Just Me and My Shadow

Right On Target

There is no scientific proof. Probably no official studies done. Nothing to back up the claim, but I am pretty sure going to Target has therapeutic qualities. Beyond the typical "retail therapy", I have discovered that simply entering the store lowers my blood pressure and raises my happiness level.

Maybe it's the color scheme. Or that delicious aroma of fresh popcorn that greets you at the door. (Wal-Mart might want to take note. Some of their greeters are actually deterrents).

Over the course of the past 2 weeks, I have been to Target no fewer than 6 times. Some reasons were absolutely legit--I had to get a prescription filled for one of the Brownies. What can I say? They accept our insurance plan.

Admittedly, there were other times I took refuge there because I knew they would have exactly what I needed ~ and then some. I have never left disappointed. Or empty-handed. I don't mind handing over our hard-earned cash to Target in the midst of an economic crisis. You just can't put a price on the pleasant experience and warm fuzzy payoff.

Do I cheer out loud at the sight of that giant bull's eye on passing trucks? Nah. Does a smile curl my lips as I think to myself, "See you soon, my sweet friend."

If you said "Yes, Sharon--it probably does...", you'd be right on Target.

We're in the Army now...

....and have been for 10 years, today.

We were late bloomers by military standards---both over 25 with 1.5 kids already. We weren't sure what direction our life was about to take, but we were ready to hold on for the ride.

Truthfully, I just wanted out of Virginia.

And boy did I get my wish. One more baby, 4 duty stations, 2 tours in Germany, and 3 deployments later, here we are ~ on our way to the White House in a few short months. Along with the perks of being an Army family, believe that there is plenty of sacrifice. The military life isn't for everyone, but we feel very blessed. I can't wait to see what the next 10 Army years have in store for us.

No more deployments would be a good start...

Game On

Soccer season is in full swing (or full kick) and I am happy to report that Mariah's Dominators were victorious over "the other blue team" at last Saturday's season opener. Mariah played her position well, TOO dedicated to her spot at times. She is finally learning to attack the ball, but it's hard for a girl who prides herself in being polite and "doing the right thing". I blame myself ~ it's definitely my DNA plaguing her.

A few weeks ago, I signed up to be Snack Mom for the team's second-to-last game in October. But now, I'm not so sure. In Germany, the kids could expect granola bars, cheese-n-crackers, bags of oranges. Saturday's Snack Mom raised the bar. She brought individually-wrapped hot hogs (or veggie dogs for the vegetarians) nestled in warm, soft buns. She even had condiments and an assortment of chips.

Showoff.

Looks like I have about a month to come up with something. Hmm...sushi designed like miniature soccer balls...

Goooooooooooal!

Fences Make Good Neighbors

Silly me. I thought with the kids back in school, I'd actually have more time on my hands. I should have known better. First of all, the only time I do have to myself is from 8am until 11:00am. That's when Isaiah is on school. After that, all bets are off. Last year, he would sleep in until mid-morning, wake up, take a bath, eat, and be on the bus. That gave me a decent day. But now, when Isaiah comes home from school he doesn't nap and totally wants to eat, play and go outside. And if you know anything about me, you know I don't really enjoy very many facets of the "outdoors". But here I sit on blanket in my backyard while my little guy happily marches the perimeter of our fence. A fence that won't be up for very much longer...

The fence company is coming in early October to take down our "temporary fence". Yes, you can rent anything ~ including a fence. This is the perfect solution for many families living on post. J and I crunched the numbers and found out early on that it would be cheaper to rent a fence for the time we were here than to build one on our own with even the most inferior supplies. So, what goes up must come down. I must say the timing is just about perfect. When we signed the contract, we weren't sure if we'd be here a year, 18 months or the standard 3 years. But now with the move to D.C. imminent and cooler days ahead, I guess it's as good a time as any.

But now how will I keep Isaiah in and the pesky neighbor kids out?

off to Google "temporary invisible electric fence" ;)

The First Day

Of school, that is. This morning I sent off my most prized possessions--my kids. Savannah is beginning the 6th grade today...in middle school, no less. Mariah trotted happily off to 4th grade and Isaiah was sitting contently in his kindergarten class when I left. I don't know which was harder, dropping off Savannah at her bus stop or walking out the door of the elementary school with my other 2 back inside. As happy as I am that school has finally begun, I am painfully aware of much I'm going to miss them. And how much I want them to be OK. This is a big day for them, but also a huge day for me. Every time they start a new school year, it takes them further and further away from being my "babies". Bittersweet? Without a doubt.

So here's to my 3 Chocolate Brownies on their First Day of School. Mommy loves you, is so proud of you, and is saying a little prayer for you all right now.

Tonight We're Gonna Party Like it's 1997

My Sweet Brownie Turns 12

Today is the 12th anniversary of the moment I became a mother. Savannah entered our lives on a beautiful September 4th afternoon in 1997. J and I wanted to do everything right so we had taken Lamaze classes, toured the hospital, practiced getting the car seat in and out,...the only thing we hadn't anticipated was the Back-To-School traffic we encountered on the way to the hospital. Amateurs. I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure I cursed out a school bus or two on the way.

Savannah's birth was textbook from start to finish ~ probably the easiest of all 3, despite being my first. J was the first to hold her. I remember being keenly aware of their strong bond, which exists to this day. And I remember looking into her little face and thinking, "How in the world could I love this tiny person so much?"

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, dry-witted, artistic, incredibly creative daughter who taught me how to be a mom. Her sweetness makes my job easy.

I love you, Savannah Banana!

In the Blink of an Eye

My vision is horrible. Just horrible. Without corrective lenses, I'm as blind as a bat. No--I take that back. At least a bat can utilize sonar. I'm just outta luck. I've always worried what would ever happen if I ever lose my glasses or accidentally rinse my last pair of disposable contact lenses down the drain. I would be useless. (Although Mariah would definitely find the bright side: Ooh Mommy! Now we can get you a Seeing Eye dog!)

So with my last pair of contacts opened and my script expired, I figured it was time for an eye exam. Of all of the appointments I face, the eye exam is probably the one I dread the least.

Until day.

Thankfully, I didn't have to endure the sadistic "eye puff" pressure procedure. They have all this high tech stuff now. After the vision portion, Dr.S reviewed the pictures the tech took of the back of my eyes. He chose his words carefully and basically told me there was an issue with my left eye. There appeared to be a hole in the retina. Dr. S informed me that he's on staff at our local military hospital and would have no problem getting me in to be seen by ophthalmology. I was trying not to freak out, but of course all I could hear in my head was "I'M GOING BLIND! I'M GOING BLIND!"

Dr. S told me he wanted to take a closer look first and proceeded to dilate my left eye to the max. Then he rechecked my eyes and took another set of photos. He tried to reassure me the entire time. Little did he know I was already picking out my eye patch fabric.

In the end, Dr. S discovered that the "hole" on my retina was just an artifact on the equipment (so much for "high tech"). It's kind of like what a piece of lint or dust would look like on the reflection of an overhead projector (Uh-oh. I just dated myself. I remember sweet-smelling dittos, too). Dr. S then showed me the other pictures to compare. On the first set, there was definitely a "spot" on my retina. It was nowhere to be found on the second set. His bad or God's miracle-- I'll take it either way. I'm just thankful I'm not going blind. Although, I bet I could rock eye patch couture.