MilSpouse Blog Hop

Another Military Spouse blogger, Julie the Army Wife posted about a MilSpouse Blog Hop over at Riding the Roller Coaster, and I thought it would be fun to join!.

(I swear this is NOT me hiding in said laundry room!)

Gaah I want to chuck Dirt Diver’s computer out the window. Once again it crashed and auto recovery didn’t work for me. Let’s see if I can sum up what I wrote before…

Since it’s Friday I am going to jump on a Blog Hop so I can get the rest of the house cleaned before I partake in some drunken Guitar Hero with Dirt Diver and his friends. I am so excited to play tonight.


Salutations new visitors today! My name is Chelle or “A Muddy PAW”. I am the PERFECT housewife and mother. I keep my cool under any situation. You will never see me staring in a Lifetime Movie Network movie as the example of what you don’t do in life. I keep a perfect picture ready house at all times of the day. I do not implement a 30 second rule to anyone, because I don’t want to waste food. I do not believe in hiding in the laundry room sneaking a Resse’s Peanut Butter cup or a Twix PB Bar that would be hidden from little people. I do not enjoy throwing my feet up at the end of the day and drinking a Pabst Blue Ribbon. GAG! Never would I enjoy such cheap “trailer trash” beer NOR would I collect cans for wind chimes either. I don't sit on my bed watching reality shows surrounded by laundry but not touching a single item because I get too engrossed in the show. I still don’t call a parking lot a “grinder” nor a post a “base”. I don’t still respond “my husband’s MA3 BlahBlah” when he is now in the Army.

I did not swear when I got my divorce from my abusive ex-husband who was also a Marine at the time that I would NEVER EVER date another guy in the military seriously. At 23 I did not spend 2 wonderful years becoming THE player to be stalked by a young impressionable absolutely drool worthy 20 year old Sailor who stole my heart at after blowing off 4 dates with him. I did not fall head over hills in love and remarried after a year of dating.

We did not add 2 more kids to our world of craziness bringing the total to 4, along with 2 cats and a dog. We did not leave almost 5 years of life in the Navy to become civilians in Oregon and enjoy the summer life. Never after 6 months, did Dirt Diver do the “unthinkable” and join the Army. ( I SWEAR not a SINGLE “I told you so” was uttered during that period of time after I told him repeatedly beforehand that he would miss the military!)

And here we are now. Living the perfect life, with picture perfect children who do not fight, yell, slam doors, or cry. They dress and act appropriately, while answering “Yes/No Sir/Ma’am” with a smile on their face. I do not slam doors to exercise my point in the midst of a temper tantrum. We do not become complete and utter chaos when we are together as one.

Like I said “I am Pefect!” in my own world of chaos, laughter, tears, and frustrations. But that’s okay because without all that, life would be absolutely BORING!

Adjusting to life in the military again

Today is the “Let Me Call You Sweetheart Blog Hop” hosted by http://thefrugalhousewife.com

Another first for our marriage is coming up on Valentine’s Day thanks to the Army, spending it apart. A part of me is sad at the thought of spending the day away from him, but then I just look through old pictures and smile. Our normal tradition is going to AMA Supercross, tailgating in the parking lot, and enjoy the races.

There is just something about spending the day being burnt to a crisp, feeling the sweat trickle down your back as you wait in line to get Chad Reeds or James Stewarts’ signatures, or the sounds of the engines on a dirt bike being revved higher and louder than an opponent. Oh the choices of Kawasaki, KTM, Honda, and Suzuki; which is the best? Of course you’ll always get a different opinion and from my experience, the winning vote always ends with what bike someone had since they were a kid. Outrageously out-priced beer, greasy event food, clumpy cold nacho cheese on stale chips. Ohh man I can just taste it when I close my eyes and think of it.

This year though will just be another day spent apart. The kids are making cards and while I should have made one too; I found the perfect Hallmark card that I could record a message in and would play Tim McGraw’s “My Best Friend”. We have had many ups and downs. We separated for 7 months in 2007 and a month in 2009, but in the end he is my best friend. He drives me insane sometimes. Almost to the point of wanting to pull my hair out, but that is why I love him. He knows me. He knows the good, bad and ugly and yet he still finds me to be attractive and doesn’t go a day making some kind of comment about how he got lucky landing me. I feel the same way about him, I never thought I would be so lucky to marry someone who still gives me butterflies, makes me weak in the knees and can make my laughter come out so naturally.

The kids always do the "I love you THIS much" with their arms spread out. A neat little craft idea came to mind for the The Man to see how much he is missed is to do Hand Hugs. It was super simple to do. I just traced each of the kids hands on construction paper and cut them out. Then I took some left over yarn and measured the arm span for each child, from right palm to left palm. The kids glued the ends of the yarn to the back of each hand.  The kids thought it was the greatest thing ever. I just have to remember to put them in the mail this weekend.

So on Valentine’s Day this year, when others will be spending the day in the arms of someone they love, I will be on the couch with the laptop 2,150 miles away text messaging, as we watch the opening day of the greatest sport EVER…

I am giddy like a school day for opening day. It won’t be the same to watch without his true commentary and us bickering over who’s the better driver that always results in pillows be thrown, a beer being spilt, and us temporarily giving up till next weekend. Looks like we will start a new tradition!

Be sure to visit Stephanie at Musings of a Modern Day Mom

Fashion disaster at its best

Jeslyn from The Improbable Housewife brought up the topic of fashion while participating in Kelly's Corner's Fashion Blog Hop, and it got me thinking.

I am a firm believer that the “being a girl” gene skipped me when I was born. Until I had my daughter I NEVER wore a skirt, I would wear 3 sports bras under XL shirts, saggy Dickies or Levi’s. I didn’t even straighten my hair until I was 21; yes I sported an afro until then. The thought of wearing make-up made me gag, and to be perfectly honest it still does to a point. I don’t know what goes with what, what colors look good together, or even what accessories are most of the time. But I have found things that are my tried and true, hardly any flucutations. What is this absolutely simply boring wardrobe you ask? Here I’ll show you:

In San Diego I lived in tank tops, shorts, and flip flops when it was hot. Every once in a while I would venture into something with color:

When The Princess was smaller she became apart of my wardrobe as well as my hunting coat:

Since moving up to Oregon, I had to throw my flip flops into the closet and start wearing my hiking boots:

Or my absolute loves. I have been known to go into tizzies when I can’t find them. I wear them with everything, pants, skirts, shorts. Doesn’t matter, I even sleep in them at times because yes they are THAT comfy; my Ariats:

There were times where fashion was the LEAST of my concerns. Yes ladies I did go out in public like that too:

But in the end I can always be found just like this:

As you can see there is absolutely no fashion in my wardrobe. It’s just jeans, boots, shirts, and my hunting coat, very basic.

What’s your style?