (I hope!) and instead of a traditional menu, we will be having Mexican food! For Steven and me, this is actually NORMAL. Well, we would have the traditional PLUS Mexican food. We are from California, after all 😉 We’re also planning on watching Matt Smith regenerate into a new Doctor on Doctor Who (And I will, indeed, cry my eyes out). AND HOPEFULLY be spending a lot of time Skyping with the family back home!
This year we will be spending Christmas in Kansas, and with our new friends who have become family! We all will be wearing Ugly Sweaters (I hope!) and instead of a traditional menu, we will be having Mexican food! For Steven and me, this is actually NORMAL. Well, we would have the traditional PLUS Mexican food. We are from California, after all 😉 We’re also planning on watching Matt Smith regenerate into a new Doctor on Doctor Who (And I will, indeed, cry my eyes out). AND HOPEFULLY be spending a lot of time Skyping with the family back home!
Christmas Eve is tomorrow! I’m going to take a few days off of blogging to spend time with my husband and our friends! I hope that everyone has a very fun and safe holiday! AND if you would like to do this tag, HAVE at it! 🙂
Sweater Weather Tag
I started a YouTube vlog awhile back that I never really stuck to. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to video editing and I’m also a total rambler. It made editing the videos a long and tedious process. PLUS I honestlty feel as though there are a lot better youtubers out there to watch as they discuss their makeup favorites and all that! For those of you who may or may not watch it, I will probably still upload to it, but it will be more as a support to my blog. I am a writer, this is what I do. However, that being said, I love the TAG videos I see. SO I may do one now and again as a video or a blog post. Please bear with me.
Over the past weekend my town had the first snowfall that actually stuck! It’s been very cold the past few weeks, but with the addition of snow, it’s really starting to feel like the holiday season! So here’s my version of the Sweater Weather Tag!:
1. Favorite candle scent? My favorite candle scents are the more wintery, warm, delicious scents. Apple Cinnamon, Sugar Cookie, and Hot Buttered Rum are some of my very favorites scents ALL year around!
2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? As much as I LOVE coffee and tea, hot cocoa is definitely my choice for winter. Whether it’s covered in marshmallows, dressed up with some sprinkles, or even served with some peppermint schnaps or baileys, it gives me that warm and fuzzy happy feeling! I am NOT a fan of whip cream though, you can keep that stuff! The best hot cocoa I have ever had was at Disneyland. Maybe it’s because it was THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH, but whatever magicalness they added to their Nestle mix and milk, they did it wonderfully!
3. What’s the best fall memory you have?
Steven and I got married October 1st of 2011. Our wedding colors were burnt orange and plum purple and we had pumpkins everywhere! That would DEFINITELY be number one. BUT It was a warm day, and usually still is that time of year (at least in the part of California we are from!), so I don’t really count that as fall fall.
My mother’s birthday is the end of November and there’s usually a pretty good sized get together at my parents’ house. In 2009 her birthday was so close to Thanksgiving that all the family that came out could attend her party. It was like having two Thanksgivings in one week!
Steven and I got married October 1st of 2011. Our wedding colors were burnt orange and plum purple and we had pumpkins everywhere! That would DEFINITELY be number one. BUT It was a warm day, and usually still is that time of year (at least in the part of California we are from!), so I don’t really count that as fall fall.
My mother’s birthday is the end of November and there’s usually a pretty good sized get together at my parents’ house. In 2009 her birthday was so close to Thanksgiving that all the family that came out could attend her party. It was like having two Thanksgivings in one week!
4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?
DARK LIPS! I am liquid eyeliner challenged! I’ve tried, and I just cannot do it. I do, however, love bringing out more red lipstick, dark reds and even some purple-hued ones. Nothing violet colored though, I’m not that adventurous!
DARK LIPS! I am liquid eyeliner challenged! I’ve tried, and I just cannot do it. I do, however, love bringing out more red lipstick, dark reds and even some purple-hued ones. Nothing violet colored though, I’m not that adventurous!
5. Best fragrance for fall?
I’m really bad with matching scents to season. I usually always just wear what I like to wear. Steven got me Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck a few years back and I do find myself reaching for that more in the colder months!
I’m really bad with matching scents to season. I usually always just wear what I like to wear. Steven got me Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck a few years back and I do find myself reaching for that more in the colder months!
6. Favorite Thanksgiving food?
This one is extremely hard for me because I love all food that is Thanksgiving related. I do, however, pile a significantly larger amount of mashed potatoes and gravy on my plate than others might. I also LOVE homemade cranberries!
This one is extremely hard for me because I love all food that is Thanksgiving related. I do, however, pile a significantly larger amount of mashed potatoes and gravy on my plate than others might. I also LOVE homemade cranberries!
7. What is autumn weather like where you live?
This is our first year in Kansas so, I’m not really quite sure. Typical autumn weather back in California was in the sixties, occasionally windy, with a few rain showers once and again. Kansas, on the other hand, seemed to skip the sixties and go right for the twenties. It’s been cold! It’s even snowed twice so far this season!
This is our first year in Kansas so, I’m not really quite sure. Typical autumn weather back in California was in the sixties, occasionally windy, with a few rain showers once and again. Kansas, on the other hand, seemed to skip the sixties and go right for the twenties. It’s been cold! It’s even snowed twice so far this season!
8. Most worn sweater?
I had a bright pink sweater from Express that had stripes of silver in it. I cannot for the life of me find a decent photo of myself in it. I have since given the sweater away, and as soon as I did I immediately regretted it. Last winter I found the exact same sweater but in black at a thrift store and bought it. It’s just not quite the same if it’s not pink!
I had a bright pink sweater from Express that had stripes of silver in it. I cannot for the life of me find a decent photo of myself in it. I have since given the sweater away, and as soon as I did I immediately regretted it. Last winter I found the exact same sweater but in black at a thrift store and bought it. It’s just not quite the same if it’s not pink!
9. Must-have nail polish this fall?
Anything DARK purple! I really like using deep reds also. I recently found a few shades of dark, mossy green I like a lot too!
Anything DARK purple! I really like using deep reds also. I recently found a few shades of dark, mossy green I like a lot too!
10. Football games or jumping in leaf piles?
I honestly do not do much of either. Steven does not watch football (thank God). I LOVE the sound of leaves crunchy under my feet though! That’s about as close as I get.
I honestly do not do much of either. Steven does not watch football (thank God). I LOVE the sound of leaves crunchy under my feet though! That’s about as close as I get.
11. Skinny jeans or leggings?
Skinny jeans! I do not wear leggings. If I do/did, it’s beneath my skinny jeans! I am six feet tall. I have a long torso. Sweaters that are supposed to be the long kind for normal size people so they can wear leggings, are not long enough for me! AND I think it’s completely unacceptable to wear leggings as normal pants. So….. Skinny jeans please!
Skinny jeans! I do not wear leggings. If I do/did, it’s beneath my skinny jeans! I am six feet tall. I have a long torso. Sweaters that are supposed to be the long kind for normal size people so they can wear leggings, are not long enough for me! AND I think it’s completely unacceptable to wear leggings as normal pants. So….. Skinny jeans please!
12. Combat boots or Uggs?
I like them both for different reasons. I do not own any combat boots (yet) but I think they are much more fashionable. I’ve been told Uggs are named that because they are Ugly. Whether that is true or not, I believe it to be true. BUT I wear them anyways because they keep my feet warm and toasty!
I like them both for different reasons. I do not own any combat boots (yet) but I think they are much more fashionable. I’ve been told Uggs are named that because they are Ugly. Whether that is true or not, I believe it to be true. BUT I wear them anyways because they keep my feet warm and toasty!
13. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?
It used to be for me. Venti Iced Pumpkin Chai with two pumps of Pumpkin was my absolute favorite go to drink for fall! However, just before fall kicked in this year, I got a twenty-four hour bug. I had a pumpkin scented wall plugin in my bedroom at the time. For some reason, I correlated the two and now pumpkin spice makes me feel like my stomach is going to turn! I’m sad about it and hope it will pass very soon!
It used to be for me. Venti Iced Pumpkin Chai with two pumps of Pumpkin was my absolute favorite go to drink for fall! However, just before fall kicked in this year, I got a twenty-four hour bug. I had a pumpkin scented wall plugin in my bedroom at the time. For some reason, I correlated the two and now pumpkin spice makes me feel like my stomach is going to turn! I’m sad about it and hope it will pass very soon!
14. Favorite fall TV show?
Does ABC Family’s 13 Days of Halloween count? It’s usually a bunch of Halloween movies, but I love it and look forward to it every year! It’s not fall until I watch Hocus Pocus! I really cannot tell the difference between season shows!
Does ABC Family’s 13 Days of Halloween count? It’s usually a bunch of Halloween movies, but I love it and look forward to it every year! It’s not fall until I watch Hocus Pocus! I really cannot tell the difference between season shows!
15. What song really gets you into the fall spirit?
When I was going to college back home I had a tradition for the first rain of the season. I don’t know why, but I think Jimi Hendrix is really great, soothing, rain music. Every year, the first rain would fall, and on my drive home from class, I would ALWAYS play Jimi Hendrix’s greatest hits. “The Wind Cries Mary” is my absolute favorite!
When I was going to college back home I had a tradition for the first rain of the season. I don’t know why, but I think Jimi Hendrix is really great, soothing, rain music. Every year, the first rain would fall, and on my drive home from class, I would ALWAYS play Jimi Hendrix’s greatest hits. “The Wind Cries Mary” is my absolute favorite!
If you see this and you would like to do the tag as well, please do! Let me know in the comments that you have! YouTube or Blog, let me know your answers! Happy Wednesday everyone!
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