Very busy week ahead and other stuff....

I am expecting a very busy week right into the weekend. So I'm going to apologize now if I don't get to post as much as I would like. First and foremost is assiting in the writing of the proposal for bidding on my contract. The RFP just hit the streets and we only have until November 9th to complete the presentation. If you're not familiar with Government Contracts then I know I'm speaking a foreign language but let's just say it's a huge process. It's definitely not your "normal" presentation. The government wants everything and anything. I'm surprised they don't ask for our type of blood! LOL My group started working on it yesterday and as it was I didn't get home until 630. I'm not used to that at all....I usually get off at 400 and I only live 2 miles from the office. I anticipate the rest of the week being late nights as well.

As far as this weekend, I will be working at the Sports Plex for a College Soccer tournament. I start Thursday night and it continues through Sunday. It's a 4 day tournament so this weekend will be a total wash. I don't mind working there though, I still enjoy it a lot!

Since today is Halloween I thought I would post some "scary" pictures.............

This is my "little bundle of joy"............doesn't he look GREAT! Yes folks that is actually his own hair, to me that is scary in of itself!..... I'm glad he didn't have to take a shower in my bathroom....Yes I am a mom, sometimes we seem to take all the fun out of things............. LOL

This is a picture of the "girls" that work at Mike's and my local hangout, Gators. They are the sweetest girls EVER. They all have adopted me and "IF" I am having too good of a time, they always make sure I get home safely. I love them for it!


This is a picture of me.....I was told (by the girl who took the picture) that it is a VERY good picture (I am not so sure!) and I had better send it to Mike or better yet I needed to post it on here. There is a story behind this. This was at the Halloween Party at Gators, I stopped in just for a "bit" and I HAD no intentions of staying, which is why I wasn't dressed up, but I decided that since I am a Michigan fan "in-training" and since I had on my Michigan t-shirt and earrings, I was a "Michigan Fan".....silly I know, but it was really kind of funny! People would ask how come I didn't dress up and I said I did....bet you can't guess what I am, of course the answer was no....so I would say a Michigan Fan....DUH!!!!!!!!!!! My motto has been for a long time "If you don't have fun, it's your own damn fault", A VERY good friend taught me that, I won't mention any names, Lisa, but I do tend to be on the silly side most times.

I spoke to Brady the other day and if you haven't checked out Jessica's blog please do. It is the saddest thing ever. Her girlfriend had to leave Europe earlier because she was very sick. Thank God Jess's mom was on her way for a visit and Jess has a sister study school in Florence. So Jess did stay but it sounds like she will be cutting her "journey" short. Can you imagine planning something like that since High School and then to have it turn out like that. I feel so bad for them.

Well I do have some work to do. I will do my best to keep up the posts.

Happy Halloween all!

I Love You Mike!

Michigan 17, Northwestern 3

We're holding our own....Read the story!!

I went to a different place to watch the game today and I was glad I did. There were more MI fans there than where I usually go. I will definitely be going back. Mike listened to the game on the radio. Although he had quite a few issues with the connection so he missed some of the game.

Nothing new to report.

I Love You Mike!

Michigan vs Northwestern

GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU MIKE!!!!

JCCS-1 Commander's (CDR) Update

I was looking at the JCCS-1 web site and the CDR posted a new letter. I thought it was very nice and since it is to EVERYONE I thought I would post the link here.

In the letter he talks about the Ombudsman and how she started a Yahoo Chat room for the families to keep in contact. Well I have tried to find it and have not had much luck. If anyone out there knows how to find it, or if they know what the name is would you please pass on the information. That has been one of my biggest complaints during this whole deployment, not knowing anyone close who is going through the same thing. There has GOT to be other spouses out there, meaning here in Norfolk & Virginia Beach who has a Sailor in Iraq. I would appreciate any information you might have.

If you don't know what an Ombudsman is, she or he is a spouse of an active duty member attached to JCCS-1 and she or he is the liaison between the families and the Command. It can be a very rewarding position but it can also be a very thankless job. I was an Ombudsman for two of my ex-husband's commands and I loved it. For me it was always very rewarding and I loved assisting other families.

I hope everyone is doing great!

GO BLUE!!!!

I LOVE YOU MIKE!!!!

This and that...........

Not much going on here in Virginia Beach....work has been very challenging since my responsibilities have changed a lot. I am not complaining because I love new challenges. I do get frustrated sometimes but most days I do ok. Another frustrating thing is being an off-site government contractor, I technically have 2 supervisors. So that in itself can be a pain. Especially since one of them (the government person) is who I work with on a daily basis. My real supervisor works at the home office and he is who I am "technically" supposed to take direction from. When the three of us are on the same page, it's works great, but when we're not, well lets just say it's not so great! Well folks that is the kind of week I've been having!

Mike is doing GREAT! He has started working out quite a bit and has started playing soccer as well. He used to play in High School and hasn't played in a "few" years but he seems to be doing well and is really loving it. He has been busy with work as well. I know he's had quite a few meetings to attend to this past week. I'm just glad he's keeping busy.

The AFN schedule came out and Mike will not be able to watch MI or Da Bears. We can't complain much because he has been able to watch more football then either one of us expected. He will at least get to listen to them on a radio station on the internet. So at least he gets to do that. This is one of things I loved so much about Mike when I first met him. He is SO passionate about football. I just knew though, if he is that passionate about football, that is how he treats life; with passion! I was right!

Well not much more going on.

I LOVE YOU MIKE!!!!

Milestone #2....

Mike and I met 1 year ago today. He sent me flowers for "our anniversary"! Aren't they beautiful? I was so surprised! He definitely knows how to warm my heart!

Thanks Mike! You are so very special and I love you very much!

I can't wait until you get home!

Milestone #1.........

Mike has had his "feet in the sand" for 5 months! We are almost half-way through this.............Sometimes it feels like he's been gone a year already and others it's like wow, I can't believe it's been 5 months.....but it has.................

As most of you have noticed I have added music to my blog. I hope you don't find it annoying. I have tried to set it up so you can shut it off, but the website I am using will not allow it....so if you do find it annoying, please feel free to turn down your speakers....I don't want to lose any readers because of it.........Today's music reflects my mood and I feel the NEED to post the lyrics

The Victors

Hail! to the victors valiant

Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes

Hail! Hail! to Michigan

The leaders and best!

Hail! to the victors valiant

Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes

Hail! Hail! to Michigan,

The champions of the West!

GO BLUE!!!!

I love you Mike!

Chicago 24 - Arizona 23 - Mike's R&R Pictures

I guess I have to eat my words from yesterday's post. Da Bears did win against the Cardinals but just barely...Like all Bears fans, I'm sure, I was stunned....What in the world happened? Where was Grossman's head?....I would like to say where I think it was but I will be nice....let's just say use your imagination :) Where was the offense? I just can't believe I was watching Chicago. They have played so well. I think the biggest thing was, the team thought the Cardinals were going to be an easy team to beat....Guess again!!!

Onto something more pleasant to talk about....Mike! He finally return to FOB Speicher from his R&R. His plane had mechanical problems so they were delayed in Baghdad for a few days and as it turned out, it was basically up to them to find their own flight back.

I'm really happy he was able to go on this R&R but with the delay and all the stress that came with it; I'm not so sure it had the effect the should have had.

The images you see on TV of Iraq certainly paint a different picture in your mind....I know before Mike went, I thought it was a very ugly place. As with every where, it certainly has it's bad areas but the pictures Mike sends home are absolutely beautiful. These pictures are of Qatar, but even the past pictures he has sent of Iraq, I still find it to be amazing.

Not much else going on....I hope all is well with everyone!

I love you Mike!

It's been pretty quiet....

I really haven't had much going on which is why I haven't posted.

I worked at the Sports Plex Friday night and had quite an interesting time. There is a sprinkler head right by the exhaust fan for the grill, well I guess it got a little hot up there and it decided to go off. The worst part is this...imagine your exhaust fan above your stove....know how bad the grease build up is? Well imagine grease build-up being four times as bad....Needless to say the girl and I who were working the counter had grease and then nasty rusty water sprayed all over us! It was on our faces, in our hair, on our clothes...it was just plain nasty. At the same time, all we could do was laugh. Thank God we had the other concession stand opened because we were so busy. Lindsay and I were troopers though...we cleaned up the best we could and went to the other concession stand and helped the girls there.

Saturday I puttered around the house until it was time to watch MI and Penn State. Which I am happy to say MI won....it was definitely noticed that Mario Manningham was injured. With that win, we are now in 2nd of the AP poll! GO BLUE!!!!

Yesterday I washed my car and now it is supposed to rain ALL day tomorrow and into Wednesday...It figures. Oh well at least I got the salt off of it. That is the one bad thing about working right on the beach....the salt air really can mess up a car!

Brady sent me some pictures last night of he and Tia Carrere. He and Mike attended the Filipino Music Award Show. The other picture is of he and Mike holding a HUGE BOA....Yikes!!...Brady said in this picture the snake was really coming after him. His look is a real "OH SHIT" look.

I'm not so sure I like Brady's hair long. I don't think it was ever this long....but he seems to like it and what really got me was he said he just got it cut before these pictures were taken! With it long though I can really see me in him where as when he had it short I think he looked more like his father. So I guess I can't complain to much!!!!

Mike sent some pictures of his R&R as well; I will post some of them tomorrow.

I had to take Mike's baby (his car) to get inspected and have the gear shift looked at tonight. Can't have his baby sick when he comes home. Hopefully it's nothing real big, he actually had a piece of the gear shift replaced before he left but it sounds like it might be the same piece again. It makes a horrible noise when you put it into reverse.

Well I'm going to get settled in to watch Da Bears whip up on Cardinals....I have a feeling it's going to be a blow out....We shall see though.................. GO BEARS!!!!

I love you Mike!

Quick Note!

GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU MIKE!!!!

I feel the need..............

to say.........................

Always Michael!!!!

Fall is in the air!

I woke up this morning and decided to take the day off. I just needed the break. When I woke up the temp was 53 degree's....Cold!

I plan on getting a lot done today, just normal stuff, grocery shopping, laundry, mowing the yard, (hopefully for the last time this year :)) etc.... I'm also working tonight at the Sports Plex. They are calling for very cold temps tonight as well . If only Mike was here to keep me warm.

Tomorrow I will be watching MI kick some butt on Penn State!! Sunday I have no football to watch, it's the Pats bye week and Da Bears are playing Monday night. I'm not sure what I will do if anything. Depending on the weather.

I haven't' talked to Brady much lately...he's been very busy. He and Mike are working on a pilot for MTV and have been conducting auditions for the show. I'm not sure what it's about yet.....I still am amazed that he is my son. You all are probably tired of hearing it, but I will never stop expressing how proud of him. I'm hoping he is able to come home for Christmas but I will have to wait and see.

Mike is doing good and I am anxiously awaiting for him to send some pictures of his 4 day, which turned into a 5 day R&R. I know he will get to it when he can.

Well I'm going to go start my day!!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU MIKE!!!!

Life as a Government Contractor!

Being a government contractor isn't always easy. My contract is up for rebid and will expire 1 Dec. It is always a frustrating time but what makes it even more so for me this time is my job responsibilities have changed completely. I am no longer doing the finances for the project I work for. My sponsor wants to get me more involved in the "technical" side of the house, which really isn't a bad thing for me. It just makes is tough to be "needed" when you are having to learn a job completely out of your realm. I'm sure everything will work out.

This Sat MI plays Penn State, without Mario Manningham. He underwent knee surgery earlier this week. I still think MI fans will like the outcome of the game but when you lose a receiver of that caliber you worry just a little.

I'm getting excited about the holidays. I will be going to Omaha to visit Mike's family over Thanksgiving and then I will be going to Delaware for Christmas. It will be lonely without Mike and I will HATE knowing he will not be with family over the holidays but knowing he will be home shortly after will make everything a little easier.

Well not much else is going on.

I love you Mike!

Stuff.......

Another weekend gone....another holiday gone (Columbus Day)...these are all good things....because they bring Mike closer to coming home!

Mike has enjoyed his R&R in Qatar and has promised to send pictures; as soon as I receive them I will be sure to post them. Tomorrow they are going on a tour, which includes jet skies. I am sure they will have a blast. I can't wait to hear all about it.

We had another good weekend as far as football goes. DA Bears killed the Bills with a 40-7 win and the PATS won over Miami with a 20-10 win.

I had a lot planned today, but was not able to do anything. During Ernesto, some of my fence came down and the repair guy showed up today to fix it. When he came by to give his estimate he also looked at the shed and was going to repair that as well. In order to do that, I had to keep the shed unlocked. I didn't feel comfortable leaving while he was here working. He is still here, so my day was pretty much shot.

I hope everyone is doing well....thanks for keeping Mike & I in your thoughts. It means a lot to both of us.

I love you Michael!

A-Maize an Blue :) All the way!!!!

What was supposed to be a close game....didn't turn out that way....Michigan beat Michigan State 31-13...It was still a good game. What is really nice is that Auburn lost...if only Florida Gators had lost as well.....

GO BLUE...Let's hope PATS and DA Bears have a good day tomorrow.

I'm going to watch the last 4 episodes of season 2 of LOST. Then I will FINALLY be able to watch the first episode of season 3.....

I love you Mike!!!!

A Quick Note...

to let everyone know that Mike is on a 4 day R&R in Qatar. He arrived there this morning. This link is a map of the country. I am so excited for him. He really deserves this break. Of course, I wish it was here, but that time is coming soon.........He plans on laying around the pool most of the time and he is allowed 3, count them 3 beers a day! I guess they want to make sure they don't go over board. I'm sure he will catch a buzz because it's been so long since he's had any alochol.

I am on my way to a girlfriends baby shower and then it off to watch Michigan and Michigan State football. All I have to say is............... GO BLUE!!!!

I love you Michael!!!!

Happy Birthday Jeanette!!!!

Yes another birthday in the family :) I think this is the last one for awhile!!!! So here goes....

It's your Birthday..............Have a Party!!!!

Jeanette is Mike's Sister-in-law. I hope you have a Wonderful Day! We love you!

I love you Mike!

Another big event....

happened today. Miss Jessica (Brady's girlfried) left for Europe! She has started a blog to record her trip and I have linked it under "My Boys and Girl" to the right. Please check it out from time-to-time. They are going to have a Blast! I am sooooooo excited for them.

Good Luck Jess and PLEASE be safe and keep your eyes opened! I love you girl :)

I love you Mike!

Happy Birthday Brady!!!!

Wow I can't believe my baby is 23 today. It seems surreal. I remember the day I brought him home from the hospital. He was such a little boy and I was scared to death. On the way home I was in the back seat with him wondering if I would be able to do this....would I be a good mother? What would his life be like? I remember he cried all the way home...he HATED to ride in the car. That should have told me right there that my baby was different. Most babies LOVE to ride in a car. I don't mean different in a bad way, he just always had a mind of his own. Anyway, I am so very proud of him. He has become such a nice young adult. He still "thinks" different and he knows what he wants...and he is going after it. Looking back that is what I always wanted to teach him. Be your own person, go after what you want, treat others the way you want to be treated and LOVE and LIVE life. So I guess I can say I didn't do such a bad job after all!

Happy Birthday Brady!!!!

I love you Brady and I am so very proud of you!!!! Enjoy your day :)

I Love you Mike!

Happy Birthday Mom & Carol!!!!

It's your Birthday...........Have a Party!!!!

Mike's mother and my mother share the same Birthday, another thing we have in common. I love you both and wish I could be with you to share your day. I hope you have a GREAT day!!!!

I love you Mike!

I can't believe....

Tuesday was the last time I posted. All I can say is last week was a horrible week. I am still fighting this cold so I have felt horrible all week and now I have an ear infection. The one good thing is...... I have been a couch potato all weekend, good only because I know I need the rest, bad because nothing is getting done. Oh well, I always say, everything will still be there, because no one else is going to do it!!!! I am enjoying LOST A LOT. I can't believe I never watched it before. It is like a good book you can't put down.

I did watch MI play last night at our local hangout. I feel MI should have played a lot better than they did. We won 28-14 against Minnesota and I am happy that we have the W but yet I think it should have been a higher spread. Mike was able to watch the game too. He had to get up at 300 am....Iraq turned back their clocks last night. He's going to be able to watch Da Bears tonight too, but he will have to get up around 300 again. So far he has been very lucky as far as seeing his teams play. I was hoping the PATS were going to be on "regular" TV so I didn't have to go anywhere to watch it. I still haven't decided if I'm going to go or not. I guess I will wait and see how "lazy" I feel around 300 or so..........

Well even though I haven't posted since Tuesday I really don't have much more to say. I hope everyone is doing well...............

I love you Mike!!!!