Bye Bye Baby Blue....

After much discussion with the hubby and looking over our finances (we were perfectly fine, but can always be better) I caved in and listed my 1967 Chevelle for sale.... Note, this has been my dream car since I was just a little girl and went to dozens of car shows with my dad and mom..... I bought her July 9th 2010 and she was in decent condition for having been barn kept for over 20 years.... She was completely original with matching numbers on her 283 engine, but her body needed tons of work from the rust that had taken over in various spots, her engine needed some love (it ended up with a complete overhaul instead of just fixing one item) her interior was immaculate except for the carpeting that showed wear but no holes. I was quoted $12,000 for an off the frame restoration and had been saving up to do so (I had a 10 year plan with having it done a few parts at a time). Sigh... A day after listing her on craigslist I received an email from someone who was interested in her.... I crossed my fingers in hopes that it was just a scam email and then the exchange of numbers came through, meeting date/time was set, he actually showed up, took her for a test drive and it was all downhill for me from there. We discussed her flaws body wise (engine had less than 200 miles on it and had new white-wall tires), let him know the brakes were in need of being replaced soon, and that I had the rear shocks that needed to be put in but hadn't had the time to go to the hobby shop on base to switch them out... We parked her back at my house and he said he'd buy her, for the exact amount I asked.... I figured I'd believe it when I saw it and two days later the car was paid off and the extra amount was received in a check from his bank.... July 21st I handed over the keys to him... 2 years and 12 days after buying her, she is no longer mine... It was all surreal and it is a sad sight seeing the empty spot where she use to be....

From those funds I was able to pay off our Lowes card (that still had 0% interest rate) and the new camera that my hubby let me get. This means 3 bills were paid off leaving us with $510 more a month to put away in savings. The big sum that was left over after the bills were paid off went straight into our savings as well.... I know what I did was right for our growing family right now, and I know that she went to a good home, to someone that will take care of her and turn her back into the beauty that she was, it is just a little disheartening that I no longer have that "side project" to work toward. The husband was quiet happy with the sale (he did not like the amount of money that was planning on dropping on her over the years). He did say that some day we can buy another one and that the 67's body style did grow on him (he likes the 71 most). I, on the other hand, suggested we co-own a 71 and drop a big block in her years down the road.... I will hold him to this, there is no doubt about that! :) Now she is owned by a Marine on base here, hopefully I will get a few glances of her in passing over time.....

Returned to Work.... To visit

My Final Checkout Sheet & Civilian ID that I had to turn in

So today I went in for a much needed visit with my former co-workers and friends.... Sigh... I miss it.... Someone has already taken over my cubicle... And three new employees now work there. Just goes to show how everything keeps moving forward while I tend to feel frozen in time. Seeing everyone was wonderful! One of the guys that has been there since... well FOREVER is FINALLY retiring and moving out of state. He was the head honcho on base for SEPS & TAP and a retired MasterGunny from the Marines. I loved taking a smoke break with him (when I wasn't prego) and hearing so many of his close call stories, fun time stories, and crazy ass trouble he'd find himself in while he was active duty. It is sad to know that he won't be around there anymore when I pop in for a visit but at the same time comforting to know he will finally be able to relax. He truly was a father figure, always ready with advice and never held back on scolding over work related issues or outside of work issues. Luckily his wifey has facebook and I'll be able to keep up with them through there. :) The girls there are still silly, crazy and sweet as can be. I miss our daily talks about our family happenings and life. They kept asking how soon I'll be back and my oldest piped up with "never in her whole life." Sigh.... kids... I do plan on going back to work for the government someday. Maybe not at this base, but someday, somewhere. After all I have 5 years invested in it. 25 more and I could retire from the DoD.... :)

The background picture on my work computer before clearing it out. My oldest son when he was a baby.

 In the meantime, the rest of the summer is going to be enjoyed before school starts back up for all of us. Yes, son, hubby and I will all be starting courses late August and September. I'm actually looking forward to being able to pick up our oldest from school and have him complete his homework earlier than 6pm. As of this week we have started on refresher workbooks for 1st grade work, 2nd grade workbooks and him reading an entire book off his AR reading list morning and night out loud. He is not allowed to watch TV or play video games until his "homework" is done and even then he's only allowed 30min of video game and an hour of Disney or Nick a day. Otherwise it is arts and crafts, outdoor play, pool, beach, lego building etc. :)
It seems to me that the days fly by so much faster at home than they ever did while at work, even on our busiest days. There just never seems to be enough time in the day now to get everything completed! Maybe once the oldest is back in school I'll be able to accomplish a lot more. But for now it is always go, go, go with him and keeping him entertained, tending to baby and trying to make a small house full of everyone's crap stay clean longer than a few hours... LOL... If I figure out how to do that I'll let you know, if you know how to do so, by all means, pray do tell! :)

***Confessions of a Military Wife By Mollie Gross Book Giveaway***

 This book and woman are Hilarious! She has been married to a US Marine Corps Officer for over 10 years now, is well known comedian throughout the Military Spouse world, and is an absolute doll! I was fortunate enough to see her in action this year when she came to MCAS Cherry Point. She had me and my husband in tears of laughter by the end! I received her book as a gift for Christmas and many times would wind up laughing out loud in the doctor's office (while I was pregnant), stores, work and home and would share different parts of it with my husband in the evenings. This book is a spouses best friend! The information that is present throughout is insightful and funny at the same time. Whether you are a new Military Spouse or one that has been around for a long while you will still find information throughout it that you never knew before. (If you don't win this time around her book is also available at http://molliegross.com/).

Enter to win below! Good luck!


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***Wordless Wednesday*** Our 4th of July in DC

Mikey watching the fireworks. His face here makes me laugh!

Changes Are Not Always Easy.....

For the past month and a half there was something missing inside of me.... A bit of depression hit me. Some days were good while others were beyond foul... My husband could see it and feel it. Even when I'd say I was alright, just tired, he's pry to the point that I would either close up completely or break down and let it all out. I'm still not use to being a stay at home mom. Not use to not having a paying job. Not use to being unable to interact on a daily basis with other adults. My life has made a complete 180. Changes have occurred and I am not one that handles such dramatic changes well. My husband started blaming himself for pushing for me to stay home and raise our oldest son and newborn son. I have expressed countless times that it is not his "fault". I am a grown woman, who is more than capable of making my own decisions. I prepared our family financially for the transition of me no longer working, but I never prepared myself mentally and emotionally for it. The transition has been rough for me. I honestly felt exhausted, sad, overwhelmed, bored, and aggravated. It was wonderful to go home to Cali for a month after not having been home in 2 1/2 years. I didn't want to leave but at the same time I missed my husband tremendously. Then when we returned home it all hit me, I no longer have the high stress life of a working mother.... I didn't know what to do with myself. Over half a dozen books had been read in only a month, when normally it would take me months to have the time to read through two. I have signed up to volunteer for a couple events that my husband's unit is putting on next month, I dove head first into a beachbody workout and the shakeology that goes along with it. Thank God for my friend back home hosting a 30 day competition, it helps keep me motivated and I look forward to seeing the "after" pictures and results when it is all over and continuing on with more difficult programs after. She has requested for me to become a beachbody coach with her. I'm wanting to do so but want to become more fit first and able to show the results from sticking to the program.

My oldest has been spending time with his dad in Maryland for the past week and will be back home this weekend. We have many activities planned with him and his friends that I know will keep me busy until he returns to school at the end of August. My spirits lifted a bit with the thoughts of all we will be able to do that would not have been possible with me working a full time job. My spirits lifted the most when I saw our 3 month old roll himself over for the first time and then days later continuously roll himself over. (No more belly time!!! LOL). Had I been working I would have missed out on this sight and would have been told by his caretaker instead. Every little/big milestone accomplished by him warms my heart, just as it did with my oldest. I know it is only going to be a few years (maybe longer if we have another one) that I will be a SAHM, and I know how quickly time passes by.... It still seems like it was only yesterday that I was bringing my soon be 8yr old home... My new life and position as a SAHM has finally become a positive presence in all aspects of my life. I'm finally looking forward to all that will be instead of dwelling on the high stress life of a working mother that I once had.

My handsome boy

My sweet 3 month old