Author Archives: Reb

Six More Years…

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This is both something to celebrate and kinda sign over at the same time. My husband reenlisted for six more years in the Navy. Which – yay!- means he has a job for six more years! But also means the Navy owns him for six more years. Or actually, more realistically 10 more because he’ll probably stay in and retire.  The Navy has been good to us over the past 10 years, yeah it was a little tough when we first got in, but now we are comfortable, moving, deployments, all that stuff is just something we got used to as part of his job. It’s part of our life now. I could never have imagined where this decade has led us in the Navy, we kinda figured we would ride out 4 or 6 or 8 years in Norfolk. Staying in for 20 was never really in the cards, neither was living overseas. Now I just have to sit back and see what surprises the next 10 years brings. I am so very, very proud of my sailor and the sacrifices he has made.

Now, onto the reenlistment ceremony!

As cheesy as it is, I really wanted to be at at least ONE ceremony of his! I have never been at a reenlistment or frocking (promotion) ceremony before so I skipped out on a few hours of work to come hang out.

Thankfully I was able to do a quick and easy catering job courtesy of the local commissary!

 

And before you get to reenlist you actually have to get kicked out… Here he is getting an honorable discharge.

For those few seconds between getting kicked out and reenlisting, he was a free man! Pretty much all the jokes have been made, trying to run, jokingly cussing out a superior, etc…

Swearing back in… Why hello PAO, that is a nice ring you have there!

 

Making it official and signing his life away for six. more. years!

So thankful that one of the MC’s got this picture. We have SO few pictures of just the two of us!

Rivera Gardens: The BEST viveros ever!

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Okay, I have heard about this place for YEARS and have had numerous people tell me I HAVE to go… Our nurseries here are called viveros, and they are all over the place. The one right by the base is Viveros El Lago, I have spent a pretty penny in there on pots, flowers, herbs and ceramics.

Well one day we had some time to kill and decided to head out to the big viveros in Chipiona. A friend gave me directions and I thought I knew where it was based on the few times I’ve driven through Chipiona. Well we follow those directions and get no where. We were out in the country with nothing looking like a garden center in sight. Finally after back tracking and asking for directions and STILL not being able to find it we gave up. Decided to keep heading down the road and go to Las Dunas mall in Sanlucar. Wouldn’t you know it, we ran into the dang garden center! It was no where NEAR where I thought it was and where my directions said…

Well we found it and I could have probably wasted an entire day in there…

From the outside. The play area inside. Jungle gym & playhouse. There is also a small merry go round. And while your kids play you can enjoy a snack or coffee from the cafe inside. So nice.

There is a huge pond in the middle of the place with an island and multiple bridges. And lots and lots of koi.  I have no clue what my son is doing, probably some superhero pose.

Oh my. The plants. I’ve pretty much had to let my garden go which was really hard this spring when all I wanted to do was buy a crap load of flowers and plants. It didn’t help that we had a super hard frost for the first time in 4 years that killed EVERYTHING! My hibiscus, my banana plant, my dame de la noche. All my big stuff froze! It’s all starting to come back but I am just hoping I get some flowers out of my hibiscus before I move! Anyways, it was very hard not to buy a hydrangea in every color, they are one of my favs. (Although it took like 4 times to spell the name right)

Along with plants they also have animals! Puppies and chickens and peacocks, oh my! Seriously though if we have a yard when we move to Hawaii I am going to get some damn chickens. I want chickens SO BAD! Also who knew you could just buy peacocks? They were about 70-80 euro each, not too bad right?

O hiding under this pretty fern. Me and the girl…

This place also had outdoor furniture, grills, home decor, and tons and tons of ceramics. They have a sister store next door that sells cut flowers. It was closed when we went which is probably a good thing. Fun day shopping!

Rivera Garden directions and info.

The dreaded closet clean out

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So over the holiday weekend I decided to FINALLY delve into my horrible closets and start cleaning them out. I am a hider-of-things-in-the-closet. The house may be picked up but that is because I just toss it all behind closed doors.

Also pulled out all the kiddos summer clothes and packed up the winter stuff. We have way too many winter coats, hoodies and sweaters, especially since the kids may not ever wear this stuff again.

Now I have a giant pile of crap in the middle of the living room that I am trying to get rid of. It’s getting smaller but pretty soon the rest of it is going to go right to the thrift store.  Hopefully. I kind of have a hard time finishing projects that I start. I wouldn’t be surprised if a week or two from now my husband is tripping over stacks of old DVDs, outgrown clothing and baby toys wondering when the hell I am going to get rid of the rest of it…

So feeling a bit more ready house-wise. Of course there are still hurdles to jump through. I am the last one to get all my medical screening stuff signed off. Dental is tomorrow and then I should be done. Of course I’ll probably have a cavity, my teeth are the worst!

Also, took my dog back to the vet today. He has been acting funky for a couple of weeks. Vomiting, not himself. The first visit didn’t take care of the problem, so back he went for a blood draw and I have to drop him off tomorrow so he can do a contrast x-ray in case he decided to eat another pair of my underwear and they are stuck somewhere.

I feel like with every box I check off I have another and the stress level is never ending! I am just ready to be LIVING in Hawaii! The packing/moving/hotel part I could skip over! Done complaining. For now.

Posted in PCS

Tween drama

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Oh my. I don’t even remember what argument this was even about. I spied this on her door the next day and couldn’t help laughing.  I know it’s just going to get worse from here and not as amusing. The joys of having a ten year old daughter…

In Memorium

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It seems like everybody and their mama is reminding you that today isn’t just about barbecuing with friends, that there is a purpose to this holiday. I feel when you are a part of the military community that this thought is never really that far from your mind.

I feel blessed that my sailor is home safe with us today, that we aren’t worrying about his well being or safety. That he is able to be here with his family. That I don’t have to raise my children without a father.

I am so very, very thankful for all of the military members far from home who are doing their part in keeping us safe.  I am so very grateful for all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives for our country.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Opening Day!

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Oh Summer… I have been waiting for you…