January 5, 2014 by Stephanie

Holiday Stats

Glinn Photography

We just resurfaced in Ft. Campbell after 2 weeks on the road. We don’t even know what to do with ourselves.

Here is a recap on how the past two weeks of our travel went.

Basics

14 days living out of a suitcase (or two)
1 state (Missouri) 2 cities (Kansas City and Jefferson City)
2 Christmas celebrations in JC
3 Christmas celebrations in KC
Drove through the town where our undergrad is and revisited old stomping grounds
Rang in 2014
4 family birthdays

We surprised my father-in-law with a 60th birthday party.

The Dogs

Crosby got a new nickname of Hammerhead, to go along with his others of Crosbastic and Crosbilicious.
Neither dog pooped in the house while we were away. Success.
Grace lived up to her name of the Food Ninja by stealing food off the counters.
We saw Crosby in the snow for the first time (with us anyway). He is not a fan. Grace however, thinks snow is candy coming from the sky.
Crosby demolished a Kong toy in the amount of time it took us to open up Christmas presents.

The unlucky Kong and Crosby.

For Funs

We both got to visit with old friends with typical best friend behavior
- My two best gal pals and I downed Chili’s molten chocolate cake under a couple minutes. As our families watched in awe (or horror) at three grown women fighting over cake and ice cream.
- Tom played hours of video games with his bestie.
I went to my first Christmas Eve service that I can remember. Our family lit the advent candles for the service.

My in-laws at Christmas Eve service.

Tom managed to work out every day. He scared a lot of people in the gym with his ranger panties.
On a date with my sister in law, I revisited the winery where we had our wedding anniversary.
I read 2 books and watched one documentary.
The Homemade Christmas items seemed to go over well. More to come on all the crafting that occurred gearing up for the gift exchange!
I got to officially meet the Climes whose son inspired me to run my last half. They are too sweet, except the boys let me die in a nerf arrow fight.
We watched Clemson and Mizzou win their respective bowl games. It is always a good day to be a Tiger!
We gave my parents a Royals neon. So awesome!
My father-in-law works for Budweiser so sometimes we come across gems like these!
We were so excited to give this to them!
Unfortunately, the Chiefs lost by one point in their playoff game. It was a great year for them though!
We only got up before 9am one time. Tomorrow’s 5am alarm is going to be brutal.
I got my brother hooked on the show Castle.
On both the way to Missouri and the way out, we had to stop in the first 30 minutes to search for an open auto parts store in the middle of no where because Tom’s Jeep was acting up.
My dad bought our 3 year old niece a drum set. Bahaha! My poor brother.

Oh grandparents.

Tom got a new gun for his birthday.
We saw snow, ice, rain, sunshine, and temperatures ranging from 4 degrees to 65 degrees.
We told our niece Ava about the Hamburgler, and she went on to talk about the hamburger stealer bad man for the rest of the day. Whoops.
The most played song for us was Miley Cyrus “Wrecking Ball.”
I took about 1,000 photos, but there are less than 10 that I am actually in. Most of them were the family photos we took.

My in-laws

One of the Christmases with my mom, brother and his daughter

We had a great time at home. And we can’t wait for the days when we don’t have to travel so far to have family time.

I hope you all had a great holiday season. Here’s to making new memories in 2014!

January 3, 2014 by Stephanie

Friday Filter-Book “Deadly Heat”

I have had a lot of extra time to read over this holiday break, and I whipped through this read.

This is the fifth (maybe final) book in the Nikki Heat series.

This was a fantastic read, just my style. This book picked up right where “Frozen Heat” left off.

There were two major plot lines in this book. The first followed the previous book and detailed the case of Heat’s mother’s murder. We had found out that her mother was a spy and had found out information that got her killed. This book unveiled new clues and plot twists. I never saw this ending coming. But the book did finally solve that case, hence why I think it may be the last one.

The other case that the book followed was a serial murder who wanted to play mind games with Detective Heat who was intended to be his last victim.

What I liked was how the two cases intertwined and the balance that the department and the detective had to face in order to solve them both. Since her mother’s murder involved CIA operatives, you also had various agencies involved which added a fun layer to the cases.

Beneath all of the mystery was the romance between Rook and Heat. (Rook is still shadowing NYPD for writing purposes.) As the intensity of the cases progresses, you see them getting closer and closer. They learn to lean on each other and begin to peel layers of Heat’s tough exterior. You see the trust being built.

Which again very much parallels the show Castle.

This books was even more forward about the similarities and how everything is intertwined between real real life, Castle real life, and the book life. The character Rook met with Hollywood executives to discuss show possibilities and even discussed actors. They subtly mentioned Nathan, who coincidentally is the actor for Richard Castle (who “wrote” the book). They also referenced the show Firefly a couple times to help crack a code. (If you aren’t familiar with Nathan Fillion, he starred in this show years ago.)

This was a great pick to get me out of my reading rut. It was quick, funny, and kept me guessing. This is a very entertaining read, and a great way to cap the series. However, I am not completely sure if it is the end, I am just making that assumption because they ended Heat’s main focus of her mother’s case. With the show Castle still being wildly popular though, there may be a continuation of the series to maintain the facade of Castle needing to shadow Kate Beckett.

While this is a page turner, I would not suggest this book as a stand alone like some of the previous ones in the series. Many things would not make sense if you had not read the prior novels. Also I think I like it so much because of the connection to the TV show, but I think people who are not avid watchers of the show can get into the books.

Have you read any of the books in this series?
I am a sucker for series, do you have any different series you would recommend?

Friday Filters offer a review that are my own opinions. I was not contacted by anyone associated with these works or compensated for my review. My review has not been influenced by anything other than my love for entertainment and art.

January 2, 2014 by Stephanie

Happy Birthday Tom!

Today is Tom’s birthday! Last year I did my favorite memories of him, and most of them still ring true, just add seeing him in that airplane hanger after he got off that plan from deployment to the list.

This year since Tom is around, I figured we would do a man behind the blog interview. You can learn more about the guy I talk about all the time. Since he is turning 29, here are 29 questions for you to get to know my hubster just a little bit more. And Tom insisted on no fluff questions, but in case you were wondering his favorite color is blue.

Favorite Birthday? Hopefully my 29th. I just want people to leave me alone. I am going to take my Jeep where people can’t get to me. Also there will be Chipotle.
What is your biggest aspiration in life? Either to be on a SWAT team or a canine officer
What advice would you give your 19 year old self? You are a dbag. I would tell my 19 year old self to go look in a mirror and do everything opposite of what you are doing. Cut your hair, stop talking so much. Don’t care so much about what other people think. You are going to waste so much of my life being a useless turd. Also stop smoking.
What’s your first CD you ever bought? So Much For the After Glow-Everclear
What sports did you do in high school? Cross Country and Show Choir. And yes it is a sport. If Cheerleading can be a sport, so is show choir.
If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life what would it be? Chipotle burritos
If you were given a free airplane ticket where would you go? Afghanistan. I’ve got some unfinished business to handle. Or Boston because it sounds nice.
What do people remember you for? Sense of humor. Or my stunning legs. And by that they remember the guy in Ranger panties.

You just never know with Tom…

What is your favorite date we have been on? The first time we went out in Warrensburg {our undergrad}. I was committing to going back to school, and it was the first time we went public with our friends.
What is your life motto? I don’t think I’m awesome for no reason. I am awesome because I work on being better. Everyday I have to be better at something.
Why do you love camping so much? Nature is so drama free. Nature is the way that God intended it to be. It is clean and pure. It’s like getting back to my roots and seeing who you are really made of. It is personal affirmation that I can take care of myself.

If you could meet someone from history, who would it be? Both of my grandpas.
If you could advise people on one “prepper” item, what would you say everyone needs? A go bag-a simple bag with food, water, flashlights, and matches. Maybe a good pocket knife. A good grab bag. Or a Jeep Cherokee. {That is one thing?}
What is your opinion on marriage? If you want to get married, get married. If you don’t, don’t. I personally like marriage. Everyone should stay out of others marriage. You either believe in marriage equality or you don’t. But if you are anti-marriage equality, you are anti-constitution. You can’t claim to believe in America and all that it stands for and be against gay marriage.
Where did you learn your handyman smarts? Part from my Dad-the basics. Part from working construction in high school-expertise in remodeling.
Would you call yourself a thrill seeker? No, I’m not out skydiving for the adrenaline rush. The things I do, I do because I feel morally compelled to do so. It just happens that the things I do are adrenaline packed. And it just so happens that I love it.
What is the biggest fish you have caught? 15 lb catfish-generally. 6 lb female small mouth-nicest fish I ever caught in a creek.
Why do you treat dogs like humans? Despite all the awful unimaginable things humans have done to these two dogs, they love me completely and unconditionally. They have given me their entire heart, how can I not put them above everything? The more time I spend with my dogs the less time I want to spend with humans. Lock your dog or your wife in the trunk of the car and come back in an hour. Which one do you think is happy to see you? {Thanks babe…}

What is a skill you would like to learn? Speak Spanish. Electrician. Plumbing.
What day would you relive over and over again? The day we walked from our hotel room to downtown Savannah. We slept in and wandered around town stuffing our faces. {Aww our engagement weekend}

On the river front in Savannah enjoying our newly engaged bliss.

What is the best present I have ever given you? Remaining loyal despite knowing the horrible monster I am inside. Also the email you sent last year for my birthday with all the best memories from my friends. From other people-my dad gave me a .410.
What is your idea of a perfect lazy day? Wake up at 8am. Get SWOL at the gym. Spend the rest of the day eating PB and playing Xbox until noon. Then it’s Chipotle time. Play Xbox until 6pm. Then it’s Chipotle time again. Even better if it is a leg day. End the night with grown up time.
What are you afraid of? Failing at life. I spent the last 9 years working towards a law enforcement career. If it doesn’t work out after the Army, it will crush me. Also heights.
What is your biggest accomplishment? If you look at who I was at 19 and who I am now, my biggest achievement is simply becoming who I am now.

dancing at our wedding

What are your 5 go to songs? “#41” by Dave Matthews. “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley. “Starting with Me” by Jake Owen. “Back Where I Come From” by Kenny Chesney. “Amarillo Sky” by Jason Aldean.
What are the most important songs to you? “Stay Gone” by Jimmy Wayne. “Carolina in My Mind” by James Taylor. {I walked down the aisle to this song} “Hate Me” by Blue October.
So you are a funny man. Who is your favorite comedian? Louis C.K. He is the most honest comedian on earth. He doesn’t try to church things up and just tells it how it is.
What is something people should know about you? I hate the excuse/saying, “It must be nice.” I didn’t get handed anything. I worked for things. I don’t have anymore time, skill, or opportunities. I can do the things I wanted to do because I busted my butt.
What are you looking forward to in year 29? I would like to get my E5; God willing and the creek don’t rise. {This is a new rank/promotion.} I am also looking forward to Martin {his best friend} coming home {from Afghanistan}. Applying for a police job-my whole life has built up to this point. And if it all works out getting pregnant. {me not him}

Happy Birthday Hubster! I love you so much, and hopefully we can make this birthday your best yet!

Who knows maybe the night will end like this…

December 31, 2013 by Stephanie

Bath Paints

My nieces are 3 and 4 years old, and I was trying to find something fun and easy to do for them for Christmas.

Enter Bath Paints!

This is pretty easy to do, and serves many roles. I highly encourage anyone who has kids on their shopping lists, to add this activity!

It is fun for the kids, gets them clean, AND gets the tub clean! I may have to use these myself…

I did change the instructions from the woman’s post. They seem to work either way.

Supplies Needed

Baking Soda
Corn Starch
Food Coloring
Kid’s Shampoo
Traveling Shampoo cases

Instructions

I started off with the corn starch and baking soda separate, then decided to combine them when I was adding them to the bottle. The cornstarch by itself will yield a smoother mixture, and the baking soda will have a grainy jello consistency.
You add the shampoo, cornstarch, baking soda, and food coloring in a bowl.
We put the mixture in a Ziploc bag and cut the corner out to squeeze them into the travel tubes.
And then you let the kids play!

All the supplies.

This is when I had them separate. I love watching food coloring do it’s thing.

All my colors.

I made quite a bit. My eyeballing didn’t go over so well. I just put any extra back into the empty shampoo bottles for the rainbow effect. We did only use 2 of the 3 shampoos we bought. The one on the left is still just plain shampoo.We put the corresponding colors in the tubes to make it fun for the girls to “paint” with.

Both of my nieces love to draw so hopefully this goes over well!

December 30, 2013 by Stephanie

Talks with Tom #16

One of my husband’s talents is making up song lyrics to existing song rhythms. This is often how we pass the time on long car trips.

This holiday themed song was set to Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball.” So sing it along with the tune.

I came in like a Christmas tree.

You were just so big and tall and green.

I covered you in ornaments,

and canes that taste like peppermints.

They grew you till you were 6ft tall,

and cut you down with an axe.

Took you to a tree yard and strapped you to our roof rack.

I just can’t believe I had to pay $15 dollars for a dead tree.

I could go into the woods behind my house,

and get one of you for free.

We have been singing this all week.

I know many of you are wondering why I don’t just record Tom singing this lovely parody, well I am pretty sure I would find my phone in the toilet if that were to occur. He is super creative, but can get a little camera shy. Someday, I will be lucky to do capture these moments. For now, you will just have to use your imagination.

Enjoy humming this tune for the rest of you day. You can’t deny that her songs are catchy.