Seriously?

The local police blotter:

...police said he head-butted Jack P. Hoff, same address, who was holding a two-week old boy during a domestic dispute at about 4:30 p.m. at their residence. He allegedly said, "Put the baby down, I want to fight you," according to police documents.

Who names their son Jack Hoff?

Anxiously Waiting...

For her 25th birthday, Clay ordered a new Macbook for his lovely wife. As an Apple freak, Karen is very happy and not so patiently waiting for the much sought after delivery. Her ibookG4 is so 2005.

Classy Fixin's...

We admit it...we phoned in dinner this evening. Sloppy joe's, mac & cheese, fruit cocktail and michelob light comprised our nighttime feast. Clay thoroughly enjoyed the meal while I was left less than impressed. I do concede that the sloppy joe's were quite tasty but I find boxed mac&cheese to resemble cardboard in taste and texture.



Judy's Sloppy Joe's
- 1 pound of lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 16 ounce bottle of chili sauce
- 1 small diced onion
- 3 tbsp of sugar (optional)
- salt & pepper (to taste)

Saute diced onion in a tsp of oil. Add ground meat and drain oil once meat is finished cooking. Then add chili sauce, salt, pepper and sugar. Cook over low heat for approximately 1/2 hour.

We're Moving To...

Raleigh, North Carolina

Yes ladies and gentlemen, we're moving to Raleigh. Clay was offered a position he can't refuse so we're one step closer to saying goodbye to the military as soon as he formally accepts the offer on Monday. We can now breathe a HUGE sigh of relief and begin the exciting adventure of buying our first home. I am diving hard-core into my job search now that I know where we will be residing (just a minor detail) and look forward to the plentiful employment possibilities.

Raleigh Facts
Named for Sir Walter Raleigh, who attempted to establish the first English colony on the shores of the new world in the 1580s. So regal!

The founding fathers called Raleigh the "City of Oaks," and dedicated themselves to maintaining the area's wooded tracts and grassy parks. Ooooh...pretty!

Average high temperature is 71 degrees. Average low temperature is 50 degrees. When can we move?

Average snowfall is 4.5 inches . I think we can handle that.

Population is 335,000. Yay...people!

Karen's meme...

I was tagged by Martha for a meme consisting of six random thoughts/habits, quirks, etc... about myself. Meredith tagged Clay so check back for his words.

1. I lucked out. My husband is the funniest, most intelligent and sweetest man alive who will always be there for me no matter what situation may arise. He tells me I am beautiful and is my biggest cheerleader. What more can I ask for?

2. I am a Food Network star. When I find myself alone in the kitchen I cook (and talk) as if I am presenting my culinary skills to a television audience. You know what? I am damn good.

3. I love vinegar. Regular, distilled, cider, malt, rice, etc...it doesn't matter, I covet all flavors and appreciate their depth and sweet bitter melody. Nothing taste better than a batch of hot fries with a generous helping of malt vinegar. Nothing.

4. I will never be thin enough. Someday I will learn to embrace and love my body and treat it as a temple. Until then, I will continue the struggle so many women face daily.

5. I can't dance. No rhythm whatsoever. Nada.

6. I use anti-winkle cream everyday/night. Sort of obvious, I am scared of becoming wrinkly at an early age.

I tag Jackie P., Briana and Christine.

Sew Happy

Since Clay is away, I decided that I would be productive. Beginning yesterday afternoon and finishing about an hour ago, I made the quilt pictured below. As a novice, I have handquilted little blankets for my niece and nephew but never machine quilted a large piece. It is not perfect but that is what I think gives it charm. I can't wait to use it while cuddling in front of the TV on cold winter nights. Desi enjoys it very much.

Two Times the Charm...

Clay leaves early tomorrow morning for his second trip to Raleigh, North Carolina in two weeks. We're on the right path, receiving positive feedback/offers from various companies that will allow us to have a choice of career and location. As early as this upcoming week we may make our decision and embark on our much sought after task of buying our first home (inset happy dance here).

Yes, the transition is exciting, scary and stressful but we're doing okay. I am cramming in as many appointments I can to take advantage of our last few months of free health care while Clay is completing the daunting task of hunting down every single piece of equipment he must return upon his exit. Clay's unit is preparing for a deployment in the fall (doesn't it seem like they just got home?) so our farewell will be bittersweet as we say goodbye and good luck to our friends who will be leaving for Iraq and friends who are still in Iraq. We won't forget. We still have friends and family in the Army and friends who have moved on into civilian life. I am a bit sad to leave the lifestyle but much more excited to start over somewhere new (wherever that may be).

"I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"

I am ecstatic at the thought of spending the forced-upon Hallmark holiday with my husband for the first time in five years. Cheap chocolates, overpriced flowers and cheesy cards overpower the true and simple meaning of the 'holiday'...showing appreciation to those you love. I am looking forward to our evening. Eating take-out chinese food on the couch with Clay while watching our newest arrival from Netflix, Network, starring Faye Dunaway (pre-shit-crazy-phase) and William Holden. Sounds like a perfect Valentine's evening to me :)

June 5, 2007

Clay, you're the best! Thank you for making me unbelievably happy. June 5, 2007 was the most joyous day of my life thus far and I look forward to more 'life-changing' events in our future. I love you :)

Local Headlines...

Local couple find grasshopper in canned spinach.

"Nyesha Stephens said her husband, Mickal, noticed the insect after she had started eating the spinach. She got sick to her stomach."

Area school out of snow days.

"If officials have to cancel classes due to weather again this year, classes will have to be made up during spring break in April."

Fort Drum fails to provide adequate mental health care for veterans.
"Yet according to a new report on the shortcomings of mental health care at the base, a soldier’s wait to be seen for psychological help can take more than a month."

Chugging Along...

We’re swimming in resumes and cover letters. Our dining room table stands underneath a mountain of books (I recommend What Color is Your Parachute), paper, laptops and coffee mugs all for the sake of landing a job. My schoolwork has been pushed aside for tasks of the greatest manipulation, trying to make myself appear more marketable and more skilled than I actually am. I have been spending free time in Borders reading the books claiming to hold the secret to cover letters (don’t worry, I buy a small coffee so technically I am a patron) and leave more confused, not knowing exactly what I can do to stand out from the masses.

Oh well. It will all work out. I have faith that we will be okay. Whenever I find myself slipping into the all too comforting depression blanket I think back to this time last year. I tell myself that life is pretty good. Clay is home and safe. Our families are healthy and we have a HUGE adventure on our horizon. Now, we just need to learn to relax, stop worrying and enjoy the ride.

The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee .

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.

- Source Unknown

Where Will We Go?

The Escalator
Scott Mutter

Snow Days and $15 Meals...

Snow, snow, freezing rain, sleet and more snow. No work for me (Karen) today and I am anxiously waiting for Clay to make it home safely from base.



Last night we attended a Hail and Farewell at the Italian American Club located in Watertown, NY. After being served a decent salad, a woman came around with a clear garbage-sized bag filled with white flour rich bread and placed a sliced on our plates. When it was time for the main course (oh yeah...it was that fancy, $15 a person fancy) we shuffled to the front of the room where we were served from three separate pans containing ziti, meatballs and an unidentifiable sausage dish. After the scoop of ziti was glopped on my plate I asked for another rounded spoonful because the other dishes did not appeal to my delicate (haha) mouth. Sadly, I was denied. "No, not everyone had been served and we want to make sure we have enough." Perhaps the Italian American Club should reevaluate their food allocation for hosted events if there is such a worry, just a thought.


The $15 meal