Guess I should say something about Valentines Day.

This was...I believe, our 4th V-day together.  The first was by far my favorite, he picked me up at my apt. and we drove to Ontario for dinner.  But everything was of course totally pack so after about 3 hours of trying to get into a restaurant, we went back to my apt. and ordered pizza.  We ate pizza and cuddled on the couch all night.  Anyways its funny how things change when you get married, this year we decided to forgo ALL gifts, so no cards no nothing (because we are broke as a joke).  The whole day I kept thinking how nice it was that we have reached a point in our relationship where we don't have to keep doing silly stuff like that every year.  Well, in the back of my mind I thought he would really get me flowers and chocolates and the whole bit.  So when he came home empty handed I was actually pretty mad (yes, yes, "unstable females" blah, blah).  I jumped in the shower before we headed out to dinner and he jumped in his car to get me what was left of the much picked over candy isle at Wal Mart (apparently he was one of about 20 other guys getting cards and candy at 4 pm on Valentines day).  It turns out that I love to get the cliché candy and flowers.  Women need acts of love like this from their men.  My husband adores me with all of his heart, and he tells me about 10 times a day how much he loves me....but a little candy added to that now and then really puts the cherry on top.  We ended the evening eating dessert and watching the classic 80's movie Better off Dead, turned out to be a pretty good night.  

OK, I have a website that I've set up and I would love to hear from people about what you all think.  

http://web.mac.com/tlkphotography

Military woes

So there are many perks of being military that we are very grateful for, like our house and Michael getting his master's for free.  But one thing that I really struggle with is the health care. People tell us not to complain, because its "Free" health care (don't get me wrong, I don't walk around talking about how much it sucks).  I would rather PAY for health care and actually be able to see a doctor instead of having free health and getting jerked around constantly.  Every time I need to see a Dr. it is the biggest production and I usually end up driving home in tears (of course without ever seeing the Dr.). 

Guess what happened today?  Exactly that, that's what. 

Gracias Military. 

Christmas

  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Once again we made our annual voyage home for Christmas a few weeks ago. It was (in keeping with tradition) a great trip, just a little shorter than we wanted. But hey, we are not complaining considering that we thought we wouldn't make it home at all. Christmas morning was spent with the Krause's then off to L.A. for Christmas dinner with the Grandparents and extended family. The day after Christmas, we drove up to my parents for a few days and then all the way back down the great state of California to Corona. It was a great time to spend with family and friends. Mike and I got some great gifts and just like last year we could hardly pack everything back into the car for the trip home.

I tried to do something creative tonight for a "finger food" get-together some friends had. As you can see from the picture below my plan did not come to fruition. I wanted to make mini- candy apples. After tonight I learned that there is a difference between candy and caramel apples. I burned the candy syrup and then accidentally stuck my finger in some of the syrup that dropped on the counter....the package said that the mixture reaches up to 325 degrees...I'm sure you can imagine the pain I' m in. To make a long story short, the apples ended their short little lives in the trash can. All this on top of me being in a terribly long weekend class that is turning out to be a HUGE waste of money...sleep is much needed. I WILL master candy apples!!!!

Birthday / Life in the Artistic lane

We just had Michael's 24th Birthday party. We had friends over to the house for some great BBQ (on our new grill!) and cake. Then we headed out for a fun filled night of Cosmic bowling. For those of you who know Mike, also know that few things make him as happy as a good game of bowling!

Well, I am officially an Art major at University of Oklahoma. So far things are going really well, I'm enjoying my classes and my professors are great. It is only the 6th week of classes but I am already feeling the benefits of being surrounded by such creative people. On the first project I turned in, I got one of the highest grades in the class, and my project is being displayed in the hallway of the art building. I don't mean to "toot my own horn", so to speak, but after having such amazing trouble all my life in school it feels so good to have found something I seem to be good at! Next semester I turn in my portfolio for actually getting into the Photography concentration, so we will see how that goes. While I'm doing well in school, the house is in shambles, the laundry is spralled over the couch and the dishes crowd the sink...it's taking some getting used to for Mike. Over the last year I havent worked, I've been the stay at home wifey that keeps the house pretty much spottless and keeps the food in her husband's stomach...the last few weeks have been a slightly different story. Of course we talked about him having to pick up the slack around the house while I'm in school for the next few years (the amount of slack being picked up still remains to be seen), I'm not so sure he expected the cold hard hand of reality to fall so heavily!! OK, I'm being dramatic, but really things are going great right now.

Mike should (the key word here being SHOULD) start flying early next month, but you never really know with the AF. He just finished his second masters class this last weekend and he cant wait for it to be over. He hasn't been so sure about this career path the last few months, so we have been discussing other options. But we both just started school so we are stationary for now!

Camping!!

I finally was able to go camping again with my family! My family takes this annual camping trip in Yosemite, above the valley in the best little camp ground called White Wolf. I wasn't able to go last year because Mike and I got married just a few weeks before. He let me fly to Cali. for two weeks just to sit around and hang out with my family (what a great hubby!). But in all honesty, this trip means more to us than just "camping". My Grandparents started the tradition shortly after they were married and when the roads in Yosemite were lacking greatly. They always took my Mom and Uncles to this favorite family spot and they have all passed on this tradition to us. It has turned out to be a time to relax (get a killer tan), reconnect with family, and reconnect with the great Lord who made this place for us to enjoy. I was just so sad that Michael couldn't make it, but of course work/training has priority over camping. One of my favorite things about this years trip was that our new nephew, Cavin, was with us!! I don't know what else to say about this little guy other than he is ADORABLE and has such a special place in my soft, gushy heart.