It's been a while...

Although it has been a while since I've posted a blog or anything, a lot has happened that I feel merits a few discussions.

The first and foremost bit of news that I have is that we are moving! We are now waiting on our final move date for our PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to Fort Lewis, Washington (just South of Tacoma and Seattle). We are VERY excited about this move! Fort Lewis is also nearly complete with their housing reconstruction/renovations and therefore we won't be playing "when are they going to kick us out to tear us down" like we are here (our neighborhood is being renovated). We're trying to get into their newest townhomes that are LARGE and SPACIOUS and 3 bedrooms. Why 3 bedrooms for the two of us? Well we're going to attempt to be there forever (well, for the majority of Tor's military career) and that's where we're going to be attempting to start having kids (not immediately). So yeah, I'd like the 3 bedroom if at all possible that way I don't have to move that much... It's completely selfish and I don't care. We'll see how it all works out, however. There are 2 bedrooms that I'd enjoy just as much!

The second bit of news is that I *might* get promoted at work. Currently I'm working as a Customer Service Rep 2, which is a slight promotion over my previous "Media Girl" title (essentially a Digital Information lackey). Frankly, I'm still labeled as the Digital Info person in the system though because my swap is not permanent... YET! After Christmas it'll be decided and if I stay up at Customer Service then I'd get a raise! Woot! Another plus is that even if I don't get promoted, I'm officially trained in Customer Service so when we move and I transfer I can get into a Customer Service role at the new store - if there is an opening. Fantastic! That's another little bit of news rolled into this paragraph - I'm just going to transfer with Best Buy because it's a solid job and even if I'm part time... It's SOMETHING!

Now my third (technically fourth, but since it's a different paragraph we're just going to label it number three... The actual number three will just be second b) bit of information pertains to an old friend of mine, Alycia Campany. I haven't been in contact with Alycia for many years, although we were still information-wise connected through the glorious Facebook. Thanks to Facebook and it's wonderful information leaking system I found out that my dear childhood friend has passed away. She was the same age as me. Upon finding out more and more details of her death I grew angrier and angrier with the Los Angeles Healthcare system. Essentially what had happened was that Alycia contracted some sort of insect carried illness (west nile or encephalitis) and the ER in which she went to numerous times rejected her merely passing off her never ending fever and flu like symptoms as the common cold. Thanks to their inability to care beyond a simple glance at the young lady, they sent her home at which point she began to have seizures. She had so many seizures that her brain and body shut down and she was put on life support (since seizures merit you more advanced care and they actually had to pay attention to a sick person). Her parents decided THANKSGIVING week to pull the plug due to a severe lack of brain activity. Alycia passed away that same day. She was indeed a very wonderful person who had her entire life ahead of her. I am sorry for her family and I am more sorry for the doctors who rejected her attempts at getting help. I hope that this weighs heavily on their minds and that they never forget that every patient is important regardless of how things seem.

Finally, ANITA CAME TO VISIT! It was a very fun visit (for me at least, and reading her blog, for her as well). We had fun at the University of Louisville Speed Art Museum and SUSHI. We also watched a few movies and had some wonderful, hot, spiced wine. I've decided I love spiced wine. We were able to get out *free* Christmas tree up in our house before she came over so it was nice and festive. We're doing a real tree this year in hopes of getting a fake one next year. Zoey needs some formal "don't chew on the tree" training as does our cat, Loki. I'm excited for our move, more than I think anyone here realizes. It's not that Kentucky is a bad place, far from it. I just feel like I can't settle down here. We were trying so hard to move out so Tor can go back to Washington and he could focus on studies and getting with a unit where they actually cared about their soldiers that I never got a chance to fully settle in here. Either way, bueno bueno.

That's about all of my news for now. Love you. Bye bye.

Married and stuff.

Well, in case a lot of you haven't heard... I am officially married now! Isn't it wonderful? Isn't it everything you hoped for? Well... Actually it's a lot like dating, just the idea of a break up is a lot further on the horizon. IE. (I don't want to be misrepresented here) you don't break up because the two people should be committed to one another. Either way, now that I've felt Zoey smack her head into the wood flooring (it reverberated over to my feet), I can focus on all of the home up dates we'll be working on. Since we're now stocked with a blender, working microwave, kitchenaid, wonderful spices, an espresso machine (something with which I need to learn how to use), plates and cocktail glasses, as well as a book on how to use said cocktail glasses, and finally sheets for the guest bed, I only really had to buy sheets for Tor and my bed and eventually a bed skirt for the bed. Yesterday we stumbled upon a sale on down alternative comforters and found a king sized one for only $60. Too bad we were over zealous about buying a big bed and got a King instead of a Queen. There's nothing better than a one-size-to-big comforter on a bed. Oh well, we've been making good with the comforter from Ikea that was supposedly a King (it fit my full bed awfully well).

Today I am on a mission to buy Jeans. If at all possible, American Eagle here I come. Hell, American Eagle's website here I come if all else fails.

It's a sad day when it's warmer in my house than it is outside in the morning. Well, maybe not a sad day, just a mixed emotion's day. It means that the weather is getting colder than my 63 degree night-time temperature, which means fall is on it's way.

Tor is having a rather rough week. He was supposed to have a PT test today, which he was more than fine with since he got a full night's rest last night... But, now he's found out that he won't be having the test till tomorrow... And he'll be in a Humvee today until about Midnight. The Humvee chairs are what irritates his back. So now he's worried about failing his PT test (even though he has a something-or-another in his file about his back and what-not) and thus losing his Promotable status. He's now considering the possibility of not re-enlisting in January. I'm a little irritated by both sides of this issue. Him because he's so negged out about it and them because having someone do a PT test after being on a range until 12am is just retarded. But then again, it is the US Army! Retards R Us. No, obviously I don't think that poorly of them on a regular basis, I'm just irritated this morning. Waking up to a cranky man going "I'm not going to re-enlist in January" is not the best way to start the day. However, watching Zoey run into walls because she's too busy chasing her tail, is a good way to start the day.

Time to return to watching the History Channel and doing laundry. Love you all. Adios!

Pain Grows in a 5'x5' Garden!

That's right! I hand tilled my garden. I already have chayanne peppers and tomatoes ready to plant (4 plants each). The PX doesn't have anything else other than squash and... While I'm fairly certain I like squash, it's not something I'm willing to baby just yet. I am going to keep an eye out for some radishes, cucumber, strawberry and carrots! Then our veggie garden (and fruit) will be complete! out of the probable 10sq feet of garden area, only 5sq feet are tilled for planting. The rest is going to be covered in gravel and then have potted flowers placed on top. The reason for this is that the rest is in a high drainage area and we want to be able to keep plants alive, not drown them. Besides, it'll look nice. Keep in mind the AC unit is in the middle of that area as well, so that was taken into account as well. It's quite amusing, the bug zapper (which is on a small bo-peep rod) works as kind of a garden light. It actually looks decent! I was somewhat surprised.

I think the parts of the garden that borders the fence is going to end up being the decoration portion... You know... Gnomes and statues... (You think I'm kidding!?). I also want a waterfountain somewhere around there... Probably behind the AC unit. It sounds weird, I know, but the unit is low enough that a nice sized fountain would still be very visible and the spiket is right there as well. We're also going to do dual bo-peep rods (bigger ones, like 4-5ft high) for a bird house, bird feeder and hanging flower plants. Basically our backyard is going to be very inviting!

The only thing we'll need to get at that point is a patio set. We're kind of attempting to be the summer party house, if you can't tell. Besides the fact that the day after our wedding and reception we're going to host a small cook out for family that remained in town. Hopefully we'll either have patched out couch, or got it reuphulstered by then... The gaping wound from Zoey isn't really that visually attractive.

Other than that... I've just been working on getting the final decorating of our house done. We've come a long way, but we still have a lot to go. My parents re-gave me my old bedroom set, so the master bedroom has a dresser now, and chest. The one guest room is now fully ready to start housing guests. The guest room has a full sized bed and dresser, along with floor lamp. The 2nd guest room is... A work in progress, we'll say. It has our dual bookshelves, filing cabinet, tv stand and tv in it... It also has Zoey's crate. We're thinking of making that room more of an office type room so I think the last little thing it needs is a futon.

Other than that.. Not much else is happening right now, save for a lot of planning and money crunching. I need a new job.

Over and out.

The Truth In Starting New

You know, it really is true what they say about how you find out what you're really like when you move and have few influences around you. I always thought my love for vintage looks and the neo-vintage tattoo pin up look was an influence of my surroundings (i.e. lots of friends who were into that genre of looks)... But, now that I'm forced to entertain myself and think of things I like free of the influence of others (Tor doesn't count... I could be wearing a burlap bag and he'd have about the same amount of fashion input) I've discovered that I truly do enjoy the vintage/tattoo pin up look.

The past few days I've been practicing doing "old hollywood" make up, and become quite successful in it. Now the real challenge... The hairstyles. I've botched reverse victory rolls about 20 times now... And it's not getting any easier. I think I need to dedicate an entire free day to developing my strategy for the hairstyle... In other words, it will take a lot of pre-curling, hairspray and mousse - I think... I hope. I am focused on figuring out how to master the hairstyle.

On to the tattoo focus of my newly discovered solo fascination... I've completed the idea I've been working on for year concerning a half sleeve tattoo. That's right! It's actually a full blown visual concept now, versus just being a random idea that I happened to like - a lot. Basically I have it down completely what I want. Now it's just the when factor... After the wedding on September 4th. A lot of my family are not exactly tattoo friendly and I would like to avoid undo conflict on that day. Moreover, we won't have any free pocket change around to dedicate to such an undertaking. It will be about $1,500 to complete, maybe a little less, but I highly doubt that.

It's funny, Tor's completly tattoo free but is so excited for my tattoo ideas. I know he wants at least one tattoo, but he's not borderline fanatical about it - like me. It's comforting to me that he listens to my ideas and offers his own input. He's very insightful when he wants to be and it helps to get another perspective (just fyi, his input on my half sleeve was "that's going to be so badass").

Over all I'm adjusting to this entire move better than I could have hoped. I don't feel out of place, I feel like this is all so natural. I don't have many friends, just a few wives that I communicate with via a fort knox spousal forum... One I will meet in person probably fairly soon. One of my co-workers has also become a good aquaintance of mine, she goes on base a lot with her little sister to the waterpark there. She's funny, very perky and very good natured. She's about my age (not sure exact age) and someone I could hang out with on a regular basis.

With that being said though... I miss my friends back in Mesa. I miss Jessi, Leah and everyone else. I miss being bored and being able to walk over to Ashlee's to entertain myself. I guess a little missing (or a lot) is normal in this situation. It just makes them coming to visit or me going home to visit that much better. Oh, and I miss driving down to Yuma to see Heather and Logan! They weren't close before, but they weren't a 20 hour drive away either!!! 3 hours seems so much better now...

I really don't have much else to say, so I'll end it at that.

Peace out cubscouts.

Fireflies

Alright, so this post is going to start on an unbelievably childish and nostalgic note...

I was driving home from closing at the Hell I call Best Buy (aka Work) and I just happened to glance off to the side and I saw FIREFLIES! I haven't seen fireflies in years. I was staring at them for so long that I almost drove off the road. Good thing I was a) on base and b) no one was around me. I was happy, to say the least.

That brings me into my second bit of news... I've moved on base! Tor and I got a cute little (I say little, it's 3 bedrooms) townhome with a fenced yard for the puppies. It's marvelous and the commute is considerably better. Having to add an hour and 30 minutes to every shift was a pain in the butt.

Which builds me into my third bit of news... MY JOB IS BORING! I am not allowed to do anything but walk around and talk to customers. Seriously? I am so not cut out for retail work. I would rather gauge my eyes out with a spork. Yeah, that's right, a taco bell utensil. Either way, I need a new job and fast. I've been applying on base and I HOPE that soon my career outlook will be more positive. I really hope (and everyone pray for me here) that I get the job in payroll (Military) that I applied for. It sounds perfect for me.

Today is filled with nothing at the moment. Tor and I drove to our old apartment so I could grab some cleaning supplies, I magically forgot them when we took over the first 3 Jeep/Uhaul loads of stuff, and some more of the pots/pans/mugs/whatever else we left. Now our apartment is more cozy and homey. I even brought my palm bush/tree thing. It's dying because I've been neglecting it... Well it has been in front of a vacant apartment for 2 weeks, haha.

Either way, that's pretty much all my news... See ya on the flip side.

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.