The Road Less Traveled

On September 22, 2012 my husband and I got up at 3am...threw on some clothes, threw our bags in the car, said goodbye to the in-laws, and hopped on the highway...we were on our way from New York to Washington State.

That first day I was on a mission---to get out of NY...my in-laws thought I was crazy...but Kyle had to report for duty by September 27th so I was not taking any chances on us getting there late...it wasn't worth it...so we drove....and drove and drove....only about 12-13 hours that first day...I don't remember right now where we ended up stopping...maybe Michigan? Someplace like that...maybe I'll remember when I wake up more.

We were up by 4 the next morning and, cue Willie Nelson, "on the road again....."

Unfortunately, I don't really remember much about day 2...other than there being a lot of nothing, lots of these:

Which for some reason scare the crap out of me! I really hated driving anywhere near them...I mean really--what if it breaks and spins wildly toward you and cuts you into pieces?! Unrealistic I know....but that's me...
There were also signs all over the place for Wall Drug...which drove....Kyle...Nuts! Signs were showing up about every 1-2 miles but NONE of them said what it was! I wish I could remember what they said and that I was able to grab a picture of them...It actually got to be funny. I won't tell you what Wall Drug is...that's what google is for anyway...

I also remember driving through/past Chicago....which was the WORST driving experience, up til that point, in my life! We were making EXCELLENT time....until we got stuck for almost 2 hours in that horrible area..

We made it to our only 2 planned stops on the trip, due to the time frame we were working with--

We drove for about 14-16 hours on day 2 and I think we stopped for the night in Montana...we were doing really well...I was proud! We then got up at around 4 again the next morning and we pushed through...

The drive from Montana, through Idaho, to Washington went pretty quickly...not much there...but it was a nice drive....especially when we saw this sign:

Followed shortly by this one:

YAY!!! After a crazy 3 day drive that no one thought we'd make in that time frame we made it!!

I don't have any pictures of the base...which was still a couple more hours from the sign but it's HUGE! We lived in a hotel for about 2 weeks then we finally got a house and moved it! And unfortunately I don't have any of that on the computer but it's perfect for us! It's about 1,100 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, driveway with carport, washer/dryer hook up...which hopefully we'll be getting them in the next few months.

The craziness of the trip was perfect for us. We got married in December, then Kyle shipped out for his training in March and was gone for 6 months....so we never got to be "married" really...this road trip let us re-connect which we needed. 

So now here we are...a week from Thanksgiving, in our house, adjusting to Kyle's work schedule, and Army life....figuring out the holidays and when we are eventually going home to visit. That last part is super important because we've had SO MANY changes in the past year especially since the changes aren't done yet....

But that can wait until next time...

Ch-Ch-Cha-Changes!

Wow...it's been while huh? I know I say that every time I post but it's always true! A lot has happened in the 6 months or so since I last posted which all led me to the Washington State life I have now as an Army Wife.

After my last post I had just returned from Texas where I had left Kyle for the rest of his training and I was trying to prepare for all of the major changes I new were coming. Around the 4th of July Kyle learned we would be moving to Seattle so I was excited but nervous--what about work? where would we live? how would we get there? All of which would work themselves out...

I started looking for work within my current company asap, which I didn't think would be so difficult as I had worked in radio for 5 years and there was a lot I could do within it since I had so many different experiences. However, even though I worked for a MASSIVE company....and I applied for many jobs I was more than qualified for....it just wasn't meant to be....

The first week of September I headed back to Texas for Kyle's graduation and to BRING HIM HOME! It was like a dream! I finally had my best friend back in my daily life....I kept waiting to wake up and have him be gone...but it never happened! He came home that weekend and thus began the craziest, business super stressful 2 weeks of being home...

 

While he was home he was recruiting which was the reason he was able to be home..I had a few days left of work plus trying to pack, plan, and see family and friends....it was NUTS! I told him, his family, my family and anyone that I get him to myself for one whole Saturday...no phones, no visitors, no nothing...just me and him...and he had no idea what I had planned--which was exactly what I wanted!

We started the day by going to the Saratoga Automobile Museum....and neither of us had been before....but it was great!

It was perfect for my Nascar Lovin' Soldier!

Then we went to SPAC....and just hung out....

He needed a day...just to readjust...think about it...if you had been cut off from most of your old life for 6 solid months, away from "typical people" and not even driven a car...you'd need a day as well!  Plus...I really wanted to hear him play his guitar....I missed that sound so much while he was gone!
It was a beautiful day for being lazy in the park...and I love SPAC...it was perfect.

Then...I brought him home...he had strict orders from me to shower and change into his dress uniform...but that's all he knew.  We had wanted to go out while we were in Texas for a nice, dressy dinner...it was something he kept bringing up...so guess what I planned? :-)

We went out to Saratoga National...he had never been..and I had been only once for my friend's bridal shower, and it blew me away then...but wow! Dinner that night was unreal! I'm pretty sure Kyle was more than surprised.

The food was amazing, the staff was so friendly, attentive, and prefect....and let me just say...the kindness of strangers blows me away!  It was an amazing day---and doesn't he look so handsome in his uniform? I think so!

Honestly...I don't remember much of the rest of our time at home...it was super crazy and much of it is a blur...

I think that for now...I'll leave you hanging as there is so much more to tell next time as we embarked on our first cross country journey!!

<3 br="br" katie="katie">

I dig every second....

Well hello there! How have you been?
I hope you're well...I know it's been almost a full freakin' year since I've been here...so I guess it's only fair that I explain why/how/and what brought me back...

Since June of 2011---here's a run down..

I got engaged to the man of my dreams at the end of March 2011...we still live together, sort of (more on that later)...I quit my job at Albany Broadcasting and have been a sales assistant with Clear Channel Media & Entertainment ever since July 2011--not my ideal job...but it makes the time go by for the time being.

In September of 2011...my man--enlisted in the US Army....yup...he's a soldier--in March of 2012 he went to basic training and is currently doing his job specific training...and will be living 2,000 miles away until September when he graduates---at least at this point that's the information we're working with.
Up until September...and even a bit after that, we were planning our dream wedding--sort of...we hadn't picked a date, or location, or even figured out what kind of wedding we both wanted...but we were doing a lot of talking about it.

That being said...because of his impending ship date, financial stress, future communication and other issues...we made a decision...a big one....

On December 23 2011 we became husband and wife!

It wasn't our dream ceremony--nothing fancy---but I married the man I love, the man of my dreams---and it was perfect.

He still wants to have our dream wedding..and we will...however since we don't know what the Army has in store for us...it's very hard to say exactly when.

Ok--more on the Army stuff..

My husband (saying that never gets old!) is going to be a combat medic--he hopes to serve on the front lines--which does scare the crap out of me--but I do/will support what he wants to do. I know he can take care of himself and he is going to be an amazing medic.

This means that once August/September gets here---I'll be packing up our little house and moving...hopefully out of New York State.

I cannot wait to go...we could be moving across the country, overseas....anywhere.

There's also a huge chance he will be deployed within the year. That's some thing we most likely will not know about until after the Presidential election in November.

I'm learning how to have more patience, lessen my need to control things, and work on me. I'm also, very slowly, learning to control my emotions. That has been the hardest part of this whole process---he's been gone for almost 3 months...I saw him for a few days at graduation but it's very likely he will not be coming home again.

It's a little scary but it's exciting!

I'll have more later :-)

~K

Feel the rain on your skin...

I was enlightened the other day that I have, almost completely, stopped blogging.

As YOU can tell by today's date and the last time I've posted...well..yea..it does seem that way doesn't it?

I've realized that I've just been really busy living my life.

I am NOT saying that those people that blog every since day are not living their lives....I'm saying that I have found someone I can vent to..vent like I used to in my blog (and if you don't believe me, read some older posts!).

Engaged life is good....I <3 it a lot.

The explaining certain aspects of the engagement to dumb people--not so fun.


We are taking our time with things...although we don't want to...I guess that's considered the "Responsible" thing.

I'm hoping on a new job...hoping lol

And just enjoying my new life!

A lot can change in a few months huh?

What the Hell....

I offically detest work...

Let me explain...

I <3 my job...I <3 getting to entertain/interact and help people where I have grown up. I <3 the privileges and great things she gets to do...I have a gotten a lot of once in a lifetime experiences, gotten to meet people she never would have (famous and not) and it has honestly changed my life in so many ways.

I would never take it back but I just wish I wasn't so frustrated with it. I'm slowly becoming the person I swore I wouldn't...that I didn't want to become. Bitter and resentful.

It's not okay.

But I don't know how to change it...at all.

I know I'm good at this....I know I'm dedicated....and I have learned a lot in my time here but it sucks that this is a male-driven profession.

I have been here for 4 years...but there are baggers just starting at Price Chopper that make more than me. *Not knockin' that job...I did it for 5 years**
I don't want/need to be rich. I just want to be able to pay my bills, put gas in my car, buy groceries and be remotely self-sufficient.


I don't think that's asking a lot at all.

Short of sleeping with someone, or having surgery to become a guy I don't know what else may help me....and that is what frustrates me more than anything. I always said I'd be true to myself, but I feel like being who I know I am is leading me down a dead end with no hope for advancement...it's killing me...

I feel like I'm running out of options at this point. I don't want to walk away...it hurts even thinking about that...but I don't know what else to do.


I especially don't want to do so before St. Baldrick's in April...


I just feel that at this point in my life I shouldn't have to be antsy for a tax refund to make sure I can live.


<3

Loves every second of every day

I'm applying for new jobs.

Working 40+ hours at my part-time one, not getting any recognition, or appreciation for any of it...plus...I can't survive...and it's embarrassing.

I love it...but it's not working anymore.

So, I've sent my resume out to a few places, seriously cut back on spending and am just hoping something changes before we have to move...since a new job may seriously effect our apartment options.

I am very happy still but I have been blocking out some things I need to handle but I just don't have the money to do it.

On another, slightly more pleasant note my boyfriend is now my drill instructor. He's making sure I run 6 days a week...for about 40 minutes. Today will be day 4, yesterday was my day off, and I'm nervous. I ran 5 miles on day 1, 4 on 2 and didn't even hit 3 on day 3....I need to get back on track and do this the right way..I know my body can handle it...I just need the push to stick with it.

Here's hoping I can get down to my goal weight...or closer to it with this!

I guess that's it for now.

<3

Walk on the ocean....

It's been almost 3 MONTHS since I've written last...wow!

Life has been busy...and taken a LOT of drastic changes...

1st--No longer in nursing school. Lots of reasons behind it...but basically I was pretending to be something I'm not.

2nd-I do A LOT of radio things now...and I <3 it...just wish I got paid more for it.

3rd-I moved out of my parents house and in with my amazing boyfriend :-) Yes...I know it seems fast, but when it happened...I didn't really have any other options. It wasn't ideal or planned...but we're making it work.

4th--I'm the happiest I've ever been in my whole life.


Life, as crazy as it has been these past few months, is also perfect. I mean...sure some things could be better...it would make things easier...but I'm okay with it right now.

I also am doing the Gold's Gym Challenge...which isn't going as well as I would like...I've been slacking on my own part too much...and recent stress isn't helping. Since I'm house sitting for my parents this week I'm trying a fresh start...I have just about a month and a half left...so I HAVE to kick it in full gear!

I am singing on stage this Friday night...and I mean at a place where AMAZINGLY talented people have been performed...and granted it's only 1 song, but still...I NEVER would have imagined I'd actually get to do this!!

Oh..and ST. BALDRICK'S ALBANY 2011 is in full PLANNING MODE!! APRIL 10TH 2011-Savannah's in Downtown Albany--BE THERE!!! :-)


That's my current life in a nutshell....more to come I'm sure...I have to get back on track with doing this on a more constant basis. Topics/questions/etc are always welcome from you of course--so I hope to hear from YOU as much as you hope to hear from me! ;-)

~K