Mood:  chillin'

Good morning!

GUESS WHAT?!?!?! Flyboy found my mysterious MSgt! Yesterday while Flyboy was at the gym, he “bumped” into him and since the MSgt fit my description, Flyboy proceeded to ask him if he had talked with me on Friday. Bingo! He was the lost MSgt! So today, he is going to drop by Flyboy’s flight and pass along some more information! I am SOO stoked. Though, Flyboy didn’t bring home the last of the CDC questions, but I guess finding my MSgt compensates for forgetting. (I think that sentence made sense, I don’t know.)

Yesterday I rearranged our living room, and it feels awesome. I am going to try to post a picture of it. Mind you I am still in the process of putting all the stuff away, so the couch has stuff on it as well as everywhere else, but I really opened up the house and yet made it cozy. I hope the aura will last for a few months.  I am out of ideas at the moment.

Tomorrow is grocery shopping day, so today is finish up yesterday’s disaster and focus on the kitchen. I might do a load of laundry; I know we are in need of towels again. I also need to come up with a shopping list, I have NO idea what I will be cooking for until the next payday, I still don’t have much of an appetite and well, Flyboy never seems to have an opinion when it comes to “what do you want for dinner?”

Well I better get started; this will be a looooong day. I hope you all are doing well. Take care!

~NikiRose

Mood:  caffeinated

Good morning!

First off, I got a text message from Sleeveman, his surgery went well and he is home and on “happy” pills. We are really glad all went well. =)

Okay, I am going to have us back up to Friday… Thursday night I was unable to sleep whatsoever and wound up doing flash cards all night. I took Flyboy to work and decided I would take a short nap from 1030 to 1230. Well that didn’t happen and Flyboy messaged me saying he needed me to take him his P.T. gear at lunch, 1130. Then about 5 minutes later he called me saying he needed me to take him his uniform (he was doing snack bar duty and therefore was in civi’s). Now of course I am worried because one, he called me while he was at work and two he needed his uniform when he supposed to be in civi’s. Then he proceeds to tell me that his First Sgt wanted him to “Pin” On his new rank during Hall Call, which apparently was at 1200 (it was now 1030, and I had sleepy blood shot eyes, smelled nasty and was very fatigued from the lack of sleep). Flyboy told his First Sgt that I was coming down to drop off his uniform at 1100 and his First Sgt wanted me to stay to help the Squadron Commander Pin On Flyboy’s new rank. (A tradition they have) So I am of course freaking out because once again last minute things and I am barely awake! So I get down there and am of course nervous as all get out. I mean Hall Call; I have to attend that… So anyway, my stomach is spinning and we head down to the designated hall (it really is what it is, Hall Call) and the WHOLE entire squadron lines up on either side of this gigantic hall and awaits the Squadron Commander. Finally the room gets called to attention (I thought I was going to puke. It was really claustrophobic in there. I just know we were breaking some kind of fire code lol. The hallway wasn’t wide enough for me to completely stretch out my arms both ways.) The Squadron Commander shows up and grabs a karaoke mic and addresses the squadron. (I don’t know how the guys at the end of the hall heard anything, I was up front and I could barely hear him) The first announcement was “I need Airman Flyboy to come up here and I heard his wife is here to so, she needs to come up as well. Now of course the rest of the Squadron is doing the “panic whisper” because they have no idea why Flyboy is being called out in front of everyone let alone me. (They did the same thing with Radar a few weeks ago; I will talk about it in a bit) He (Commander) proceeds to tell everyone that Flyboy has earned his next stripe and he hands me a Senior Airman BDU chevron (Flyboy was in his Flight suit) and the Commander kept the other one and on my count we punched the new stripes on Flyboy’s shoulders and that was that. Flyboy was handed a certificate of “hey good job you are now a new rank” and we got our picture taken with the Squadron Commander (my bloodshot sleepy eyes and all haha.) and then we awaited the rest of the announcements. A person from each flight of the Squadron had to make an announcement about well, whatever, and then there was an announcement about the upcoming volunteer event for Feed the Children. (That is where that came from.) After Hall Call I waited in the Snack Bar for Flyboy to get out of another safety brief, that I was more than welcome to attend, but I chose watching the news over “Don’t drink and drive” this weekend. I know that, I am the designated driver. Haha. So while I was waiting I was approached by a Master Sgt and we got to talking and come to find out his wife is a substitute teacher. She is only allowed to work like 70 days in a school year and gets paid around $25 for a half day $50 for a whole day. I asked him what degrees would be needed for that and was said, surprisingly just a high school diploma. (Well that is awesome and I am getting stoked) So his lunch finished cooking in the microwave and he told me that if I was interested that I should have Flyboy email him and he will pass on the information. AWESOME!!! You know that the kicker is…? I didn’t look at his name on his name tag. So now there is a mysterious MSgt walking around the squadron with the key to something I would enjoy. Grr. So I tried to describe the guy to Flyboy and Flyboy has no clue, and so now Flyboy is on a separate mission for me to find this guy. I feel so silly. Well it’s like I feel that if I’m not offered a name then I am not permitted to know their name. Silly huh? Plus I was really exhausted. So we are now looking for soon to retire (that is what he said) MSgt… odds are soo stacked against me. Haha. Flyboy assures me we will find him.

So in conclusion Flyboy is officially an E-4. Yay!

Now, testing for Staff…

I know, I know, he JUST made E-4, but his First Sgt is “pushing” him to take the test for Staff. I mean he isn’t saying, you WILL, but you know how it is. He knows that Flyboy, if he puts his mind to it can pass it, even though the odds are like 1000 to 1 that he can pass. But it won’t hurt him if he doesn’t pass, so, why not? Flyboy is up for it and is really excited about it, though not looking forward to all the cramming. Who would be? This is how it works… (at least how I understand it)

In order to qualify you have to complete your CDC’s (Career Development Course) (Which is all of these flash cards that I have been doing.) and you have to have a certain amount of Time and Grade and Time in Service. Flyboy meets the Time and Grade/Time in Service and he is two tests shy of completing the CDC requirement. The deadline, this year, too meet all of the requirements is the 31st of March. This is NO problem, cramming, but no problem. On a technical note, he has to complete his CDC’s AND have the paperwork ALL signed and filed stating by the 31 of March in order to qualify for taking the test for Staff. Okay… After that he has a whole month to study the Sergeant book, and of course continue reviewing his CDC’s so he can take the test in May. The Staff test is complied of a bunch of different things…

Test 1 – Staff book – max score 100pts

Test 2 – CDC’s      - max score 100pts

EPR’s               - max score 135pts

Awards (Medals)     - max score  25pts

Time in Grade       - max score  60pts

Time in Service     - max score  40pts

So all in all, total points you could get (which is so rare, it’s like finding a genie in a magic lamp that doesn’t have the voice of Robin Williams haha.)Is 460 points. Last year the minimum that was required was something like 267.4 points. (Now I know you need to attempt to achieve much higher to assure that you will make it, but this is just assuming that the statistics will be the same as last year. ((Just something to go by to give an idea)) Flyboy knows this too.)

Currently Flyboy has like 92.4 points which means to make last years cut off of 267.4 he needs 174.98. That would mean he aces both tests, or skims by with either both of them at 87.49 points or acing one with the on there one scoring 74.98 points. Either way the odds are horrible. This test was made to be a real test, as in NOT easy. There are lots, and lots of highly intelligent people who take this thing and don’t pass, and in all reality, with the odds that Flyboy has, it will be a serious shocker if he can make it. Flyboy knows it, and as much as it sounds like I am bashing him, I am not. We both know the odds and he is willing to throw his smarts against it. I think he has a chance, and even more so with the flash cards. They REALLY help. So now what? If he pulls a pass out of thin air, then he goes on a list and depending on what number they give him, is when I will have to go back down to the squadron to punch a new rank on his arm; so that could be anywhere from the end of this year to the end of next if not more. (I really don’t know that) But yeah, so we are going to be busy with studying.

This weekend, we invested in a desk from Target; it is actually pretty stable for having to assemble it yourself. I was quite surprised. We decided that since lots of studying is going to transpire with in the next few weeks, we might as well get a desk. It is a lot easier to focus on what you are doing at a desk rather than sitting o n the couch or that kitchen table. Oddly enough the desk matches our bed frame. I set the desk up in the bedroom and it fits quite nicely there. =)

Now to Monday… Yesterday was the Feed the Children volunteer event that apparently started off at the fairgrounds. We got there, a bunch of us, and after freezing for 20 minutes the gal in charge had us make boxes and pack all of the left over books from the book sale that weekend and then stack them on pallets. This building was HUGE and with all of us working we got it done in 20 minutes! Amazing! Then our squadron met the gal over at the warehouse to help her there. That was hectic! We were short handed but some how managed to pack over 800 boxes in 2.5 hours for Feed the Children!!!! Over 800 boxes!!! My job was to cut open all the wrapped cans and help everyone else. Jobs weren’t really assigned, it was totally un-organized and yet we had a system at the same time. Really weird. Flyboy was on the line and put stuffing mix ion the box as it flew by on the roller thing. No machines involved, all man power, well except for the fork lifts that would move the heavy pallets, that was it though. Flyboy told me that I was a blur I was moving around so fast, I had to we were doing 400 boxes an hour which is 200 boxes every 30 minutes, 100 every 15!!!! It was crazy. Needless to say I am beat, when we got home Flyboy rubbed my shoulders and he said within 15 minutes I was passed out. I woke up a few times and he said all he had to do was rub my back or something and I was out again. I honestly remember very little of last night. I do remember the first back rub, then next thing I know Flyboy was bringing me dinner (MacNCheese) and then the alarm went off for me to take my pills. Then I remember sometime later him rubbing my feet and then next thing I know it was 530 and I was starving. Not to mention my hamstrings were KILLING me! (And still are =/) I haven’t been in fast forward like that in ages! Oddly enough I was the only spouse there. (I have some issues with the spouse club, but I really don’t want to get into that right now)

What is going on? They are doing something outside and it’s really aggravating my ears. That low rumbling pitch. It’s almost like a jack hammer but So much LOUDER. Grr. I think I may investigate. We generally get notices on our doors if something like this will be going on, hmm… oh well. But I am definitely losing my concentration.

Flyboy is scheduler today so he won’t be off until really late. Since we missed Macho’s shindig this weekend, I am bringing apple crisp in on Friday. (apparently when Flyboy said I was coming up to the flight last Friday nothing but “Is she bringing apple crisp???” and non stop excitement was all he got from the moment he opened his mouth to when I showed up. I kind of feel bad, but at how last minute that was, there was no what I could have made apple crisp, taken a shower and grabbed all what I needed in time to punch the tar out of his arm in front of all his friends. =S so this Friday, I will make a batch and make his flight happy. Aren’t I sweet?

Well I better get to cleaning, as much as my aching muscles will allow. I need to fix the aura again, it is off once more. Blah. Take care! Love ya!

~NikiRose     

Mood:  cheeky

Good morning!

This one will be really short and I will make up for it tomorrow. Today we are heading down to the fairgrounds to help with Feed the Children. I don’t know what all it entails, I don’t know if we will be doing more than what the organization’s name describes. Our ShowTime is 0800 and we will have to leave soon to pick up Flyboy’s blues form the dry cleaner/seamstress. (More on that later, much much more) In the meantime I need to finish getting dressed and finish packing my purse. (Water, sunscreen, tissues for Flyboy’s violently nasty sneezes, water, and some Gatorade (we have been really dehydrated lately) not to mention some sort of snack to tide us over. I have a feeling it will be a long day, but a fun one!

I also want to wish Sleeveman a successful knee surgery. We will be thinking about you all day! (Not like we don’t think about all you guys everyday…) Hopefully they will give you some complimentary “happy” pills to take home. Good luck!!!

Take care all! We love you!

~NikiRose

Mood:  don't ask

Hello all…

I was planning to write a bunch this morning, but I am really tied down with flash cards and coloring. Yesterday Flyboy was told the status of his EPR and it is one signature away from being a final deal. The kicker is Flyboy has enough time and grade now that leadership is pushing him to test for Staff Sergeant. It is really confusing and it will take me a bit before everything clicks, so when that happens I will re-explain it. Anyway, they are really pushing him, I mean they sent him home with another book to read and study (the main book he will be tested on) but this one doesn’t have any questions so guess what I have been asked to do? He still needs to finish the CDC’s, which is at least another 250 flash cards for me and about 500 that need coloring. Eek! Yeah, I have a feeling it will be really crazy around here, so please be patient with me if my entries are a little short in the next week or so. (I have no idea how long this will last) But Flyboy has figured out the reasoning behind my not being up to par, nerves. Of course he had to enlighten me this morning right before I dropped him off, leaving me to only think about it more instead of discuss it. His heart is in the right place; just his timing is off as usual. I need to eat something, I know I am hungry, but nothing sounds good. I am disgusted by the thought of cheese! And you all know how much I love cheese. It doesn’t even stop with cheese! It’s EVERYTHING. Well, everything except Rice Krispies cereal. (I plan on heading out to the store to get some here really soon). Last night Flyboy made some spaghetti. I told him no meat just mushrooms (which is weird) it actually hit the spot, and he made a killer sauce. (He gave me a bunch… almost too much, but it was good. He said that he opened the wrong end of the spice container and put too much in, and oddly enough it was the perfect amount. I hope he can make the same mistake again! ((Never thought THOSE words would come out of my mouth haha)))

Anywho, I am exhausted. I couldn’t sleep last night so I ended up doing a bunch of flash cards. I have 30-something left, ending this section and set, YAY! Though I have one more set that has 3 sections, I am hoping to get those done before the end of next week. I think I do better flash cards when I am tired rather when I am awake and cheery. I came up with some pretty cool ones this morning. Hehe.

Flyboy is doing Snack Bar Duty today, so I have no idea when he will be released. I hope he isn’t stuck there too long, I know how tired he is too. It was really hot again last night. This weather has been driving me nuts lately. It will be hot outside and freezing in the house, but when its cool outside it will be really hot inside. I know that sounds silly to be frustrated at, but it really is frustrating.

I think I am going to head to the store now. (I don’t even want chocolate!!!) Rice Krispies here I come!

Mood:  cheeky

Hello all!

*yawn* I hope everyone’s morning is going well so far. =) Mine so far has started off very cold (28 degrees) and with a tummy ache. Man I am not having a good week. Haha.

I did half of the dishes yesterday afternoon, I really didn’t feel like washing that “rice” pan or all the silverware. So that is on the agenda for today. I also plan on working on more flash cards. I have finished two books out of the three book set. I have 55 questions left to put on flash cards. Hehe Flyboy has a nice tall stack that he has to color. I mean I will help him color some, but goodness, that is a lot of cards! I think they are turning out well! I am having trouble with the ones that have the answer as ranges; for example, 106.3-423.48 MHz. (not an actual answer just an example…) But it’s like, there are several, several answers like these and its getting harder coming up with visual’s to help memorize them. I am working on it. =)

I think I am going to have a bowl of cereal and then head off to start back up on the cards. I need to get this set done so he can study them before his test in March. Speaking of March, I can’t believe it is March already! It seemed soooo far away in December, now I am up for a follow up visit re-PCOS. Fun times.

Anywho, I think my tummy is getting more aggravated with me, and I better go before it decides to take its sudden frustration out on me. Haha. Grr. Hope you all are doing well. =) Love Ya!

~NikiRose  

Mood:  happy

Morning!

There isn’t much to say today, really. Yesterday I finished folding and put away the laundry, except for the socks, I still have to sort those. I made the bed and put the groceries away, got the trash together and then my migraine wouldn’t let me do much more. So I am going to finish up what I didn’t finish yesterday.

Last night Flyboy was in charge of making rice, it is now burnt to the pan. I am not looking forward to cleaning that one. He set his watch to go off in ten minutes but it never beeped. I watched him set it too. Most of the rice was still okay though, so we still had our mushroom chicken and rice. This afternoon he is having some leftover lasagna I made from scratch.

The rest of the night was kind of a blur, I was so tired. I think we ended up falling asleep around 2200 and then we woke up at 100 because it was too hot. For some reason the thermostat keeps “magically” getting adjusted. Flyboy claims he doesn’t touch it and I know I don’t touch it, so I think we may have an evil fairy in the house with resentment towards blonds or something. Either way, it is getting really annoying.

Oh Flyboy was saying this morning that the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is in town this week and he has been hanging out with Flyboy’s squadron. (The Chief “grew-up” at this base with Flyboy’s squadron, so there is a lot of family here) He also has been going around randomly testing airmen on things they should know *cough* pulling your hair back when putting on a gas mask *cough* Anywho, I just thought that was a cool bit of information.

I am also happy to hear that the CD I got signed for Aunt Marvella, has safely arrived. I was a bit worried about it. The last couple times I have shipped packages out they don’t arrived when scheduled and have gotten lost at times. A little frustrating I might say.

I also might air out the house. I have figured out where this new headache is coming from… the burnt rice smell. I REALLY don’t need a headache today. =/

Sadly, I think that is all for now. I wish I had more to bore you with but I am out of material at the moment. =S I hope you all are doing well! Take care!

~NikiRose

Mood:  chillin'

Good morning!

I don’t have much to talk about this morning; I have a BUNCH of chores to catch up on. I went shopping on Friday and still need to put some of the dry goods away, dishes, as always, I have laundry than needs to be put away and some that needs folding and I need to wash Flyboy’s uniforms. I also need to package all the leftovers I froze this weekend, so Flyboy can have some tasty lunches or I when I don’t feel like cooking, there are meals in the freezer. I also need to baggie up the fruit and veggies for snacks and I need to do lots of vacuuming. Yeeeah, can you tell I am behind? Now, the bathroom is Flyboy’s responsibility, that is not on my shoulders. (After a while of being completely baffled as to why when I was single my bathroom was spotless and now that I’m married, it’s a mess. Guys have dirty bathroom habits… I am talking about the sink too! Haha Wish I was given a heads up on that one, who knew that even after Basic, guys would lose those “clean” habits haha.)

Flyboy made it home on Friday afternoon; I think it was around 1500 sometime, I’m not quite sure. He enjoyed his “vacation” but was really glad to be back, especially when he got to come home to homemade beef stroganoff. Hehe =) Friday, we pretty much crashed. He was exhausted and I didn’t get any sleep the night before. Saturday, he woke me up at like noon and asked me if I would like pancakes for breakfast. =) I really liked that, but then he wasn’t sure when to flip them (he wanted them to be perfect) so he had me come in the kitchen. Then one thing led to another and I ended up making pancakes. It was really funny; I didn’t even realize I had taken over. Normally I get frustrated at the mess or something and it’s like a hostile take over, this time neither one of us had realized it until after we ate. After breakfast we headed out on a quest to find matching snuggle bunnies. (The enlisted guys have decided that they want to have their own get-together, non formal type, instead of the fancy shindig this Friday. Well they decided on a pajama theme, I guess, and so Flyboy and I decided it would be fun to show up in snuggle bunnies. I mean, it’s us.) We were unsuccessful on that quest, but we were able to get his film developed from his TDY. (He will be posting soon) Then we headed down to where our first apartments were so I could show him the damage from the recent tornado. We got hungry and stopped at a Mexican restaurant that we always went to when we were dating, then headed to the mall to finish a previous quest. I don’t even want to talk about the mall, I have no idea how we made it out of there alive, let alone with my car in one piece. *shivers* Sunday, was same old, same old. Monday, was a day off, and I got stuck with a migraine. I don’t think it was from the Glucophage, but it sure didn’t feel good. I have one now actually. This one is a different one. I think this one is because I haven’t had enough water. I decided to stop drinking for about a day (I had water but not a bunch) because I have been visiting the restroom too often for that amount of water, it gets a little annoying after the 5^th time in 2 hours! Oh well. I will monitor intake and visits over the next few days to see if there is anything to really worry about, so I can bring it up to my doctor when I have my wonderfully “yearly” exam. Bleh. =/

Anywho, Flyboy is at work, I am hoping for a 1500 release tome so we can get a head start on PT and bedtime. I am so tired. Plus, whatever is rolling in weather wise, I don’t want to be driving in it or stuck at home by myself in it again. It is very dreary out there and we have a lovely breeze from the south. =) not. Oh before I forget…

****SOLDIER UPDATE**** Soldier sent this out on Valentines Day, so I thought I would post this just incase you didn’t get it. (I don’t think he has everyone’s email yet. I am working on that)…

Hello, I would like to apologise for the generic of this email and that all can see it all.

     For starters I would like to wish everyone a happy valentines day. No I am not trying to be cheep. Our crew has been stuck on site for the last few days. We have been isolated to insure "stability" amongst us. I am the last one to get on to write to Yall. So here this goes.

     There are many ways for me to send a message straight to you. Its sad to say i am stuck out here, and not in the states with you.
To be there for the random moments that come at times slow pace. Is to be there for the thoes special  days that show a gleaming face. Yet as I stand out here in the essence of a war. I would rather be nowhere else, to protect yall from a far.

happy valentines day yall

 &

happy birthday Grandma

For all of you in california i will be returning end may to 13 june

 Once again sorry for the short letter and email

That is all I have heard out of him. I wrote him about his taxes and this entire hoop jumping with the IRS and not even an “okay”. But I will keep you posted as always. =)

I guess that is it for now. I need to get started before I loose motivation. =( Keep warm and all that jazz. Take care!

~NikiRose

Mood:  a-ok

GRANDMA HULL

Mood:  on fire

Hello all!

This is going to be a short one, am SOOOOOO tired it’s not funny and my eyes are burning from the onion I had to destroy for Flyboy’s stroganoff. (He is coming home today and he requested it)

Sherwood is having lunch in the backyard and he seems really frustrated that I haven’t topped off his food yet.

I went shopping today, and I learned a new shopping rule. From now on I am going to shop the day before everyone gets paid (I do that normally) because today was a mess by 730!!! Yeah, I did not have a good shopping experience this morning, which is a shame because I really needed it. I am so tired.

So I started to make Flyboy’s dinner and realized I never picked up a yellow onion (I forgot to write it on the list), so back to the store. There was a looooooong line at Wal-Mart, oh my goodness.

Needless to say bed sounds soo good. I don’t even care that the sheets are still in the wash. (Though, I am sure that Flyboy will). While I was shopping I picked myself up a top Ramen cup, I know the salt content is threw the roof but I drain the liquid after the noodles are cooked. Plus, I haven’t had one in years.

I am hearing planes fly over, I really hope that is him. He said sometime before 1500 and he never did say if it was Cali time or my time. I am hoping he meant my time; otherwise bed will be even farther away. =(

I better go before my ramen gets cold. Cold ramen is like ice cream falling off your cone into the dirt. You know?

Take care!

~NikiRose

Mood:  down

Buenos Tardes!

Well hmm… Didn’t do much yesterday. Apparently the night before I slept wrong and on top of something, which I am going to assume was one of Flyboy’s flashlights that fell off the headboard. So now my arm hurts like crazy and it isn’t feeling better. It also didn’t help that my arm had fallen asleep either. =( ow.

Flyboy said that he will be writing an entry in here when he gets home. Hopefully he will be coming home tomorrow. Cross your fingers!

Today I headed down to base to deal with Soldier’s taxes. I had a hunch to call the IRS to make sure there wasn’t anything else I needed to fill out before filing his taxes, apparently I did. I needed to fill out a Form 2848 then fax it to the IRS with a copy or the power of attorney. Most confusing document ever! It took me an hour to fill it out (had to make sure I was doing it right) then I headed down to Kinko’s to fax it. That was EXPENSIVE oh my goodness. The IRS decided to give me a long distance number so it cost a bunch more. I ended up spending $40 bucks just to fax it all. Bah =P Soldier will be getting a bill haha. It just blew my mind though.

I was supposed to go grocery shopping this morning but I decided to hit the snooze button instead. (Hehe) Needless to say I will be doing that tomorrow, as well as the dishes.

Well Flyboy is calling me again so I better go for now, take care!

~NikiRose