A ReCap

So sorry for the late update; so much has gone on it's been crazy. I have lots to tell. You've been warned.

My birthday has come and gone; (June29) I'm now 19 years old! We all had a great dinner at The Golden Corral (for those of you who haven't been; it's a very nice buffet filled with every type of food imaginable. Yum! Yum!). Here are my siblings and I:

(Aren't we a very attractive bunch? Lol.)

It was a wonderful birthday though. I got a manga-fantasy-drawing-book. Some very beautiful-hand-crafted-hobo-jewelry. A Polaroid Tablet. And a hot-dog toaster.

Yes, you read that right. A hot-dog toaster.

It works very well. Makes great hot-dogs when I don't feel like cooking. Yum-yum! Probably my second favorite gift...


My all-time favorite gift was given to me in North Carolina. Yes, we went on our trip to see Austin. It was amazing. It was so fun. And like the last time, I never wanted to leave.
We stayed from a Wednesday to Sunday. Austin and I had a date-night to ourselves Friday. We all just had the best time together. The first day I got to see Austin he gave me my favorite gift. It's so beautiful. I love it. I love it so, so much...

I love this ring to the very depths of my soul. It's so beautiful and Austin picked it out all by himself! I love it! He got it from Kay Jewelry. Every kiss begins with Kay... (and ohhhh yeah, he got a kiss for it.) Austin said he couldn't wait to give it to me on our date night, so he gave it to me early. (So impatient...) I think its the most beautiful thing in the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I love him. God has blessed me.
 It killed me to leave him. I just wanted to stay...I wanted to take him with us...I didn't cry as much as the last time (thank goodness with his parents standing around), but some tears did fall. Goodness, I miss him already. So, so much.


That's all for now. Til later.

-Sarah

Hopefully This Fall

College, college, college! Oh how I want to start thee this fall!


Seriously, I just want my degree. This is another touchy subject because I've struggled with another certain college for about a year now. I'm now trying my luck with EKU. Hopefully, it'll be a better experience. I'm really praying on it.

Yesterday I drove all the way into town (I live fifteen miles out, so this is a thing for me) to talk to the Higher Education Center that's located in the town square...only to have them tell me they don't offer EKU classes there anymore. They told me to go talk to the campus in Danville.
Which I really need to do soon. Very soon and hopefully get some classes scheduled out. Yep. Yep. Yep.

To find the time to go do that...is the toughy. I work everyday the rest of this week, besides Sunday, but I don't think the campus is open on Sunday. I might get up early and go tomorrow morning. Get my paycheck tonight (YAY! PAYDAY!) and run up there and pay whatever I need to pay them and get my classes scheduled.
Hopefully, I'll my financial aid to come in easier than at BCTC.
Which I got my refund, by the way. A whole $4.25 in my HigherOne Account. Mhmm. Dollar Tree time!

But ya know, every dollar...

Thanks for reading!
    

No Motivation

I don't know why, well, I might know why, but I don't have any motivation to write lately.

I hate that. I really do. I've been doing a bunch of stuff...I just don't have the motivation to get on here and type it all out. I'm going through a..."transitional" stage in my life right now though. Making some big decisions. Things to keep in my life; if they're worth it; things to take out of my life; my career path; schooling; finding a new job (my current isn't cutting the bills); ect.

I'm having a hard time figuring everything out. I've been distracted a lot lately. I don't know. Call this a funk. Call this a rut. Whatever it is, I'm in it.

I've been thinking about moving out lately too. They're some apartments in town at a good price. If I get a new job like I think I might, I'm thinking about moving out of the house...I'll be closer to school too. I just hate to leave dad by himself though. I don't know how he'd do without me. I'd be constantly worrying over him...

We'll just see.

Oh, and I finally got a reply out of Austin after about 2-3 weeks of non-comunicato. I got told I was loved. I guess that's what counts. Still...a talk will be issued. An overdue talk. Wish my luck and send prayers my way.

Thanks for reading,

-Sarah

I'm Geeking Out!

Howdy everyone! Hope you're having a great morning! I know I am.

It's around 10:04 and I've already went out to jog, got the mail, and played with my little kittens! Oh how I love them~! So cute! But I'm about to be on my way to Richmond...why?

That's why. Look at that contact. I put that in my eye yesterday! My contact was bothering me really bad, and I put a couple of eye drops in before I thought to take it out and look at it. I didn't like what I saw. Luckily I had carried my glasses with me. I wore them the rest of the day and I'm wearing them now. I hate my glasses though. I got them when I was in my teenage-emo-stage that every adolescent goes through at some time or another...they're black and blocky. I think they look bad on me.

You can tell the difference.

Without glasses:

See? Subtly decent. Triple points I happen to be sporting my Batman shirt today.

With glasses:

Awkwardly geeky. That's all I can say. The Batman shirt does help though. I guess I'm just geeking out today. I really hope I can just go pick some up today and they have mine in stock. I have to watch little babies at VBS tonight. That's hard enough without having to guard your glasses from their cute, grubby little hands.

I have to pick up a part for my poor Monty too. I have to get him some break pads because they've been squealing. Hopefully I can find his year today too and not have to wait to order some. I've procrastinated on getting some, and he's been squealing for about two weeks now. Let's hope my breaks don't give out on the way to Richmond today.

Thanks for reading, I'm out and on my way,

-Sarah

P.S. If any of you have been following on the Facebook page; I'm not gonna be updating it for a little bit. In fact I'm not gonna be on Facebook at all-my personal page or Winging It's- for a while. I'm not too sure how long. But be sure to check back in here every once in a while for a good update! Thanks!

So Tired Is I, Sleep Is What I Has Not

So tired is I, Sleep is what I has not. Yep. I so just pulled a Yoda.

Anywho! I got some blood test results done if you guys remember; and I have good news today! It's taken so long for the results because I actually had to go in for a second test. They didn't have enough blood for the first one, somehow. Anyway; I have a type of mono called "Epstein Barr" or something like that, and I've had it for so long without knowing it that I'm in the recovery stage. So fluids, vitamins and rest should do it. The best part: I'm not contagious! So there's no hassle at work! I love it. :)

I'm so excited though! I might get to see Austin within the next 2-3 weeks! I'm counting down days, literally. He said he might get to fly down if he gets leave after he gets back from Cali. I'm hoping. I'm praying. I really miss him.
If he can't then I plan on flying over to see him sometime SOON. I've got enough saved up; I've got paychecks coming in. I'll make it work.

I'm nervous too though. I have a wedding coming up that I have to photograph. Well, TWO actually. Just that this first one is on the 7th of June. That's like, a week away. I still don't have a purple shirt to go with my slacks. I need to go shopping. But I'm just worried I'll mess up and ruin the bride's perfect day. This is my first wedding! I'm not getting paid for it, I'm doing it as a gift to the couple (it's my cousin's wedding...). I've been working my camera all week though. Practicing on shots, finding light...ect. Just be praying for me and the couple.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah

I Hate My Immune System

Ladies and gents, I hope you've had a great Friday!
I'm trying really hard to enjoy it myself, and I am, when I'm not sleeping or so unfocused it's like I'm not really awake anyway. Yes, I hate to say it, but I'm sick.
Again. I hate my immune system.
On Memorial Day weekend. When I have an 8-hour shift tomorrow. When I've missed TWO days of work already. When I get Sunday AND Monday off. I'm sick. I have the flu. Poo. :(

I've been so, so tired the last couple of weeks, it's killed me. I haven't been able to focus. No matter how much I sleep, I'm tired. (I slept for 15 hours total out of the 24 hours of my day Wednesday, and I was still exhausted). Then Tuesday, I was nauseous and throwing up and all that good stuff.
I finally got tired of being tired. I went to the doctor.
After getting checked out, it was found that I have a fever, but the initial check-up said I was fine. The fever and my extreme exhaustion and headaches were odd, so the doctor ordered blood tests.

I hate needles, and I usually get sick watching my blood get taken. I took the notion to watch this time though, because why not? If I'm interested in being a pediatrician I should get used to it. I did good. Pretty okay...I only got sick after the nurse left.

Anywho, I got a CVC test done and a Mono (short for Mononucleosis) test done. I got the results for my CVC today. I'm normal, thank the Lord. The doctor said it looked like a viral infection, well, the flu, to be more specific. Lots of rest and fluids. Yes, ma'am!
My mono test results come in tomorrow, or they're supposed to. I'm kinda nervous. I've had mono before, and I know it's in my body still, just in-active. I know the resting period for mono is 30 days. I can't have that. I have a job. I have bills. I don't have time for swollen spleens and body aches and fevers.

I hate my immune system.

I have to be taking like eight kinds of pills right now, so I don't understand. I'm taking women's vitamins, regular vitamins, Biotin, vitamin B, Clariton...and now Tylonol every eight hours! How much more help could I give my body???

Well, please be praying. That's all I'm gonna ask. I'm going to sleep.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah

Oh, before I forget:

  Remember those who have served and whom have paid the ultimate price for your freedom. Thank a vet this weekend. They deserve it. Have a great weekend!

E-Cards! And Upate!

Hello Everyone, sorry for my terrible update habits. I've been so busy, and my priority right now is updating my May Marine Motivation Tumblr page. (Which I'm pretty bad at to so...) I've just been busy. So many decisions. It's terrible.

An update on Austin:

Austin's been training at 29 Palms for a few weeks now. Well, about 3-ish. I've gotten the blessing of hearing his voice once a week. Which, you military girlfriends/fiances/wives will understand, is a very, very, very beautiful thing. We still get to text on and off. Mostly I just send little things because I don't want to bother Austin while he's over there. I have been finding these hilarious e-card pictures I send to him though...

I just thought these were so cute and hilarious! I love them! If you haven't sent a couple of these, I recommend that you should! Your boo will love them. :)

It's almost the end of May though, and Austin should be leaving California sometime early June. I'm excited! I really can't wait, because I plan on going to see him as soon as possible! I've already got money saved for the tickets, so yeah. I'm ready. Ready-freddy.

Gah, I just can't wait until he can come home for good.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah

Miss Him

I'll have to thoroughly update you all later, right now I only have one thing to say:

I sincerely, dearly, utterly, and crazily miss my Austin to bits right now. I think I'm gonna go insane. :(

Off to work,

Sarah

A Boring Update

So it's my day off. I slept until ten this morning. I needed it though. Burger House has finally started our summer hours, meaning we close at ten at night now. Me, being a little thing that needs her sleep, is a little anxious by this. We have been really busy though, and on most nights have been taking orders at or after nine, so I guess it makes sense. I just wish it didn't. I get tired darn it!
Hours though. So whoop! (Always the optimist am I...)

So I've got an appointment with BCTC tomorrow to finally straighten this mess out. I've dropped out of the classes I can, finished the ones I couldn't and am in the process of transferring to Eastern Kentucky University. It's gonna cost more, but it'll be worth it. A loan won't be so bad if I get to work in the career field that I really want to.
Anywhoooo-
Yes, I've got the appointment. I've got all the emails printed, the letters sent put in a folder, and all of my information packed away into this cute little professional binder. It's all ready to go. This whole experience has been so ridiculous and energy-consuming, I'm just glad to be finally getting it done and over with. My mother is coming with me because she says she wants a...friendly...word in. Needless to say, it really won't be friendly.
I think she already has a lawyer on speed dial. Yeah. (Not that I'm complaining...)

Quite honestly, I have a lot of stuff I need to do today on my day off...but you know, I'm just really not feeling up to it. I just feel so tired. I just wanna curl up with some Buffy and take cat-naps all day. I need to do my laundry though. And wash my car. And turn over the dirt in my soon-to-be-garden. And sew a patch in one of my shirts. And do some house work that needs to get done. Search the web for ideas on gifts for Austin's mom (it's her birthday this coming Sunday and I almost forgot!!!) Just so much to do. I really don't want to.
I have tomorrow off, but most likely Lexington will take up a majority of my time. That meeting isn't going to be fun. Then my sister is coming with us...I guess her and my mom want to do some shopping or something while we're there. Sometimes I think I was born to be a man, because shopping doesn't appeal to me as it does most women.  I think it's the money-spending. I know I'll spend it if I have it. So I don't like going shopping. I try to stay away from it unless I have to.

Sorry guys, I really don't  have much news to go on. My next post should be good though. I'll be telling you all about my May Month Fitness Challenge inspired by Austin's soon-to-be-trip to Cali for combat training.

Mhmm. Keep it touch! And thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Just Call Me "Grouchy Bear"

It's Sunday morning, which is a blessing all in itself! Again, I want to apologize for the lack of posts lately. My motivation has been lacking, my physical strength slacking, and my family has had a rough week to go through.

I don't really have much news to give. Lately, I seem to be in a rut. A really bad rut that I need to get out of. I've been biting people's heads off left and right! It's a wonder my father even tries to speak to me at all! I really don't mean to be this meanie-terrible-person. I'm usually pretty pleasant. I know stress is no excuse for bad behavior, but I'm hacking it and saying that it's mine.
I had a nine-hour work day yesterday, which honestly wasn't bad. I had a lot of fun with the people I work with! There was a ton of laughing and no one really made any mistakes, so it was a good day! (Besides the working through two shifts thing and not having any time for anything yesterday) I'm blessed to have the hours I get now though. I got Thursday added to my schedule, so thumbs up! I'm getting hours! I'm just whining 'cause this my blog and I can :)

 Now, the real reason why I'm all upset. I'm wary to say anything, but it's tied in my blog, and sets the future in the nature of this blog so... I haven't had a decent conversation with Austin for three weeks. He texted me once two weeks ago, and once again last week. I haven't really gotten a response when I've texted him. Which has me on edge, I'm not gonna lie. Usually I've gotten a call...or something by now. I'm not gonna go any deeper than this on here though.

So yes, I've been having this crazy,emotional train running 'round and 'round in my head and heart. I mean, I'm not a blubbering mess or kicking puppies or anything, but I've been pretty grouchy lately and probably not-so-fun to live with. I've been praying a lot though, and I've been preparing myself to make any decision that I have to. (I'm not talking about any one situation so don't jump to conclusions here...) Please be praying for me too. I'm to the point to where I just want a straight answer so I can move on with my life.

But thank you everyone. I know I whine and rant on here a lot more than anything, and I'm working hard to change that. I'm just not too sure what direction my life is gonna take, and that bothers me. I like to plan. I like surety.

Amen.

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

The Mysterious Feeling

Hello everyone! I haven't been posting regularly like I always do, I know. Well...I've never had a schedule really...I just kinda...post whenever. But I apologize none-the-less!
I've just been thinking a lot; about the blog, about my maybe/possible/hopefully-coming-along photography business, and of course, a lot about Austin.

I'll start with my photography business.
First I need a name for the bis', which I'm honestly thinking about sticking with slhallphotography. It's the name I've been water-marking my photos with that I take...and it's my name, so it's copy-righted on it's own. I don't have to jump through so many hoops to get my business's official name. And then there's the buying of the equipment if this is what I'm pursuing. I've been thinking about taking out a loan from a local business and getting what I need and paying it off as I go. I'll get my equipment on time, and I'll be building my credit early. Gotta start somewhere.
Which brings me to the blog.
Winging It is made as a journal and whatever-you-want-to-call-it for the relationship between Austin and I. It's to help support other military girlfriends, fiances and spouses. It relieves a lot of stress when I write about what's bothering me, or what's upsetting me in my life. Well, I need a website for my photography business. So do I make a regular website and link this blog to it, or do I make a new blog...? In addition to this one? Because I want to keep a little bit of the "military girlfriend" theme on my photography's website page too. If just to make me more original (and to keep myself interested). I don't know if I could just post pictures in the blog by itself.
I would stop altogether eventually. So those are some thoughts about that...

And then there's Austin. He hasn't done anything, he's been an angel. I just miss him. I just saw him Easter Sunday, but for some reason...I've just been feeling this...heartache for him. This mysterious feeling. It's not normal. I mean, I miss him every single day...but never all chest-achy like this every day. I've felt like this for a week now. I've prayed on it countless times; asked God for strength if that's what I needed, asked for guidance and even just asked Him (if it's in His will) to just make it stop. It comes everyday, all day.
Austin is where he's always been: North Carolina. I'm working, doing school work, and everything I usually do. Nothing out of the norm....so I don't know. Stupid mysterious feeling. He's leaving for California to train for a month or two in May...then I know deployment isn't far away...maybe that's it. I honestly don't know.
I just hope this mysterious feeling goes away. Soon. Like now, please?
I actually cried today. I heard Keith Urban's song "For You" and the tears just came. Stupid woman hormones. Stupid song. Stupid mysterious feeling.

If any of the ladies feel like letting a few water-works loose, here's the video for the song:

I only just noticed it was on the end of "Act Of Valor". (Which if you haven't watched, you need to) That movie made me cry too. I'm just a mess lately. It's almost pathetic, I'm so girly. I swear, I'm usually better about all this...

Well, thanks for reading, I'm off to kill some things on Fallout 3 and regain some of my...dignity.

**Oh, yes, I've added a few definitions to the Marine Jibberish Page! ;)

-Sarah

The Procrastinating Will-Be Gardner

Hello everyone! I got back from work not too long ago...I'm currently taking up residence at my mother's house. I have to meet a potential client tomorrow at noon. Which I'm extremely nervous about, but yeaaah.

You all know how I did a photography session with my friend Kacy and her boo. The photos turned out to be adorable! And a woman who knows them, saw them too and, apparently, thought they were good!
Good enough to ask me to be the photographer at her wedding in June. Yeah.
It raked me a new one! I'm nervous as can be about this! I mean, it's this woman's big day and I don't want to ruin it. Can you imagine?

"Oh, look at that ruined moment that amateur photographer took of us. My nose looks big."

I'm supposed to meet her tomorrow at the destination of her wedding and talk about it. I'm super-nervous and I've waited last-minute to get my portfolio together. Absolute last minute. Very last minute. As in I'm-going-to-Wally-World-In-The-Morning-To-Get-Some-Quick-Photos-Printed-For-My-Portfolio-Last-Minute.
Mhmm. Which brings up the question; is this what I really want to pursue? I mean, I have a co-worker who wants me take photos of her honey-bunny and her too. It's all coming so easy...I mean, I'm wondering if this is something I'm supposed to do. If it's "God-given". (I mean, everything is God-given, but...you know what I mean!)
What would I name my photography business? I'd have to start a second blog!!! (Hehehe...winkwink)

So many things, but I'm too tired to think about them right now...this morning I started on my garden. By hand. Literally. Because I don't have a "turn-over" to turn over the land, and I had a bunch of weeds where my garden is supposed to be, I took a scythe-thingy and a metal rake to that sucker. I worked from 9-12 this morning.

I have blisters on my hands now, but they're satisfying blisters. One is all gross and leaky though...ugh. Bleh. Ow. How do you even treat blisters? I've popped the thing and pulled of some grotesque skin but it's still all....there. And gross. And hurting.
What? Let me whine. It's my blog.

But goodnight all; this girl is hitting the hay! I've gotta get up early!

Wish me luck and thanks for reading,

-Sarah

Transferring?

Hello everyone! I've been slacking off on my posts, I know...

I'm in good spirits though! I've just finished a 1,000 word essay for my English 1011 class that I've been putting off for a week. Talk about procrastination.
I'm terrible, I know.
I'm just so happy to finally get it done! I think it's decent...when I come across some document-sharing website I might get it posted up. It was a personal essay about something you believed and the story behind it. I chose "Good things come to those who wait". (I think it's a good one...) I put the story of Aust's graduation behind it. With my own personal touch, I think my essay was the bomb. : )

I've been having thoughts though. Transferring thoughts. Because yes, I'm working on my classes, however, I feel like I'm working towards a mess. Have you ever had that feeling of dread you ignore? Yeah, that's what I'm feeling. With how much work and trouble it's been, I'm not so sure this is where God wants me. I mean, I still don't have my financial assistance worked out, but BCTC isn't having any trouble sending me my tuition bill twice a week.
So, I think I'm going to get these two classes finished and start looking into National College.

I requested information about them a few weeks ago, and I got my packet in the mail today. They have multiple Financial Aid programs, plus tons of degrees that only take 9 months to finish. You can also start your career before you finish. I'm thinking about setting up an interview with National and talking to a few people before I actually transfer though. Eastern Kentucky University is also an option, and I'll look into them more, but I'm feeling pretty good about National. I'd only have to drive like, 15 miles two times a week to take my classes. That's not bad. At all. (Yes, I've decided my next classes WILL NOT be taken online.)

More decisions...

Thanks for reading! And be on the look out for my next posts! I have a few good ideas...regarding tattoos...more of TWD...possibly marriage? Stay updated!

-Sarah

Well Here We Go Again

Frustration. I'm sorry my posts have been filled with stress and down-trodded-ness...and I'm sorry this is going to be another one. I'm just so frustrated right now. I thought I had all of my schooling worked out; I'm even taking my classes already. It's all fine and dandy...or so I thought.
BCTC sent me an email saying that I had been picked for a process called "verification". I needed to get the "verification worksheet", fill it out and email/mail it in. Which I would understand completely, if I hadn't sent that form in via email months ago. (I even have the email saved that I sent!) This just gives me the answer to all my troubles.
Someone isn't doing their job.
I get paid to do my job right, even if it's just restaurant work. I thought it was a universal rule or something.

Do your job (right). Get paid. Simple.
 And with how much my tuition bill is, I know they get a slice of that cake. I hate the feeling that I'm paying someone to not do their job.

But there's another universal rule I'm forgetting.
When I was small, my father was the stay-at-home-guy. Still is. He broke his back in his last job and can't work anymore, so it was up to my mother to support the family. So, my dad is the regular "Mr. Mom". He does an awesome job at it. He's an awesome cook.
Anyway, when I was little, and I was crying and whining for what I wanted or I was upset. I would say the same thing;

"But, that's not fair!"

My dad would smile (this evil, I-know-more-than-you-parent-smile) and say;

"Well, honey. Life's not fair."

Hence, my life.

Thanks for reading guys! I'm hoping to get some more DIY's up soon. I've got the stuff, I just need the motivation, and the time. I have an 8-hour work day today and church tomorrow (then work). So please bare with me.

-Sarah

Welcome Spring and Stress

I apologize, I haven't written in a day or two (which means I'm behind on my 30 day challenge...) but I've been feeling yucky and it's been a stressful week. Thankfully, I'm feeling much, much better now. I was out of it, but now I'm back in my funk.
I had to pay all my bills yesterday. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.
Though, it was my fault for procrastinating and not getting them in early like usually...and missing work. That cut a lot out of my paycheck. Budgeting has come into effect.

My online classes are totally kicking my butt. I'm working through modules (which are specific parts of a class and not the whole thing and when they're all completed they add up to whatever credits the class is worth) and every time I finish one the starting date for another one opens up (sometimes before I'm finished with the first) and then I rush through it...my grades are doing fine. I'm just not soaking in the material like I should. Which is bad.

So please be praying on that for me and please be praying for a few un-spokens' I have. Life is just on the rocks at the moment. I hate uncertainty and I've been praying on this matter for a while now and though I know God is working and I just have to have faith...the wait is still hard.

So happy! Spring is here!!! But it's still only 15degrees outside...

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Easter Dresses and Sore Throats

First things worth stating; I have a sore throat, ribs, an aching headache and I'm coughing like a Nazi. (No offense to any of ya'll. We're all bros here.) I even had to take off work early yesterday after our KY Wildcats game started. Which I was also sad to have to miss...
It's almost noon though, and this cough isn't going away. I'm going to have to make the decision to call in today or not. If I do, I'll probably hit the doctor's office today.

I haven't got to hear too much from Austin this week since he called last Tuesday. Call me greedy, I miss him. I guess it's that our schedules really don't mix that well; him working all the week days and me working most weekend days (plus Friday and Monday). That's life though! Hopefully I'll get to see him around Easter. If not, well, I'm hoping to make another trip to see him maybe sometime next month anyway.

Speaking of Easter, I've been Easter dress shopping twice and nothing has struck my fancy. Well, a few dresses have, but I don't know. I went to Rue21 and found a few I liked, but I'm so wary of their clothes now. They have great prices, but the clothes don't really seem to be...made that well. I've had a few things rip in my time.

Of all the dresses, I kinda liked the blue one the best. It would have been around $30 dollars with tax though (and the others were even more), so I'm still on the rocks. I don't want to pay so much for so little material, which seems to be the way clothes are prices these days. I need to hurry though, Easter is right around the corner...

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Oh, Deery Me!

Good morning everyone!
I'm gonna have to keep this short because I'm heading off to a funeral in a bit. Which doesn't help my enthusiasm for this post. Neither does hitting a deer.
No, I didn't mean to. Yes I feel terrible about it, but I'm also equally frustrated. I just got Monty (my car-my baby) out of the shop and everything was running great and fine. Better then ever. I now have a busted headlight.

And I found this deer-fur on the side of my car this morning when I went to check out the damage...

Now I know why my puppy-dog, Nipper was licking my car last night when I got home. She smelled deer and was all "Woot! Woot!". Probably was proud of me, that sick little sadistic mongrel... (just joking I love my Nipper-baby, she has so much personality.) Not gonna lie, I'm blessed to come out with little bit of damage. Besides a sore arm today, I'm perfectly fine and healthy. God really had His hand on me. As always.

That's all I've got time for today, but be looking for my next update, which should be How to Dye Fabric with Tea and Coffee. I just have to get everything organized and put it up! Until then, I'm off to a funeral.

Thanks for reading and have an awesome day!

-Sarah

I Wish Acorns Were Currency...

No seriously, I'd be loaded. My yard gets full of them...

Hello everyone! It's been a day or two since I've updated you all. I've just been so, so busy! As it's going, I just got my tax return back the other day, which was a blessing...til I had to spend it all on other taxes like the property tax. And then my car insurance bill. (Doesn't make it any less of a blessing.)

Oh, all of my lovely bills. Beautiful.

It's morning and I'm seriously craving some pancakes...or anything really. I'm starving. At my job last night, I got so sick and nauseous that just the smell of the food set me off. I was hot and dizzy. It was so miserable I finally went to the bathroom and did the old "finger down the throat" trick.
It helped for all of 5 minutes; I seriously paid for it. I threw up two more times, not of my own will. I seriously was considering going home, but I only had about two hours left until we closed so I did my job the best I could. (Of course, for all you health freaks, I washed my hands constantly and tried to stay away from the food as much as possible; just in case.)
I'm feeling good this morning though. And hungry. I'm thinking Chinese for lunch. That sounds amazing...I love the fortune cookies ;)

Yesterday morning wasn't so bad though. I went to church with Austin's parents like I do most Sundays (I'll call them "T" & "J".) and studied about the Lord. It was an awesome lesson; about not proclaiming to the world every good deed you do for attention. You won't get rewarded that way, at least, not in Heaven. All the kids were really active for some reason. They were running around and making such a fuss, you would have thought we just had an ice-cream party and they were all invited. 

After church, we had lunch at Aust's mammi's (grandmother's) house. I tried a baked potatoe for the first time. And corn on the cob. And green beans. 

Don't make fun of me. I'm a picky eater. (Or I was, until I met this family. I'll eat anything they feed me...) Mammi's cooking was amazing. I love her fried cornbread!

Then T called Austin and we all passed around the phone and talked to him. I've said this many times before, but it's amazing hearing his voice. He sounded so happy yesterday; I loved it. I love him. Apparently he got "blew up" looking for fake IED in the field. Got cut in half or something...(not really, they weren't real, it was just a training exercise...thank God) 

Austin might be getting some time off around Easter which is just a month away. 30 days or so. I think I can handle that. Maybe. :)

Not nauseous, very hungry and broke,

-Sarah

Thanks for reading!

Reality Check

Alright. I know, I had this big countdown and then I left you all hanging. I was in a bit of a funk for a day or two after I got back so I apologize. No, my trip didn't put me in a "funk" but returning to the real world did.
My weekend was amazing; I was in my own little piece of Heaven. Well, Jacksonville.

This is not my photo. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't get any pictures during my weekend.
None. And I'm sorry because I promised you all some. :(

My first plane from the LEX Airport started boarding around 12:20 Friday afternoon. I got stopped in security. Well, I got searched in security. (Patted down and everything...by a woman, thank God...I think) Apparently cord/wooden bracelets and purity rings don't do well in the X-Ray...thing.
My flight connected to the airport in Charlotte, NC and then a short 30minute flight to Jacksonville. I arrived around 3:40ish in the afternoon or something like that. After a short wait (and a few phone calls/texts to my parents and other adolescences and peers that worry about my well-being) I got a text from Austin telling me that he just got out from the field. (Which meant him un-packing, showering, getting re-packed for the weekend, ect)
He wasn't able to pick me up as planned because it would have taken too long, so I took a taxi ride(from a guy named "Bobby" who liked to call me sweetheart) and after a phone call and a hotel switch I found myself at The Quality Inn's lobby reading the Hobbit waiting for Austin to arrive.

(** For those of you poor, poor people who don't know what the Hobbit is, please take a moment to click here. Then buy the book. Seriously, the movie does none of it justice.)

One moment I'm reading, the next Austin is in the lobby and I've jumped up and flung myself in his arms. (It was like something like hallmark...I promised myself I wouldn't ever be one of those girls. I couldn't help myself.) The greeting was brief, neither of us being one for PDA, but...perfect. The weekend was perfect. We shopped around the mall and saw Warm Bodies. We went out to eat a lot. (Speaking of which, has anyone ever seen a Marine eat? God, it's scary-ish. Austin had his plate clean in like, 30 seconds, then all he had to do was sit and watch me eat. Which made me nervous and not-so-hungry...) He showed me around Camp Lejeune, which is like a whole town itself. It's so big!
Around Sunday both of us were just exhausted from running around the whole weekend, so we just chilled at the hotel and watched SouthPark/Family Guy on Netflix all day and lazed around. (Well, Austin played his new Pokemon Soul Silver version...I just kinda cat-napped the whole day) ((We're both just lazy people.))
 Monday was a sad day, the day I had to get on my plane and go home. Austin took me out to the Golden Corral for breakfast and then off to the Airport we went.

I'm not gonna lie, leaving was so, so hard. I felt my heart breaking in two on the drive over. What really got me was Austin murmuring "You're leaving me..." in the car on the way over. I already did my crying that morning in the shower before we went to breakfast in order to avoid making the separation harder. We parked and Aust walked me inside and we just sat in the lobby and waited. He said "he appreciated me coming to see him" and I told him "he was welcome". Our goodbyes are always like that; so polite and not-so-casual. Trying not to make a big deal out of it...it's a way of making it easier I think. (I didn't really help, I teared up anyway) Finally it was time for me to board. We embraced and I hugged him for as long as I would let myself.
"I'll see you soon." is what he always says. Even when it's not going to be "soon". He says time passes by fast. I guess.
Then the tears tried to start...it was so hard. I hated leaving him. He helped me get my stuff over to the security check and we kissed for the last time. A light, feather kiss on the lips, and then his signature kiss on my forehead. Bittersweet really. He said he'd stay until I got through security. I kept turning around and looking at him, I couldn't help it. The check went without incident...and I gathered my bags and turned to look at him one last time. I mouthed "I love you" and sent him an air-kiss. I caught his response on my lips before finally turning away for the last time and making myself walk away.

I know people thought I was crazy, or just...I don't know. I was crying so much sitting in that airport chair, waiting for my zone to be called. I only thing I wanted to do was walk out of there back to Austin. Which I know, sounds so selfish and unpractical. I mean, I come home and I have family that love me and missed me while I gone. My dad came to pick me up from the airport because I was so tired. I have my life in Kentucky, but (brace yourselves for cheesy-ness) my heart is in North Carolina.
The way home was hard. I just kept thinking how miserable it felt to leave him. The rest of the day was...harder still. I missed him. I still miss him. A lot.
Which is selfish because I actually got to see him. He has so many people waiting on him at home, and I got to see him and I'm complaining that I miss him...Gah.

Well, I'm blessed and thankful I got to go. Austin called me last night to tell me he'd be in the field all week and wouldn't be able to talk until the weekend. He helped get me out of my funk a lot. I told him how much I was missing him and complained a bit about how hard the whole situation is. I'm a lot better now, because he just pointed out something obvious that I kinda already knew, but...if he wasn't in the Marines, he would be in college for about four years. Our relationship would be the same then. Him being at EKU (coming home every other weekend) and me being at BCTC and working. The waiting would still be there. And honestly, I don't think we'd be as close as we are, if that makes any sense. I think the separation as made us...closer.
It's not the easiest situation, but its not the worst and it's something I'm willing to work through. It's worth it.
He's worth it. 

So I'm going to work hard and keep busy. Hopefully, time really will fly by.

Sorry about all the whining and the late update. My next post will be more upbeat and have more pictures.

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Countdown: Day 3

Yes, it's Day 3.
I'm getting more and more excited with each hour that passes! Today I spent the day going little lazy important things like, what clothes I'm going to pack, washing those clothes, researching carry on restrictions, confirming my flight....

This is my carry on at the moment...all packed you know.

But like I said, I started packing. So far I have a pair of sweats to sleep in and a sweater...progress. That's what matters.
If you could see the rest of my room you would notice clothes strewn all over the place and little 3oz bottles of random beauty products separated into piles of important-to-least-important.

That's about all I've been doing though. It's been a very blah-blah day.

Oh! I made a chocolate cream pie earlier! It's sitting in the fridge getting all...pie-like and good. That'll be some good breakfast; mhmm~!

My next post might be about 'How to Pack a Carry-On Bag Like a Real Lady'. Keep in touch!

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah