A Bee and A Lime Meet

Finally!

To understand my title, you’d have to know a little background. Debbie from A Tired Wife and I “met” on an online message board 7 or 8 years. We’d both come to the board because we were having issues with our stepfamilies. Through this board, we’d forged many friendships (that’s also were I “met” Tina, Ginger, and Patty). We all had a common bond: somehow, someway, we tried to make our blended families work. On that board, Debbie was known as “QueenBee” (we often called her “Buzzie” for short) and I was known as “GotLime” ( or “Limey”).

Over the years, Buzzie and I have tried to meet. First there was the QBBBQ (QueenBee Bar-B-Que). Several members of the board travelled to Buzzie’s house to meet and have fun. I forget what happened that kept me from being able to attend. Though my friends did their best to make me be there (they glued some moss, eyes, and who knows what else to a lime to make it look like me. They then took many hilarious pictures of “my” adventures in DC and posted them on the board). Next there was the QBBBQ2, which was actually hosted at Snowy’s house. I think I’d either just had Angelina or was about ready to have her. Either way, I wasn’t up to travelling. Then there was my trip to Norfolk, Virginia. I’d planned to drive up to DC to meet up with her and THAT didn’t work (Amber was only an infant at the time and screamed every time we put her in the car…didn’t think I could handle that for 2 hours!).

So, when Debbie heard that I’d be flying through Baltimore AND that I had an overnight stop, she jumped at the chance to make the 40 minute drive so we could meet. At first, I didn’t think it would actually happen. We’d talked about meeting Wednesday night for dinner or some drinks, but our flight ended up arriving in Baltimore a few hours after it was originally scheduled. Lucky for us, Debbie already had the next day off, so we decided to meet for lunch instead.

It was great finally getting to meet Debbie face-to-face. I only wish my kids hadn’t monopolized so much of her time so she and I could actually TALK. That’s OK. If I ever find myself in the Baltimore/DC area again, I plan to look her up. This time we’ll go out without the kids!

Why two?

That’s the question I’ve asked myself a few times over the last few days. I barely have time to post to one blog, why in the world would I decide to do two? Why not just shut this one down and put everything on the other one. Then the answer came to me: I still need the occasional outlet this blog gives me. THAT blog will be about our adventures in Italy. THIS blog will be the place I say things I can’t say over there.

As you can tell, we arrived safely. Nobody was injured or killed on the flight over. I’ll spare you the gory details. If you want to read them, go here . We have no internet access in our room. It’s been down for over a month and gives us our first taste of what life in Italy will be like: nothing is done quickly here (at least that’s what I’m told).

In the Baltimore Airport, I met a woman in the bathroom. She was also headed to Aviano. She’d already been here for 3 ½ years and was only in the States to get her US citizenship. She was trying to “hop” back to Aviano (she was flying Space Available…to read more about what that means, go here) and was unsuccessful. She was also the first person I’ve run into who didn’t tell me, “You’re going to love it there.” It was refreshing. Made me feel I wasn’t alone. Because I know everything she was saying she didn’t like about this place, I’m not going to like either.

Our first night here was a long one. We were exhausted, so we all fell into bed sometime around 8 or 9. We were all up again around 1:30am, after our “nap.” Tony and I watched a little TV until the rainstorm we were having knocked out the satellite. Then we decided to try to sleep. It was then that I cried.

I miss home.

Random Tuesday Thoughts: OMGosh! We leave in TWO days!

I’ve been cursed blessed with early risers. I don’t remember ever getting up early like these kids do. Amber was up at 6:30 this morning. After going to sleep after 9 last night. She then woke up her sisters. Which means I was up shortly after that. Of course, all this early rising flies out the window when they HAVE to be up. If it’s a work/school day, it’s like pulling teeth to get them out of bed!

We came up to Atlanta yesterday. Our original plan was to find something to do today, like the aquarium or zoo. But I think we’ve decided just to hang at the hotel. We’ve had way too much going on the last couple weeks and I think it’ll be nice to relax for a day before it starts all over again.

Speaking of hotels, we’re staying at the Homewood Suites. We’ve stayed at Homewood before and generally have good luck with Hilton-branded hotels. We’re also staying in one of the more affluent areas of Atlanta, so I figured we’d be OK staying here. While this hotel isn’t bad, it’s not what I’d expect for $200 a night! One of the things I like about Homewood is they do a nightly manager’s reception and then a morning breakfast. The last time we stayed at a Homewood, we just about had a full buffet! We were able to feed the whole family breakfast and dinner for free! Well, this hotel left a little something to be desired. Last night’s menu was hot wings and fries. So, we ended up ordering some food for the kids. I tried out the breakfast this morning and it was gross. If we ever find ourselves in Atlanta, this place will definitely be crossed off our list of places to stay.

I think getting to the airport tomorrow is going to be an adventure in itself. We rented a car yesterday and were supposed to be given a “standard SUV” which the website says was a Chevy Trailblazer or similar. They gave us a Jeep Liberty, which I would not put in the same class as a Trailblazer, but beggars can’t be choosers and it was the only SUV they had. So, we’ll have to load our two humongous suitcases, one medium-sized suitcase, one itty bitty suitcase, garment bag, and three kids (with two carseats) into this thing. Should be fun.

I had to make some stops on my way through Macon yesterday. One of them took me on some backroads I hadn’t been on previously. I passed by Goette’s Tax and Accounting Service and Farm. They also had a small sign advertising they had goats for sale. I wish I’d had a camera handy! It would have made a great picture (the sign was even in the shape of a goat!)! Only in The South would you find a tax and accounting service and farm!

My kids have suddenly gotten very quiet. I’m afraid to go check on them (we’re in a two bedroom suite). Last time they were this quiet, I caught Angelina and Amber writing all over themselves with markers.

I’ve started a new blog. Since I have so many posts I can’t fit them all on this blog, I figured it was time. 🙂 OK, so that’s not true. The real reason is I want to chronical our time in Italy for my family, but I don’t want them to know about this blog. So, for any of you wanting to follow our new adventures, my new blog is here. Don’t expect to see anything just yet though. Thus far all I’ve done is create it. 🙂

This post was brought to you by Keely at The Un Mom. You want more? Go check her out!

Random Tuesday Thoughts: Moving Day (for real this time!)

Yep, that’s right. The packers are here today. Most of our stuff has made its way into a box of some sort. Tomorrow, they’ll come pick everything up and it’ll start it’s journey to Italy. Thursday and Friday they’ll come get everything that we’ll be storing for the next 3 years. There’s no turning back now!

I’ve been sitting all morning watching the packers do their thing. I feel a little guilty just watching them, but then I figure that’s what they’re paid to do, right? Plus, I’ve been up late every night the past couple days trying to get everything ready for their arrival. Oh and we bought them lunch. So the guilt subsides (well that and knowing that I’ll be the one doing the hard work on the other end: unpacking).

There’s a show on the History Channel called Life After People. Tony loves this show. I find it kinda morbid. We watched one this morning that was about what would happen to amusement parks, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. The do life-like computer generated images so you can see what some scientist thinks it will look like. It was strange seeing all the lights of Vegas covered in dust. Perhaps the neatest thing was watching the Stratosphere Tower topple.

Speaking of shows Tony loves, I think reality TV has really gone too far. It’s like they find a topic, any topic and decide to make a show about it. Some of Tony’s finds: Pawn Stars (all about a guy who owns a pawn shop), Operation Repo (all about a crew riding around doing reposessions), and a couple of shows about various types of cops (like a show all about beach cops…they patrol around arresting people for acting like idiots on the beach). One thing is for certain watching these shows: we definitely do NOT have a shortage of village idiots in this country. And apparently, they make good TV.

Alyssa and Angelina’s last day of school in Georgia is Friday. I signed the withdrawal paperwork yesterday. Then I cried. I’m going to miss this school. Everyone there has been wonderful. I’m sure the school will be nice over there, but I think I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the school here.

Well, the packers are done and Tony wants his computer back. So, I guess I’m done randomizing for the day. Now, head over to keely’s place and get your fill of randomness today.

RTT: Do random thoughts spoil?

Tony and I went to lunch at Olive Garden the other day (in uniform, of course!). The couple at the table next to us, stopped by our table as they were leaving. The gentleman thanks us for our service to the country. Not a completely foreign thing to happen here. We ARE in a military town, after all. I always feel strange when people do it though. I never quite no how to answer them. I usually just smile and say, “Thank you.” Which seems weird…thanking somebody for a thank you. But “You’re welcome” doesn’t seem like an appropriate response either. Anyway, the real surprise came at the end of our lunch. The server asked us if we wanted any dessert and we said no (it’s amazing how filling soup, salad and breadsticks can be!), she then told us our lunch was covered and we were free to leave whenever we wanted. The couple was gone, so we couldn’t even thank them in person! So, to whoever you were: “Thank you for the lunch!”

Angelina sucks her fingers. She has since she was a baby. It used to be cute, but now we’re at the point where we need to get her to stop. The dentist has already told us she has a pretty severe crossbite, but if we get her to stop now it’ll probably correct itself as her permanent teeth come in. So, now we have to figure out how to break an almost 5 year habit. Right now we’re constantly telling her to take her fingers out of her mouth. Anyone have tried and true ideas to stop a finger-sucking habit?

Angelina was watching Handy Manny the other day and I found it odd that all the tools seem to just float in the air. They never touch the ground. The fact that the tools talk, bounce around and have eyes isn’t odd to me, but the fact that they float is. Apparently, I watch too much Disney!

Speaking of Handy Manny, I love the way they do bilingual. Every time he says a Spanish phrase, he immediately follows it with the English translation. He’s much less annoying than Dora.

I started this post last week and forgot to post it. So everything above this paragraph are week old, stale random thoughts. Everything after this paragraph are new, fresh random thoughts from this week.

Today is the first day of school here. We decided to put the girls in school the two weeks before we left. Well, I decided. Because I’m a mean mom. Actually it’s because I’m still working this week and next week the movers are coming. We don’t have back up child care and I don’t want them underfoot while the movers are here, so school it is!

Angelina is sooo excited to be starting school. Back-to-school night was last night. She talked at length with her teacher. And the parapro. And her sister’s teacher. And anyone else who would listen. When it was time to go, she declared she was staying the night. At the school. With her teacher. Luckily we were able to convince her to come home.

I was supposed to post a HASAY update last night. Obviously, I didn’t. Mainly because I have no update. I’m at the exact same spot I was last month. So, Casey? I know you’re reading this…consider THAT my update. :p

And to my two faithful readers: this may be the last time you hear from me for awhile. This is my last week at work. Next week the movers come. The week after that we head over to Italy. I have no idea when we’ll find a place to live. Or when we’ll have internet after that (according to my sources, this can take 2-3 months!). Wish me luck!

That’s my randomness for this week. Go see keely to get more randomness.