A Good Day By Any Other Name..

So some good news came today by two methods...

One: There is no waiting list for On Base housing right now, and they don't speculate one by September; and we qualify for a 2-3 bedroom.

Two: Due to the Military Clause Addendum in our Lease Agreement, we can break our lease, penalty free (and get our deposit back!) as long as we give a 30 day notice for us moving on base. Of course we have to provide our Base Housing paperwork... But still! We were thinking that we were going to have to wait until our lease was up next March.

I know a lot of people don't prefer base housing for one reason or another (drama, crappy maintenance, etc), but we really don't care right now. We want to start saving money and right now, moving on post is the best way to do just that. Especially since we're hoping to move within the next year to another post and from there another two years to another. On post is just logical right now, despite the possible downfalls. Maybe some day we'll live off post again, but not until we're at a point where we're losing money living on base.

Granted, I hope we get a place with a yard... Yards are good... Yards are nice... Yards make it so I don't have to stand outside and watch my dogs poo... Or eat poo (Zoey). That and you can grill on Knox... We can't at our current apartment. KY has a law that, of course, does not apply to the base, where people can not grill next to rental properties. Too many people burnt their homes down (really?). Tor doesn't like not being able to grill... And I have to admit that I don't like the smoke detectors going off every time he makes steak or hamburger.

Other than my 91.65% in my first course en route to my Bachelor's degree, I really have no other news... We're heading up to Maple Park, IL to spend the holiday weekend with the family! Tor and I are both excited, as are my mom and dad (and aunts and uncles!). We all need a vacation... and Zoey needs to get used to car rides. That's right! We're bring the girls. It'll be interesting with four dogs in one house... I think it'll be more like 3 dogs since Nika probably won't leave my mom's lap until she absolutely has to. That's MY dog for you. Haha. Either way! Adios.

Live long and prosper!

Holy Annoying Neighbors, Batman!

Heya!

If you couldn't already tell by the title of my post today... The apartment above us has been filled! Oh goody!!!!! Except... Wait... Is that? Yes I think it is! It's a 150lbs woman walking around like she weighs 400lbs!!!! Seriously, haven't these people ever learned not to STOMP with every footstep!? Or maybe NOT slamming doors at 7am on a Sunday!

I don't like them so far...

One of their guests glared at me when I parked today. I haven't even seen them anywhere except their patio! Who knows, maybe they don't like white people in white jeeps with two dogs (they're white, if you want clarification).

I'm horrible, I'm already making stereo types of the one woman... She's the poster child for a toothless wonder. I guess I'm just being mean, but I'm sincerely OK with that! LOL! Maybe it's the fact that I was woken up at 5am by a loud slam above my head.

On to bigger and better things! ZOEY has spent TWO nights outside of her crate and so far NO accidents!! I think she shall be allowed to sleep in the bedroom with Nika from now on! We're very proud of her.

Our rose bush next to our patio has started blooming, beautiful pink roses! We're talking about getting a couple of pots and planting flowers on either side of our patio - tomato plants on one side and flowers on the other. We really like the idea of having fresh flowers and stuff everywhere. I mean we have a live palm tree in our living room! LOL.

We also want to get a live plant for our guest room... After we redecorate it a bit. We have some flags up on the wall right now, but I (and Tor agreed with me in his own do-what-you-want way) think that they're not good decor... I think we'll scrap them and get like a panoramic picture. There's a peddlers mall right down the hwy that has all sorts of really nice pictures for pretty cheap. They're second hand, but what do I care?! They look nice and they work! Granted there's also a whole bunch of antique malls in Radcliff that I think Tor and I will hit up to see if we can find something we both like. I've turned him into an antiquer!

I'm excited for Sammie coming down on the 16th so we can work on my invitations and stuff. We'll need to hit up Michaels that day so I can pick out some of the ribbons and stuff. This whole thing is very exciting!! I'm getting married! Can't believe it. Hahaha.

Well I think that's a nice post... Went from bitching to yay-ing. Always fun! I'll write to y'all later!

The Week, The Dress, and the Facts.

Heyo!

Yet another day passes and a few more decisions made. I've decided I will prefer a tea-length dress for my wedding (picture to be in between paragraphs). I've decided this for two reasons... One, I think I will be more comfortable in one, and two... I think it fits the whole feel of the wedding better. It's a small wedding, close-knit and relaxed feeling... And I think that the "small" time of it would be better without a long gorgeous gown. Instead I shall go for CUTE! I like cute better. I view myself as more cute anyways!

http://www.lightinthebox.com/A-line-Strapless-Knee-length-Satin-Lace-Wedding-Dresses-for-Bride-2009-Style--WGY0043-_p47882.html

Other than that...

My Grandma is still in the hospital... Not sure how she's doing or how this entire situation is going to pan out. Of course I'm hoping for the optimistic... But I'm not sure it's going to go that way. Either way, I am prepared to head up to the WI area at a moment's notice. Luckily Tor and I were able to sell one of our two extra TV's tonight. Relatively quickly I might add! I posted it on craigslist and had it sold within an hour. Yes, I am the craigslist guru. I hold no bars. LOL. I have to have humor about something... But that money will really help if I need to jet set myself (in my jeep... Try imagining THAT going fast) to Chicago.

I'm not looking forward to work in the morning... Mainly because I'm already tired, I'm not going to get much sleep (new neighbors moving in upstairs... I don't think they're going to be quiet for a while and I don't necessarily blame them - it IS a Friday night)... And I'm going to have to get up at 5:30am to make it to work in time for the meeting. That's the only part that sucks about my job - I've got to leave way early to get there on time. Other than that... The drive is beautiful. That's... About it. I like the job itself... But people drive INSANELY down Dixie Hwy... I now know why it's nick-named the Dixie Die-Way. Yeah, they're THAT bad!! It's sad... In a not boo-hoo way.

Well I think that's all for now. Pray for my Grandma and I will catch ya on the flip side.

Day One.. Two.. Three..

Hello!

How is everyone today? I hope well. I, however, am not all that well. My grandmother (grammy) has been hospitalized for a major cardiac failure and, unfortunately, she seems to have more on the horizon. She's stabilized for now, but who knows what the future holds... My grammy is very close to me, so I am very worried while trying to stay positive.

On to good news! I had a good day at work yesterday... Granted I only worked for two hours, but I learned more about video games and I got another, however negative, outlook on the store. Granted it did not make ME negative on the company, but it's nice to hear another perspective. I work today for about six hours, learning and getting acclimated to the environment there. I think this job is a perfect match for me right now. I don't have to work too many hours (right now I can pretty much make my schedule), I don't have any conflict with school, and they're letting me take my wedding planning days off (and more importantly, my wedding week!). That, and I like my co-workers, so far.

I also started school yesterday. I like it so far. I've entered into my "learning group" that I will feasibly be in for the rest of my general business classes. When we break into our specific major classes we'll probably separate... Or when I switch to online only classes. Either way, I'm happy with my group thus far. I'm also happy with the school, I know University of Phoenix has had negative ratings in the past, but they've really beefed up their accreditation. That and I'm only in each course for five weeks. I like that... No months of getting bored with the curriculum and running the risk of doing poorly due to lack luster interest.

So Zoey, our Border Collie, has developed a little bit of a complex... She has to watch me while I'm on the lap top and she will run all the way around the coffee table repeated times in a hour to try and catch the cursor... It was cute at first, but now it's a tad annoying... Especially when she decides it's time to strike!! I have nose prints all over my computer's screen.

Tor's been having a bit of a rough week. He's had to get up earlier than he'd like (every day is earlier than he'd like... But think 4:30am) in order to go to classes... Not even educational classes!! I won't go in to what they're specifically about... But basically it was pointless and nothing was accomplished. At least today he gets to learn some stuff about finances (which we could always use advice on!). Unfortunately, last night and tonight I won't get to spend much time with him due to a conflict in schedules. It's going to be a regular conflict on Tuesdays for the next four years, however that will most likely be the only regular night where I'm not home. I'm really not a night owl by any means... So not working nights is more than OK with me!!

Well, I've got to get back to general house upkeeping (laundry, blech). I shall type at y'all later. Have a good one!

The Start Of All Things Blogged.

Hello!

How is everyone today?? I hope this point in time finds you well. This is my first attempt at a blog since I was eighteen. Yes, it's been a while. Sometimes blogging is just the easiest way to keep in contact with people when phone numbers get lost or changed, emails disappear and folks become disillusioned with facebook or myspace (I'm not one of those people).
I suppose I should start this growing fiasco off with a little bit of updating and general knowledge bequeathing...

My name is Christina Barriball (soon to be Christiansen). I am a twenty-three year old college student, employee, and fiance to an Army Medic. The Medic's name is Tor (last name seen above). I guess this blog will include him a lot, maybe (there is some sarcasm in that sentence). For the past two months, my residency has been in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to the Gateway to the South I resided in Mesa, Arizona. For twelve years. It's quite a long time to live somewhere and then pick up and move. Granted it was a move well worth the missed friends and general upheaval that comes with such things. But I digress, it was quite a big step for me.

I find myself surprisingly (yes, even to me) well adjusted to the entire situation. I know I was ready, emotionally, to move out of Arizona and on to bigger and better things... I went into this whole life change with open eyes and no illusions about what was expected of me - understanding. With a fiance in the Army, active Army, you've got to get used to the idea of moving... A lot. I'll maybe be in Kentucky for a year or two before we head off somewhere else, that is, if our plans all work out. And if they don't? Who knows! It's a little bit of a mystery!

And you know what? That doesn't scare me.

I think that's a sign to my blossoming maturity. Or maybe it's just that I've got a lot of preparation in the area of "it's unknown". Either way, it is what it is and we do what we can with it.

On that note, I start my new job as a Best Buy associate tomorrow. It's a bit of a downstep from my previous title of Verifier Manager at a company that centered around construction law... But it's extra cash and I'm sure I'll move up quickly. I tend to do that. No, I'm not bragging, it's merely a fact. A fact of life. The sun will rise and set. Christina will get promoted quickly. Granted, if any company could give me a run for my money with promotions it would be Best Buy. Only for the fact that NO ONE EVER LEAVES IT! I swear! You've got to have openings to move up TO in order to be promoted! Not likely, especially in the small store in which I work.

But, on that note, it is the perfect job to hold while I'm persuing my Bachelors degree! Low stress, steady work. What's better? Getting paid to play World of Warcraft maybe, but that's just my inner nerd coming out to say hi. That and I have to admit, I like the idea of still having free time to explore my new State of residency when the weekend warriors aren't out. The weather's been absolutely perfect to take up my re-discovered hobby of digital photography, too! It's fantastic to have something to photograph other than rocks and cacti.

Nika has adapted to apartment living VERY well! It helps that we bought Zoey to keep her entertained. They're a good match, though I still think the idea of two herding dogs was a misstep on our part (but a fun one). Actually, I think we've all adapted well. It seems like this was a move made in heaven. The Army gives us Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) even though we're not married. It's still the "Single Soldier" amount, but they didn't even have to do that much! We've meshed very well on our routines and getting settled together. And, the most interesting thing of all... I've discovered I can cook!

All and all, it's a good change and I like what the future holds. This is all I'm going to post for tonight, but it certainly isn't the end of the blog. Peace out cub scout.