Christmas Crazyness

  I hope everyone had such a good holiday. We sure did. Yesterday we visited with Mikes aunt and uncle. Pasta and chicken cutlets were on the menu. YUM! Today we ventured to downtown Cleveland. Mike has never eaten at the Great Lakes Brewing Company to that is were we set the Garmen to go. Not really knowing the area the parking was kinda hard. We ended up parking a little ways away. 22 degrees out was not fun to walk in when you don't really know where your going. We arrived to find out there was a 2 hour wait. I guess with it being holiday season everyone is still in from out of town. We decided to make our way to the bar and try to wait it out. We ended up grabbing a chair at the bar and half way through our 1st drink the manager came over and asked if we wanted to be seated. With wide eyes we said yes. Mike was drinking his usually Christmas Ale, and I tried the Wright Pils. I'm not one to branch out from my Bud Light but I could manage. Being 5.3% alcohol after 2 the taste started to grow on me so I just drank more. We ordered pub bits for an appetizer that were to die for. Like fish n chips but better. Mike had the pulled pork while I ordered a burger. With the restaurant being as busy at it was of coarse the food took longer then the norm, but it was worth i the wait. 
  After too many drinks and a full stomach, we decided to make a quick stop at Tower City. It was kind of disappointing. Its not how it was when I was a little kid. No good stores at all, and after 15 min we left.
  Mike is passed out now and I am sitting here surrounded  by tails and floppy ears.

There's No Place like Home

   The trip home was a long one. Supposedly 12 hour car ride of course turned into 14 but it could have been worse if the weather would have been bad. Leaving Topsail the dashboard thermometer read 72 degrees, now that we are in Ohio its a 40 degree difference. Bolo had his happy pills that made the car ride much more tolerable for my ears. It was actually kind of relaxing for the fist time with both Bolo and Mike not trying be louder then one another. We left around noon. I had everything ready to go, so when Mike got home from work we could just hit the road and it sure feels good to be back.
   We spent Christmas Eve with Mikes family. The tree was beautiful and the food was amazing. I never really had a "big family kinda holiday" so its nice that everyone gets together under one roof to celebrate. Christmas day was very nice too. Dad had to work so we waited for him to get off for the feast to begin. My mother worked very hard to make that delicious meal and you could definitely tell.
   One of the must while we are home is to stock up on Christmas Ale. We went to the store thinking that we were only able to purchase 1 six pack per person because that's how it was last year but it wasn't the case.  We ended up with 3 cases but already drank one so back to the store it is for more. Mike looks forward to it all year long so he needs to get his fix.
  Today my mother and I ventured out to accomplish the list of things we needed to do before she goes back to work tomorrow.  We left Mike at home which ended up being the best thing for him. I think he probably would have been miserable the whole time with all the different places we went. Mike and I are headed to the Browns vs. Steelers game on Sunday and because all of our clothes are in Hawaii now, we have no gear to wear to the game. You would think because the Browns aren't really doing fantastic there would be a lot of things to choose from at the stores. That was a wrong assumption. We went all over town trying to find cheap sweatshirts, hats and gloves.  Picking up the gloves at one store and the hats at another we finally had our outfits and being warn out, my mother and I decided to go grocery shopping and then head home.  We didn't even accomplish half of what was on the list to do but we were beat.
     Later that nigh Mike and I decided to go out and have a few drinks. It was nice to be out on a Monday night and actually be relaxed about not having to wake up early. It was .35 cent wing night at the bar so Mike decided to order a few, and because I don't eat wings, I thought the jalapeno poppers were a good choice. They are supposedly home made which I thought was a good sign. Taking my fist bit I was caught by surprise how hot they were. The tears started and the numbness kicked in. Usually I like spicy things and I have had them before and they weren't that bad. Boy, that was a bad choice on the menu.
     Tomorrow we have a few errons to run, but mostly we will probably just hang around the house with the pups.  Its so nice to be home!

Road Trip Preparation

   My pups and I spent the day getting prepared for our road trip home. Running a few errands in the morning and then coming home to tell Bolo that he needs a B-A-T-H! He looks at me with those crooked eyes like he knows what I am saying. Hes a good boy with it tho. Sheba barked the whole time Bolo was in his bath. Its like she didn't know where we were. I told Bolo to stay while I went over to her to make her stop. Lets just say there was a soapy dog was standing on the tile when I got back, and she still didn't stop the barking.

This picture was a accident but I thought it was kinda cute.

    Finally, Shebas turn and she always handles it well. Usually she just sits down because shes tired of standing.  She needed the bath the most. With all her allergies she has she gets so itchy that I'm sure she is feeling much better now.  It would sure be a lot easier if I had a hose that was off of the shower head. Turning on the shower to rinse them off gives me a bath too. I though baths were suppose to be relaxing? They also had their ears cleaned and toenails trimmed. Very good puppy's!
    I decided to make some deserts for out trip home. I really wont be-able to make anything when we get there because we are going to be arriving so late and the next morning is Christmas Eve with Mikes family. I saw cookies that I wanted to try on my favorite website (pintrest) so I decided to make those and the Raspberry Cheesecake Bits that I had made before. They were such a big hit that I at least know that they are going to be good. So I had written down the recipe for these cookies awhile ago and never fails, I lost it. So I looked up online Pin Wheel Cookies. There was a recipe that I found but it just wasn't the same one.  Not thinking it was to different I decided to make it. Everything went  fine so I put it in the fridge to chill overnight. Searching through some papers a little bit later of course, I can across the recipe from pintrest, and boy did it look a lot different. So i decided to make both recipes and see which was better. I had trouble getting the sprinkles to stick to the outside of the cookie log. So I didn't put them on. The pictures you see that inspires you always look so much better!
These are the ugly version of the picture recipe.  And once again I don't like how they taste. I think I am going to see if Mike wants to bring any to class tomorrow because the guys will eat anything. Other then that I just might pitch them. Its almost like they aren't sweet enough.  To bad I made 4 batches of them!
   Tonight I help Mike study for his test. I just hope he does well so he doesn't have to to think about it on his vacation. Tomorrow is just the basic stuff that I need to do to get ready to go. Clean, laundry, pack. I have a long list of things that I cant forget. I just wish we would have not gone grocery shopping this past weekend. We bought way to much stuff that now we will have to pack with us.
I'm so excited!

A Little Willmington Fun

   Last night we headed to Willmington to have dinner with another couple. We decided to try this pub because it was right by the only parking spot open that we could find. Mikes friend said that he read about it also and it got good reviews. It ended up definitely being my kinda place! It had such a big bar, nice people and strong drinks. We all really liked the food that we ordered too. After dinner we sat and talked while waiting for a group of the guys to meet us there. Talking about random stuff we got on the subject of Tv shows that are weirdly popular. Hoarders, Extreme Couponing, Storage Wars and American Pickers. Continuing on with laughing, talking and drinking and out of know where in walks Frank from American Pickers. It was just the strangest thing. He sat down at the bar and had his beer talking to everyone that wanted a hand shake. I contemplated walking over to take a picture with him but I just hadn't had enough alcohol yet. Soon after,  he left and we continued with our night.
    This morning we just hung around the house. Mike has a extremely important test on Wednesday that is super hard so hes been making his note cards and burring his head in the books. The guys just came for a hair cuts but this time they were silent. Studying is all they cared about, and now Mike is sitting next to me swearing at the computer because we now have a virus that has taken it over. As I write this post on my phone I wonder how we ever survived without the internet on cell phones. Technology has sure come a long way.  6 more days till we are on our way home. I CANT WAIT!

Beautiful Day

  I cant believe it is December 15!  The thermometer said 75degrees today. Short sleeved shirts and ca-pries for me. Bolo and I went to the beach. My plan was to walk to the pier, but someone had to be a jerk. It so cute when he chases the shells each time the tide comes, in-till he does it over and over and the pulling is just to much. Its hard to walk when all he wants is to do is hunt and pounce. So I let him do it for awhile and then decided sense my sneakers were soaking wet, we would go back home.
 

     After we got home I needed to run some errands. Got gas, cvs, and car wash. It was the first time I actually washed my car manually. I usually just go through the automatic one that never really gets it all the way clean. I was so motivated that I vacuumed it also. To bad there is still tons of dog hair that is stuck in the carpet that I feel will never come up.When I got home I washed all the windows and rims. Wiped down the inside and made it smell pretty. I had Bolo and Sheba out there to keep me company.  The next thing I know,  the dog down the street is in our yard. That scared the crap out of me. I grabbed Bolo and Sheba and ran up the stares. I don't want to take any chances.
   So I just straitened the house up and prepared chicken strips with marinade. We are having fried chicken tonight but with rits crackers crumble instead of bread crumbs. Very fating! I know. I'm going to hit the sheets pretty early tonight because I have to take one of the ladies to the airport. Her flight is at 7:30am. She lives 45min away from me and the airport is 2 hours away from her. Raleigh has cheaper flights I guess so that's where we have to go. Her husband was going to just drop her off the night before because he had to work in the morning. I wasn't going to let her sleep in the airport. I know I wouldn't want tho do that. So my alarm is set for 3:15am.
  



 

Where's the Cheer?

  Well its getting close to Christmas and I am not feeling the holiday season at all. Its kind of depressing. No tree, no lights, no pine smell and no snow. The last one I could live without so I wont complain about that. I just feel like their is no cheer here. The only thing that is a consistent reminder that the season is here is the loud singing Mike does in the car to all the Christmas songs. I cant wait to go home. 10 more days! Hopefully it will hit me when I see the family.

Random...

   This weekend was pretty random. Friday night we celebrated a wet-down for one of the guys in Mike's class. All of my dishes were a hit at dinner. Everything went very quickly and I didn't have a chance to taste anything.  We ended up at the usual spot, The Brass Pelican. I hate that bar. Definitely a hole in the wall that always has the strangest people in it. The nice thing about it tho is that we live the closest to it so we don't have to go very far when everyone else has to drive a bit. Every weekend there is always at least 1 person that sleeps over that couldn't drive home.
   Saturday was once again nice and relaxing. I made a big breakfast for Mike and one of his friends that had slept over. We took a nap in the middle of the day (which I love) while Chicken Noodle Soup was on the stove simmering away. Its not like my mothers but I tried.  I also received an e-mail from someone that responded from a Craigslist add I put up a wile ago. It was for if someone need a dog walker. haha. So hopefully this little extra money will work out. We will see.
   Sunday we headed out for some Christmas shopping at the PX. I feel like I am getting the hang of the base a little better. Mike wanted to get all of his family something to do with the USMC. We settled on glasses. Shot /wine/ beer glasses/coffee mugs. It depended on the person which one we thought would be best for them. Santa was at the PX too so that was nice to see all the kids lined up ready to sit on his lap. I was having baby fever bad that day. We stopped by GameStop to return a few things and I ended up getting two new games. Yes, they are kids games but that's what I like. It was hair cut day too so when we got home a few of the guys came over for their weekly trims. I wish there was a bigger bathroom for me to work in. Trying to squeeze behind the chair isn't that easy when each guys has tree stumps as legs. I glad I lost a few pounds.
    Today was suppose to be a nothing day. I'm the middle of my game playing I got a phone call from one of the wives. She wanted to see if I would tag along for he husbands promotion. (the one we celebrated) So I hurried and got ready. It was interesting to see how it was done. I know a little now for when its Mikes turn.  I ended up being the photographer for them. I'm just so surprised that my camera didn't act up. The sun was setting which was a nice added touch.  Mike informed me after the ceremony a few more guys needed their hair cut. Yesterday they had scuba diving classes that took too long to they didn't have a chance to come over so  today was the day. I ordered pizza and they played video games.
   Tomorrow is the wives turn for their hair cuts. We are meeting at one's house at 9:30 for breakfast and  after that, I'm getting down to business. I just wish I had someone to cut my hair. I am in dyer need!

Tried of baking!

  Tonight we are going to a friends house to celebrate another friends promotion. He had been prior enlisted for 13 years already so he is able to get a promotion as a 1st Lieutenant sooner then everyone else. All the wives are going to bring a dish. I had in mind that I was going to bring a few things that you could just eat with your hands. Two of the lady's are making chili so that's pretty much the main course. And yes, I got all of these ideas off Pintrest's website. Pizza Roll-Ups, Pigs in a Blanket, Raspberry Cheesecake Bits, and a Cake Batter Truffle.  The cheesecake bites turned out OK, of course not as pretty as the picture that I saw that made me want to make them, but they were still good. On the other hand, the Truffles are weird. It tastes like raw cookie dough, witch is probably what they are suppose to taste like but its just to much. So now I don't think I'm bringing them. I went to the store again today for more ingredient for a cookie that Mike really wanted me to make. It was like a Girl Scout Samoas. And never fails they didn't have any caramel chew candy's so I bought butterscotch instead. It just all went down hill from there. I ended up throwing it all away because it just wasn't right AT ALL! I had a little left over coconut, so I wiped up a batch of macaroons. Now I'm not feeling 100% about them either. So when Mike gets home we will see what he says and if its a eww no, then too bad I'm done in the kitchen! I have all the other dishes just ready to pop into the oven so I'm good to go. Lets just hope I dont burn them.
   The couples house that we are going to tonight is right behind the bar that we go to pretty much every weekend.  So I already told Mike we are not going to get out of hand tonight and drink to much. I want to actually do something tomorrow instead of laying in bed all day.

Ummm?

  Today I found a tick on Bolo. Now I'm paranoid! It was a really small one that wasn't even in his skin yet but now I know that they are around, so now I have to check him when we get home from our walks.  Yesterday I coordinated some of the ladies to get together for lunch today. We met at the coffee house in town and spent 4 hours there talking and laughing. Hopefully it will become a regular thing for us because I am getting tired of just talking to the dogs while Mikes at work. I'm waiting on Mike to get home now. He will probably have a bunch of stories about the bombs he blew up today. He gets so excited when he tells me about them. I just look at him, and smile. I'm making fish tonight. Mikes not happy about it, but to bad!

Birthday Recap

 Tiramisu- I put to much coco powder on top. It was suppose to be just a dusting. I got a little carried away. Mike ate a piece and he coughed because he inhaled it.  I also know that strawberry do not usually go with tiramisu but I thought it might look a little dull. I bought a bigger pan that I was going to use but I didn't buy enough lady fingers for that pan so I had to end up using a bread/meatloaf pan. Oh well. I know for next time.

    Mike was craving Italian so we went to a really cute Italian Restaurant called Max's. They sat us by the window which was really nice because you can see out by the bay. Even-tho this town is pretty much deserted in the winter they still do a really nice job decorating for Christmas. The lights light up the water and it is so pretty! After that we headed to a local hole in the wall bar. They know our names which isn't a good sign. A few of the guys showed up that are in his class. Wives too, so it  was nice to have some female bonding. The had a good band also. All around good night! Now we wasted this beautiful day away today because of headaches. 

I just looked over at Bolo and he is looking at me laying like this. He is such a weirdo!

*Michaels Birthday*

    Today's my hubby's 27th birthday! I'm going to try to make a him his favorite... Tiramisu. The recipe looks a little difficult. I'm kind of nervous about it!  We are also going to go out to dinner and probably drinks after. OK.. wish me luck.

December is here!!!

 
   Even-tho its just the beginning of December I'm getting excited to have a visit back home. 22 more days and we will be on our way home to the snow probably. ugg... I cant wait to see my family and have my mothers cooking. I miss Toby sooo much too! ( doggie) Mike hasn't seen his family sense January so its going to be a good reunion. 
   I spent the day on base trying to find the office that will help us move to Hawaii. The building that they usually were in was being remodeled so they set up a trailer that was so hard to find. I must have driven around the block 50 times before I saw it. It wasn't even on the road that the internet said it was on. When I arrived the people there were surprisingly nice. I was shocked. It ended up being the wrong office I needed to be at for the questions I had. I guess Ill make another trip out there next week to get it straitened out.
   Bolo and I took a quick run on the beach today. Its nice because all of the fishermen are gone so you can actually walk down by the water without dodging polls. It was amazing how many pelicans were out today. They were having a feeding frenzy too. Seeing them dive into the water from 10 feet up was a pretty cool sight to see. I could have watched them for hours. I never seem to have my camera at the right times. I would never think to run with it but that's when I need it the most. I was gonna buy Bolo a nap-sac so he can hold it for me. :)
    I tried a new recipe from my new favorite site. Pinterest. They have so many great ideas. This is a chicken lasagna roll-up. There's a few things different that I would do next time but it was still good. It didn't look like the picture I saw but I tried. This is my version.
    Mikes birthday is tomorrow. Hes going to be pretty old! 27.... I cant believe it tho... I feel like we just graduated high school. I made him cupcakes so he can bring them in for the guys. Hopefully they make it in to his class in one piece.