Question Answered and Lesson Learned

A few blogs ago I posted concern for a friend who was in an abusive relationship. I wondered how all the neighbors could sit around a pretend they didn't see what was happening. Well I got my answer this weekend.

Brett's brother and sister-in-law came to visit last weekend. Being that Eric is a chef and loves to cook we had invited our friends, C & K, over for dinner. K and I had planned on going to an open house at the local craft store that afternoon. Lindsey came with us. We ran over to the mall afterwards. On the way to drop K back at her car before Lindsey and I stopped at Hooters to pick up wings for the boys, Brett called. Told me he had just spoken to C and that he blew a fuse when Brett told him we were stopping at Hooters. Just as I was explaining to Brett that K was not coming to Hooters with us, C called her. And all hell broke loose.

From that point forward, the name calling started and accusations started. C has a slight drinking problem. He had already been drinking and continued to drink the rest of the night. He kept calling her and leaving nasty messages. At one point he stopped by to get her garage door opener. When I brought him the keys to her car, he made a point to tell me not to have her come home. So, of course, she didn't and stayed at our place.

On Sunday, Brett ran the Army Ten-Miler (in 1 hour and 17 minutes). K drove Eric and Lindsey to the race to meet up with us and then we all went to breakfast. During breakfast, Brett received a call from one of our other neighbors to see if he could go check on C. Apparently he had a mishap on Saturday night and his face was all messed up. Brett called C but got his voicemail so he left a message. Still haven't heard back from him. K was so upset when she heard about this that she had to leave the table.

The drama continued until last night. They finally talked and are resolving the problem. Hopefully she won't move back in but I know that she won't stay with us anymore. Last night when she went over to talk to C, I made mention that if she ended up going back to him that she wouldn't be able to stay her again. Brett (and I) don't want our place to be a hotel. She seemed to be okay with that...Until this afternoon.

She didn't come back last night. I figured they had made up and she stayed there. I got an email from her this afternoon stating they had talked (most of it playing the blame game). She wanted to know when Brett would be home because after what I told her yesterday she feels uncomfortable staying here. She wanted to come get her stuff when he wasn't home. Of course I told her that she was more than welcome to stay and we just wanted her to make a healthy decision that would make her happy. I haven't heard from her since.

Now I am the outcast. C is trying to put some of the blame on me. All I did was be a friend and do what I thought was best. Brett is tired of the drama and is already counting the days until he leaves for Korea (or wherever he ends up). I am to the point that I am just going to hole myself up in the condo when Brett is gone.

Now I know why no one ever steps in and tries to help. Lesson learned!!

He Would Have Been 70 Today

Today would have been my dad's 70th birthday. That is sort of amazing especially when you look at the fact that my mom just turned 52. The even crazier part is he has been gone for 16 years. Maybe he wouldn't have made it to 70 had he listened to the doctors but he would have seen a lot more of my accomplishments.

He would have seen me graduate from the 8th grade and enter high school. He would have taught me to drive. He would have seen my first boyfriend and kicked my butt for dating the 2nd boyfriend. He would have seen me graduate from high school, college, and post graduate (since my mom and stepdad made me walk in the ceremony). And maybe he would have met Brett and walked me down the aisle along with my stepdad.

I used to have a hard time on this day. Maybe because we were so close. But now I am okay with it. I think it has to do with the fact that I am happy now and don't need my daddy to turn to and tell me that it is okay. Or the fact that he has never been there for me to turn to because he wasn't there any more.

Happy Birthday, Dad!! I love you!!

Where to Next?

Germany? Italy? Virginia? North Carolina?

Those are our options currently in front of us. It would be awesome to go to Germany. Only problem - definitely no one would visit me. But I would get to travel around Europe. I might even get to go to Ireland which is my dream. I want to see where my mom was born and spent 9 years of her life.

Stay tuned for the final decision!!!

Being a Friend

Since we have moved to our new place (yes, I know I still owe everyone pictures) I have met a lot of nice people. Some are married; some are single. Some are old; others are young. All have their own personalities and stories that keep you entertained for hours.

It amazes me how a group of people can all see something regarding another's relationship and just let it be. I am not about meddling in relationships but when someone is getting hurt (in any aspect) I would think someone would help the person out.

Hit and Run

Today I became a murderer. It was not intentional and it was completely by accident. Please listen to my side of the story before placing final judgment though I already admit to my guilt.

I was returning home from dropping my beloved husband off at work after doing some errands before his trip to West Virginia. I left Fort Belvoir and headed home. As I approached the I95/Route 1 split something hit my windshield (Don't worry Babe, nothing happened to the FAT). As I took a closer look, there were feathers stuck to the glass. A freakin' bird flew into the windshield.

I felt bad. I should have stopped to see if it was okay but deep down inside I knew this creature was now in a better place. The way it bounced off the windshield is the main indication that it is no longer with us.

Maybe I will only be sentenced to involuntary vehicular birdicide.

Caught in the Whirlwird of Life

I am here and I have lots to write about but just no time at the moment. I know that is not an excuse. I promise to make up for it shortly!!!

Freaking Out

I am trying to get ready to go to a retirement party for a 2 star General and I am freaking out. I have never been to an Officers retirement party let alone the actual ceremony (which is tomorrow). I want to look presentable but still be myself. This is becoming a very difficult task.

For all who know me really well - I am a total jeans and t-shirt girl. I hate getting dressed up. It involves too much work - clothes, make-up, hair, etc.

Please, Lord! Let me look presentable and be on my best behavior.

And the Leads Start Rolling In....

I have started telling people about my "new job" and I already have 5 or 6 people willing to do parties. The fun thing is that they aren't even family (well one sort of is in that weird Serbian Kumovi sort of way). I was all nervous when my friend Nikol told me that her cousin's wife does this too. I thought she just threw the parties! There goes my natural market.

And the fact that when I asked my mom to host one to help her daughter out she wasn't all excited to do it. I had to tell her to just invite some of her friends over and I would do the rest (prepare the food, clean her house, etc.) She said she would think about it. Why to be supportive!!!

I have one party lined up in Texas (Thanks, Mare!), 3 in Virginia, 1 in Ohio, and possibly one in Illinois (my friend lives in Indiana but is from Chicago.) I think I might be able to do really well with this. Hopefully I will do well enough that it will spread like wildfire.

And the funny thing is I haven't even sent out the official - "Hey! Guess what I am doing?" email. Can't wait to see the response once I do that and put it up on my MySpace.com page.

Second Job

I have decided to get a second job. With Brett going back to graduate school and the mortgage on our new condo, I felt this was the best time to do it.

So what am I doing, you ask. I am going into business for myself - one of those home-based businesses. No, it is not Mary Kay or the Pampered Chef (though I love their kitchen stuff). It is something more up my alley - The traveling Vineyard.

What better thing than drinking wine! I know - I was never a big wine drinker. I have changed a lot over the last 2 years. I figure this would be a good way to develop my wine taste buds and earn some money.

The best part is I can do a party in Ohio and expense my whole trip. What better way to go home - free! As long as you can ship wine to the state, I can do a party (California, Florida, Texas, etc.)

Hopefully I will get to use my marketing degree a bit. If I can get back all my starting costs and pay off the last remaining credit card that I have, it will be worth it. So, if you are interested in having a party, just let me know!!!!

She is Gone

Zayra has been voted off! It is about gosh darn time!!!!

So You Want to Be a Rockstar....

Brett and I have become Rockstar: Supernova fans. We seem to watch it religiously. We just don't understand why Zayra hasn't been voted off yet. We feel that Magni or Toby will be the one they pick.

I need to go now. Time to watch who gets kicked off this week!!

Hop-the-Pepper Stew

We have gotten settled in our new place (more pictures to come I promise). Pepper is still trying to get settled. And the "rat" dog next door is not helping at the least.

Renee, our neighbor, seems nice. Her dogs seem nice. I just don't want our dog to eat hers. Pepper is a wonderful dog. She is great around people especially around kids. But when you throw other animals into the mix, you are going to have a problem.

I have seen Pepper in action. Before we left Stafford, I witnessed her catch a baby squirrel. Luckily today there was a door between her and the neighbor dogs. It could have been messy - she could have mistaken the terrior for a squirrel.

Visitors

PS - I wonder if people will come visit me now!! Hint! Hint!!

My New Home

We have moved into our new home. I am a home owner. Boy, that sounds good. Just think - two years ago I was closing in on 30 and still living with my parents. Now I own a home (with my husband, of course).

It is so exciting to think of all the things I can do to it to make more "ours". The only thing is it is really expensive to decorate a home. In the week we have been here, we have spent plenty on shades and ceiling fans. These things are definitely a must especially to increase the resale value or to make it easier to rent (all depending on what happens in the next year or so).

The best part of it is the view we have off the back. Nothing beats living on a golf course (all the free balls I can find!!). Oh and there is a pool, tennis courts, and a marina where we can dock our boat over the weekend!!

Additions to the World

So I got a call last week from one of by closest and dearest friends. She is pregnant. She and her husband have been trying for a while, and with a "little help" they finally did it. She is due in March (which is ironic because she is an accountant - no tax season for her).

We also found out that I will be an aunt. This is so from my husband's side not mine (thank God!!). Eva is going to have a little brother or sister. The gross thing is Brett and I sat down and counted back and we swear they had make up sex after our wedding (there was a little tiff that night).

So of course with all these pregnancies in the works I keep getting asked, "When are you going to have a baby?" For crying out loud, I have been married a whole 3 months! And for all those people who know me, having a child is the farthest thing on my mind. Not that I won't have any, but let me enjoy this part of my life first! I like my freedom and when you throw a child in the mix you say good-bye to that.

Please don't get me wrong - I am so excited for my friends and family. It is just not for me right now. So please stop asking me about it!!!!

New Home?

We are supposed to close on our new condo tomorrow. Right now that is up in the air. My loving husband is extremely angry with the company we bought the condo through. They have appraised the place for about $10,000 less than was originally on the contract. He is willing to walk about from it (and the money we put down on it).

I am tired of living out of my suitcase, not being able to cook in my kitchen and sit in the other room while he watches military shows on TV. I also need to write my thank you cards from the wedding (this is hard to do when you are staying at someone's place and you need to spread out).

Hopefully the next time I write I will be sitting on my living floor (since we won't have our furniture yet.

A Little Taste of Where I Have Been

Still not in our new place yet. Hopefully will start moving in next Sunday (after a really quick trip home to get Pepper). In the meantime, here is a taste of what has been going on with me.

The Return of Me

I am back from ALL my travels but have not had the time to blog. I know this is not a good excuse. Maybe I can use the excuse that my computer is on the fritz. No that won't work either because as you can see I am using someone's computer.

In all actuality, I just have soooo much going on right now. We are not in our condo (yet) and are living out of our suitcases at a friend's place. Once we are in our new place I will have no excuse not to write (so I say).

Back to Normal?

I think things are back to normal. He was having a bad week at work. But it still scares me that I couldn't read him and I can read him all the time.

We are leaving tomorrow very early in the morning for the beaches of Hawaii. I will miss you all and bring back lots of pictures when I am back to the blog.

Is It Beginning?

Does he regret the decision?
Did he make a mistake?
Does he wish for his freedom?

Random thoughts from a wondering mind.