It's My Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to me. And meet one of my best presents ever. I met Zach Braff. Be Jealous.

Fiction or nonfiction?

I read a lot. There is no secret in that. I read a large variety of books, too. But if I'm honest with myself and all of you, I read a large quantity of historical romance. Not the crazy intimate in detail kind, but more the romantic comedy drama kind. Set in history. It occupies my time and keeps my mind sharp.

But there is a flaw in all this reading, too. I expect my life to mimic these stories. Not in a ride in on the horse kinda way, but more of a say cute things just because kinda way.

And then it doesn't happen. And I get disappointed. For no good reason. Don't get me wrong, I've got a really good one. I've got one who dances with me in the kitchen if my favorite song comes on and who does the dishes every night cause they are my least favorite chore.

But sometimes I just want that brand new feeling back. The one that you get when they grab your hand and kiss your knuckles just cause. And honestly it's unfair of me to expect fiction behavior out of my nonfiction husband. I guess that's why all my favorite romance authors are women...

What's on Heather's Phone Tuesday?!?

So I won't lie, My friend Maresa(that's right, I'm using names from here on out. I will still protect the innocent....or guilty.... but here goes nothing) have spent all week with my new phone looking at anything funny and trying to get a picture just for this blog. Literally. And unfortunately most of the time it didn't work out :( For example, in Target there was this chick who had squeezed herself into some red velvet pants. You all needed to see this. And Maresa faithfully pretended to dig around in her purse so I could get the picture. And she would not walk away from the register. :( So here's what we did get:
I was going to save the best for last, but a lot of people probably won't read til the last, so the best is first! This is me. In Maresa's dog Apollo's new kennel. Yes  I fit rather easily. 

Whenever Maresa and I go to the mall we always have to stop in and see the puppies (or in this case bunnies). That's why they put pet shops in the mall, right??

This guy didn't come from a pet shop and couldn't make it in the real world, that is for sure. <3

I love my husband. Because he loves me and my quirks. Such as biting my nails....

And begggggggging to go to the Western store in Honolulu late at night....

And finally, I've been feeling kinda lonely cause everybody's gone for the holidays and won't be back til after I leave. :( So imagine my surprise to know that Hawaii was lonely too! It has rained (like typhoon) for 2 and a half days straight now. 

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

He's not MY Marine.

I feel the need to vent a little. I'm pretty darn tired of people going on and on about "being married to a Marine". (P.S. This applies to being in a relationship with one, too.) Here's the thing, I'm married to my husband. Who by trade happens to be a member of the Marine Corps. I'm not married to the job. I chose the man. Why is this difficult? If your husband was a plumber would you go around talking about "your plumber"?

We're all guilty of it from time to time. Especially here in bloggy land because we are attempting to keep some anonymity. And you eventually sound redundant if you keep saying "my hubs, the hubs, the husband, my man, etc." But COME ON. When you met your husband, when he introduced himself, how did he introduce himself? Did he say, "Hi, I'm the Marine. Wanna dance?" Or did he say, "Hi, I'm So-and-So. Wanna grab some dinner?"

I'd put money on the latter. In fact, a large quantity of us met our spouses pre-Marine Corps. The Marine Corps has taken over majority of our lives. They control where we live, how much we make, when we spend time together, when we visit family, practically when we breathe. But you know what? They didn't take my husband's name, they didn't take his personality. So I'm changing things around here. So here it is, This is my husband before the Marine Corps. This is the man that convinced me to marry him (although after seeing this picture I'm sure you'll ask yourself how. haha) In all his "Special" glory.

This is Brandon.

To honor their blood..... with our sweat.

The sun has risen and set on 15 combat deployments for 3rd Marine Regiment since 2004. In that time, 3rd Regiment has covered the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Northern Afghanistan, the streets of Fallujah and the valleys of Helmand Province. The Marines and Sailors of 1st Battalion, the Lava Dogs; 2nd Battalion, the Island Warriors; and 3rd Battalion, America's Battalion; have laced up their combat boots in the heat and cold to go to work protecting and preserving the life we hold so dear. And more than that, they've laced up those boots to offer that life to another, less fortunate people.

Since October 30, 2004, when Lance Corporal Jeremy Bow, a machine gunner of 1st Battalion, was lost as a result of a car bomb outside Fallujah in Iraq's Anbar Province, 3rd Marine Regiment has seen the loss of 116 Marines and Sailors. He is credited as the first casualty for the Regiment in support of overseas contingency operations however he is actually one of eight. Eight men lost their lives as a result of that car bomb on October 30th. It was considered the deadliest attack in 6 months against the U.S. Military. Those other 7 men? They are PFC John Lucka, LCpl John Byrd, PFC Andrew Riedel, LCpl Jeremy Bow, LCpl Michael Scarborough, LCpl Travis Fox, Cpl Christoper Lapka and Sgt Kelley Courtney who was with 3rd Intelligence Battalion attached to 1/3.

To honor and draw attention to the sacrifice of these Marines and Sailors, 3rd Marine Regiment organized a memorial run this past week. Each runner stepped up to receive a fallen hero's dogtag and began a run of 2 miles for the loss of that man. Those 2 miles were ran 116 times while carrying the 3rd Marine Regiment flag. These Marines and Sailors ran in daytime heat and nighttime chill out of respect for fallen brothers they may or may not have ever met. Respect that was well deserved. This Regiment who isn't perfect, who makes mistakes, and who is just a collection of men who made the same decision to fight for what they believe is right, made a statement this week.

A statement that said they will not forget. Let's not forget them either.

Weekly Roundup!!

It's Roundup Time again! Hop on over to Empty Nest PCS and all the Rest and check out this week's following! :) I love Roundup wives!!!

Employment Schmoyment

That's right, I used Schmoyment. I created it, too. That's about how I feel these days. See, the hubs and I are desperately trying to start the next chapter. And what do you need in the next chapter? The same thing you need in this chapter. Money.

How do you get money? Jobs.

How do you get jobs? Beats the Heck out of me.

I've never struggled to find a job, until moving to Hawaii, but this place is an employment black hole so there is no surprise there. But now? Now we're really trying and so far? No luck. Ugh. But this is all  the time I'm allowed to take away from applications so back to the chomping block I go. Wish me luck.

What's on Heather's Phone?!

So it's Tuesday!! Now. This will be the LAST What's on My Phone with crappy quality pictures! The hubs and I got brand new shiny phones. This doesn't mean you're going to get good pictures. I apparently lack the "cell phone technology" gene. So just be prepared. haha. Let's get started!!

First up is all of our many suitcases!! Moving is pretty crazy and we have tons of stuff we want to take on the plane with us rather than go with our HHG.

When Gracie is being friendly he likes to hang out under the tree. Notice what I am calling the before:

But sometimes that can be a bit cold so then he takes matters into his own hands. Notice the after:

What do the hubs and I do on dates?? We borrow babies and go to the mall!!!

And this baby is something special. He's our sweet Baby Liam. He and Husband are buddies.

So this sweetheart's mommy just left for vacation. (She took him with her) and so we made a going away dinner. I made hor dourves. I put them in my new hor dourves spoons. I love them.

And now I leave you with this crappy picture of a new favorite book. A favorite passage in this favorite book.

It says, "He cupped her face with his hands, forcing her to look at him. 'Listen to me, Evie. I loved you then and I love you still. I may not have always loved you in the way you wanted to be loved, but as God is my witness I loved you the best way I knew how. If I never told you it was forever, then I beg your forgiceness, but I never saw it any other way.'"

Sweet.

Denny's from Hades.

So on some Sunday morning's my husband and I like to go eat Denny's before church. It's great, they have a value meal that I eat a meal for $2 and he eats for $4. Add in drinks we're out under $10. However, this Sunday was a joke. An unbelievable joke.

For starters, we walk in and are seated promptly. Awesome. Except oh yeah, our server didn't get the memo that we were there. 10 minutes later we are finally greeted. No big, the hubs and I were both servers (in fact that's how we met) and so we let it slide. We order both drinks and meal now. Drinks FINALLY come out. She asks hubs if he wants creamer for his coffee. Yes, in fact, he does. Too bad. She ain't coming back.

I ask another server for the creamer. Then our meals come out. They are both wrong. She manages to get them fixed and ok, we're eating. We've taken two bites or so when she comes back up and says, and I quote, "I'm going to leave the ticket here because I'm going on break. If you need something, *points at some unseen server* just flag down So-and-so to help you."

I'm sorry. WHAT?!?!?!

Best part? She then continues to serve our surrounding tables. Like they are so close I could reach out and touch them. Does she think we're stupid??? I'm so far beyond livid. Again, the hubs and I were both servers. There is no such thing as a break when you're busy. Unluckily for her, her manager does the table check about 2 minutes after that moment.

And we informed her of our displeasure. That's the moment our server decides it's a good time to "check on us". Her manager wasn't having it. Graciously the manager covered our tab. And the server got an earful.

The hubs and I are pretty easy to please. This was just a joke. Moral of the story? Don't go to Denny's expecting Cheesecake Factory service. In fact, Don't go to Denny's expecting IHOP service.

Image Credit

The Age of Kindle!!

This is my BRAND NEW Kindle!!! (ok, so not really mine, but I couldn't get a good picture of mine...)

And this is my not old Kindle but rather my ORIGINAL Kindle.

Isn't having Kindle's fun??

Weekly Roundup!!

It's Roundup Time again! Hop on over to Ines and check out this week's following! :) I love Roundup wives!!!

The death of a post.

So I was laying in bed imagining this blog. It's what I do most nights before I go to sleep. A lot of blogs never come to pass but I was determined this one would. However, as I got up and came downstairs all geared up to write it, I noticed a new blog posted by an amazing Marine Corps widow. I couldn't help my curiosity at reading this blog prior to getting started.

And that is where my original blog died.

I have stressed lately, there is no secret in that. I have been far from grateful for our situation in life, there is no secret in that. I have worried about the future and the uncertainty that is to come and I have wished some things could be different. I have asked myself time and again, "What are the two of us going to do?... Really?"

And tonight I was reminded that the answer is inside the question. The TWO of us will figure it out together. The TWO of us will make it work. The TWO of us will have each other.

I think about our last couple of years and smile. I think about the next 50 or so and smile. And I realize how fortunate I am to have those next 50 or so.

I read a lot. And in the most recent book I read he was given a choice of giving up his life for her freedom. Not even her life, just her happiness and freedom. And he chose death. Now before I turn away readers, he didn't die but, the point was he chose death. And he said to her "I need you. If I can have one hour or one lifetime I'll take either. But the truth is, I need you." I know this widow would make the same choices again. I know she would take the months she had with her husband rather than live a lifetime never having had him at all.

Also in this book was a bit of advice that stuck. People tend to regret the things they didn't do more than the things they did. So make your choices, take those risks, step out on that limb. You're more likely to regret not taking the step than to regret IF you fall.

What's on Heather's Phone???

Yay for What's on my phone Tuesday?!?! Hop on over to Jessica's page to grab this AwEsOmE button and join in on the fun!!

So because of the moving chorefun I have suitcases everywhere. I'm trying to pack up the clothes going with us on our month long vacation rather than ship with our HHG. My darling kitty Gracie loves suitcases. So in an attempt to keep him out of the one I was using, I opened up an empty one for him. This wasn't good enough. Until I added some towels for cushion..... (forgive the blurry)

So because we're moving, and we're heading somewhere cold, the thought was brought up that my little beach dog will be very cold. (And since hubs wants to take him hunting...) I sliced up a pair of old cammies and went to work on an outfit. This is just a test run as the final product will be made out of woodlands and will have the nametape "Devil Dog" attached above the pocket. Oh and be fleece lined. hehe

So in all my excitement to move, I forgot how much I'm going to miss here. The people, the fun, and very importantly, the beach.

Lastly, and yes, I know this is a short post, but hey, I'm headed out to get a massage so I'm sure you'll all forgive me. hehe. This is my darling playing our BRAND NEW Rockband. We love it. And we're getting pretty good! It was our mutual Christmas present to ourselves. :)

I'm glad you stopped by! Hope to see you again next week!!

New Blog Roll Page!!

Click on the Blog Roll Page to see blogs I love! Don't see yours there? No sweat, send me the link (or comment with your blog name) and I'd LOVE to add you! Can't wait to hear from you!!!

Introductions.

So I'm here to introduce you to some important people in my life who have just gotten started blogging. They are very near and dear to me so please go check them out!! (P.S. I'm introducing them in the order they created their blogs, not playing favorites)

First up is Kindle. She's my wifey. She has been there for me for a bunch of years and is closer than close to me. Her blog is different from the norm. It's controversial. Do NOT go there and judge her. Do NOT go there and preach at her. We all have our beliefs. This is her space to be her, so do not go class it down. Got it? Great, now go enjoy her!!!!!
365 Days and Counting

Next up is "Mrs. R." from this blog. Also known as Maresa. :) She is a wonderful friend who I have been fortunate to meet here on island and who's husband has deployed again. This is their second pump together and this is her space.
Missing *Him*

Last but MOST CERTAINLY not least is my darling and wonderful husband, Brandon. You've heard about him here, now you can go read straight from him!! He is very honest and blunt so be prepared to hear it like it is! :)
Redneck Romeo

Roundup and More!!

It's this week's roundup! Hop on over to Maine-ly Taryn to join in on the fun!!!


In other news, we finished up our Christmas packing/wrapping last night and I put together the flat rate boxes for most of our presents, and wrapped up the ones too big in my FAVORITE brown packing paper! haha. I had allotted $50 for shipping (I know that isn't much to mail EVERYBODY's presents from Hawaii, but I'm a pretty amazing packager and can get them in pretty tight. I am very proud to say that with insurance on everything, we got out the door spending $52.90. :)

I wish we could be there for Christmas with our families, but this is the next best thing. We do get to see them shortly afterward, so YAY!! :) This is our last Christmas in Hawaii. That is a big pill to swallow. Bittersweet. I am so glad to leave because we miss our families but this is our first home together, too, and that is difficult to give up. But I'm excited for our new adventure together. We're going to be living on love. Luckily, that is something we have in large supply.

New ME!

Welcome to the new me! I'm so glad you could stop by. I'm still a Queen of Diamonds and I still love the King of [MY] Heart, but as my blog as grown and adapted I needed a change. So welcome to Altogether Heather. Cause it's all about me. :)

What's on Heather's Phone?

It's that time again!! Tuesday! So let's see what I've been up to this week?? And Head on over to Jessica's Blog to see what everybody else's week was like and to show us your week!!

First up is my really cool/really crappy cell phone picture of the road at night. :) It's like a slow exposure.This was from Thanksgiving night/Black Friday morning. hehe.

Next up we have a plain PX bag

.........right?? Wrong??

That Gracie is such a sneaky little one, but if you're looking for cuddles, look no further than my Memphis. And yes, I cut myself out of the picture.... 

With Christmas coming I got a present early. My darling Mother-in-law surprised me with this warmer and scents that I desperately wanted. :)

Lastly, with Christmas just around the corner, I thought I'd share Christmas lights Hawaii style. 

Thank you for spending a week with me, I hope to see you again next week!!!

Black Hawaii Friday

Ok, so the promised Black Friday adventure!! This is my second Black Friday in Hawaii. And the lesson still applies, you have NEVER done Black Friday until you've done it Hawaii style. Every year, the hubs and I gear up and head out early to catch those amazing sales. Last year, in preparation for the 5am sales, we got to Walmart on the other side of the island at 2am only to discover that half the sales start at midnight!!! :( We still got most of what we went for so it wasn't a complete bust.

So this year, we were ready. We packed up and headed out and got there at 10pm!! Only to see that HUNDREDS of people were already there. Seriously? I mean, half the sales (like the TV's and Computers) still don't go out til 5am. These people were camped out and planning on staying there til 5! Thankfully, we weren't after anything big, just some movies, some Rubbermaid containers and some towels. Tame, I know. But it's the adventure that is so much fun!!

Anywho, this year was certainly an adventure!! The hubs, Mrs. R, and I had split up around 11:50 so that right at 12:01 when the items were opened we could grab what we wanted! At around 11:59, screams tore through the store as people decided to start tearing plastic anyways! Items were falling, getting passed around, and people were screaming and running. At this point, the Walmart employees didn't know what to do other than try to calm the crowd and keep the items in the plastic. Shouts of "Put the products back!" and "Hands in the air" were heard as Honolulu Police Department tried to stop the mayhem and protect the employees and shoppers. Over at the $99 Basketball Goals, several people were hit by falling Goals.

It was certainly unlike anything I have experienced before and DEFINITELY worth the trip out this year. In addition, we got 8 movies for $35. Not a bad experience if I do say so myself. :)

Here's the crowd around 11:30, before the frantic incidents happened....

Milspouse Roundup!

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This week's roundup is up! Hop on over to Life of the All American Army Wife and check out this week's blogs!!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and Black Friday early shopping. Stay tuned for talkes of my adventures this Black Friday!

FREE FREE FREE!!

Are you pregnant? Do you want to be? Do you have tons of friends/family who are??

Seven Slings is giving away FREE slings. You just pay shipping! ($11.95) They are really cute, and oh yeah, FREE! Use the Promo Code "Thanksgiving". Go check them out today!!


Seven Slings

Blog Title

I've decided to change my Blog Title. I just want something shorter to be honest. But I'm far from creative. So I need some help. What ideas do you guys have?? I don't want something Military. I respect and LOVE all ya'lls cute Military titles, but we won't be Military forever and while it's a huge part of my life, it isn't the only thing that defines me. So, help ladies?!?!

What's on Heather's Phone??

It's Tuesday again! I'm not even sure I have enough new pictures on my phone for this! Haha. Well, enjoy what I have anyways. :)

*Please note that while my phone is touch screen, it's not snazzy and fancy and barely gets on the internet. Sorry my picture quality is lame-o.*

First up, because we are TMOing our HHG IMMEDIATELY after Christmas, I insisted we break with tradition and put up our tree early. Usually we do it the day after Thanksgiving after our Black Friday shopping, but we will be painting back walls that day so boo.

Next up is my haul from a recent trip to Borders. Here on island, Borders is the only choice for bookstores. I frequent the used bookstore, the Book Rack, a lot but for anything new, Borders is it. I dug through the discount aisle and came up with all these books! And all for the total price of $22. :)

It wouldn't be my phone if it wasn't covered in pictures of my babies. This is Gracie on our bed. He likes to do weird things like try to fit between the slats in the footboard..... Also, please note that the bed is rumpled because I was washing the sheets and had pulled the quilt over the mattress to protect it from cat hair... haha

In my house, you can't go to the bathroom alone. And if you do, this is what will happen. Yes, that's a foot.

Lastly, I don't have a picture of Memphis, but I have a picture of the destruction he left behind. This is the closet beneath our staircase. It has all the boxes from our belongings, the vacuum, and some glasses. Or at least it used to have some glasses...

I hope you enjoyed this walk through my phone!!

Nutcracker Overload

So I feel the need to share a funny experience in my life. Mostly because it cracks everyone up and yet, somehow everyone forgets and repeats history with me.

Ok, so there is this play called the Nutcracker. And I HATE it. Like more than hate it. I DESPISE it.

In middle school, my class saw the Nutcracker. On ice. The only thing worse than the Nutcracker is when you put it on ice. So when high school rolled around, my theater class attended a play. It was the Nutcracker. I thought, it can't be as bad off ice. I was wrong. I endured.

Finally, the Nutcracker is out of my system! Oh wait, for my freshman year of college, my then boyfriend worked really hard, saved up lots of money and bought really expensive, super good seats, tickets. To the Nutcracker. We traveled all the way to Nashville and big surprise, I hated it.

This is it, never again, no more Nutcracker. Until oh yeah, 2 years later, a different boyfriend surprises me with tickets. TO THE NUTCRACKER. This time I took lots of bubble gum. And again, I sat through this play.

I'm not sure why I give off this vibe that the best Christmas present you could provide me is tickets to the Nutcracker. I have tried my best to explain to people as loudly and as often as I can that I HATE THE NUTCRACKER! It has never helped. What has brought this blog on you ask?? The appearance of 2 very inconspicuous, small, paper thin packages under the tree with my name on them.

I swear, if they are tickets to the Nutcracker....

MilSpouse Weekly Roundup!

Abbey over at Trading Diamonds for Dogtags is hosting this week's MilSpouse Roundup! Hop on over to see some inspiring ladies and read their talented blogs!!

Secrets of Heather Lynn Past.

In light of the upcoming Christmas holiday and Scrooge's dealings with Christmas Past, Present, and Future, I'm gonna share some secret moments of my past. For your viewing pleasure of course! Enjoy.

First we have the first home football game of my freshman year of college. This is definitely the dorm hallway (notice the visitation schedule for when boys are allowed). haha. I am the skinny one in the dead middle. (Oh to be 104lbs again...)

Next up is some classic High School Prom action. I'm 16 in this picture and a Sophomore. That was my glitter dress. And my really TALL hair. Luckily, my date was also really tall. :)













This would be on one of my first outings with my now husband. I let him convince me that a "real woman" would ride the mechanical bull. This is after working a 8 hour shift at the restaurant. I stayed on for 2 of the 3 rounds. Would have lasted the 3rd but my now-husband paid the guy to throw me off. At least the guy came up and told me that B did it so I was ready. haha.

This is a perfect example of a bad idea in the making. On the other side of the camera, my friend Kelly and I are being convinced that we should run through the sprinklers fully clothed and sort of slip-n-slide on the marble. Needless to say, we did it. Kelly ripped off her entire toenail and we had to have the medics (in the ambulance, of course!) come over and wrap it. Oh yeah, and we were soaked.

This would be a group of friends and myself. We are on a bridge in the middle of downtown Knoxville. It isn't actually that late, there are lots of people around.... Please note Jake in the back drop-lockin-it.

Lastly, I'll leave you with mine and Kindle's idea of a rocking Fourth of July. We certainly lit up the sky that Fourth of July.... :)

As you can see, I've had lots of great ideas. I've had loads of help coming up with these great ideas. And I've had plenty of trips to the ER to show for it. But as Mavis Leyrer said (edited of course)-- Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting “Holy [crap], what a ride!”