One Week Down

Nothing too exciting happening at the Hawkins Casa these days.  The dogs are settling into the idea that I am in charge and I have been clean up from the normal tornado that comes with deployment.  Work is good...putting in my extra hours.  I did finally get to Skype with Taris on three occasions.  He is doing well, but he mentioned that Italian bus travel has certainly gone up in ten years.  (Can you believe it has been ten years?!)  The highlight of my week was buying my plane ticket, ordering my euros, and seeing that the State Department had cashed my check for my new passport.  It is all coming together so fast!  I think that I have harassed Taris enough to send me some more pictures.  He said that the internet is awful, so it takes forever.  I will post some Italy pictures when I receive them.  Enjoy your week...28 days to go!

Pictures from Italy

I have an update from Taris that I wanted to share.  He is having a good time and learning a lot about the new plane.  It is very cold in Naples and we all know Taris is NOT a cold weather kind of guy.  (But he seems to be surviving...probably staying inside a lot.)  He did attach some pictures.  I have added them below for your viewing pleasure.  He promised to send me more.

Taris' desk at school

Water view from the hotel room

Other view from the hotel room

Arrived

Taris sent an email about an hour ago.  He has arrived and with ALL of his bags.  It is a miracle!  Thanks for all that have been praying for his safe journey.  He starts class on Monday.  I don't know if he is more excited about class or all of the food that he has missed so much!

So long!

Well, today was the big day.  I put Taris on a plane for his school in Italy.  We had an adventure at the airport...did I ever mention how much I love Delta and SATO (military travel office).  The ticket agent did redeem herself by giving me a gate pass to sit with him at the terminal until he boarded the plane.  February 28th can not come around soon enough for when I will see him next.  When I hear from him I will post it.  Until then, enjoy our last few pictures in America for a good long while!

Waiting at the airport

Our last picture stateside of 2010

The plane at the gate

The plane has left the building

Our Gift to the Girls

I have been dying for a dogie door for the girls for a LONG time.  Well, I bit the bullet and went to Pets-mart...with the help of my neighbor (thanks, Gena).  I convinced Taris that we had to have it installed before we left for our weekend trip to North Carolina.  The dogs were not fans...too noisy, but they are now in love with it.  I think Kacey likes it most.  She loves to make a run for a squirrel, the leaves, or just the wind.  (She is our crazy one!)

Kacey...chasing another poor defenseless animal

Roxanne just wanted to play...shocker.

Final Farewell

This is a little out of order, but...

On January 8th, VT-3 had a Hail and Farewell at the Ice Pilots hockey game.  It was a great time and Taris received his farewell from the squadron.  There were five people to send off and only one to welcome.  We had a great time and the Ice Pilots won!  Here are a few pictures of our evening.

Receiving the medal from VT-3...Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal

Holding the standard airplane picture with signatures

At the end of the night

Goodbye T-34

Thursday afternoon was Taris' final flight in the T-34.  He is now officially done in the squadron.  I am so sad.  It makes this so final and puts how close he is to leaving in perspective!  I was able to get off from work early and witness the wetting down.  We were in such a rush to get out of Dyess AFB that Taris never had a final flight in the C-130, so I am glad he was able to have on at Whiting.  It has been freezing over the past two weeks and it just happened to warm up for one day...on Thursday.  (When I say warm up, I mean from 30-40 all the way up to 65.)  I got some great pictures and even attempted to use PhotoShop to upgrade/fix them.  (Our computer is so slow, that I usually skip this step.  But seeing as how one of my resolutions is to figure out how to use the program, no time like the present!)

Emptying his pockets

Fire Extinguisher...before the bucket of ice water

Out of the tank...nasty water

Our last T-34 picture together

Show Us Your Life- Weight Loss Tips, Diets, and Workout Tips

So this weeks topic is about weight loss, diet, and exercise tips.

I have tried many weight loss options...Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, calorie counting, South Beach, even ear stapling...the list could go on.  I have to say that for me, Weight Watchers has always been the way to go.  I have always had success.  I don't do well with being denied any types of food and WW seems to be the only thing that I have found that is not only forgiving, but allows you a little freedom.

As for exercise... At the end of last year I joined this My First 5K class at a local running store.  I needed a way to exercise and I know that I can run.  It was an twelve week course that built up your endurance to be able to run a 5k.  It was awesome.  I met some great people and got back into a rhythm of exercise again.  I belong to a gym, but never seem to make it over there.  I might try picking up a personal trainer...someone to stay on top of me to get me into a habit...we will see.

The Marina

From back at Christmas when we were in North Carolina visiting James, Sara, and Cyana:

For dinner on Saturday night (December 26), we went to this restaurant down the road from James and Sara's house called The Marina.  It was pretty good.  Taris had fried oysters...not my fave...and I was unadventurous and got chicken...I know.  They have this parrot called Jo Jack that tries to bite you and is (I think) a little scary and of course an arcade.  Taris and James played darts and then Taris and Cyana played the pin ball machine.  It was a fun time and a great way to get out of the house.

Taris...I was zoomed in for across the table

Cyana

James, Taris' brother

Taris and Cyana playing pinball

The Tree

We have this tree in the back yard that is dead.  It is technically on county property, but they refuse to come and remove it.  No problem for Taris, it is a great excuse for him to go buy a new chain saw!  Yea!  The problem is, we bought this chain saw at least six months ago and had never cut down the tree!

The day came.  The neighbors came over and the boys got out their tools.  Slowly but surely, the tree came down.

It came down and did this!

They found a nail that had grown into the tree from when it was little.  Taris was fascinated.

We disturbed two poor flying squirrels and so we planted them on the next tree over.  I hope that they are ok.

Here is a better look at one of them.  The first disappeared into the tree, but the second one looked like it was having a heart attack.  It was afraid to move.  So sad.

Taris cutting up the tree a little.

They even fixed the fence!  A temporary fix until the fence guy can come out.

Just call him Taris...lumber jack.

Show Us Your Life- New Year Resolutions

My Top 5 Goals for 2010


1. Become a better wife.  I know this seems strange since I will be single for most of 2010, but the distance will force me to become a better communicator, more compassionate, and speak his love language.

2. Become involved in something bigger than me!  Lately I have had this desire to volunteer somewhere.  There is a pregnancy shelter down the road that I have contacted and am really looking forward to becoming involved with.  Not only with volunteer work but be more involved in my church.  Take a class...lead a class...something to help me stay focused on what is truly important in this world.

3. Become decluttered and organized.  Now Taris would say that my mom needs to come and visit, but I am going to attempt it on my own.  Our accumulation of stuff is OUT OF CONTROL...and it has to stop.  My desire is "less is more" and free cycle is going to help me!

4. Solve my health problems.  Taris and I have been married over eight years, but have not been successful in having kids.  I can feel it...2010 is our year.  I have the year to have tests run, get to the bottom of the problem, and find a solution.

5. Learn how to use Photo Shop.  I don't care if I have to lock myself in my house, but I am determined to figure it out!  (I plan on mastering this one while on my sabbatical from work in Italy.)

6. Become debt free!  I have crunched the numbers and it CAN be done...and I am giddy at the idea.

2010

I don't know all that 2010 will hold but I know it will hold many firsts for us.  I know that Taris and I will have our first 365 deployment.  I know that I will have my first trip to the continent of Asia...can't wait to visit Kathleen, Steve, Jackson, and Baby Marshall.  I hope that I will FINALLY be able to be at the hospital/in the vicinity when one of my sisters gives birth...a month later is just not cutting it!  I know that I will turn 30...boy that hurts to write!  I know that this is the year that my health questions will be answered and the mysteries will be revealed.  I know that we will payoff some serious debt and hopefully be debt free!  I know that 2010 will be an adventure the likes of which I would never have imagined for myself., but isn't that what life is all about.  There will certainly be some blog worthy moments and I can't wait for the adventure to begin!

Happy New Year!

For the first time in a LONG time, Taris and I had no plans for New Year's Eve.  It turns out that it is ok...who knew!  We ushered in the new year with sushi and fried rice from our favorite Japanese eatery and I crashed at 11:15.  (I am such an old lady.)  Fear not, I made veggie omelets and we had champagne for breakfast.  Hope everyone had a great evening and happy 2010!