The Marines have landed [on my house].

Since it's Monday and all, I think I will list some random coolness:

• My better half got our American and Marine Corps flags mounted on the front of our house yesterday. Complete with solar powered lights (which work nicely and look sweet. The icing on the cake was.... I love to watch him work! We're sure to get lots of attention as I think we're the only Marine family within at least a 10 mile radius. Oohrah.

• He also pulled down the putrid awnings from the front and side doors and helped the 9 year old resident plant a nice garden. I can't wait to see if the pumpkin, in particular, grows!

• I've had the nicest, most helpful correspondence from FelineFido on Etsy about some of my products. She ordered some and likes them. She gave me great feedback and even some tips. She's got to be the nicest person I've never met and I'm excited to order Tyler Hansbrough __________'s collar very soon.

• I'm slowly but surely learning to use my MacBook. It's still far more savvy than I'll ever be, but it's good to aim high.

• Spring seems to have finally sprung here and, along with it, my mood. I'm definitely a winter depressed/summer happy kind of girl. So bring on the joy and relaxation. Or.... at least the joy!

• Last but not least: to girlfriend in the Apple Bottom jeans/boots with the fur........ this one's for you, homeslice.

I'm too sexy for my Mac.

As I sit here typing this on my PC, I realize that the exact opposite is true. My old man (clearly on a bid for sainthood) gave me my Mother's Day gift early. A very shiny, very smart, very over-my-head MacBook. He actually gave it to me on Friday and I've been poking around with it ever since. I still haven't figured out how to integrate my hotmail, yahoo and private emails into it yet, although I think I'm a step closer now that I've installed Microsoft Office for Mac which includes the mail application Entourage. I have a vague sense that I will figure this all out eventually but I'm so excited that it's making me impatient.

I have, of course, already installed Firefox. This was one of the top priorities. And I'm sure that eventually I'll get used to using the mouse. On the few occasions that I have used laptops in the past I have struggled with this because it is foreign. I hope that practice will make perfect.

Excuse the Carrie Bradshaw-esque phraseology, but I can't help but wonder: Do we really need 148 GB hard drives? Will I ever actually utilize so much storage space? Still, it's cool to know that I could if I chose. And also nifty that my new laptop has the same amount or more memory than my trusty PC. Good job, baby!

At any rate, we had my daughter's first birthday party today. She had a great time. I feel hungover, though, and I didn't consume any alcohol. Is that normal??

And I've been blogless for a couple of days now as I've been extra busy, but I really wanted to say to all of the military spouses yesterday:

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

*Yes, this is an actual day. And it's one that should count.

I feel duly appreciated and I hope you all do, too.

Rock on and rock hard, ladies.