In Memoriam...

1st Lt. Jared Landaker, USMC

February 7, 2007

Capt. Kyle Van de Gisesn, USMC

October 26, 2009

This Memorial Day, please take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that the country they fought to protect would remain safe. R.I.P. and Semper Fi, Jared and Kyle.

You MIght Be a Military Wife...

There are, no doubt, a million of these lists floating around the internet, but below is my own personal list of experiences that have defined me as a military wife. Without further ado, you might be a military wife if...:

• You can't make it through a rendition of the national anthem. Sing it? Can't even make it to the third line without choking up. Same goes for "America the Beautiful," and "My Country, 'Tis of Thee." Play Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" to watch me dissolve in a pool of tears.
• You know that a 96 is an urban legend.
• Your heart breaks a little each time you have to tell your three-year-old that Daddy is on a "trip."
• There is one side of your bed that is significantly more creaky than the other.
• Similarly, your master bathroom has dual sinks, and one of them has seen a lot more use than the other.
• You know to avoid the base commissary on paid weekends.
• Your relationships with women you've known for 6 months are stronger than with the friends you've known all your life.
• Your closest family member lives on the opposite coast.
• Your address book is written entirely in pencil.
• You can have an entire conversation in acronyms. Ex.: "We did a DITY move instead of using TMO when we PCSd."
• You know that Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran's Day are more than just excuses to have a barbecue.
• You recently saw SATC2, and truly couldn't believe it when Carrie was whining about falling into a routine with her husband. Me? I'd give anything to order takeout and watch tv in bed with my husband every night. Two days per week away? Not on your life, sister.
• You read the news feverishly and have your google alerts set to display "Afghanistan," "North Korea," "Iraq," and "Marines."
• You don't turn your phone off. Ever.
• Said phone accompanies you everywhere: the bathroom, the shower, to the kitchen to get a glass of water...
• You consider Westboro Baptists the absolute scum of the earth.
• You welcome your husband home with joy in your heart, but you know that it means that one of your friends is losing hers for awhile.
• You know all the words to the Marine Corps hymn. All three verses.
• You curse when you trip over steel-toed combat boots, but you always straighten them back upright.
• You got married at Christmas, but your wedding colors were red, white, and blue.
• You cheer for a sports team from across the continent.
• You couldn't be prouder to be one.

Life Lessons

THINGS I LEARNED GROWING UP IN THE SOUTH:

• If you can get ready and out the door in under 30 minutes, you shouldn't even bother leavin', sugar.
• It's called a "po'boy."
• (Regardless of flavor) It's called a "coke."
• Thou shalt not be seen in public without make-up or with wrinkled clothes.
• There is no excuse for not writing a thank-you note.
• An iron skillet is a must-have in any kitchen.
• College football is a religion and the SEC is God.
• If the forecast calls for snow in any amount, your presence is required at the local supermarket.
• Tornadoes can happen at any time. Keep cold beer in the basement.

THINGS I LEARNED AT COLLEGE IN NEW ENGLAND:

• If you were unfortunate (or stupid) enough to take an 8:30 class, you slept in your sweats and set your alarm for 8:25.
• It's called a "grinder."
• It's called a "pop."
• There is no excuse for rooting for the Yankees.
• Sam Adams is a must-have in any kitchen.
• The Red Sox are a religion, and Curt Schilling is God.
• If the forecast calls for snow in any amount, you yawn and roll over.
• A blizzard can happen at any time. Keep cold beer in the basement. (Or wherever.)

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED LIVING IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA:

• Wearing mini-skirts and Uggs is "fashionable." (I HEARTILY DISAGREE.)
• It's called a "sub."
• It's called a "soda."
• There is no excuse for not eating organic food.
• Avocado is a must-have in any kitchen. Also, don't eat the sushi if you live more than 30 minutes from the coast.
• The Chargers are a religion, and Norv is God. (But it seems they'll NEVER make it past the first round of the playoffs.)
• A "marine layer" is COMPLETELY different than "smog." "May Gray" and "June Gloom" are things you'll just have to get over since the other 10 months of the year are beautiful.
• An earthquake can happen at any time. Keep cold beer in a doorway.

Points of Order

Just a few thoughts:

1. Yes, I stole the idea for this month's header from Meghan. Yes, I think she'll get over it. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
2. Irish people should always wear sunblock. The 2nd degree sunburn on my shoulders agrees.
3. I am currently torn between really wanting to return to work and continuing to stay at home for awhile. In the pro column for gainful employment is the second income that our family has been used to for awhile now, and the incessant stream-of-consciousness ramblings of my toddler will be much more bearable in smaller amounts. In the pro column for staying at home, I can plan an extended trip to New England and Newfoundland in July and August. And, you know, not having to...like...work.
4. I support Arizona's new immigration law. There. I said it. Maybe I have a slightly different perspective living less than a hundred miles from the border, but the way I see it is this: drug cartels and gangs = bad. By toughening up our immigration laws, we are cracking down on the number of corruptive influences that make their way into the country. Yes, I realize that a number of people come here to find work to support their families. Well, here's what I have to say to that: DO IT LEGALLY. No, I do not think that I should have to support you and your family and have my taxpayer dollars fund your health benefits when you aren't even in this country LEGALLY. I understand that Arizona's new law raises concerns about racial stereotyping and can sympathize with those who are here legally who may be subject to unfair treatment. But on the other hand, these legal citizens have probably been through the ringer in getting legal status, so if it were me and I did all that work, I might be kind of pissed if someone were reaping the advantages not having put in the work.
5. This "Everyone Draw Mohammed Day" is Stoopid. You're just fueling the fire, people. Stop being immature and leave well enough alone.
6. The Library of Congress recently archived all tweets. So that years from now, our children's children can look up what we had for lunch on any given day of the year.
7. This is awesome. I would like to meet this Nerdlington J. Techsupport.
8. Boston has no drinkable water. And MORE IMPORTANTLY, Bostonians can't get their Dunks and Sam Adams has stopped brewing. This will have HUGE repercussions, people. HUGE. Thankfully, Dunk has found another way for people to get their fix.