Chinglish.

What's that, you say? Well, according to the lively chat crowd at Etsy this morning, that might be a way to refer to the speaking accent of a Chinese American individual. This was not, I assure you, meant to be derogatory. At least no more so than any other accent we discuss (southern American, Canadian and so on).

Another gem I stumbled upon this morning was spidercamp's shop. OMG. This stuff is too funny if you love persnickety stuff as much as I do. You could actually give someone "Herpes." Or tell them to kiss your "Arse." Now, that's funny. Frankly, I wish I had thought of it first!

At any rate, I am getting a lot of mileage out of those photos I took of my husband's campaign cover. The latest is my picture for the page I just made on Facebook for usmcwives.com. I'm still tweaking it, of course. What else is new?! And I can't seem to get my other bells and whistles on the page like I want them so I am hoping at some point for there to be content where the blankness is... but we'll see. Also, I don't like that it's listed as a "store" but I can't seem to find any other way to do it....

Speaking of bells and whistles, I'm hooked up on MySpace with a handful of very talented ladies who design graphics. I am really impressed with their work! We're mostly talking military graphics but they do other stuff, too. Check out Combat Medic Designs and A & C's Military Princess Designs for some really cute stuff.

Home Skillet?!

Have you seen "Juno?" OMG. This is good stuff. I knew it was going to be good when we were watching it last night and within the first 2 minutes someone had said "home skillet." Classic. And the aforementioned someone was that guy who plays Dwight on the show "The Office." Granted, he was only in the movie for about a second... but that was OK because the cast included Jennifer Garner, Allison Janney, Jason Bateman (now that's old school! Loved him in "Smokin' Aces" recently, too), J.K. Simmons (who most people recognize from "Law and Order" and "The Closer" but who was brilliant as an evil dude on "Oz") and the star, Ellen Page, who I think is going to do big things and who was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for this performance. I have a new item to add to my long list of obscure and low-priority things that I want to do "one day," and that's to look up the writer and director of this jewel and see what else they've done. This tale takes place in the midwest (Minnesota to be exact) and includes but is not limited to such content as: teenage pregnancy, early mid-life crisis, high school girl crush on teacher (of the "don't stand so close to me" variety), horrible running shorts and a beat up Toyota Previa minivan. The dialog is so funny that I may have to re-watch and take notes. And we really need to put "home skillet" back into play immediately!

It's no wonder that I woke up feeling inspired this morning. I took a moment before the kids were up and I went into one of the chat rooms on Etsy. I'm told by my friend, Jill, that this is priceless networking. Actually, it proved to be a great time. I got to look at some other people's stuff and I even had an item requested. The best, though, was one lady's story about how she exacted revenge on her cheating (now ex) husband. To make a long story short, apparently when he was in an alcohol induced state of unconsciousness, she donned rubber gloves, went out into the woods by their house, gathered up some poison ivy, made a paste out of it, and, well, you can predict the rest. This is classic. I also like the silver lining at the end where the gentleman (term used loosely in this case) didn't want kids but ended up with a pregnant mistress. Karma can really bite you in the nads when you least expect it, huh?

Granted, I only got one side of the story but considering that I don't even know this lady's name-- it doesn't really matter how true the story is or who the man in question was, does it? But for the record, I buy her story! Good stuff.

The icing on the cake this morning was my first two items sold on Etsy. Nice! Oh, and my friend, Lori, said in an email that "I rock her socks." This was in response to something about the web project. I've been waiting until I had (at least some of) my ducks in a row before consulting with her, but it's time to come out of the closet, I suppose. I'm hoping to arrange a mutually beneficial arrangement between usmcwives.com and her two popular forums (Parris Island and USMC support boards). So we're going to chat about that later on. I love it when a plan comes together.

It's going to be a good day!

Confessions of a happy woman.

In my customary random fashion.....

I'm excited about a lot of things right now:

• Starting school soon (finally!)
• My daughter's 1st birthday next week (already!)
• Spring arriving in the midwest (I'm told this will happen SOON!)
• The cool jewelry I'm making (some of which I don't want to sell! ... and I even made my own jewelry for the ball the other night).
• The feedback I'm getting about the web site.
• Going to visit my family in a couple of months.

I am the busiest person I've ever met who didn't work outside the home. This is a new experience for me (doing the stay-at-home-mom thing) and it's surreal. I'm surprised that I love it. I've always been a busy sort and I guess it helps that I'm busier now than when I went into the office.

I'm forming some very fun new friendships.

I'm originally from NC and I miss it a lot. I don't necessarily want to live there but I'd like to visit more.

I'm bummed that UNC didn't win the NCAA basketball tourney, but happy that "Psycho T" Tyler Hansbrough is coming back next year. To put this in perspective, I'm from central NC and college basketball is life. This is because of the UNC/Duke rivalry. I am a "bad" Tarheel because I actually like Duke, too. The only time I don't want them to win is when they are playing my 'heels. We got our new puppy the same day that UNC played in the Sweet 16. I said that if UNC won, I'd name the dog accordingly. So I have a little female puppy who will walk through life with the name Tyler Hansbrough __________. Hey, it's better than "Dean Smith" -- only the greatest coach of all time. But I decided to stick with the currently relevant.

I'm divorced and remarried. That's weird in a way, and yet, not. I guess divorce isn't something anyone dreams of doing when they grow up. And, yet, when you're happy with your life it's hard to see that as a focal point. My first husband was a Marine, also. This would seem to lend a Jerry Springer-esque quality to the situation. But, sadly, even my scandal lacks scandal. Two people marry VERY young. They make their way through life and do the best they can. Ultimately in my case, the "best we could" meant parting ways. It's tough to do that when there is/are child(ren) involved. And I certainly don't make light of wedding vows. There just came a point where the best way for us to honor each other was to part ways. And when everyone ends up being so much happier, it's hard to argue with the choice. My husband, ________ (psych! You thought I was going to put his name! ) is the greatest. My life now is more perfect than I could ever have imagined. Well, except for it continuing to snow here.... because that's just obnoxious!

Over the past few years I have begun to love the music my parents listened to when I was a kid. The stuff I couldn't stand. I'm talking Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Richie, James Taylor, and even oldies like Jackie Wilson (oh yes, love me some "Lonely Teardrops!"). The other day I was at the craft store and "Carolina In My Mind" was on. I was singing like a fool and catching dirty looks from the patrons. Not sure if it was my enthusiasm about that particular song-- which was genuine, as James Taylor is a fellow Tarheel and he was singing about my home-- of if it was my atrocious singing voice. Whatever. I was the one smiling.

I still also like music that probably shouldn't suit someone of my demographic category. I always enjoy Ludacris, Outkast, old country stuff by Willie Nelson, Motown oldies and even the newer stuff where they use that "screw" technique of sampling something and slowing it way down..... My dad would be perplexed. And that amuses me. If I said "let me see your grill" he'd take me out to the garage....

I love my kids. I even love SOME of my friends' kids. But usually other people's kids get on my nerves. I know--- that's bad.

My mother was just here for a visit. That was great except I only got to see her for about 5 minutes because we had so much going on. That needs to be rectified.

My only living grandparent, Grandma J, is about to turn 95. She's a total bada$$. They don't make them like that anymore.

I *really* want a laptop. So I can do my work downstairs sometimes (our office is upstairs). Are you reading this, baby?

Wearing your biography?

A few random thoughts today.

First, I'm very proud of my husband for his hard work on the "stuff" for work over this past weekend. He's the man.

Next, I really enjoyed the formal event we went to on Saturday, even if I was the ONLY Marine's wife there. This was an all-branches event (my first of its kind) so the Marines were the minority, anyway. But I had the added pressure of knowing that I was our only spouse representation so I really had to behave myself! At any rate, over the course of the evening I engaged in some interesting conversations about the various uniforms for each branch of service. I love this type of information. I find it interesting that there isn't more.... well... uniformity. Across the branches, that is. For their uniforms. They are all so different. And some similar-looking items mean completely different things. I haven't done research on this yet because today's to-do list is long and I don't want to get distracted. But, I gathered from one of the soldiers present that the horizontal lines on the left sleeve of one of their uniforms are indicative of the number of one's deployments. Whereas the ones on the right are for years of service (1 "hash mark" for each 4 years, just like the Marines have on both sides). Combining that with the various ribbons, metals, insignia and even (in some cases) lapel colors, an informed person could interpret a soldier's entire military resume' just by looking at his uniform. That's nifty. It's also a lot more specific than in the case of Marines. I didn't get to examine or learn more about the Air Force uniforms, unfortunately. And the Navy's, as I understand them to date, are more general in terms of markings (like the Marines). That's good considering that the Navy has already complicated things quite enough with all of their different titles. For enlisted ranks, they don't just use the rank as their title (like Marines do). Nope. They all have different titles depending on their MOSs. I worked in a Navy facility for 3 years and I still never got it all worked out.

While the soldiers were walking around in their biographies, I wondered if the same held true for some of their dates. I'm going to have to go old school here for a minute, ladies, and offer some suggestions.

-Try to wear formal attire to formal events. Ask yourself "Is it conceivable that I could wear Keds with this?" If so, then don't wear it to a formal function.

-Try NOT to be "that guy's" wife/girlfriend. You know the one. Her dress is 4 sizes too small or it's see-through. If she were half as cute as she thought she was, she'd be America's Next Top Model.

-Go ahead and look hot! It's OK if the others glare at you-- that's a COMPLIMENT. Just make sure you're doing it tastefully. Your guy will appreciate it.

-Don't wear horribly uncomfortable dresses or shoes-- it's just not worth it at the end because you'll spend valuable time adjusting or going to the ladies' to check yourself over. You'll most likely miss the most fun of the evening-- that one silly thing or notable conversation. Then you'll have to live with the shame.

I know I'm getting old. But I was tastefully dressed and yet still got a few choice dirty looks from the other ladies so that tells me that mama hasn't completely lost her game yet. Sweet!

Why do we do that to each other, anyway?! It's so animal kingdom.

Meanwhile, I have finally mananged to get some stuff in the Etsy store (yay!) and I have a new addition to Semper Troops. I think I'm going to order the postcards.

Foiled!

So, I was none too happy yesterday when, for the first time ever, Mapquest let me down. One of the previously mentioned work functions of my husband's that I had to attend was a retirement ceremony for a Senior Chief that my old man works with. I had to drive out seperately as I didn't want to wait an extra hour while the husband was doing the pre-ceremonial work. It was a relatively good distance from where we live and I allowed plenty of time to get there. I had my trusty Mapquest directions prepared.

Mind you, I pride myself on being an EXCELLENT navigator. I have a good sense of direction, I can find things easily, I know that (aside from the Jersey turnpike and a few other ill-planned highways) exit numbers correspond with mileage. Odd numbered highways generally run north/south while even numbered ones run east/west. I've got game when it comes to navigation.

So there I am-- 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Knowing I must be within mere feet of the destination. All the roads have corresponded with my directions. I have driven the appropriate distance. And yet.... there is nothing in the spot where the building should be. It couldn't be Mapquest-- I must have done something wrong?! And, yet, I hadn't. To make a long story less-long: I eventually found the place and was able to partake in the after-ceremony festivities but I did NOT get to see the ceremony itself.

Mapquest had me turn left about half a mile from where the building was sitting-- right on a main road. It had me drive through a neighborhood and end up on another segment of the sidestreet that that place was located on. I only ended up finding it once I gave up and went searching for a service station (to relieve myself of the large cup of coffee I drank on the way!).

Oh, Mapquest....

It hurts. It hurts deeply.

As a sub-topic I think it's worth mentioning that this was my first time hanging out at a VFW. I highly recommend it! Good times, even better people. I do not, however, recommend doing as I did. Try to refrain from engaging in shot-taking and carousing with retired soldiers and sailors at 2:00 in the afternoon. Especially the ones who grew up in Brooklyn! If you are anything like me, I assure you... you CAN'T hang and probably shouldn't try! =)

(Cammie) green with envy.

So, over the next two days I'll be attending several of my husband's work functions. One of which requires formalwear which means:

(1) I have to "formally" primp myself, which isn't my usual custom.
(2) I'll get to see my husband in his dress blues (with the white pants!) which is relatively great.(3) I'm going to be exhausted afterward.

But speaking of Marines in their dress uniforms.... isn't that a site to behold? Especially in large quantities? And I'm saying this from any observer's point of view, not that of an enamored wife. They are striking. And while it's clear to me that I am not, myself, a Marine and it is also fully understood within my mind that I never had any desire to be one, I am a bit envious of them at formal gatherings. I wish I had found some sort of life calling that afforded me the opportunity to wear such an ensemble and celebrate such comraderie (minus, of course, the stringent requirements of dedication and sacrifice!). I've seen Marines at formal events interact in a most brotherly (or sisterly, for the ladies) fashion with complete strangers. They may share nothing but that title, but that's enough to unify them. It's remarkable. And I am in awe.

So while I don't look forward to my tight schedule over the next couple of days, I am pleased to know I will get to see a group of Marines mingling with one another. Doing that Marine grunty thing they do when certain remarks are made during speeches or ceremony. Buying each other drinks and ribbing each other in a good natured fashion. I will stand by and take it all in.

Hateful little witch!

I've been good to her for 4 years now. I certainly could have been better: her personal hygeine leaves something to be desired and I've uprooted her about 5 times. I've taken away some of her prized possessions and replaced them with newer ones that she's still getting used to.

But right now I'm wondering just who the little snot thinks she is??!

Not my dog. Not my daughter. My computer.

Today she refuses to play on my team. As of yet it is undetermined whether her problem is hardware or software in nature. I don't know if she's come down with something or if she's actually physically injured. The only thing I know for sure is she sure ain't workin'.

So, being the improvisational genius that I am, I've moved over to my husband's side of the office. I suppose I might be able to deal with his annoying trackball mouse (eew!) if it weren't for the fact that his keyboard is broken and the whole top row (numbers and all important symbols like "@") is out of commission. I had a heck of a time signing in here using my email address! Had to copy and paste that bad boy just to get it entered. And, of course, I moved my keyboard over here and now I'm in business. But, like I needed THAT on top of my brokenhearted sense of betrayal?

The above remarks are not intended to make my old man look bad. Not at all. In fact, I'll be getting him a new keyboard right away (not mouse, though: he's freakishly attached to his!). No, my guy is invaluable to me. And no doubt when he gets home today he will comfort me and soothe the pain. He'll most likely even get the computer fixed-- as much as that will irritate me because I can usually handle it myself! But, no. He's the shoo shoo. All day every day.

Check it out- this is a closeup of his campaign cover, or "smokey bear hat" if you don't know better - that I took this morning (the reason why is another topic entirely).

Man. I can just hear him calling cadence. I think he misses it. I will refrain from closing this love fest of remarks with a link to his bio online. He can remain a man of mystery. But a man who has work to do in the office! ;)