Wednesday, January 26, 2011

I got some 'splainin to do.

I never mentioned the reason for the pseudo names. Or why I picked the names.

Red's in the Military, it's a small world.  I am sure it would be fairly easy to figure out our names, but I am just taking a small step to protect our family, and that may or may not be necessary. 

My husband is not a red-head.  Nor was he ever a red-head.  He did not get dyed red as a practical joke in High school.  My husband loves the Arkansas Razorbacks
Loves them

Not like " Oh, I love pizza!"

He has a passion for them Razorbacks.

So, while there was a big game he was getting all psyched up about, I started calling him Razorback Red.

I don't know why, but I called him Red for about a week, and decided that would be a fine nickname for the blog.


My daughter's nickname will probably change daily and as we go along, but she's my Pumpkin Head.


So, if you were wondering, there ya go.

I hope we all have some answers now.

We'll all sleep better.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Photography


I will not consider myself a photographer.  I think that title needs to be saved for those who know what they're doing with their camera, can see what they want to create with a picture, and those who have a talent for capturing images.  In my opinion, it is darn near impossible to pick up a camera, learn some things, and declare yourself a photographer.  That's like picking up a paintbrush and a canvas and calling your self a Painter.  Or like picking up a pair of ballet shoes and trying to pirouette your way on to Swan lake.  Not likely.



That being said, I have always enjoyed taking pictures.  I drag a camera with me just about every where, only to get some prints and scrapbook my memories away.  Point being, I love to take pictures.  I love seeing beautiful pictures that some one has seen in such a special way, it takes your breath.  So, when an amazing photographer on base announced she was going to have classes, I was definitely excited.  I love my camera, and most of the time I can take pictures in focus,  but I really just have no idea what to do with the thing. With all of the settings, and dials and buttons.  I know it's good, and I know I could use it to take good pictures, but I don't know how yet.  I decided the class was for me! Offered on Saturdays, that meant Red could have a little one on one time with his favorite girl, and I could have a little break from mommy world.  I really love mommy world, but some times you need a couple hours away.

We had our first class of four this last Saturday at the ILC.  Camera's ranged from top of the line, several lenses to point and shoots.  Our amazing instructor took the time to go to every person, and make sure they were able to find out how and what to do.  Danielle was patient, kind and honest.  Talking to us about the rule of thirds and focus points- basic photography terms I had no clue existed.  She helped us learn what your settings need to be for what light, and made the Manual setting seem a lot less difficult.  When we took a while to take some shots, focusing on Macro photography and depth of field, she went around and looked through what we had, asked if we had any questions, and gave us tips on how to improve, what to avoid, and how to make your shot more interesting.  I am hooked!  All I want to do is drive around and try things out.  

Maybe I will put a few pictures on here at one point.  Hopefully I will get the hang of things a little more as time goes by.  I am just thrilled to understand more of my buttons and dials!  

In other news; I used decoupage on a composition notebook for the class.  

hangs head in shame

I promise I didn't use an magazine clippings or pictures of my BFFL.  Just scrap booking paper.  Black and white.  
I didn't want to look at that ugly stuff while I was trying to be creative.

In other, other news:
My child is taking her second two hour nap today.
 
Let us all take a moment of silence to drink coffee and leave it on the end table with no fear.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The things I love about Texas.

Texas is my favorite place ever. 

Here is why:

- The people.  No matter if you've been there 50 years or 5 minutes, Texans are going to welcome you in and work on getting you to see how much you love Texas.  Because deep down, every one loves Texas.  Some people just don't know it yet.  Some say that Texans are so proud of where they come from and think Texas is the best.  Well, yeah.  Texas has heart, y'all.

- The Country.  When I was younger, before AIM became popular and I hit my teenage years, I spent a lot of time in the pond.  This was also before we found the five foot water moccasin and shot it, only to skin it ( my brother wanted a belt or something) and find a TON of baby snakes that had not yet been born.   Any way,  we fished.  I built a hut in the woods, complete with insulated walls, a roof, and I only used a little string and sticks I found.  My brother made skis out of 2x4's and attempted to ski behind the gator.  We made trails, waded in the pond, and rode horses.  When we got cattle, it was my job to "tame" the first two.  I spent a few afternoons hanging around the pen they were in and got a little closer each day, until I eventually got in with them.  Then, they let me close.  My home town was a lot smaller then than it is now, and my mom and I would stop by the local milkshake stop on the way home from school if I was lucky.  They made the best in town.

The City-  Sure, we might have had to drive 20 miles to the nearest Wal-Mart or Target, but the big city was really just an hour away.  Great shopping, great food was all there if you wanted to venture into it.  I really like the busier parts of Texas as much as I do the not-so- busy parts.  It's still Texas, in every part.

Football-  I attended nearly every single Highschool football game through four years of Highschool.  Mostly because I was on our Drill Team and was performing for half time, but still, I was there.  It didn't matter if our team only won a few times in those four years!  There guys with their chests painted, letter jackets, and t-shirts made for the football players.  We had a  pep-rally nearly every Friday during football season.  Most of my football memories were spent in a hat, a pair of boots, and maroon lipstick.  Amen.

God Blessed Texas.  Need I say more?

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo- Spring Time.  Carnival rides.  Country music stars performing every night for weeks.  Barrel Racing.  The one where all of the kids chase the calves and then if they get a halter on them they get to keep it.  Wagon Races.  Buckin' Broncos.  Bull Riding.  Good friends, good people, good fun.


On a closing note, I may or may not have a jar of Texas dirt in my room. 

Is that wrong?  To keep dirt in your house? 

I hope not. 

I also might be missing Texas a little.  Bowling for Soup's song, " Come back to Texas" came through on my iTunes the other day, and I couldn't help but miss it.  " The Dallas Cowboys want you back, The Bush Twins want you back.....It's just not the same since you went away.. before you lose your accent..."

I'm sorry, I'm going to go now.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

A Rabbit in a Kimono

Yesterday was a wonderful day!  Besides Sweet Home Alabama coming on when I was awake and watching, it snowed.  Not only did Sweet Home Alabama come on, and not only did it snow, but Courtney and I made it to the International Learning Center to take a Kimono Doll making class!  So, as you can see, this was pretty eventful compared to the last couple of weeks  ( Ouch my back!  Waaahh You want me to call nine one whine??  No don't make me laugh!  That hurts!).

I have been waiting for an opportunity to head out there, but there just hadn't been a great time.  Especially since I don't have my license yet.  I promise, I'm working on it!  When Courtney asked if I wanted to go, I jumped on the chance!  I knew there had been a class before, and when I saw the pictures, my first thought was I can't make mine look that cute, but I'm sure going to try!

As we walked into the building, I was taken back at how much I instantly loved the place.  Warm yellow walls, perfect home-like touches every where.  Flowers, a cafe bar where you can bring your lap top, drink some coffee and do a little people watching.  We were told the class was going to be held in the area to our left.  There was a table set up with supplies, two Japanese women who would be our instructors, and a few others waiting to take the class.

We sat down a minute and chatted before our class began.  We could make either a rabbit, or a doll, and the supplies were put in front of us.  Several bags, filled with fabric, lace, and everything we would need to make our dolls, except each were different.  Each bag had a different pattern and color-scheme.  Whatever we made that day, would be unique.  One of the instructors actually makes the bodies her self.  She doesn't buy the doll, she buys the fabric, the needle, and the thread. As it took me for-ev-er  to do the first step of hemming the kimono collar, I find her amazing.

After a few hours of learning something completely new, laughing at ourselves for the mistakes we made, having wonderful teachers at our side, and a few others from base; we each had our very own, mostly hand made doll.  In a world where the general society doesn't have time to create things since we're so busy and have an app on our iPhones for that ( get it??) , I will always appreciate it.  I can't wait to make another! 






After the class ended, Jackie Allen, the person who took a dream that she had to unite the Japanese and American cultures and made it happen, showed us around.  There was a more formal class room than the area we were in.  With a white board  and a long table with a table set up with little treats and coffee.  The bathroom was pretty sweet, I'm not going to lie here.  Nice and spacey with plenty of room for a stroller and a changing table.  The colors she picked every where were just wonderful.  Upstairs, I think was my favorite.  A huge, open room painted yellow with wood floors and windows to let all of the light in.  She says " Now this is where we have pre-school play time.  We set up a gate near the stairs, chairs, and toys and just let the kids have fun together while the moms chat. You can also rent the place out, it has a balcony for whatever you need"  You could tell as she described the place that she was just so passionate about making others happy, comfortable and at home.  Jackie has so many plans and hopes, you know the ILC is going to be successful.  It has to be with a woman who has such drive and a passion to see Japanese and American cultures get to know each other better.

The ILC is perfect for every one.  Seriously, if you have been in Iwakuni for three years, and staying for another three, come and meet new people and hang out with the friends you have while you learn a new skill.  If you're a newbie, like me.  And pretty intimidated by the culture shock and different language and different everything, like me.  Go to the ILC.  Learn something new, meet new friends and have fun!  With some one as fun as Jackie, it's hard not to get excited about embracing a new culture!

Monday, January 10, 2011

We're pretty boring.

So, we haven't had any new adventures as of late for a few reasons.

It's cold. 

If that wasn't enough, last weekend, Red was tending to his back.  He threw it out. 

Pumpkin is getting molars, and then pretty much all of the teeth in between.  One after the other.Last month, she had 5 or 6 teeth.  This month, she has 11 going on 12.

It's cold.

Red is on the Corporal's course, so he has early mornings and late days.

I've been a re-organizing mad woman.  I've even shocked neat freak Red.  He's only ever known me as a naturally un-tidy person.  We still have a ways to go, but I am trying to get it all done, give the house a deep clean, and really dive into 2011.

On Saturday, I threw my back out.  Bending over to give Pumpkin milk.  I'm 21.  This just seems so wrong.  It was the whole, " I've fallen and I can't get up!" thing.  I laid there for 20 minutes with Pumpkin pinching my face and handing my stuffed animals trying to call Red, who was trying to sleep in since he gets up so early during the week.  I finally crawled to the back part of the house to get him up, and he was a wonderful care-taker.

It's really, cold.  I don't like it out there.  It gets gross about every afternoon.


So, as soon as it warms up, and our backs improve,  I'll be letting you know about the cool stuff we'll Hopefully do.  Right now, I got nothin' except waking up at 6:30 every morning and seeing this:

 

Taken from our balcony, through a hole in the netting.

 
Taken from our Bedroom
Bye, Y'all!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Pumpkin Head...

Helped me take the things out of the washer today, then put a new load in and pressed all the buttons she could.  Tomorrow, folding and ironing, next week, dishes.

Found out how to turn the T.V. on and off, and now that's pretty much all she does with that adorable little pointer finger.

Stole my (empty) coffee cup this morning and ran around holding it and taking pretend sips.

Gave us 11 beautiful, quiet hours of sleep last night.

Loves Sesame Street more than anything.  I have to learn to keep the T.V. off more so she won't turn into a Sesame Street Junkie. 

Climbed up onto a chair, proceeded to stand on it, just so she could look at the pictures I had been printing/ switching in and out of frames.

Is the most precious, sweet blessing I've ever laid my eyes on.

Likes to lick the screen door when we have it open.  I'm not sure how to sanitize this yet.

Picks up things off the floor and hands them to me if they're not toys.

Brings me books to read then sits in my lap and points at the pictures.

Is sweet.

The end.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Oh, Hello there, Beautiful!  I need you in my life.

For real, ever since I saw this gorgeous-ness hanging around on the internet,  I've needed her to come rest on my shoulder and carry my things.  Here's why:

- It can be my purse/ camera bag!  I'll make Red carry the diaper bag.  Which we barely use any more since Pumpkin is older.  Throw a couple of diapers in there with a cup and we're set for the week!  I may be exaggerating a little, but you get the point. So, maybe we don't need a diaper bag any more.

- It's teal.  This is another one of those obsessions/ addictions I was talking about.  Like 90210 and my Bedding issue.  We can call teal addiction #3.  Teal can go with black or brown.  Teal is a beautiful color.  I love teal.  I have a teal coat, scarf, and soon to be camerabagpurselove.  If it comes in teal, that's the color I pick.  This bag came in teal.  It was meant to be.

- Red got me a camera for Christmas!  I am scared to take it any where with out it being protected.  If you've ever met me, you probably know that I have a hard time not tripping over my tied shoelaces.  Extra protection for valuables is a necessity.

 - It's only 89 bucks.  I can find a really protective, black, nylon bag that doesn't match my shoes for 35 bucks.  Why not spend a little extra for something that has removable padded vlecro, a rose, can carry more than just my camera, and is TEAL?  I realize that might only matter to me.  I'm ok with that.  When I realized there was a whole (small) community of retailers that were producing stylish camera bags, I went on a hunting trip.  I packed up,  and hit " search" on google.  There were many other cute bags on the market, I have to admit.  There were many different styles.  There were many different prices. This bag was still my favorite.  This bag was still the cheapest.  This almost never happens.  Usually, I find something I like, look around, and find something I still like, but maybe not as much for less expensive.  Once again, it was meant to be.

I am waiting for her to arrive!

I'm sorry I made you read all of that about a bag.  Would you like to hear about pumpkin head now?  She stayed awake ( and pretty well-behaved) until midnight on New Year's Eve.  She was my first kiss as we brought in 2011.  It's 2011 and my daughter is one.  I have a daughter.  It's 2011.  What's next?  Flying cars?!