Oh the Love for my kids....

And yes... I do mean Astro and Bouboule. I have a couple funny stories for this humid rainy day... First off.. for some that have puppies can probably relate to this.. but sometimes I feel Astro is definitely one of a kind! So story one begins like this... A couple weeks ago.. Mike had duty; Me and the dogs usually have a pretty chill 24hrs by ourselves when daddy is away... we eat... we walk.. we nap...we walk again... we sunbath on the patio... eat ... nap, and watch tv..{its all a big cycle really} and do an occasionally throw the toy down the hallway to see who gets it first {usually Astro}. At this point Bouboule.. puts up a fight... he may not have been the first one to get the squeeky toy, but by all means hes going to run beside ya, and try to steal it out of your mouth. Its a back and fourth process... they love it though. So this is where the "I can relate" part kicks in... For all of you dog owners out there.. we all know, no matter what size dog you have.. the stuffed animal squeeky toys, just do NOT last as long as the rubber ones. But for some reason, those are the ones they like the best.. and Ive been known to put a few hand stitches in some torn seams now. I mean really.. this is 2009..the economy is is crap.. desperate times call for desperate measures right? So yes... I have broke out the needle n thread to sew up a few dog toys in my time. Housewives unite!! Well this particualar toy... and I would post a picture but I have already thrown it away, and this was a couple of weeks ago. Anyhow... it was a tiger striped stuffed ball. It had been with us since Germany.. so its got some miles on it. Well it had a squeeker in it.. and for those who DONT know what those lil squeekers look like.. let me show you.. There she is... Well... this lil thing.. was on the break of sliding out of the seams on this toy.. and I SWEAR... its like Astros "Mission" to get each and everyone of these things OUT of ALL the toys in his Toy box. True story. Well.. I thought to myself.. see if he still plays with the toy.. if I take that lil thing out... negative. He nor Bouboule could care less about the toy now.. it was no longer a challenge. HAHA... Well..this is the result of me taking the squeeker out.. and teasing Astro. This is one thing that drives him nuts.. and he suuuuure puts up a fight to give it back.. once hes got a hold of it in his mouth... that video to be posted later.. haha **Watch his plea of barks.. and moans n groans.. and his charming tail wagging.. just for me to give him that dang squeeker.. and of course Bouboule cant stand it either.. so he demands justice with all of his barks too....oooooh man.. its so funny.

I made cookies...

.... yes I did! Mikes platoon had a lil cookout tonite, and I was given the "sweets" duty. I made chocolate chip cookies & brownies! {box brownies that is} But I did make the cookies from scratch! They were so yummy... and Im glad I had some friends to talk to on Skype during the whole process... because those dang cookies took me almost 3 hrs to bake!!

It took 4 & 1/4 cups of flour...so thats why it took me so long! I even used the X-Large baking cookie sheet!

and eventhough it called for the semi-sweets..... I used the good stuff!!{milk chocolate chips}

Mmmmm cookie dough..... Oh and you know I licked the spatula.. Shhhhhhhhh....

3 hours later... my 14 stacks of cookies.. + a huge plateful for my awesome neighbors... whos kids say "I AM THE BEST neighbor EVER!!"... yah.. EVER PEOPLE! + I managed to snitch a good 15 or so for Mike in a ziplock.
But over all the cookout went swell... a quicky. Those poor guys have been workin OT all week... so they were all anxious to eat and get the heck outta there! ha! Good Times though.

Some more exciting news... I was picked to be the NEW FRG Leader for Mikes Company! Hooray! Im pretty stoked... yet a lil scared or intimidated I guess I shall say?! For all that dont know what FRG stands for.. {Family Readiness Group} The FRG is responsible for ... and Im quoting this.. because its kind of hard to explain...
"The Family Readiness Group, formerly known as the Family Support Group (FSG), is a concept that had early roots among Army families, who banded together during war or
tours overseas or other isolated locations, to provide information, moral support, and social outlets to their members. They provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communication among the members, the chain of command, and community resources."

Sooo.. in a nutshell, that is now me! Its a pair of pretty big pants to fill.. but looks really good to be in that position!! *smiley face*
As for updates on us... we are still truckin along here.. everything is going swell. Weather is finally kickin into warm gear... flowers are blooming.. the grass is finally spouting.. along with a crap load of WEEDS! {my new fav site.. All About Lawns}-my dad would be so proud! hahaha~! Astro now has his summer hair-cut..Bouboule is shaggy as ever, .... Ive managed to get in gear on working out consecutively... and Mikes training to go to Ranger school! **sidenote**We hope to be home this summer at least for a couple weeks... hopefully May-ish. I also plan to be in the 'Ville sometime September-ish. 10-Yr class reunion time.. whew.. I think another gray hair just popped in with that statement..{and no joke.. I do have ONE.. only one-for now!}
Anyhow..thats all of the updates I have for today! Hope everyone has a good FRIDAY!! TGIFF!! -Figure it out....

Signing off....

~L

Another Great Find

Well amongst the long day, and the huge heavy heart Ive had...{wont be posting about that-maybe later} I did manage to find something that was positive..
and the best thing is that I managed to find the nutritional facts about these bad boys. {click to make it larger} I was very sceptical as Ive already tried the peanut butter ones-CRAP! But my crazy yankee neighbor told me these were really good. So I threw a box in the grocery cart, came home and took a bite.

YUM!

very yum... once again.. the chocolate tastes very good.. and the ooey-gooeyness was just fantastic. The best thing about these lil suckers is that they are loaded with Fiber...well not loaded, but have a good amount of it. Great for an after-workout snack.. or mid-day snack. If your feelin frisky... go to their website.. and at the bottom you can print off a $1.00 off coupon.
Anyhow... thats all Ive got for today. I'll be uploading a video clip tomorrow of astro... Its a funny story.
So stay tuned............

Im going to bed.. the eyes are officially burning.
Goodnite all!

~L

Good Times

So most of you guys have yet to see me in rare form {laughing hysterically inside} since Ive been in North Carolina.. sooooooo I thought I'd share some good times caught on film....

~My Boston Neighbor Sonja; ♥ her

~Shannon, Me & Sonja @ Patty's

~And Again.....

~Never Ending Bathroom Line

~She Smiles, I Drink! ha

~A lil "pre-beer" Action

~Kristen, Me, half of Monique

~Monique Loves the Pillows

~Me, Monique & Her Friends

Oh Good Times... how I love thee.