Superbowl Party!

No, I did not have one. I watched the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, and maybe watched ~30 minutes of the actual human game. I'm talking about Todd. It had been a busy last several days with the elections going on in Iraq, so when I found out that they'd be able to watch the Superbowl, I was really happy for Todd--most weekends during football season in this house are spent on the couch watching games with some beers and a lot of food. Then I found out even better news for him! Each guy was allowed two beers to drink during the game! I'm pretty sure this is not the Iraq it was 5 years ago.

Todd sent me a couple pictures early this morning, so I figured I'd get them up before heading out for the day.

I cannot wait to see him!!! And yes, he's taken up smoking cigars.

With some of the guys in his platoon.

I'm really happy that they got a few hours of normalcy after a really busy and no doubt stressful week. Also, note that some people are holding Heiniken and Guiness...and Todd is holding Miller Lite in that first picture. Bringing a little bit of home on the Southside to Iraq. =)

Plethora of updates

I'm not really sure how many people read my blog, but since it's been so very long since I've posted, I figured I'd update about my goings on since before Christmas. Here is the last month of my life in a large nutshell...

Internship: I started! I'm two weeks in and really loving it. I mostly work under two therapists, and they're both really great at what they do. They're good at it in different ways, which is really helping me figure out what kind of therapist I want to be. They're also both willing to take the time to teach me, which I definitely appreciate. I'm basically working 30ish hours a week (unpaid boooooo), and I feel like I'm running around the whole time. Some days are less full than others, but my life as an intern will never be mellow. Another perk is that I get to dress up everyday. I love dressing up. So far everything is going well, so I can't help but be optimistic about the rest of the semester.

Paulie:

Paulie is his usual crazy self, as you can see. We're trying to get back to normal after being in Chicago for two weeks. He is the type of dog that really needs consistency and routine in his day, so traveling is hard for him. He is having yet another bout of diahrrea, so I finally decided to try a new vet. They found a gas causing bacteria in his GI tract, and think he probably has a food allergy. He is on Rx food right now to get rid of allergens, plus on a med to get rid of the nasty bacteria. He seems to be intolerant of beef, turkey, and chicken, and possibly some grains. Next stop: herring and sweet potato food! Paulie is so high maintenance, but he is like my child, so I'll do anything so that he's healthy.

Todd: He is still doing well, and has settled into his new FOB. He'll be home quite soon for his 15 days of R&R, and I'm really starting to get excited. I can't say exactly when he'll be here (1. because we're not exactly sure, and 2. because I'm not allowed to post timelines on the interwebs), but let's just say when I made my next hair appointment I thought, "Oh my gosh, he could be home days from then!" I smiled so big that the desk girl at Veda probably thought I was crazy. Whatev.

Diet: I am currently (as in, at this very moment) wearing jeans that I couldn't even pull over my ass when Todd left. I am so freaking excited. I'm doing a 10 day detox cleanse dealie (not one where you can't eat solid food--I'd die on one of those), and it's really making me consider a lower carb lifestyle. By no means do I mean no carbs ever. I'm not about to go all crazy Atkins over here. However, I'm realizing that my head wants carbs, but my body actually doesn't. I feel better and I look better. It's a win/win. Although I really can't wait to drink wine again. I love wine.

And that's it! I'm hoping to post more regularly again, but who knows. When I come home at night all I want to do is lay on the couch and let TV turn my brain to mush.

Updates from Iraq

Todd is doing just fine. He enjoys taking naps, working out everyday, watching TV show seasons, and occasionally going on missions in towns near where is located. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.


Out and about.


His room in Kuwait. I think he has an actual room by himself now.


A cigar for his birthday!


With his platoon sgt, Ryan.


Oh, and the 100 cupcakes that we sent for Christmas got there just fine. Except for the fact that they were moldy! =( I have promised that there will be no moldy food for Valentines Day.

9 more days!

I don't really have anything new to report, other than that I'm sick again, this time with a bad cold rather than the stomach flu. I prefer the stuffy head and sore-ish throat to the puking and weakness, but it's been here since Sunday--please go away already! I very much enjoy breathing out of my nose, and I haven't been able to in four days.

However, I'm very excited to be going home to Chicago in 9 days! I'll get to spend two blissful weeks taking up space at my parents' house--eating their food, watching their tv, laying on their couch...the mooching list is endless. It'll be just like coming home from NIU again. Except I'll be hanging out with Paulie everyday instead of Todd, but the trade-off isn't so bad--both eat a lot, take up way too much space on the couch, snore, and pass way too much gas. So in all reality, it'll be almost like Todd is actually there. =)

This is my last Christmas that I'll be able to take two weeks to do absolutely nothing for awhile I think. Next year I'll have a real person job with real person hours, and while I'm excited about that, it sort of marks the end of an era. Finally, at 25, I'll be a real adult. Weird.

Ok, enough rambling. Time to go make some honey vanilla chamomile tea. It's been my bff all week.

You know you're obsessed with Twilight when...

*You're in the car, and the sappy song on the radio makes you think of Edward and Bella, not your deployed husband that you haven't seen in three months.

*When you talk about how much you hate how whiny Bella is in New Moon, you feel guilty, because it's almost like she might find out and not want to be your friend anymore.

*Your friend mentions wanting to learn Italian, but says it's probably useless, and you say, "Not if you run into the Volturi!"

*At Garden of the Gods, your friend takes a picture "lifting" a huge rock, and you both say, "Strong like vampire!"

*While laying in bed feeling cold, you think, "I'd be warmer if Jacob were here."

How do you know you're obsessed with Twilight/the whole series?


**An addition, courtesy of Erin, a Twilight newbie**

You ask your husband why his hands are so cold, and he says, "I'm Edward". You then text Sheri while giggling with delight, knowing she will appreciate it.

PS--Erin, if that were true, I would be *that* friend that tries to seduce your husband.

Yesssssssss. Finally.

So I finally have my internship officially squared away. My paperwork is on it's way to NIU, I have a supervisor, and I'm signing my paperwork for the site later on this afternoon. It is such a huge weight off my shoulders that I don't even know how to describe it.

I will be doing 25-30 hours 4 days a week, no weekends, and I won't ever have to be there past 5pm! Best.supervisor.ever. She already ok'ed the 4 day weekend for my birthday visitors, and told me I could have a week off to go to Chicago, and work half days all the days Todd is here that we're in Colorado Springs! Again, I love her. I will have my MSed in May 2009, and I'll be taking the dreaded NCE exam in April to get licensed. Scary.

I'm so effing happy.

Paulie's Birthday Extravaganza!

Without further adieu, here are some pictures from Paulie's party. There are no posed ones...too many doggies.

Doggie treat bags and party hats.

Cupcakes for the beasts!

Humans had a sandwich bar!

Second half of sandwich bar.

Birthday boy!

Are those for me?

If I twist my body just so...

Romping in the yard.

Bear was a little timid Chihuahua, but adorable.

So many pretty black doggies!

Old Lady Domino is almost 11 years old, but one of my favorite Boston's ever!

Paulie and I and his special cake!

Rocky, the biggest boy at the party.

Are there any extra cupcakes?

We only had two accidents in the house, and I'm pretty sure every single dog pooped in the yard--maybe twice. All in all it was a really fun afternoon for canines and humans alike! =)