My Thoughts On This Historic Day

8:45-Woke up and am amazed by the amount of people see on tv at the National Mall

9:30-I hope the lady that fell on the tracks of the metro is ok. I'm sure the crowds are overwhelming

10:47-Michelle Obama looks GREAT in her personally designed outfit. Go girl!

11:03-The more I watch, the more I wish I had went out there

11:15-Wow, 39th President Jimmy Carter looks great! How cool to see the past Presidents

11:22-Were the cheers for President Clinton or Hilary Clinton? :o)

11:55-Listening to Aretha Franklin sing and watching people cry on tv has brought tears to my eyes

11:57-Joe Biden is swearing in and I'm a feeling giddy inside

12:04-Everyone standing for swearing in...I'm crying, this is so exciting!

12:05-IT'S DONE!! CANNONS FIRE!! CHEERS!! TEARS!! BARACK IS OUR 44TH PRESIDENT!!!

12:25- "The time has come to set aside childish things."

"...all this we can do, all this we will do."

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met,"

1:10-Executive 1 just flew over our base on the way to Andrews AFB(I managed to snap a photo but hurt my foot running down the stairs-no worries, Lael patched me up)

1:17-Bush Family arrives at Andrews AFB and on their way home to Texas

Wow, this morning has been one I'll never forget. I know people who supported Barack from the beginning, I know people who thinks electing him was a horrible mistake. But what I know along with these people is that we should be honored to be apart of history. To witness it, to participate, and to live in this free country.

Mr. President, I wish you the best of luck and like from day one, you have my support 100%!

Not Me! Monday

Time to join in on MckMama's free therapy. Cleansing is good for the body!

I did not stalk the Presidential Inauguration Committee to get tickets to the youth concert. I ended up getting some but through a different source.

I did not almost cry when I woke up for work one morning and it was only 8 degrees. I don't deal well with the cold.

I did not try my best to avoid opening up the Tinkerbell Nail Salon Lael got for Christmas but give in when she gave me her pouty face. I despise messy projects.

I did not freak when I found a mouse trap kit empty box on my kitchen counter and believe my husband when he said he got it for the garage but just as a precaution. He lied and told me after he caught it. I am an adult and do NOT cringe at the thought of creepy crawlers.

I did not go to Children's Place and get Lael a new outfit for said concert and get at least 80 bucks worth of clothes for only 39 bucks and that was the highlight of the day!

I did not get my hair cut again but this time it's all the way to my chin. I did think I looked like a boy at first but now I love it and can wear it out in uniform.

I did not go ice skating with Lael and some friends and laugh everytime she fell (which was after everytime she got up) and not feel guilty. She and I both had a blast!

I did not go all week without cooking dinner. We ate, but I surely didn't lift a finger. Nope, not a one.

And finally,

I did not get peed on by my 5 year old this morning, in my own bed, because she snuggled in at 8am , went back to sleep and then proceeded to pee on her and me while she dreamed away. My girl has been potty trained since she was 2 and does not slip up every now and then, even when her mom gives her drink at 10pm.

Ah, now I feel like I can move on with this week.

Happy Monday yall!

Photo Of The Week-Week 3

(Bad quality photo taken with my cell phone)

Guess who started Cheerleading yesterday? How'd you guess? She's got two cheers, her High V and her Low V down packed already. Can't stop this kid.

We've got spirit yes we do, we've got spirit how 'bout you!?

Cleansing Myself, One Calorie At A Time

On my base the fitness center has a Biggest Loser contest. A group of 8-10 can join and work to lose weight for 8 weeks. Me and a few of my girls have decided to start a team. I think we are the Pink Princesses, maybe, I could be wrong.

This is such a good thing. I have never been "fat" but I have been out of shape. Somehow (it could be eating McDonald's everyday for the last few months) my body has gotten out. of. control.

Currently I am 10lbs lighter than I was when I gave birth to my daughter. This is so wrong on sooooo many levels. I know it's all my fault and take complete responsibility for it.

I am a runner, you know when I'm not eating my share of fries and cheeseburgers, but have fallen off my bandwagon. I had a Nike+ system and at one point, I was running 4-5 miles a day. Not so much anymore.

Tuesday night I barely ran 1.5 miles without passing out in mid stride. I went home and cried (in the shower) because I couldn't believe I let myself get to this point. I was the girl that could barely get to 100lbs. I was the girl that was maybe 120 when I met my husband. I was the girl who went from 160 to 130 after I had my daughter. Where did that girl go? Granted, I understand with age my metabolism has changed but once again, I know I did this to myself.

So, enough with the sobbing and on with taking action! This is it! I will no longer let the cookies and grease smack me around. I am in control! With the support of my friends, co-workers, and husband I will lose these extra pounds and start a healthier life.

I need the support of yall. I have manage to put my study material on my iPod so I can run and study at the same time. See how I multitask? I will put my stats on my sidebar and every Thursday I am going to blog about my progress.

If you have time, I would love each and everyone of you to leave me some supportive words. Even those that come by and not comment. Please. I will need to look back on these comments every now and then to give me that extra push. And if you see me reaching for that burger, or choosing ice cream over fruit. Smack me, or just lift up my shirt so I can see my own gut.

May the biggest loser win!

Why You May Hear Me Muttering To Myself

I've been in the Air Force for 9 years, 6 months and 1 day. Yes, I am counting down to retirement.

I think the hardest part of being in the military (besides deploying away from family) is the fact that no matter where you are (except deploying) or what job you have we get paid a set rate.

Let me explain. Your paycheck depends on what your rank is. I am enlisted. That means I came in the military without going through college. If I had went through a college I would have came in as an officer making much more money.

I enlisted in 1999 at the age of 17 . That means I graduated High School in June and by July I was in basic training. This started off fine because I only had to take care of myself and I lived in the dorms on base. Most enlisted that come in get paid very little because they come in with out any stripes (rank) on their arms. I, however, came in immediately with 2 stripes because I had been in JROTC in High School for 4 years. This means I started off making money that it would take a new airman 2-3 years to earn.

With this said I put on my 3rd stripe quickly as well. (The first 3 stripes are given depending on your time in and time you had the previous one on) I have been ahead of my peers for the most part. After having 3 stripes you have to test for the next few every year. In 2002, I decided my time was almost up and I was going to separate so when it was time to test for my 4th stripe I didn't put any effort into it. I tested but had no plans of sticking around to see how I did. Big mistake. I decided to re-enlist and missed my 4th stripe by less than 1 point, it think it was .075.

By 2003, I was ready to test for the second time. I tested and then found out I was pregnant. By the time the results came out I was about 6months pregnant. I found out I had made it so I would not only be having a baby but earning more money and able to help take good care of her.

So that's where I am not. In December of 2003 I put on my 4th stripe. I couldn't test for my 5th until 2007. I tested in February of 2007 and didn't make it. I tested in March of 2008 and didn't make it again. February 19th will be my 3rd time testing. I can't explain how much I need this stripe. I have been a SSgt for 5 years and have been earning pretty much the same paycheck for 5 years.

In the meantime my child has grown (yes, I'm amazed as well) and therefore want to be in activities. That wasn't a problem until October 2007 when my husband lost the contract for his job. Earning my TSgt stripe this year means more to me than anything. I will be eating, sleeping and dreaming my study material for the next month and 4 days. I have to make it. I need it. My family needs it. It is necessary.

So, I'm off to study. Again. I could use some prayer. Some hope. The answers to the test if you have them (just kidding).

Tech Sergeant. It just looks good doesn't it. Ok maybe not but the paycheck sure would.

i Heart Faces (Updated)

I decided to enter my new favorite photo of Lael into the iheartfaces contest. May the best face win! :o)

**UPDATE**

This picture was taken when we went to the National Harbor to see Santa water ski, when the characters started to go by us she looked at me laughing.

Not Me! Monday

Alrighty, I took last week off but now I'm back trying to clear my consious.



Here we go....



I did I not cut off sodas for a few weeks and feel like I was detoxing off of drugs. Goodness gracious!



I did not almost have a panic attack when I had to take my baby to the ER for chest pains. Scary!



I did not go to a play with my friend and actually sniff a guy who smelled sooo good. Only weirdo's sniff people.



I did not take Lael to Walmart and have her try on old people reading glasses in the pharmacy isle because she swears she needs glasses (she doesn't but a girl on her favorite tv show wears them) and giggle because she looked like a little old person. I would not do that to my child.



I do not have a pair of tights I bought from Express 6 years ago and refuse to get rid of them even though they have runs on the side and now a hole on the toe. If I do have a pair I would not be wearing them now with my uniform because I paid so much for them I will get my use out of them.