Rollercoaster of Tears

So, Today my best friend, Heather, and her hubby moved completely off island. Their belongings left at the beginning of the week and all that was left was a few suitcases and their wonderful little pets. I got to spend their last 2 1/2 days on the island with them as I had gone home for christmas. But today was the hardest for me to say "I'll see you soon" than I've ever had to do. I've said goodbye and I'll see you soon to my deployed husband twice now. That one was ok for me. I cried once right before we went to meet everyone and for him to get ready to leave. I haven't cried since then. Until today. Heather and I cried in her room this morning while she was cleaning up her kitty litter. We tried not to cry again while we were getting ready to leave my house. And then... The long dreaded actual time of separation... Not something I ever want to go through again. We cried like little babies. And I'm not ashamed to say so. I love her. I always will. And though it was goodbye today, it wasn't officially goodbye. It was an "I'll see you later" and I'm ok with that. Hopefully (depending on the hubby's decision) We'll be following them in a year :) Which would make Heather and I completely ecstatic! But nonetheless today has been a very emotional day for me. When I came home from the airport and checked the mail, I find my first letter from my deployed hubby awaiting me in my mailbox. I open it and read it and find not one letter but a letter and a wonderful poem written by him to me. And then it all hit me... I'm now alone here in Hawaii. I know not technically as I have many friends but I am without my husband and my best friend now. And, It's New Years Eve. I am very depressed now and may go eat a whole pizza. :) I hope everyone is having a much more wonderful New Years than I am. :) I love you Jonathan and Heather!! :)

Casino Smino :/

My little sister, Miranda, and her fiance, Chris, and I all went to the Casino here in Tulsa. It was a lot of fun! I've never really been in a casino before and we walked around looking at everything before we played while we were waiting for Chris to get off. We ended up playing the 5 cent slot machines before we ate dinner. There was $2 down.. We went and played a quarter slot machine. Another $10 down. We had dinner in the casino, which was ok. Not the best buffet ever but what can you expect from a casino right? Then we went and played more quarter machines. Another $10 down. Then, we decided to let Chris pick our machine's next. He picked the dollar machines. We both put in our last $20 in our machines. I won $20 within 2 spins. Then I kept playing and immediately lost it all. Although I won 5 and 6 here and there. Then I watched Miranda. She got up to $58 and then lost it all. But, we had fun whether we won or not. It was a wonderful end to an evening with my sister and Chris. We had a lot of fun today too. :) More fun to follow tomorrow night :) Now to watch Beauty and the Beast :) (That's for you Heather!! And we really are watching it too)

Total Flight Disaster. Thank you American Airlines.... NOT

Since my husband is deployed this Christmas my parents thought they would make my holiday and bring me home to spend it with the family. I was all for it til 2 hours before my flight was originally supposed to leave Honolulu. The plane that I was taking to L.A. was delayed for nearly 2 hours, in L.A. so an AA agent called and told me I had to change my flights so that I would make my connections. First, she changed me to arriving in Arkansas at midnight! Midnight! Then, I called back and got another lady who changed me to landing at 245. I was ok with that. So I leave HNL for LAX. They delayed my ORIGINAL flight so that those of us could make our connection... So, at that point I became very upset. But, I didn't call and throw a fit or confront anyone. I waited. For 7 hours at LAX to make my next connecting flight to Dallas. While on flight, AA called to tell me my flight was cancelled. Like I had my phone on or could even recieve a phone call! So, I land, go to find my gate and am told that my flight has been cancelled due to mechanical difficulties... Right. The lady prints me my new boarding pass, offers to buy me lunch (which I turned down), and tells me which gate I will now be. I leave in 3 hours. So, I call AA, again, to find out what's up and why this is happening and why I was moved from my first flight. She has no answer. But, to be helpful, she puts me on a flight to Oklahoma. I have family there. But, my bag will still go to XNA on the flight I was supposed to take. I change my mind. I need my bag. So, now, I'm sitting in the USO and it's pretty neat. Not very big but its cool. It will now be a stipulation to pass through when an airport has one. :) It's the only thing right now keeping me from becoming 'angry step on your face' Maresa. I just hope and pray that this flight I'm going to be on now, doesn't get cancelled and that I don't get booted off the plane in favor for someone else. I will be irate. And then... I will be that Maresa. Hmm. I'm going to go enjoy quite time and drink my free drink. Hope everyone is having a much better sunday than I am.

PS: American Airlines, I am VERY unhappy with you.

A melancholy last day

The definition of melancholy is this: an abnormal state attributed to an excess of black bile and characterized by irascibility or depression. 

This is how I feel right now. It's currently 0130 and I can't sleep. I leave the island in a little over 14 hours. I'm only going home for a short christmas break, but, I'm losing 11 days with my best friend. 11 days I can never get back. You see, Mrs. H and her hubby are leaving the island a day and a half after I get back home. This makes me very depressed. As noted in my first blog ever, Mrs. H and I are attached at the hip and have become very dependent upon each other. We have been each others rocks when our husbands were deployed. She has been my rock since Mr. R deployed this round. Mrs. H is the one who taught me what a real and true best friend was. I would not be the sane person everyone see's day to day if not for her.

Thus far in this deployment, I have rarely dragged myself out of my house to see anyone other than Mrs. H and Mr. B. Occasionally I've had a few of the other wives I know over to have a girls night, but it was always a must that Mrs. H be there too. Girls nights are never going to be the same, I will probably rarely leave my home after they leave. And I am saddened and slightly depressed at the thought of going a year without really getting to be our little group again. We have all grown together this last year and I love how we've become as a group, and as best friends. Luckily I'm going to go see her sometime in the new year after they have settled in. And, I'm going to scope out the area since we, Mrs. H and I, have decided that after finding each other, we can't live the rest of our lives apart. When Mr. R and I say goodbye to this island it will be none too soon, and we'll be ready for the new adventure awaiting us with our best friends. As I finish this blog before the tears start rolling (as they are gathering in my eyes at the thought of the next two weeks) I will leave you with a quote that I heard once and it is true for me and Mrs. H. 


God places the love you are meant to be a part of in a man to share the rest of your life. But he places your true soul-mate in your best friend to be found when you most need it and to never be lost. 


I love you Mrs. H. :) 

                                             Mrs. H and I on our Valentine's Day dinner cruise
                                                                with the hubby's. :)
                                                      

Fire Balls and Ice Powers

As the title implies, yes, this is about Mario Bros on the red wii. :) Mrs. H and I are addicted to this game. And, I can only seem to play it when playing on a team. Especially with her. We have successfully beat the main 8 levels. So far. We finally made it to the last castle, the REALLY huge one after you've already beat 2 castles. We then realize that you can fire your Iced snow balls (like the original Mario fire power, just with ice now) at the jumping lava flames. Which, when we realized this, was totally awesome to learn! However, said castle, is still very hard to beat. We have, so far used 42 continues (when you die, you get 5 more lives) for Mario (me! haha sad, I know) and 27 continues for the yellow mushroom dude, who oddly doesn't have a name (but still Mrs. H :)) For a grand total of 345 lives between the two of us. And, we found out that there's another world after world 8. Now how stoked are we? Seriously stoked. We can't wait to play that level. But first, we have to beat the game to get to world 9. And then, we might not even get to go to world 9. Apparently, there's two different endings. Hopefully, we've done enough on each level to get to the Bonus world. :)

On another note, I'm fully packed to go home for Christmas and to see both mine and Mr. R's families. This should be so much fun! I'm staying with my sister, Mrs. F, for a few nights at her and her fiance's, Mr. P's, house. I'm super excited to see where they'll live for the next however many years of their lives together. Then I get to do Christmas morning at my families house. And my dad, he sure knows how to decorate! And, he decorated for me! Haha probably not just for me, but was told he wasn't putting them up and then put them up when they found out I was coming home. :) I'm excited. My family goes all out for Christmas. There's lights everywhere. All over. Period. And we have 3 buildings to put them all over, a few trees outside get the special treatment too. We're definitely easily seen from miles around considering my parents live in the middle of nowhere, nowhere, with miles and miles of countryside to look at. That's the one thing other than my families, that I'm super stoked about to be going home to see! I love Christmas! Next year, Mr. R and I are going to have our very first one together with our own Christmas decorations and at our own home!! Whew-hew! Hope everyone has a wonderful night!! :)

It feels like Christmas

It feels as much like Christmas as it can in Hawaii. The temperature is in the early 70's and there is precipitation falling down. Albeit rain. But still. Christmas decorations are going up all over the neighborhood and I can't help but wish I was putting up some of my own. But I'm not. My husband is away and I'm going home so I don't spend it without family. It upsets me a little because I wanted to decorate this year and have a Christmas tree and lights of my own. However, to make up for my not having any, my father is putting up his. And when my family does decorations for Christmas... We do it ALL out. Literally. My mother now has the Christmas tree she's always wanted with all the nice decorations. For years we've had the 'childrens' tree where all of our homemade decorations hung. My father has hung at least 10,000 lights.. We have 2 buildings and a house that he hangs them on. Plus a truck we rarely use anymore. Plenty of lights and holiday cheer go around our house. My little sister and her fiance have decorated their home for their first christmas together. And my older sister has decorated her home with her soldier. The Christmas spirit will definitely not be lacking this year! I can't wait to go home and see everyone. I'm going to see his family and mine the 10 days I'm home so it will be a wonderful christmas nonetheless. I hope all of you celebrating Christmas without your significant other have a wonderful Christmas as well! And to those celebrating with their loved ones, hold them tight and show them how much you love them.

Sorry for such a melancholy post! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

A day of Infamy

First, let me give my thanks to the men and women who were serving in Hawaii the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. Let those who gave their lives protecting our shores be remembered forever. Give those who are serving in OIF and OEF our full support and stand behind all of our men and women who are over there defending our freedom. And bow our heads for those who have passed on and are still guarding our freedom from above.

This day in 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japanese and marked our entrance into WWII. It marks a day of sorrow and horrible memories. A day of remembrance of what we stand for and what type of people make up our great nation. I am proud to say that I am an American. I am proud to say that I support our military and their families, not only because I am one of those, but because it is right and they are all my Hero's. I thought I would put a couple pics up of what Pearl Harbor was then, and what it is now. In hope that all would remember, pray, and give thanks to those who have and will always serve the Nation that I love. God Bless America!!

                                  Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. A day we will all remember. A day of sorrow.
                                            A day that awoke the 'Sleeping Giant' of the American People.

                                Pearl Harbor, 2010. What stands today to remind us what a travesty that day was for America.                 A day that will be remembered for all time.

Life Outside the Marine Corps

So the hubs and I have been discussing what we want to do when his time is up for his active duty contract. We've decided, so far (as his mind frequently changes), that we're getting out and he's going to serve Active Reserves. There are many perks to his doing so and only 2 days a month and 2 weeks a year that are the downside. But, I can sacrifice that time with him willingly. The current topic for us outside the Marine Corps is where we're going to live and where he's going to go to school. I'm very adamant about where I want to live, south of the Mason Dixon line. I'm southern born and bred and I don't plan on living the rest of my life in the north. No offense intended, I just like that I have 4 seasons, and a very nice and hot summer. So for now, we've decided that when he gets out, sometime between December 2011 and January 2012 that we're going to go home for a month. 1) to visit all of our family more extensively than we've been able to the past few years, and 2) to await our belongings being shipped to our home of record from Hawaii. I think, just to hasten things along, we'll be willing to give our things up more quickly than we did to bring them out here. We were told 30 to 45 days. We waited almost 75 days. I wasn't a happy camper if you can imagine. So, we'll probably give up our things in December. And hopefully follow soon after. Then after being at home for a few weeks we've decided that he's going to finish his last year and a half at the University of GA. Now, being a Razorback fan, that's a horrible proposition. But, believe us, we will definitely be going to the games wearing our Razorback pride! The hubs isn't sure on his career track and what all he wants to do in his life. He's thinking at this moment, that he only wants to live in GA for around 7 to 8 years. And already have 2 or 3 children. Umm.. I don't think so. I don't like moving. I've done plenty and have had my fill of it. This next move will be my last. Especially if we have children. Its heart wrenching being taken away from everything and everyone that you know. And I really would rather them start and finish school in one spot. Preferably a small town like the both of us had. But we shall see. As for now, life after the Marine Corps is a not so distant future that we're going to have to start gearing up for. And we can't wait! Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Mario Red Wii

We've all seen it. The new Nintendo Wii that's out in Mario red. That comes with a red controller and a red nunchuck. I bought it Thursday. I had to you see, I'm addicted to Super Mario Bro. I always have been since they came out with the original. My uncle introduced my siblings and I to the game when we were little. They've remade it for the Wii. My best friend, Mrs. H. and I have both been playing it non-stop. We're, as a team, on world 4 already. We've played it collectively, about 8 hours total since buying it Thursday afternoon. We're going to play it again today, Most likely. Haha. We can't help it.

So, about the red controllers... I gave them to Mrs. H in exchange for some blue ones. So she could have a full set of all red. :) I don't mind it. I wanted the black wii that came out. It would've matched my electronics, which are all black, much better. But, I got red. It was the same price as the black one, BUT, it came with the game I wanted. So I have the red one now and I LOVE it!! It actually looks fine with all of my black electronics. :) Who would've thought it!

On another note, got a call from Mr. R the past two nights. It was wonderful!! I missed hearing his voice. He assures me he's fine and all of that but I still worry.  He also called Mr. B. :) The first night Mr. B missed his phone call, and he even called him twice. And was upset over it. So last night I asked him to call Mr. B again. This morning, Mrs. H tells me Mr. B is wonderfully happy for the phone call. And I can only assume that Mr. R was happy too! We'll find out tonight.

Well I'm off for the day, think I'm gonna go have a 'Lord of the Ring' trilogy marathon til Mrs. H and Mr. B get out of church! But I'm gonna leave y'all with a pic of the beautiful Mario Red Wii. :) Enjoy!

Doggy Trials

My husband and I have two dogs. One is a lab/greyhound mix that's a year old and is only 29 lbs. His name is Ares. Our other is a lab/malamute/pitt mix that's only 5 1/2 months and is bigger than our year old already. His name is Apollo. When the hubs and I got Ares in January, we got him a kennel that was appropriately sized for him. We bought him a bigger one in August when we got Apollo and it was a little big for him. So, since August, Apollo has been living in a moderately small kennel when we leave the house. He's too big for it now. So, today, for Apollo, I decide to go and find him a bigger kennel. I went to the Annex on base, Walmart, and Petco to no avail. So, as a last minute thought, I decide to go to the NEX. They have a wonderful selection of dog kennels of all sizes. And, they have AWESOME prices. I paid $100 for the kennel I bought today. And, its HUGE. I don't mean its just bigger than the old one he was in, but the old one, fits inside with room to spare!! I fit in it, and I'm 6' 170 lbs.... And I fit comfortable. But I thought it was comical at how big/small compared to each other that they were and wanted to share the photo. Hope y'all enjoy!

 

The one on the left is Apollo's, and X-Large. And, the one on the right is Ares', a Large.