Rollercoasters

I love rollercoasters. The anticipation as you climb the hill. The exhilaration as you travel down the other side. That feeling like your heart is going to burst out of chest as you hit all the curves. My stomach leaping with every crest. Just love them.

I do not, however, enjoy it when my life feels that way.

This has been an up and down week for us. It started out great...the countdown was on until we leave for Seattle. I had just bought a few new clothes to bring on our trip. Life was looking pretty good! Then I got "the phone call".

My aunt (who was like a second mom to me growing up) had been admitted to the hospital again. It did not seem so bad. She just needed an adjustment of her medications. She had been very sick for a few years, so this was not a huge surprise. But the next morning...my mom called me and BJ and told us that my aunt had passed away that morning. One week before we were supposed to leave for Seattle. One week before I was going to make a special trip to her home to go visit her...just in case she would not be able to make it to our family party later in our visit. She is gone and my world stopped for a moment. My heart breaks for my uncle and my cousins who are now left without a wife and mother. For her grandson who will never really know her like I did. When I needed her the most...she was there. She held my hand through the toughest times and for that I will be forever thankful. I love you Auntie Liz!

So then it was time to continue the ride.

We got word from BJ's recruiter that his application package is now at the selection committee. This is it! The board should meet sometime next week or the week after and hopefully we will know whether or not all this hard work has paid off. Will we get stationed in Washington state? Or somewhere new and different but equally exciting. I am beyond words excited for and proud of my husband. He has worked so hard to get to where he wants to be. I love you baby! So now we wait....

My vacation has started and I am so happy to not have to go to work until after Memorial Day. Hope everyone enjoys their holiday!

Last step

BJ got news that his application package is complete and is now being finalized for consideration before the board. We are still not sure when the May board dates are but are hopeful that we did not miss them. If we did then June it is! But this journey will coming to end (or a beginning!).

And to top it off...BJ got glowing reviews from both of his employers (current and the one previous one). He was worried that his previous one would be a jackass and either not send back the paper or write something completely untrue and malicious. We are so happy!

So that is it for now!

Good Odds

BJ found out from Lt. Bart (his recruiter for the Navy) that right now there are only 2 dentists listed on system. BJ and one other person! This list is Navy wide, so that is a great sign. He is listed as pending...which is basically that he is awaiting for the application to be approved to get sent to the board!

We went to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday for the running of the derby. We met up with Katharyn and Neil and then placed our bets. We have no really betting stratergy...just pick them out of thin air! I picked #3 (Mr Hot Stuff) because I liked the name, #9 (Join In The Dance) again I liked the name, and #11 (Chocolate Candy) because I saw Seattle Slew mentioned with all his info and the reminded me of home. BJ picked #12 (General Quarters) because he saw a story about the owner/trainer and he thought the story of how he got to the derby was really cool. Alas none of our horses won! Although my #9 was leading for a bit. Now hindsight being 20/20, I may have picked #8 because of the jockey...I remember him winning before and he has a pretty cool background. But we made our bets really fast and did not really look at the betting sheet until it was too late. Katharyn and Neil, on the other hand, won! They bet #8 to win...lucky ducks!

I enjoyed a Mint Julep...not the greatest drink but hey it was the derby and isn't that what you are supposed to drink? We even had fun betting between the four of us on the last two harness races. We eached picked our horse and then whoever's horse won had to buy a round of drinks. BJ "lost" the first race and then Neil "lost" the second race...we were laughing so hard and cheering for our horses to not win! People around us probably thought we were nuts...oh well!

starting over

So I am starting over with this blog. I have been a bad blogger and not posted anything since January! Yikes!!! I guess time just away from me.

Here are the updates for those that are interested.

Air Force: BJ did not get in...due to the AF meeting it's quota of dental officers. They never even looked at his application packet...the one we spent months putting together. Kind of pissed us off but we quickly got over it. Sgt. Joe was less than steller...he came to our meeting (which he gave us the news of not being selected) wearing ripped jeans, a baggy sweatshirt and a skull cap. Not exactly professional looking. Anywho, we have moved on. BJ still wants to pursue the military so he looked into the Navy and the Army. He decided to put an application package together for the Navy and at this point it is in the final stages. We are hoping to know something by the summer.

Pets: All four are good! The pups are happier that the weather has been nicer recently and they get to go back to the dogpark...their favorite place! The cats as always wish the dogs would go to the park and not come back. Tiga has been escaping out the front or back door at every opportunity. Tinsley has made a few attempts but quickly realizes that it much safer in the house...I think being gone for 3 months showed him that being home is the smartest idea.

We have been doing a lot around the house. BJ planted some new grass seed, in hopes that our lawn will make a comeback. We recovered the ottoman with a fantastic fabric from Joann's. It is from their Big Kahuna collection and goes so nice with our island feel in the living room. I will have to take some pics and post them...I know, I know...promises, promises.

Hope everyone enjoys the nicer weather!

Still no news...

yep that's right, it is January 26 and we still have not heard anything! I am going crazy! We are still hoping to hear something in time for BJ to enter the March 2009 class....but it is a lot of hope and not much reality.

The suspense is getting to everyone , I think. All of our friends and family ask if we have heard yet...every time we see them. As a joke, I tell them "yes we did hear and he is in and we leave tomorrow...we just wanted to keep it a secret!" Of course we will tell all of you...we will be shouting from the rooftops! I am sure you will all be able to hear us through the wind.

Last Day of Vacay

So today is my last day of my Christmas vacation. It is the last time (hopefully!) that I will have a paid week off from my boss. It is kind of sad and exciting all in one. Sad that I will have to leave an employer that I do enjoy working for (most of the time) and exciting that hopefully in a few months we will be living in a new area.

I have been busy this morning and early afternoon doing my household chores so that I can go to the movies with Mom Volinski. We are going to see "Marley & Me", which I want to see so bad and she is afraid to see becasue she heard it was really sad...like "grap a box of Kleenex" sad. I will post and let you know what I thought of it.

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far....

Much love!
Susanne

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Happy New Year to all of our friends and family!

We rang in the new year with some friends (Kim & Keith and Ruth & Jason) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. It is our friendly, neighborhood casino. We hung out mostly at Bar Louie and had a great time. I think we all realized that we are getting old....some of the younger ladies had dresses on that were OMG-short. There is no way they could have bent over without showing the goods! It kind of made me happy that I am beyond that.

So with the new year, brings the old New Year's resolutions. I have decided to make them and I am going to do my best to keep them.

- I want to live healthier.
- I want to have a strong, lasting, supportive, beautiful relationship with my husband.
- I want to give time to myself.

I figure all three of these will make my life better and positive in many ways. And of course I will benefit from these changes by losing some weight and becoming less stressed. How can you not want to do that!?!