Are You Too Sensitive?
I bet you're not the least bit surprised that I clicked on that link.

I have no idea if I was a "fretful toddler" -- I always figured that my oversensitivity stemmed from an overly-controlling former boyfriend -- but I sure nodded at this part:

Cruelty, at least, is a malady that rarely strikes the sensitive. And, in fact, while it's easy to dwell on the downside of being thin-skinned, the pluses are many and varied. "Sensitive people encourage others to feel that their opinions matter, they're usually good listeners and they're naturally empathetic," Dr. Jacobson says. "And because they are so acutely aware of their own imperfections, they tend to be patient with the imperfections of others."
...
But the pendulum can easily swing the other way, too -- where, like the princess and the pea, you feel every tiny bump so intensely that you suffer more than is reasonable. The key, as with so much else in life, is keeping things in perspective.

Been working on that perspective for about four years now. Don't know I've made much progress though.

Posted by: Sarah at 11:32 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 194 words, total size 1 kb.

I'm a woman who likes her routine. I've pretty much done the same thing every day since we moved into this house. In fact, on days that I have a dentist appointment or a knitting class, I often feel really thrown off and have to start mentally preparing myself a few days prior for the change in routine.

Yeah, my mom can't wait to see me saddled with kids. She'll laugh herself silly.

Anyway, I'm all thrown off right now because my husband's Farsi course is running on second shift. For some unknown and odd reason, they're meeting from 2:00-9:00PM every day. That throws us way for a loop, and I'm still trying to wrap my brain around my new schedule. We're eating dinner for lunch and sandwiches for dinner, and last night felt more like he was in the field than at work. This morning we kept looking at each other wondering what we're supposed to do with each other at 11AM. Every day feels like Saturday.

It also throws our computer time way out of whack, so I haven't quite figured out how to arrange my blog reading and writing into this new schedule. Normally it's the first thing I do after he leaves in the morning, but now he doesn't leave until after lunch. Er, dinner. Bear with me as we adjust to this. I haven't read a blog or article in days.

But the husband's already thriving in his class. It's only the second day and he's already memorized all his flashcards for the free-standing alphabet (the initial and medial forms are another story.) And we've been singing our Alef Be Pe's all morning!

Posted by: Sarah at 09:04 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 288 words, total size 2 kb.

1 I'm with you there - we're having work done on the house - which has turned into a major project. It's thrown my husband and I completely off our schedules - I know it needs to be done... but I hate it. It's sad how much of my life is in a rut. Heh.

Posted by: Teresa at August 16, 2007 10:41 AM (gsbs5)

2 "the initial and medial forms are another story." Fortunately most of the final forms are identical to the isolated forms. I thought he already knew the Arabic alphabet, so he just had to add the Persian-only variants (ک instead of ك for kaaf) and letters to the inventory (پ pe, چ che, ژ zhe, گ gaaf). Arabic would have had letters for p and g if only earlier p and g hadn't shifted to f and j (though Egyptian still has g: Gamal for جمال Jamal). I hope he isn't too troubled by homophonous letters in Persian spelling. Since Persian didn't have a lot of Arabic consonants, Persians borrowed the spellings of Arabic words but pronounced them in a Persianized way without the Arabic sounds absent in Persian: e.g., Arabic ﺙ th and emphatic ﺹ s were Persianized as . So if one hears in Persian, one can't be sure if it's spelled with ﺙ se, ﺹ saad, or the regular -letter ﺱ sin. [z] is even worse, with four spellings: the basic ز ze and ذ zaal, ض zaad, ظ zaa for Arabic words. Persian spelling is overspecified on the one hand (due to the adherence to Arabic spelling) and yet underspecified on the other (due to the lack of full vowel representation). It's as if English had spellings like psychlgy and ptrdctyl which preserve Latinizations of Greek (ps = ψ, ch = χ, pt = πτ but leave some vowels unwritten. Here's a table listing the homophonous letters and indicating whether a given letter is used for Arabic borrowings or native Persian: http://www.unics.uni-hannover.de/nhtcapri/persian-alphabet.html Paul Sprachman's (speak-man - what a name!) book Language and Culture in Persian delves into the issues of Persian writing in a style accessible to nonlinguists: http://www.amazon.com/Language-Culture-Persian-Bibliotheca-Iranica/dp/1568591446/ Reading LACIP is an entertaining way to learn about Persian without actually studying the language. The author himself e-mailed me out of the blue to recommend it and here I am, four years later, recommending it to you. The book may be even more fun if one is studying Persian.

Posted by: Amritas at August 16, 2007 11:31 AM (+nV09)

3 Arabic ﺙ th and emphatic ﺹ s were Persianized as . That reminds me: it seems that Persian underwent a th > s shift at some point (presumably before the introduction of the Arabic script), which is why سه se 'three' now has initial s- and is spelled with Arabic س s- instead of ث th-. In Avestan (a sort of grandaunt to modern Persian), 'three' had initial thr-, which in turn came from an earlier tr- still preserved in Sanskrit (and Greek and Latin). Germanic and Avestan developed their thr- independently from tr-. English kept Germanic thr-, but most of Germanic gave up the difficult th-sound: hence Swedish tre, German drei, and Dutch drie (but Icelandic Þrír still has th-!). I just noticed that Pashto has adopted the German/Dutch strategy of changing th- to d-, at least in dre 'three' according to this table: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Iranian_Languages Other Iranian languages have weakened th- to h-. I would imagine you've heard second-language speakers of English pronounce th- as s-. The Japanized version of 'three' is スリー surii and the Koreanized version is 스리 sUri. Maybe I should put this on my blog instead of yours ...

Posted by: Amritas at August 16, 2007 11:55 AM (+nV09)

4 Amritas -- My husband never learned to read or write Arabic, only to speak a little bit. So this is a new process for him. He did mention the other night how kind it is of you to comment about this and take an interest in his studies. I'm sure he will be fascinated by all your info.

Posted by: Sarah at August 16, 2007 12:29 PM (TWet1)

5 Maybe I should put this on my blog instead of yours ... Now I have yet another reason to come here!

Posted by: David Boxenhorn at August 16, 2007 10:36 PM (Pu/86)

6 Do you really think your mother would laugh herself silly?!? It doesn't take long to realize that with a new baby, you just roll with the punches! I know you'll do fine! You're much more organized than I am, and if I survived raising three children, you'll be able to also! Then when you're my age, you'll look back and think about all the silly things you stressed about. Wish I had been wiser then! I have sooo mellowed in my old age!! I love you! Your Mama

Posted by: nancy at August 17, 2007 07:28 PM (5mt/4)

7 Actually, my son has put me more into a routine. He's much happier when we keep to a schedule. So all may not be lost!

Posted by: Non-Essential Equipment at August 19, 2007 09:41 AM (dHtzl)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

My husband starts his Farsi training today. Things should get interesting around here. It's hard for me to imagine learning a whole language in six months, but I guess if you're at it for eight hours a day, it's a little different than the three hours per week deal I did all through college. And apparently the Army is wising up to how badly they need competent speakers, so they've changed the final test from all multiple choice (sheesh) to reading and aural comprehension. My husband is determined to clobber this puppy and get the highest score ever.

It's funny the reactions you get when you tell civilians that you're going to start learning Farsi. There are two main choices: "What's Farsi?" and "Are we invading Iran?"

Our old neighbors from when we first got married are Iranian, and we got to meet up with them last week. They were just tickled pink hearing what my husband has already managed to learn on his own via the Rosetta Stone program. They about fell over when their daughter toddled into the living room and my husband said, "The girl has on a shirt but no pants." And he just floors them with his knowledge of the region, such as when he found out what city the wife is from and said, "Oh, so you're Azeri and not Persian?" Most of the people they meet in the US can't tell Iraq from Iran, but my husband knows the different Iranian ethnic groups and their corresponding geography.

Can you tell how much this man amazes me too?

Everyone asks if I am going to try to learn Farsi alongside him, and I haven't really decided yet. I can count to ten and nearly recite the alphabet, but maybe I will try to glean more than that.

And when our friends asked, "So are you going to invade Iran?", you could tell they were half-joking, but you could also hear some wistfulness in their words.

Posted by: Sarah at 03:42 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 335 words, total size 2 kb.

I'm back! Well, sort of. We're still on vacation, but at least now we have computer access. And you don't know how wonderful it feels to hear my internet friends miss me. ArmyWifeToddlerMom called me on my second day gone and asked, "Is your vacation over yet?" It's good to be loved.

We're having fun, but if I never get in the car again I will be thrilled. We'll need another oil change the minute we get home. 9 hours the first day, 9 hours the second, 8 hours yesterday, 4 today, 4 tomorrow, and then another 15 on the way back home at the end of the week.

And it's not quite barfing all the way to Georgia, but we've had a heck of a time in all these car rides too. The first morning we had to go to three separate gas stations before we could find a working air pump for our tires. Then we decided to take the long-cut around Winston-Salem. We were nearly divorced or a double homicide by 9 AM. The second day, as we were chugging along making great time at 5 AM, we hit a crow. Seriously. All I could think about was Lomborg's stat that 250,000 birds die hitting windows every day. Well, we popped one in Louisville. Took out our driver's side mirror. Personally, I wanted my husband to back up and run over that crow a couple more times just to make sure it understood how ticked I was. Not easy to drive without that mirror. Also not cheap to get it fixed.

So then yesterday we start out with no problems. At the first rest stop, we get Charlie out of the car and notice he's covered in poop. Apparently he must've rolled in a nice pile before we left. We manage to give him a cursory cleaning and then let him roll around in the grass to dry off. He comes back covered in sticker burrs. Mind you, we're on our way to stop for lunch at a friend's house, a buddy from high school. I haven't spent any time with him in ten years, and I'm supposed to show up at his home with a dog covered in burrs and poop. Not cool.

Oh, and when we get there, Charlie lifts his leg on their sofa.

Please let us make it through the rest of the trip without any stories to tell.

Posted by: Sarah at 03:33 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 410 words, total size 2 kb.

I blogged over at SpouseBUZZ about how we suddenly got our leave yanked away from us. I spent the past two weeks on pins and needles, waiting to hear if we really would get to make this trek back to the Midwest. And in the end, it was those danged baseball tickets that saved our hide. The unit decided that since we'd made a financial obligation, we could go on leave. Thanks a heap, especially since the husband has a week of use-or-lose vacation that would've been lost if we couldn't go.

My husband should be eternally grateful that my knitting excursion is the only reason he gets a two-week break. I deserve to buy more yarn.

So I guess I'd better pack a suitcase or something. We leave in three days on a 17-hour car ride.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:07 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 139 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Hey what is your IM address cause I need your help getting this link in html.

Posted by: Vicki at July 25, 2007 09:56 AM (HhgPZ)

2 did your hubby ''bow'' to that basket of yarn, by your chair??????!!!!!!!!!!!!good thing there's the last minute, or nothing would ever happen!! have a great trip!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: debey at July 25, 2007 10:47 AM (qq/uD)

3 Enjoy!

Posted by: Non-Essential Equipment at July 25, 2007 11:25 AM (BX8Mk)

4 Yay! I'm so glad you're going to get your leave after all!!

Posted by: FbL at July 25, 2007 02:27 PM (TXlt9)

5 Have fun and be safe. I just love car rides as long as I do not have the screaming Kiddos.

Posted by: Reasa at July 25, 2007 03:56 PM (JfF5d)

6 Have a safe trip and maybe I'll be seeing ya!

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at July 25, 2007 05:42 PM (c1Tvg)

7 So happy you get your leave / vacation.....have fun!!

Posted by: Wendy at July 30, 2007 08:09 AM (CfMHF)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

I do all of the dishes all of the time. I can't think of the last time my husband washed dishes. He doesn't even do them when I'm out of town; he just leaves a lovely little pile. Regardless, we have one of the best marriages I know of. How could that possibly be? /eye rolling

And don't even get me started on "great sex." I can't believe it polls that high. If that's the most important thing that's keeping your marriage together, I feel sorry for you.

Posted by: Sarah at 04:00 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 100 words, total size 1 kb.

A friend of mine from high school was stationed here, and the husband and I went to his going-away picnic before he deployed. His parents were there, and his father paraded me around the unit, telling anyone who would listen about what an upstanding young lady I am. He insisted on telling everyone about what good kids we were in high school and how we never got in trouble and never were involved in any "hanky panky." I'm sure by the end of the night the entire unit was laughing about what dorks we were. But his dad was right; we really were good wholesome kids.

AWTM writes about her first love...and how it ended. I used to think I had a standard adolescence, but the more people I talk to, the more I realize that maybe I didn't. My early boyfriends were perfect. And no one ever asked me to have sex until I got to college. How quant: I never experienced pressure to have sex until I was 20 years old. I never thought much about it growing up, but now I look back and realize what lovely people I associated with as a teen.

My friend's father was right to be proud of us. We were good kids.

Posted by: Sarah at 03:11 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 215 words, total size 1 kb.

I have a pro-Walmart story I thought I'd share since all we usually hear is bad stuff about them.

A few weeks ago I noticed my car was leaking oil. I had gotten my last oil change done at Walmart, but it had almost been three months since, so I didn't think that was the source of the problem. I took the car in to the dealership, and they deduced that Walmart had destroyed the oil filter housing. It cost us $80 to sort it all out.

We went to Walmart and explained what had happened, and they asked us why we hadn't brought the car back to them when we noticed the oil leak. We explained that the car was new and still under warranty, and that we hadn't put 2-and-2 together because the oil change had been done so long ago. But they took care of it anyway and gave us the full amount we'd paid at the dealership. In cash, without filing any forms or waiting for a check to show up.

This is the second time a Walmart manager has handed me cash. The first time was a few years ago when an incompetent employee sold me the wrong fishing license and got me saddled with a $100 conservation fine. (I still can't believe the conservation officers didn't let me off with a warning. I had to go to court and argue my case to the judge; I made for a funny sight, sitting there in a little plaid dress next to a bunch of men in orange jumpsuits.) Anyway, Walmart listened to my sob story about how their guy never asked me what state I was from when he sold me the license, then and split the difference for the blame and handed me half of the money.

Walmart sure keeps me happy with their handing-out-cash policy.

Posted by: Sarah at 06:11 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 318 words, total size 2 kb.

My baby brother shows up today for a visit. And by baby, I mean he's 25. But in our family, he'll always be the baby.

This will be the first time we've really spent any time together since I got married. I have him all to myself for a week.

Posted by: Sarah at 02:53 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 56 words, total size 1 kb.

Over the weekend, we were very optimistic about taking a pregnancy test. We thought the fifth month just might be the charm. But if our pregnancy test had been an election ballot, we would've been looking at a dimpled chad.

That photo is not staged; that's my husband trying to figure out what in the heck was going on. One line means no, two lines means yes, but what does one dark line and one line that's barely perceptible to the naked eye mean? We wanted to find out if we were having a baby or not, and instead we got "Pat Buchanan."

Incidentally, if something is advertised as 99% effective, why does it need to be sold in two packs?

Another test and two more days later, and we're pretty sure we're not pregnant. I was on the phone with my mother, sniveling about how every month that passes brings more likelihood that my husband will deploy before this baby ever shows up, and my mother said the most perfect thing she could've said in this situation: She said that she would obviously do whatever she could to help me if my husband is gone when this baby comes, but that she wanted us to know how proud she is of us, that we've chosen a very difficult lifestyle and that she admires and respects us for making this family sacrifice for our country.

I thought about what she said later in the day, and I thought about the book report I wrote for SpouseBUZZ that morning, and I realized that she's right. We've chosen this life, and we can un-choose it any time we wish. But what we can't do is stick with this choice and then complain about it. Would I want to get out of the Army in order to have my husband here next year? No. So that's our choice. It's important to us to be in the Army, so it has to be important enough to stop complaining about the situation.

So if he's here, he's here, and if he's not, he's not. That's the way it has to be, and there's no sense in talking about it or dwelling on our so-called bad luck.

But can we at least get some better luck in reading those danged home tests?

Posted by: Sarah at 04:13 AM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
Post contains 392 words, total size 3 kb.

1 Sarah - make sure you're not using EPT brand.. Maybe they are 99% effective now, but I took 2 and both negative - and I was 10 weeks pregnant. The lines should've been clear as day. If its EPT, no wonder your husband looks perplexed.

Posted by: Keri at July 02, 2007 05:07 AM (l3uZP)

2 Get thee to the clinic! I peed on like 5 different tests and figured they were negative. Because, you know, they were so damn hard to read. I even got one of those plus/minus ones figuring that it was idiot-proof enough for us. But that one looked negative, too. It was a friend who saw how I was reacting to food (almost ralphing in response to some potato salad) who told me she was convinced I was up the pole. I went to the clinic to prove her wrong. And now I have a two-year-old who likes to climb up on the roof.

Posted by: Non-Essential Equipment at July 02, 2007 05:16 AM (Y3cfF)

3 Sarah, While there is such a thing as a false negative, there isn't a such thing as a false positive. Your body will only produce the hormone HCG (the hormone those tests are looking for) when you are pregnant (although some women will not produce enough of it to test positive for a few weeks/months). Having said that, I used one of those cheapy brands from AAFES in Germany, and there was a hairline second line (indicating that I was pregnant). However, I went to the clinic and they said no. I chalked that up to a crappy brand, because like I said, your body won't produce HCG if you aren't pregnant. So it's one of two things: the brand you used sucks, or you really are pregnant. Go to the clinic and call me ASAP!!

Posted by: Erin at July 02, 2007 06:30 AM (XRza7)

4 I have to second (or third) that if you see a line there is a good possibility that you are pregnant. With my first child we took a test and there was a second line, but only if you held it up to the light and squinted your eyes. I now have a 7 year old. Go find out!!!!

Posted by: bunchkin at July 02, 2007 09:20 AM (rwmHb)

5 OK... I would buy these things in 10 packs... any question I would take 3... I will say this... when I was prego... boom pink positives right away... darn boxed tests... you could always buy a rabbit, although I am unsure how to do that

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at July 02, 2007 10:31 AM (YDkYg)

6 I had ambiguous tests like that with my #3 daughter. We were't ready for another kid, and had taken 8000 different precautions, but destiny and all that... Anyway, it took a preggers test from the base clinic to diagnose my stomach cramps as about 7 weeks along in pregnancy. I actually argued with the doctor over it, "Well, it looks like you're pregnant! Congratulations!" "No, I'm not." "We did the test, it came up positive." "Your test is probably expired. I have two children. I think I would KNOW if I were pregnant." I guess I don't know as much as I think.

Posted by: airforcewife at July 02, 2007 10:49 AM (0dU3f)

7 ok, everything i wanted to say has been said, but i thought i'd chime in and let you know i agree with the ones who say a second line, even a faint one, is a probable indicator of pregnancy. oh, and awtm stole my line about the rabbit, dangit. i'm glad you've gotten to the point of acceptance about "if he's here, he's here, if he's not, he's not." that's a perfect attitude, and i think that means you're ready to be pregnant. now get to the clinic!

Posted by: Sis B at July 02, 2007 06:24 PM (6qNPu)

8 I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm and encouragement, but...um...I'm not pregnant. I tried to leave the gory details out because my husband gets really creeped out when I give you blog folks too many details, so when I said "two more days later", what I meant was "I got my period and my basal temps returned to follicular levels." Heh. Not pregnant. It's possible it was a VERY early miscarriage, since I was 3 days late, but whatever it was, it's not there anymore. Thanks for trying though

Posted by: Sarah at July 03, 2007 01:18 AM (vrR+j)

9 I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time. Probably just a late period rather than a miscarriage. Hang in there - your mom is right. Think of this as "practice" for when everything else goes wrong later. Because once you have kids so much is beyond control. :-)

Posted by: Teresa at July 03, 2007 10:00 AM (gsbs5)

10 OK... deep breath.... prayers said. And now for a suggestion for practice. A gold Princess Lia bikini!

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at July 03, 2007 11:39 AM (YDkYg)

11 Hmmmm...History shows us the only infallible way to get pregnant is to be an unwed teenager who is way too immature to be a mother. Any other condition is like starting up a habachi without the benefit of napalm or a hand grenade. V/R Ed

Posted by: Ed at July 04, 2007 09:42 AM (Ht9id)

12 Ed -- HA. One of my friends said the same thing, that I can't get pregnant because I don't engage in enough *risky behavior.* She suggested doing cocaine or attending a prom. Then I'd get pregnant for sure!

Posted by: Sarah at July 04, 2007 11:43 AM (vrR+j)

13 for the past few months i've been having stomach cramps, last month i had a bladder infection. now two days ago i was having stomach cramps again, and i told my husband to go ahead and buy the pregnancy test so we can go ahead and rule that option out. well, i took the test monday night, and there were two lines (two means yes, one means no), but the second line was very light. then i took another test just yesterday, and the same thing happened. both lines, but one was very light. i haven't missed my period yet, but it should be coming around this week sometime and we're trying not to think about it much. we're going to take another test beginning of next week and see what happens. what do you all think?? think i'm crazy?! or perhaps its our time to start a family??

Posted by: mrsgwinner at July 18, 2007 09:02 AM (tYPcB)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Those of you who've met me in real life met me in situations where I was Trying To Look Grown-Up, like at conferences and stuff. Even then I generally feel like a kid at the big table, but at least I try. On normal days, I don't do much for myself. I usually have comfortable basic clothes on and spend most of my time in a ponytail. Sometimes I look with envy at really put-together women, but never enough to put effort into my own appearance for just going to the store or around town.

Today at the library I was looking with interest at a display for a teen crafts class. The girl librarian, who must've been around my age, saw me looking and told me I should sign up. I said I'd love to but that it says it's for teens. "Oh, well, how old are you?" she asked, in a way that suggested she'd fudge a little for me if I was 20. "Um, like 30," I said.

Think I need to update my look?

This story killed my husband. He mused that the target age group when the library organizes something for "teens" is like 13-16. He said, "You look young, but no offense, you clearly don't look half your age."

At least I don't look as young as my Swedish friend, who got offered a coloring book on an airplane when she was 20.

Posted by: Sarah at 10:47 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 245 words, total size 1 kb.

Today is actually another anniversary for our little family. Two years ago we brought a little Tibetan terrier home with us.

Happy Pupversary, Charlie.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:11 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 28 words, total size 1 kb.

Five years ago today, I was trying not to barf. I was so nervous that morning, for no good reason at all. People were a tad concerned that I was having cold feet, but I told my husband on the phone that no matter how sick and nervous I looked, it had nothing to do with doubts about marrying him. Once I headed down that aisle, I was fine, and I was even better when it was over.

Greatest thing I ever did.

We had such high hopes to return to D.C. today and relive our honeymoon. But as we waited to see how much homework he'd have this weekend, we ran into snags for a dogsitter. The trip back to D.C. will have to wait a little bit. I was quite disappointed at first, but then I finally came to my senses and told my husband that it doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing, we're just so lucky to be spending the day together.

And adding another photo to our collection.

Posted by: Sarah at 03:24 AM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
Post contains 179 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Congratulations!! A photo of you smooching...CUTE!! Many more and enjoy the day.... fresh sheets, and the day in bed...*wink*

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at June 15, 2007 03:43 AM (988LV)

2 Congrats! Wishing you many, many more happy years together. BTW, I love your hair!

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at June 15, 2007 03:46 AM (/LiOe)

3 Congratulations! The two of you look fantastic! Enjoy your love!

Posted by: vet66 at June 15, 2007 03:58 AM (JQe3J)

4 Congratulations!

Posted by: oddybobo at June 15, 2007 04:27 AM (mZfwW)

5 Congrats, you are a great looking couple. Very nice pic. I've always liked it when women put there hair up, it's very classy. Have a nice anniversary.

Posted by: tim at June 15, 2007 05:24 AM (nno0f)

6 Congrats. You two look great. Enjoy your day and weekend.

Posted by: Reasa at June 15, 2007 05:51 AM (JfF5d)

7 Congratulations! Randy

Posted by: R at June 15, 2007 05:54 AM (9JS9f)

8 That picture is so gorgeous! Happy Anniversary! Also, if you buy a white taper candle and paint some horizontal and vertical lines on it, it can be the Washington Monument. And a fat pillar candle with some vertical curved lines can be the Capitol Dome. Then you can print out a picture of the President to hang on the wall, and voila! You have brought Washington, DC to you! Make sure to also put some monopoly money in a briefcase with a random congressman's name on it and store it in the corner for authenticity. You guys are so adorable, by the way...

Posted by: airforcewife at June 15, 2007 05:57 AM (0dU3f)

9 Congrats to the two of you! I just love anniversaries...... Here's to many many more.....

Posted by: Tammi at June 15, 2007 06:59 AM (wbVY2)

10 Congratulations! As long as you're together - that makes it a wonderful anniversary. *grin*

Posted by: Teresa at June 15, 2007 09:08 AM (gsbs5)

11 (Found you from AWTM) Congratulations!!!

Posted by: Sgt. L's Wife at June 15, 2007 09:58 AM (3l9gY)

12 Yes, AWTM sent us! congratulations...and speaking on behalf of DC Metro, let me just say that we will be glad to have you any time!

Posted by: Aprille at June 15, 2007 03:44 PM (sf29K)

13 Congratualtions! It's a lovely pic, thanks for sharing.

Posted by: Maggie at June 15, 2007 06:58 PM (A5SFX)

14 Happy Anniversary! We love you both! You're a match made in heaven! Your Mama

Posted by: Nancy at June 15, 2007 07:44 PM (//+y7)

15 Sorry I'm late, but Happy Anniversary! And may you have MANY more to come...preferably more together than apart!

Posted by: Robin at June 17, 2007 04:29 PM (XTKEz)

16 Congratulations, albeit late! I am so glad you were able to spend quality time together on your anniversary.

Posted by: Guard Wife at June 17, 2007 04:35 PM (mMRvT)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

The flippant deal is still bothering me a bit. I don't think I've ever heard the words "Sarah" and "flippant" used in the same sentence in my life, so I'm still trying to wrap my head around this. I think that's the worst insult she could've given me, considering how seriously I take motherhood. I went to her site and did a search on the word pregnancy, and I read about her miscarriage. It sounds awful, and I am deeply sorry that she had to go through this. But can't she have any sympathy for me? I'm almost 30 and I don't have any children, and I want one. She has children; can't she understand why I would be sad that I am not pregnant? And how could she possibly accuse me of being "flippant" about pregnancy when she wrote this post about being pregnant?

The only person who has moral authority over this blog is Heidi Sims. The other day I wrote a post about how great my husband is; you think that makes her feel good to read that? But she didn't feel the need to comment and say what a jerk I am. Trust me, I think about her every time I post about my so-called troubles, ever since the day when I was moaning about my husband being the last one home from Iraq, she was there to give me an attagirl. Carren Ziegenfuss always says that every person's life is different and you are only responsible for dealing with the troubles you have; you don't have to constantly feel bad that your husband has all ten fingers. I do constantly feel bad about those things, and I feel it in this situation too. I feel for people who really do have infertility issues. I feel for people who have lost children. I don't need a commenter to point out what a jerk I am for not prefacing posts about my life with disclaimers that I know my problems aren't real problems. I am already well aware of that, thankyouverymuch. But they're the problems on my plate, and this is where I deal with them.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:32 AM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
Post contains 363 words, total size 2 kb.

1 I've been reading your blog for quite a while, and you do not strike me at all as a flippant person.

Posted by: david foster at May 31, 2007 11:02 AM (gguM0)

2 Sarah- I didn't think you were being flippant, and I know you weren't. But we can't always control what others want to see in words that affect them. I've spent an awful lot of my life having things I say misconstrued - sometimes willfully misconstrued because someone wanted to see something whether it was there or not. It's one of the dangers of speaking/writing in a way that others want to read. If you were un-engaging or boring, no one would be here to read what you write about your path to growing your family. Using sarcasm or other methods to try to take the "sting" out of something that is affecting you deeply is healthy -- for you. And for me. And for many people. But not for everyone. Things will happen for you when they are supposed to happen, and not before. It would be nice to have been given a road map of our destiny when we are born, but we aren't. There is no law that says you aren't allowed to deal with your frustrations in the best way possible for your own health and sanity. In retrospect, I would have to say if anyone was flippant, it was my email to you about the fun of trying for a baby vs. the horrors of dieting. Both things I am intimately familiar with. So, feel free to pass me the Flippant Queen title so you can take a load off.

Posted by: airforcewife at May 31, 2007 12:49 PM (0dU3f)

3 move over AFW, I wanna be The Queen of Flippant. You may be funnier at it...can we share? Yes, one of the bad things about the Blogosphere.. I call it Lost in Translation. For example, I am hilarious in person....not so much on the blog... (that was sarcasm for those that missed it) Also can I move to Brits country?

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at May 31, 2007 01:11 PM (6nWEM)

4 Sarah, We tried for just shy of a year to get pregnant and had given up. I was even sceduled for surgery to look for endo when by chance I peed on a stick because my boobs wouldn't fit into my bra yet I had lost 10 lbs. Viola the boy Oz is now on his way! Everyting you said in your original post was exactly how I felt. I cursed the OPK kits, I cursed the thermometer as I took my temp every morning and I cursed my period every time it showed....Basically a swore A LOT! Each person deals with their life's disappointments differently, mine is with sarcastic humor, you seem to be very methodical and presistent (with a slight twist of sarcasm). Doesn't make either one bad or good it just makes one mine and one yours. If this poster can't handle your way of dealing with YOUR life's issues then she needs to get her own blast life. SEESH, maybe you can buy her a sense of humor. PS - Boff like bunnies during R&R, even if you don't get pregnant then either at least you had a really good time.

Posted by: Household6 at May 31, 2007 02:20 PM (q1ZbX)

5 Wow, I hardly know what to say. I started blogging recently and have often wondered if I offended anyone with what I write. I read and reread your post trying to find something flippant. The first time I got pregnant it took two months and every time I got my period I cried. It is all about perspective and others should not judge you for yours. In addition to the fact that deployments put a ton of pressure on family time lines. Perhaps some of your readers need to be reminded that Army deployments last 12-15 months now, which really screws up family planning. I love reading your blog, keep it up!!!

Posted by: Sarah at May 31, 2007 03:37 PM (Ww52B)

6 I have been reading and lurking for awhile now and i have not seen you as flippant. If anything I find it reassuring and so very funny. I am one of the people who has never had a problem getting pregant and when I read your post about how hard it has been on you I cried and wanted to give you one of mine. Really the 3 year old is yours to take. (DISCLAIMER: He is not really up for grabs. I just feel like giving him away for a few days.) Try not to let what others say who have not walked in your shoes get to you. Your heart is huge and this is your blog. You put out whatever you want and tell the ones who don't get it to "Bite me!!"

Posted by: Reasa at May 31, 2007 05:52 PM (JfF5d)

7 Opinions are like assholes, yes? And as I said in my comment, I have tried to comment before, only to have it kicked back. It wasn't just this particular post, and as I said in my comment, I am sure that you don't mean to come across that way.... The miscarriage post that I made over a year ago? That was the first of three miscarriages. I am not looking for sympathy, it happens. I understand more than anyone wanting to have babies and having windows of opportunity, and I have been reading you for a long time.... I think that what I SHOULD HAVE SAID was that it's not that easy sometimes to get pregnant, and there's only 12 times a year.... And when you finally are pregnant, it's no joke.... It's also not time to celebrate because it's just the beginning. I do have sympathy for you.... I hope that you never have a bad experience or a shitty pregnancy, but it happens to other people all the time.... And thinking that it's going to be easy? Well, it's not. Thinking that bad things happen to other people, not you. Talking about being a mom and being a mom are different, too. You can think that you are going to do it right, make the best decisions, read the right books.... You had a previous post about the "What to Expect..." books and the Q&A sections.... I felt you were pretty harsh with a know-it-all attitude about the women and the questions they were asking. I'm not going to research the post. To me you are coming across as a very bright woman who doesn't understand a "surprise" pregnancy. You plan for it, through control... But there are few of us that have that much planning sense. And like I said, I will leave it at that. I'm sure that I overreacted and now have this overreaction back at me.... Rereading things from me, posted a year, almost two, that were almost gone for me.... I am bummed that you didn't hit your window. Going through pregnancy alone isn't easy, either. For obvious reasons.... Guess I deserved that.

Posted by: allicadem at May 31, 2007 06:01 PM (wkFhu)

8 PHHHHT. Let me translate - compared to doom and gloom, nothing is easy, "it's not a time to celebrate" oracle addicadem, you ARE flippant. Thank God for that!

Posted by: Oda Mae at May 31, 2007 08:52 PM (wK887)

9 Sarah, I've been reading your blog for 3 years now and I've never known you to be flippant. As far as pregnancy goes, it took us 2 years to get pregnant with our first. And, like a cliche, we got pregnant right after I returned from a deployment (along with half the other couples in the Brigade, it seems). I know it's frustrating when you want to start a family and nothing happens, but don't give up. At the same time, don't take away from enjoying your time together. Good luck!

Posted by: Chadd at June 01, 2007 03:25 AM (roGJq)

10 I really appreciated your post. My husband and I have been trying since January. Although we don't have the time concerns that you do (with your husband being gone), it's still frustrating and sad. The reason I really appreciated your post is that we're not telling anyone that we're trying, and as all of our friends get pregnant, and I get another period, it's just nice to know, that even though I don't know you and you have no idea who I am, I'm not alone. Thank you!!!!

Posted by: Majik8 at June 01, 2007 05:58 AM (Lbvh6)

11 Her comments speak volumes about her, not about you, especially since no one seems to be agreeing with you being flippant. Sarah, only you can know what is best for you and your family. I see you trying to do that. You are obviously not going into this pregnancy and motherhood blindly. You are trying to set yourself up for success. It is so clear that you want this so badly, that you did pour your heart into that post, that only a person with a great deal of emotional baggage, own personal suffering, and an apparent lack of a self-edit button would call you or your post flippant. I can understand how that hurts you deeply. Even more surprising to me . . . she didn't apologize, but tried to justify her position and blunt comments further. Salt to the insult on top of injury. That's just bad behavior. It is your blog. Post what you like. It looks like you have lots of supporters here who care about you and struggles to get pregnant. I'm sorry that this isn't coming easy for you. Take care of yourself. And here's a big hug.

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at June 01, 2007 08:16 AM (RX8Nf)

12 Very few people understand...perspective. I know you do. Having a baby alone...twice, not much fun. Especially since we waited 10 years. (yes, we are planners, and guess what, it is important to plan the arrival of a human to our planet!) And so while my Mother was in ICU, and I was at her bedside finally pregnant.....I watched the twin towers fall, and knew I would be alone, for the birth. I am not sure if there is a perfect time or place, or way to have a baby. And looking back, it was ok. I sure learned a lot about myself. I am terribly baddass. Would I have preferred to have DH there after 10 years of WAITING, you bet your ass on it. But I guess The Lord thought there was a more important lesson for me to learn. I learned it TWICE! So enjoy....and this post will probably comfort people tremendously. People in OUR position, or other couples trying, so there is that. Moral authority, no one knows your life until they have lived it... So continue with baby quest 2007, and enjoy!

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at June 01, 2007 10:13 AM (6nWEM)

13 "...that only a person with a great deal of emotional baggage, own personal suffering, and an apparent lack of a self-edit button..." "...she didn't apologize, but tried to justify her position and blunt comments further." Mom? Is that you? Just kidding. Was I being flippant? I am entitled to my opinion as is everyone else here in the blog'o'sphere. I'm sorry how you reacted to what I said.... How's that for an apology? Sarah.... I do apologize for hurting your feelings. I hope that we can move on (not moveon.org). But if you were a little sore from 'flippant' I got it tenfold! POW! POW! WHAM! I remember Tammi getting a crappy response from a post -- you should have seen the turnout of defense! Take it easy. Drink some wine. Listen to some Barry White. I heard that works.....

Posted by: allicadem at June 01, 2007 01:03 PM (wkFhu)

14 Yeah, AlliCadem, you got it with both barrels. But I think it's because people thought you took a cheap shot. Like I said in my email, your argument might have some merit, but you wrapped it in such an insulting bow. No hard feelings. We squash it right now.

Posted by: Sarah at June 01, 2007 05:10 PM (vrR+j)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Flippant? I got called "flippant" in my attitude towards having a baby. Ouch.

I poured my heart into that post. I cried the whole time I wrote it. I think I'm anything but flippant about having a baby.

How many times have I called my mother, ArmyWifeToddlerMom, Angie, Erin, Kelly, Erin, and many others to ask questions about motherhood? To talk about how scared I am about taking this step in our life? How many conversations have CaliValleyGirl and I had about our own childhoods and which lessons we want to pass on to our future children?

This is practically the only topic my husband and I discuss anymore: how to foster upstanding human beings. We waited five years to get to this point, to make sure we were absolutely ready. And every day we get excited and extremely nervous about what the future holds. We know we don't have all the answers. But we're at the point where we're ready to try.

Cut me some freaking slack that now that we're ready, I want it to happen.

I sometimes forget that things don't always come off perfectly in written form. I forget that people who know me from the internet don't always really know me. But that comment came from someone whose blog I really liked, whose thoughts and ideas I always appreciated even if I didn't agree with them. That comment really, really stung.

Yes, I know that not getting pregnant for four months is not the worst thing that can happen to someone. Duh, I could write the book on Perspective. Every month as I cry, my husband reminds me that everything is OK and that we still have room for hope. I constantly think of people like my friend Kelly who have no hope and I ache inside. Trying to get pregnant and failing is the most humbling experience I've ever had, because it makes me really put my self in some painful shoes. I can't imagine doing this for years.

I'm sorry if I offended you with my "flippant" attitude towards the most important thing I've ever done in my entire life. I have no idea how that came across. But I do wish you'd kept your mouth shut, because I don't think you know me very well.

(Update here.)

Posted by: Sarah at 03:04 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
Post contains 389 words, total size 2 kb.

Tonight while cleaning up after dinner, I knocked over and broke a wine glass and one of my nice plates, and then less than two minutes later I put a steak knife into my finger.

Not a good day.

Posted by: Sarah at 12:49 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 41 words, total size 1 kb.

A while back I wrote on SpouseBUZZ about the agony of trying to have a baby when you're in a race against deployments.

We've now officially missed our window.

Funny how when I was growing up I was led to believe that sex leads to pregnancy. Young girls are reminded over and over of teen pregnancy, thus I have been a birth control nazi from day one. And now I've seen this myth crumbling before my eyes, as I've just spent the last four months charting my temperature and counting days and worrying about egg-white mucus and absolutely failing at making a baby. All the horror stories about getting pregnant from a toilet seat, for pete's sake, feel pretty freaking absurd when you can't even do it when you're trying your hardest.

Every 28 days I feel like the world's biggest loser.

Today we've learned again that we've been unsuccessful, but I guess now the pressure of the race against time is off: my husband becomes deployable again in nine months. Barring a wonderful surprise, we now are pretty much guaranteed he won't be here for the birth of our baby. Hell, that's assuming we will ever be successful. At this point I'm so frustrated that I don't know what to think anymore.

My mom, bless her heart, keeps telling me to relax, that stress can prevent you from getting pregnant. I know she's got a point, but making a baby is pretty darned scientific too. Way more scientific than I was ever led to believe during sex ed classes. I've learned a lot about my body over the past few months, knowledge I wouldn't have if I'd gotten pregnant right away, for which I am indeed thankful. But with this knowledge comes the annoyed feeling that if we're doing everything right on the right days, why isn't this working?

Now I guess we can just throw up our hands and relax. It doesn't make a whit of difference whether I have a baby on my husband's third month of deployment or his sixth. Either way, we've missed out on something very important to me: his presence by my side in the hospital.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:53 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 369 words, total size 2 kb.

1 I'm really sorry to hear about this...I know that I am no replacement for the father being at the birth, but I will come hold your hand and help you through.

Posted by: CaliValleyGirl at May 29, 2007 09:31 AM (deur4)

2 Sarah - I don't even know you (though I feel like I do from reading), but this brings tears to my eyes. I have a number of friends who have gone thru similar issues with conceiving, but none of them have faced the date of potential deployment on the horizon. I hope that everything works out for you, and that your husband will be by your side during delivery. Do you have an ovulation predictor kit? Do you know for sure you are ovulating? I have several friends who used those & they "helped" alot. Thinking of you - Keri

Posted by: Keri at May 29, 2007 09:49 AM (l3uZP)

3 Yes, we take a pill for years so we won't get pregnant, and then many of us have to turn to drugs so we WILL get pregnant. Crazy ... I can't help you out with the deployment issue, but ... I know you have been told this a THOUSAND times, but I believe it really is true. My husband and I tried for a year to get pregnant - doing the ovulation kit (which was NEVER positive), etc, etc. We had been told from the beginning that it probably would not happen naturally for us. We decided to adopt and had just started researching the process when - you guessed it - the monthly pregnancy test was FINALLY positive. The second time around, we said, eh, we'll give it a shot and if it happens it happens. No counting days or predicting hormone levels, etc. A month later, I was pregnant. I'm not saying I know how you feel or that it will happen for you no matter what, I'm just saying that sometimes things do work out. Hope that long ramble helped in some small way! blogs.tampabay.com/standingby

Posted by: Jan Wesner at May 29, 2007 03:43 PM (5EgLa)

4 I echo the "ovualtion predictor kit"...It works! Best of luck and relax...I know that it is hard, but a baby is the best blessing and when he or she arrives, you will forget the months of trying and will only remember that he or she has finally arrived.

Posted by: StephanieBerndt at May 29, 2007 04:26 PM (+bp0U)

5 I hate to say it, but I'm with your mom. *grin* First of all, it's much much easier to get pregnant the younger you are. Second, I haven't looked at any studies, but it just makes sense that if you've been using pills to mess about with your hormones - it will take a while to "unmess" them... maybe up to a year or more depending on the woman. Third, you are very analytical (much like me) doing everything in a certain way and orderly is natural to you - makes you feel like you have some control over your life. And while I know you'll have a hard time doing this... let it go. The best thing to learn when you have kids is that there are some things you can't control. Things can and do happen when you least expect it. Things go right and wrong exactly when they shouldn't. And if everything goes exactly to plan every step of the way at this stage... you will (without even realizing it) set impossible standards for a child. It's just too tempting as a parent to want to try and control everything in their lives to make it "perfect". It never ever works. So, put away your kits, stop worrying about when and where and most of all - enjoy being with your husband!!! Be together, be happy. The rest will work itself out. It won't be perfect - so enjoy the imperfections. Make your time with your husband count. You two as a unit are the most important thing - even after the baby comes. You two strong and in love will do more for your baby than anything else you ever do! Stop "trying" and start living. Enjoy yourself. Things will fall into place. Really they will. And if you absolutely MUST do something... set a date on your calendar of a year from now - see where you are, see what's happening. Don't even look at it until it comes up on your calendar next year.

Posted by: Teresa at May 29, 2007 04:41 PM (gsbs5)

6 Ughhh... Sarah, There are few people that really honestly deserve the honor of guidig small people on the planet. You and your DH, will get the honor....puke and all to be sure... Enjoy practicing while there is not the pitter patter of little fat feet in the house.....Use every available space you will not be able to once a small child comes into play. Have fun, and let DH sweep dishes off of the kitchen table!

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at May 29, 2007 05:20 PM (Eygv8)

7 I have no kids and no practical experience on this topic. But it breaks my heart to see people like you who doing everything you can to have children and for whatever reason, it just isn't happening on your time schedule. I'm with AWTM, practice everywhere you can. Just see how much practice you can get in before he deploys. And remember that the practice is supposed to be fun and not "work". I bet anything, it will work for you. best wishes.

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at May 30, 2007 05:00 PM (RX8Nf)

8 Some people try for years to get pregnant. Some people never get pregnant. I can't help but be somewhat offended by your flippant attitude at pregnancy and parenthood. I'm sure you probably don't mean to come across that way, but I have typed lengthy responses to you numerous times and each time, for whatever reason, it was never posted -- too much spam, computer takes a crap.... Maybe it was a sign?!? I should keep my mouth shut.... Pregnancy and parenthood is the most humbling and embarrassing experience.... Ever. You think you have all the answers and do everything "right" but guess what? You don't. And it won't. And not to be the biggest bummer, but some of us *finally* get pregnant, only to miscarry over and over. I'm sorry that you want to be pregnant right this second, but seriously? I have such a terrible time reading your posts about parenting and pregnancy.... I'll leave it at that.

Posted by: allicadem at May 30, 2007 05:46 PM (wkFhu)

9 Allicadem, If you have such a difficult time reading her posts about parenting and pregnancy, then don't read them! She knows waiting four months is not a very long time in the grand scheme of things, but it certainly doesn't take away from her disappointment each monh. I hope you rethink your post to her. She's really a very sensitive, caring person.

Posted by: Nancy at May 31, 2007 08:13 AM (mfwPj)

10 Hi! I just started reading your blog a week ago, so nice to "meet" you! I got married at 17, and Dh and I started trying for a baby a year later. It took us 10 months to get pregnant! At the time I thought all he would have to do was look at me to get pregnant, but it didn't happen that way. I even went to a docctor to get checked out, I started to really worry that something was wrong. But after 10 months I got 2 blue lines! With my second child it took 4 months, and with 3 and 4 it only took 1. It almost seemed like it took my body a few babies to "get the hang of it". Try not to stress too much and enjoy the trying!

Posted by: bunchkin at May 31, 2007 11:22 AM (KAM6m)

11 I'm so sorry to hear that it's been such a trouble. I got no advice (no vast well of experience from which to draw, haha!). But I also have no doubt that it will eventually happen, just maybe not on your time table. Yeah, that's not your style. But hang in there. *hugs*

Posted by: FbL at June 01, 2007 09:57 PM (TXlt9)

12 Im sort of late in commenting on this post and was a little upset at the "flippant" comment. I still wanted to say, I'm sorry you missed your window. I'll be praying God comforts you and continues to prepare you for motherhood. I'm believing for you, that you will get pregnant. As I've heard it said: You do all you can do and then......Let Go and Let God. ...and Im with AWTM! *big hug*

Posted by: Navy Wife Wendy at June 04, 2007 07:18 PM (CfMHF)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

My husband is so smart it's scary. I'm fairly certain he'd choose dinner with Benajmin Netanyahu over Superbowl tickets any day of the week. The thicker and more boring the book, the more excited he is to read it. He never ceases to frighten me with his knowledge.

My husband's brain is like a sponge, and he completely absorbs anything he thinks is important enough to notice. Several years ago, he realized that understanding this Islam Stuff was important, so he set to work learning what he could about Muslims and Arabs. Someone like me can hold her own with names like Sadr and Zawahiri and can handle basic conversations about the region, but my understanding of Islam and the War on Terror is positively pedestrian compared to my husband's. He set out to learn this stuff, and I'll be goldarned if he didn't learn it.

The Army hires college professors to teach the history and culture portions of Civil Affairs training. The other day in class, the professor admitted that my husband knows Islamic history better than he does, after my husband gently corrected him on a couple of historical points.

Because my husband thinks this knowledge is crucial, he doesn't slack off. He knows names and dates and Mohammed's lineage and tidbits I can't even begin to fathom. He knows more about Tajikistan than anyone from Missouri should ever need to know, and he's already speaking basic Farsi sentences despite the fact his language course doesn't start until September. The man is phenomenal.

Our fifth wedding anniversary is a couple weeks away, and I can't help but think about the time I heard Neal Boortz say that you don't even know what love is until you've been married for five years. I think he's right. The qualities that made me fall in love with my husband back in 1999 -- the fact that he wanted to talk about Sartre and Charlemagne at frat parties and that he was captain of the College Bowl team -- have only grown more pronounced over the past five years.

Love is knowing how truly lucky you are to have such a person in your life.

Posted by: Sarah at 07:01 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 375 words, total size 2 kb.

1 awwwwwww. I know what you mean.

Posted by: airforcewife at May 23, 2007 04:44 AM (0dU3f)

2 Well, we all knew he was uber-smart. He married you, didn't he? Oh, and in case I miss it in the next bit - Happy 5th Anniversary. :-)

Posted by: Tammi at May 23, 2007 06:18 AM (Bitcf)

3 If I didn't know better, I would be highly suspicious that you were talking about MY husband. And having been married for 8 years now, I certainly love my husband more today than I did 3 years ago, and my love for him only continues to grow. It is wonderful.

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at May 23, 2007 11:16 AM (/LiOe)

4 can you talk with my wife? ....just kidding.

Posted by: Mr Bob at May 24, 2007 12:41 PM (yfyy+)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Jetlag rears its ugly head. I'm back home, but my sleep cycle still thinks it's in L.A. Not good.

Back when I first started blogging, I cared a lot more about trackbacks and cross-linking than I do now. I think the novelty wore off for me over time, and conversely I haven't had a trackback in nearly a year now. But I was excited to get an email from a blogger saying he too has written about the professor who forwarded George Washington's speech. Hooray for cross-linking, I say. It's been harder and harder for me to break out of my blog coterie, and I welcome other bloggers sending me links to stuff they've written. It's a good way to find new blog friends.

Check out the rest of the Lamplighter blog when you have time.

Posted by: Sarah at 07:59 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 140 words, total size 1 kb.

1 FYI - MuNu doesn't have "trackbacks" anymore. At least not that we can see. (glad you're home. y'all did a great job last weekend!)

Posted by: Tammi at May 16, 2007 09:06 AM (Bitcf)

2 Ah ha! So I'm not as big of a loser as I thought I was! Thanks for the info.

Posted by: Sarah at May 16, 2007 11:11 AM (vrR+j)

3 Ok, I learned a new word today. "coterie" I confess I had to "google" it. Coterie (kote-er-ee) n an exclusive group of friends with a common interest. [French] Sarah is teaching us French...how cool is that!

Posted by: Navy Wife Wendy at May 17, 2007 05:23 PM (CfMHF)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

I'm the stingiest person I know besides my husband. I'm always amazed at the amount of money people think it's normal to spend. The worst is those Mastercard commercials. $6000 engagement ring? Please. $96 for peep toe pumps? I agonized for days last month over a $13 pair of Walmart sandals, and that chick bought shoes to match her toenail polish? Good lord.

Incidentally, this is one of the reasons I'm a fan of the Fair Tax. Our family would come out waaay ahead if we only got taxed when we spent money!

Last weekend at the Milblogs Conference I nearly had conniption fits spending money. We simply don't do it around here. Popcorn and cokes at the movies? Forget about it. A taxi? Get real. A hotel with a flat screen TV? Gulp. I wonder if CaliValleyGirl noticed the pain on my face as I bought $6 beers. That buys a case of beer around here.

So what I did Thursday is mighty out-of-character for ol' Sarah. But I did it anyway. Money is just money, right? There are times when it should be saved and times when it should be spent. So I spent. I bought a plane ticket to Hawaii for the event of the year, my blog friend's wedding.

She's worth it.

Posted by: Sarah at 04:02 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 218 words, total size 1 kb.

1 I'm glad you decided to go. You will have a blast!

Posted by: Jennifer at May 12, 2007 03:06 PM (TMBJh)

2 I hear ya. I don't understand the way some folks spend money either. I spend money, but in other ways. I have a hard time spending money on myself. Every time I go shopping, intending to spend money on myself, I end up buying something for my kids and/or husband instead. Can't help it. I'm glad you decided to go to your friend's wedding. Have a great time!

Posted by: Robin at May 12, 2007 05:37 PM (XTKEz)

3 Super special occasions for super special friends are worth spending the money on. Have a great time.

Posted by: Butterfly Wife at May 12, 2007 06:31 PM (XfI3F)

4 Another stingy twenty-something! Yay! I've always been a saver (that's what I prefer to call it). My dad was (and still is) a cheapskate and it rubbed off. I got my first and only pedicure last year with one of my friends and after I found out that it was going to cost $30, the only thing I could think about was how many groceries that could buy.

Posted by: Nicole at May 12, 2007 07:00 PM (vYQMs)

5 I too am a supporter of the Fair Tax. It sounds too good and therefore, doesn't have a chance in hell of making it into law. I don't have to be stingy because my husand (he's a CPA) has all the stinginess in our family. I always tell him, it's MY job to spend money. HIS job is to earn it. (BTW I'd worked 25 years before getting to quit my 2nd "day" job and be a stay at home mom.)

Posted by: DebbieKinIL at May 16, 2007 06:28 AM (2nDll)

6 Hey there! It was nice to meet you in DC. I hear you on the spending thing. Fortunately for me, I'm a cross between my mom and dad - I cut costs and pinch pennies as a rule, but am quite comfortable breaking the "rule" when it seems right. I break the rule a lot when I'm shopping for care packages ;-) Angel Lisa-in-DC

Posted by: Lisa in DC at May 17, 2007 05:31 PM (n9/Eg)

Hide Comments | Add Comment