DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA!

**WARNING** This may be a LOOOONG POST!

Oh. My. Word. You will just not believe what I have been through in the past 2 days!!! So much unwanted drama!!! Ok, let me start from the beginning, I don't want to lose anybody!

As you all know, Joe is still underway on his ship and will not be back until September 2nd. Ok, now that I got that out of the way, on with the story. For those who do not know, I drive a black Nissan Exterra. I love my car. She's my girl. I drove to work on Tuesday and parked on the 4th level of the parking garage, same spot I park in everyday. Tuesday was rather busy at work, so instead of leaving at my usual 4:30 I left at 5 pm. I was really looking forward to going home. I walked out to my car, HORRIFIED to see that the right rear tire was flat! Not totally flat, but definitely deflated. A lot. I started freaking out b/c I just got a letter in the mail from AAA saying my membership needing to be renewed! Crap! There goes my roadside assistance!!! Well, I'm a chick, and this has never really happened to me before, so I didn't know what to do. To make matters worse, Joe is gone.

I suddenly remembered that my friend A was still at work! (My gym buddy- she too was working late, and had told me she wasn't leaving until 6) So, I walked back in to the hospital and told her what happened. Fortunately we live right by each other, so I was able to ride home with her. She dropped me off at my place and I sat on the couch wondering what the heck I was gonna do. I talked to my parents too. I tried calling the Security office at the hospital to see if maybe they could help me put my spare tire on the car, so I could drive it off base and get a new tire put on it. They said they couldn't help me. Well, on a hunch, I called my auto insurance company (Progressive- they rock!) and as it turns out when Joe and I bought our policy, Joe must have added roadside assistance to it! I LOVE THAT MAN!!! The people were extremely nice and helpful, and calmed me down!

So, the next morning I rode with A to work (she had to be here at an ugly 5:15 am!!!! I'm not even awake at that hour!) At 8 am I called Progressive and they dispatched someone out to me to change my tire. It was a local company in the area. Well, they had no clue what they were doing. I had to drive my car out of the parking garage, 4 levels down, going like 5 miles per hour. Once outside the parking garage they proceeded to change the tire. Only they couldn't figure out how to get the spare down! (Its underneath since I have an SUV) They finally got it. But they were so rude, like it was this big inconvenience. The old guy kept swearing and stuff, just being nasty. Thankfully, one of the base security guys pulled up and asked me if I was alright. NO I'm NOT ALRIGHT!!!! lol He was really cool, stayed with me till the guys were done.

So once the tire was off we found the source of the problem- a huge bolt stuck in it! Good Lord! I was like, how the heck did I manage to run that over?? lol With the spare tire on I drove to this tire place right off the base. Again, everyone there was very nice and helpful. There was no one ahead of me, so they took my car right in. They explained that my tires were alright, I didn't even need to buy a new one! They said they would put the spare back underneath the car, and they could actually take the bolt out of the tire and fix it! Who knew!?!?!?! I didn't know tires could be repaired like that! I thought once there was a hole in it, that's it! I am such a girl I guess. So they fixed all of that, and since I was close to needing an oil change, they asked if I would like them to do that too. I said, sure! I'm outta work so go ahead! lol All in all, it took them only about 45 minutes to do everything. And actually, it only cost $45 for everything too! Man I was so relieved.

I went back to work feeling much better. :) My supervisor let me off early, and at first I was kinda scared to drive again! But it was great. I drove right to the Auto Zone by my house, and got new stuff for my car to reward her for her hard times. I did have red and white Hawaiian seat covers, and steering wheel cover. But I figured summer is almost over and I need a change. I really wanted something pink, not only b/c I think it would go pretty with my black car but its also my favorite color! I found a black steering wheel cover with little pink & purple hearts! My luck had changed! I bought some new air fresheners too. I went home and put on my new stuff, and I also had a pair or pink flowered leis (spelling?? You know, the flowers they put around your neck in Hawaii). I cleaned the inside and Armoralled it too! I was so happy. And I was so exhausted, I was asleep in bed by 8 pm!

So, it was a good ending to a hard time! I am glad that's over with! This morning I was so excited to get in my car, just like old times! lol We were like Bonnie & Clyde, like Romeo & Juliet, like peas & carrots! Let the good times roll!!!

I cannot afford to drive!

Well, I am back and I'm sorry for not writing. The thing is, I have plenty of time and all, but sometimes I don't think I have anything interesting enough to blog about! Well, I'll try harder, lol.

So, I had a pre-op appointment yesterday for my nose surgery scheduled on the 1st. The doctor is so nice, we did lots of paperwork and talked and he took pictures. He said the surgery will probably take close to 3 hours. Its going to take so long because they are repairing a lot of things on the inside of my nose (to help my breathing and stuff) and he is also going to fix the bump I have on my nose. So its not only cosmetic or anything. He said I'll probably have 2 black eyes the day after, and a lot of swelling, and I'll wear a little "nose cast" for about 5 days. So basically it should suck for a while, lol. I'll also be out of work for 2 weeks. Well, there's a plus. So I'll have plenty of free blogging time.

My sister is coming down to visit from Vermont this weekend. I am so excited. Anytime with her is a GOOD TIME! lol (Pics to come later ;) ) I'm planning fun things to do. Its really hot here in VA Beach so we can of course tan and lay by the pool. There's this great little comedy club that she loves, so we'll go there too. And shortly after my sister's visit is the famous MSTHANG'S visit! So again, pics will accompany that post as well, lol. Good times people, good times.

On a slightly different note, does anyone have a comment about the GAS PRICES??? I swear, I need to get rid of my SUV and get a Geo Metro! lol I cannot afford gas anymore!!!! I put $20 in my Exterra this morning and I swear the little needle thing on the gas gauge barely moved people! Good grief.

Ok, thats it for now. Hope everyone is having a good week!

~Julie

The War and More

Well, its FINALLY FRIDAY. :) Not that I have any weekend plans, lol. Nope, just sitting on my butt pretty much! Joe is gone as you know, so nothing exciting will take place. Tonight I think I'll go grocery shopping! I know- I'm such a rebel. This weekend is supposed to be pretty hot, so I'll probably just lay by the pool, tanning and relaxing. I can't really complain about the work week though, it went by fast, plus I had off yesterday. Not too shabby.

Hey has anyone heard about that lady Cindy Sheehan who is camped outside President Bush's Texas ranch protesting the war? Apparently this lady is trying to get the President to have a sit-down with her, in which she wants to address some questions she has. I believe her son died this past April, or maybe April 2004, and she wants to know what was achieved by his dying. The President has met with her and other parents once before, but she said he didn't answer her questions. As of right now, the President has no intention of meeting with her.

I must say, obviously I am a patriot b/c I am in the military. But lately I have had some pretty serious anti-war feelings. I am really sensitive to anything relating to the war. I will cry at the drop of a dime when I see on TV that more soldiers were killed, or even on the radio. I guess its because they are like my own kind. Its so sad. I guess I don't know what to think about the war anymore. If we pull all the troops out, then we risk more terrorist attacks b/c we won't know whats going on over there. But if we stay, our troops will continue to die. I feel like you can't help those who don't want to be helped. I feel now that the war has no meaning. When it started, we had an objective. But we are slowly moving more away from the issues at hand. We didn't even catch Osama bin Laden, who was behind the horrific events of 9/11, but we did catch Saddam Hussein. Well, WHERE'S OSAMA???

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? If so please share them. From time to time you will see postings about the war b/c it is something that really affects me. I just saw on CNN this morning about rockets that were aimed at two Navy ships near Jordan. Thankfully, they didn't hit the ships, and no US Sailors or Marines were hurt. The ships pulled out of port shortly after that. But it makes me think- MY HUSBAND IS DEPLOYING IN NOVEMBER. I am scared for him. Scared for me. Scared for everyone involved. Please say a prayer for all troops fighting for this cause, whatever the cause may be. The US needs prayers from everyone. Thank you and God bless.

~Julie

Pumping Iron!

Well, let me start off by giving you an update on my gym status. After my initial appointment, when I got measured and stuff, I have gone EVERYDAY! I keep thinking about those horrible high numbers and refuse to let it overtake me!

Me and my friend, we'll call her A, go together everyday after work. On Monday I did an intro to the weights. I worked with an instructor who trained me how to properly work the weight machines. (I dare not go near the Stairmaster again!) They said its important to do weights about twice a week along with all of the cardio. Well, the morning after (yesterday morning) I woke up and could barely move. So yesterday when we went, we did strictly cardio and abs, lots of running to burn calories! If I thought yesterday was bad, I had no idea until this morning! I got out of bed and felt like my calves were on fire! GOOD GOD WHY DOES IT BURN SO MUCH!!!!???

Well, I have duty tonight here at the hospital, from 11 pm till 7 am. So I get to leave work early today, probably around 2 or so, and go home and sleep. Then come back tonight. So today we are taking a break from the gym!The good thing is, since I have duty tonight, I get all day off work tomorrow. :) So I am thinking about going to work out in the morning, so I can just sleep the rest of the day!!!!

On to other news....Joe left on Monday morning for a 3 week underway on his ship. They will be around the coast of Florida I think, but won't be pulling in to port. Just out in the middle of nowhere doing drills and shooting off missles. So I am lonely without him. :( He won't be back until the 2nd of September. However, my sister is coming to visit on 27 August, so thats good. And my nose surgery is scheduled for 01 September. So unfortunately when he comes back I won't be looking so hot, lol. AND......I am gearing up and getting ready for Msthang's visit in early September!!!!!! Woo hoo!!!! (Pics to come after, lol)

Well, thats it for now. I will write more later. Have a great day!

Recovery

Well, as you know, the concert is long over. Sorry I have not wrote in a few days, but I took a much-needed recovery period. ;) I spent the remainder of "Kenny Chesney night" sitting in solitude, lights off, music blasting. Ok, actually Joe and I watched some movies that night. I tried my darndest not to think about the concert going on RIGHT AROUND THE BLOCK but Joe was nice enough to keep bringing it up! He is such a meanie, lol.

Anyway, so my latest excursion has been joining a new gym! Actually my friend and I decided to join it together. Its an all ladies gym and its only about 10 minutes away. I went there on that fateful Thursday night to check it out. I signed up and told the women I would be back on Saturday. They were all very nice and I felt very comfortable. My friend and I made an informed decision to get our butts into shape! So maybe by NEXT summer I can flaunt it in my bathing suit! lol Plus, her husband is on a 6 month deployment right now, and Joe leaves for his 6 month in November. So we are going to do something constructive with our time!

Ok, so her and I went there yesterday morning. My appt was at 1100, so I had to set my alarm because we sleep late on the weekends. When we got there, one of the ladies said, "Ok, so lets go ahead and start by taking your measurements." She proceeds to take me into this little room that I now call "the fat room". In here she took my height and weight (I won't tell so don't ask, lol) and did all kinds of body fat measurements. (Hence the name "fat room" lol) After that depressing incident, she and I discussed a decent plan. I told her my main goal was just to drop some pounds, I wasn't really into the whole lifting weights thing. She showed me around and I tried out some of the machines. Now, I am mainly a runner. If it were up to me the only cardio I would do is running! No such luck.

I first ran on the treadmill for a while, which was pretty much the only thing I was good at! lol I did some bike riding and some other machines. I was really working up a sweat! The last machine I went on was this horrible contraption. Something that I can only assume belongs in death chambers. Something so evil it makes you scream out in pain and pure agony. Something surely the devil had made.......the stairmaster. Friends, I don't know how many of you have tried this thing, but let me tell you- its not something to look forward to! The lady told me this was one of the more difficult machines, so to only do it for as long as I could stand. The first minute or so, I was out of breath. Lord do I hate climbing stairs! On to the 2nd and 3rd minutes, I was able to catch my breath, but, oh wait, what is that burning I feel? My thighs? My calves? BOTH???!!! On the 4th and 5th minutes I was debating suicide. But I told myself to keep going.... just do 10 minutes Julie.....your halfway there! And at 6 minutes and 11 seconds my body shut down. I fell off and decided this was never again to be attempted, lol.

So after that we left. Hot, sweaty, light-headed.....we got in to the car and drove home. Once I staggered through the door I fell flat on the couch. Joe looked at me and started laughing. I guess I did look pretty pathetic. I managed to let one word out...."water". LOL And I was useless the rest of the day.

So today I am depressed. I am sinking into a black hole. But before I can explain why, I need to give you a little background about me.

I was born in New York, but my parents decided to move to Florida when I was still young. I don't know how old I was, but I know I started the 2nd grade in Florida. I easily adapted, I loved the beaches and warm weather. I remember distinctly the first time I heard country music. I remember thinking to myself, "Dear God what is that horrible sound!?!?!?!" It had such an annoying twang to it, I didn't understand why it was playing on so many radio stations! I lived in Florida until I graduated high school, at the age of 18. I think total I lived there for about 12 years.

It wasn't until a year or two before I left that this crazy redneck music began to grow on me. I started listening to country music more and more. At the same time though, I enjoyed all types of music. I pretty much listened to everything. Well, I left Florida, joined the military, and re-located to Virginia, and have always loved country music since.

One of my most FAVORITE country singers is Kenny Chesney. I have all of his CD's, Joe even bought me a DVD of his music videos! lol A few months back I heard he was coming to play in concert in Virginia Beach! I was ecstatic! The tickets were a little pricey, but I was buying them anyway! Actually, I was buying TWO so Joe could come with me! (Joe used to hate country music until he met me....he won't admit that he likes it now, but I've cought him singing along more than once! Not to mention one time when we took his car out, he turned it on and he had on a country station! And no, I had not been in the car earlier that day, lol) So anyway, I went online when I knew the tickets had gone on sale, and to my horror, THEY WERE SOLD OUT.

Being desperate, I checked back often....ok, like everyday....in hopes that some would surface. None ever did. I told Joe that he HAD to find me some tickets! I even threatened DIVORCE! lol (Not meaning it of course) Well, what I had been dreading came true.... no tickets ever appeared.

So my friends, today is the day. Today, Thursday, August 11 2005, is the day that my MAN, my BABY, is here in MY TOWN, playing IN CONCERT, and I will not be able to get in. I will just stand outside like a poor pathetic looser who has no ticket in her hand. I feel like Charlie from Willy Wonka who wants nothing more than his Golden Ticket. I JUST WANNA GO INSIDE THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY! So I have been debating whether or not I want to risk going to jail and just ram the guards and bouncers to catch just one glimpse of Kenny Chesney. I told Joe that I would not divorce him, he did all he could do. But it still hurts. I may even need to seek therapy.

I have not even been able to listen to the radio stations talking about "THE BIG NIGHT" or "THE CONCERT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR" because honestly, it just hurts too bad. I become lightheaded and a bit nauseated. I can't even bear the thought.

So please remember me today dear friends. If I don't write for a while, know that I gave all I could, but got put in jail anyway. Know that I tried, but my efforts failed. And wish me luck!!!

~Julie

Shame on me for not writing!

Ok, I know I've been shady and have not wrote much! But I have been sick since like Saturday night and have been so lazy. Yup, at least I admit it. I am lazy. lol Seriously though, I got a sore throat on Saturday, and tried taking some cough drops but they didn't work. On Sunday I had duty, which is just like having a day of work. So I had to come in to the hospital from 7 am till 3 pm. Throughout the day I felt it getting progressively worse. My nose become stuffy, I had aches everywhere....ugh. I was so glad to get home Sunday afternoon! Well Monday and yesterday were horrible....sick as a dog! I was able to leave work at 3 pm instead of 4:30....hey, something's better than nothing. I have been going right home and going to bed!
So, I do have good news. I am finally getting my nose done! I have had bad sinus problems since I was younger, and so as you know we get free health care in the military. So I am able to get the surgery with a perk...they are going to fix the bump on my nose too! I have this hump on the bridge of my nose that I HATE. I am always self conscious of myself in pictures of me from the side. Its so ugly. Joe doesn't want me to get it fixed, but I hate it. So, the plastic surgeron called me and my surgery is scheduled for 01 September! And I am EXCITED! After the surgery I will have off from work for 2 weeks.
My sister is FINALLY coming to visit me. She usually comes like once or twice a year but she's been busy at work and stuff. But she decided to come the weekend before my surgery and stay for about a week. So she will be there with me on the day of my surgery. Joe is going out to sea on his ship so he won't be home till the day after, the 2nd. I was hoping that my sister-in-law (my brother's wife) could come too, but I'm not sure yet if she can.
Well, I know this post really isn't that interesting so I'm gonna end it here. I will probably put up another post later because my work day is looking like its gonna be REAL SLOW. I would like to give a special shout out to my 2 friends who have found love....you know who you are. ;)
~Julie

Fishies!!!!

Well this morning I woke up at about 9:00, after a night of not-so-good sleep. I haven't been feeling good lately, my throat has been on fire for like the past 3 days! So I tried going to sleep last night pretty early after taking some medicine. Last night was another hellish night living in this apartment complex. I woke up at 2:00 am to the sound of the people upstairs dropping their furniture on the floor! Or at least thats what it sounded like! It seriously sounded like they were slamming their furniture on the floor. Or else someone got murdered up there and put up a good fight!
So after this crappy night of sleep, I woke up. I got a quick hair cut and Joe and I decided to check out the Virginia Marine Science Museum!!! Well, believe me, it sounds a whole lot better than it actually is! Well, wait a sec, does it sound cool at all? Maybe not, lol. I thought they would have like huge tanks full of cool sea creatures! Sharks! Eels! Yucky squids! Umm....yeah....hardly. One tank, 2 sharks, and a few sting rays later, we were done with the "aquarium". Doesn't an "aquarium" legally have to contain lots of fish? This hardly resembled a FISH TANK. What a rip. Well, above are a few fun pics from our day. There are a few from the aquarium and some of us just goofing around. :) I'll write more later. Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

I was tagged!

Upon being tagged by msthang (AKA Master Creator of my beautiful blog!) here are a few things you may or may not want to know about me!

1. What were three of the stupidest things you have done in your life?
Oh where to begin!!!!
#1- I also moved in with a roomate without really knowing her as well as I should have. We rented a nice place, and it was cheap since we only had to split the rent. But we fought constantly, we got to the point that we couldn't even stand being around each other! We finally had to go our seperate ways, and even though we have tried to reconcile since then, it has never lasted.
#2- Join the military. Need I say more. This actually was one of the smartest things as well as one of the stupidest things I have ever done! lol
#3- When I tried to go sledding at my parent's house in Vermont. Yeah- the sled never goes where you want....example- the bushes.

2. At the current moment, who has the most influence in your life?
Its a tie- my parents (equally) and my husband. I respect and admire all 3 of them.

3. If you were given a time machine that functioned, and you were allowed to only pick up five people to dine with, who would you pick?
Well, I assume these are people from the past then. First up would be the one and only Elvis Presley! I love him!!!! Sounds weird but I always wished I could have met him, and I would like to someday go to Graceland. Second and thrid would be my mom's parents, aka my grandparents. I was young when they both died, but I remember a lot about them. I've always wanted to talk to them now that I'm older. 4th place goes to Christopher Columbus, for his bravery in finding our land! And for 5th, can I have someone who is still alive?? Please!?!?!?! Well I'm going to anyway....5th and finally comes my man, the funniest man ever.....WILL FERRELL!!!!!

4. If you had three wishes that were not supernatural, what would they be?
1) To help heal and overcome the war on terrorism
2) Find a cure for cancer, which so selfishly claims the lives of so many
3) Have everyone know and have a relationship with Jesus, so that we may all go to Heaven.

5. Someone is visiting your hometown/place where you live at the moment.
Name two things you regret your city not having, and two things people should avoid.
*2 things I regret not having:
1) Not having Disney World which I love!!! I miss Florida!
2) Not having many good drivers! People in VA Beach drive like psychos!

*2 things people should avoid:
1) Picasso's night club, unless you wanna get shot
2) Portsmouth city alone at night....its a dangerous place!

6. Name one event that has changed your life.
Marrying Joe :) But changed in a good way.


7. Tag 3 people.
Keri (who can post the answers in the comments section!)
anyone else who wants to do it but hasn't already!

Here Kitty Kitty...

So I need some advice from you guys. I have some drama going on...well, not really me, but someone very close to me. I am going to try to keep this as anonymous as possible, so I am going to change the names. A married couple I am very close to, we'll call them Bob and Jane, are having some problems that I just cannot seem to help with.

When Bob was 18 or 19, he met Jane, who was in her last year of high school and living with her parents. Jane had a beautiful cat whom she had had since she was young, and since the cat was a baby. Now I never had a cat or dog when I was little- my parents are clean freaks and wouldn't let us have anything bigger than a guinea pig! But I know how attached we can get to animals...they are like part of the family.

Bob and Jane married last year, after many years of dating. They lived in an apartment up until recently, when they bought their first house! Bob never made it a secret though, that he didn't like Jane's cat. Bob didn't like the cat hair, and said that the cat had scratched up his leather couches. When they moved into their new house, Bob and Jane bought new couches, and put in new carpet.

Well, a few days ago, the cat threw up a little bit on the carpet. Bob came home and was extrememely pissed, to say the least. He started screaming at Jane, saying it was disgusting and he was tired of the cat ruining his stuff. Jane remained calm and did her very best to scrub it out of the carpet. Things escalated, and Bob threatened the cat saying he never wanted it in his house again. He said she had one week to get rid of the cat, or he was going to poison it and kill it.
Rightfully so, Jane was scared and so she took her and her cat to her mom's house, only a few miles away. She was very upset over this. She has had this cat for 9 years- way before she even met Bob, and now he is telling her she needs to just get rid of him.

So here's the issue....who do you think is right and why? I really do see both sides: I agree with Jane because this cat is very special to her. She's had it since she was younger and since the cat was a baby. Its not easy to just get rid of a pet. Plus, who is he to give an ultimatum!?!?!? Its her house too!

On the other hand, I see Bob's side too. They just laid down all brand new carpet, and have invested a lot of money in the new house. He is afraid the cat will throw up again, or scratch up his new couches. He is very neat and clean, and thinks the cat is messy.

I have tried to hear both sides out, and help to resolve this issue. However, I don't know what to say anymore. As of now, Jane is staying at her mom's house, thinking it all over. She doesn't want something so petty to ruin their marriage, but it is very hard for her to just give up her beloved pet. Bob continues to stand by what he has said- he doesn't want the cat in the house anymore or there will be problems. Please help!

Sleep Deprivation, Baby Man, and More!

Well, I am back and I am done griping, lol. That girl I spoke of in the last post is now gone and I will not have to see her ever again! Yeah!!! So let me fill you in on my weekend. I had duty on Thursday night, which meant I had to work here on Thursday in my clinic, then come back from 11 pm till 7 am and work in the hospital again. Man, as much as I try to sleep before I come back I am still always tired! So, the night was, as usual, pretty uneventful. We did have a code blue which was the only thing that happened. So, when I got off work on Friday morning at 7 am, my weekend started! I didn't have to work on Friday because of my duty that night, so I went home and went to sleep!!! Joe got off early in the morning too, just because HE DOESN'T WORK, lol. So we spent the day sleeping. :) Actually, HE slept all day. My life sucked! My phone kept ringing (why my mom felt she had to call when she knew I was up all night is a wonder to me), the UPS man came and pounded on the door, the phone kept ringing, I heard the kids outside playing hide & seek, the phone kept ringing, lol.
Now I can't blame the kids because I know its summer break, but good Lord, I could hear every single number they counted! I felt like yelling out the window "Go play in the pool!" which is conveniently located DOWN THE BLOCK. lol Well, at 2:30 pm I laid in bed staring at the ceiling wondering why I had to live in an apartment. I was going to just get up, figuring this was it for my sleep, but as I dreamed about someday being a homeowner, I must have drifted back off. I woke up at 5 pm, finally feeling like I wasn't going to kill the kids outside.
Joe and I decided to go out to the mall and movie theather. Well, I'm going to tell you a story NOT about the movie but what we saw on the way. We were driving along on the highway, when a little white car pulled up next to us. It was an older, crappy car, windows down, grown man inside. I would guess he was about 25-27 years old. Didn't notice much about his looks, only that this grown man was SUCKING HIS THUMB!!!! And I don't mean on and off, or maybe he was really trying to get those Cheeto crumbs off, but I mean GOING AT IT. Like he was a baby! Joe and I couldn't believe it! The man looked right at us, and looked away like nothing was out of the norm! So we got off our exit, still giggling, and had forgotten about it until we stopped at a red light. I looked to my left and there he was!! Baby man! Still had the thumb in his mouth! All I could think was- this man is never going to find a wife! Nor a girlfriend! Chics don't dig the baby act! It was so strange, I have never seen anything like it! I know its rude but I had to stare- and I didn't feel bad because my windows are tinted, lol. Some people are so wack....
~Julie