"87 - more than just a Coastal Patrol Boat" or "Yay for HALIBUT Day!"

Ok, so you all know by now that I'm kind of a dork when it comes to the Coast Guard. Reference me getting my picture taken with ADM Allen at my graduate school graduation.

You now have more fuel for your fire -
When CO and I were counting down until our wedding, I would try to make big numbers a little more relevant by comparing them to lengths of Coast Guard cutters (hey, doesn't EVERYONE do that?). We started off with the Eagle (the CG's training barque - that CO was on while at the Academy), and moved down from there...

We got really excited when it got down to 110 (he was on a 110-foot ship at the time), and then 87, and 82...

It would have been cool had we been counting down the same way for the baby's due date. But alas, pregnancy brain has taken full control over my faculties and we have not been counting this way. But today is the day! Today is 87 days - and 87 feet equal the size of Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat (I don't know why it's called a boat when it's technically a ship). And CO used to be on one of those, the HALIBUT... Yay!

I also have one more chance at playing this game. In 5 days, we'll be down to 82' ships. And we'll celebrate POINT BRIDGE Day! (82s are now decommissioned so don't try to look them up as being active.)

Today's Deep Thoughts...

• No matter how few groceries you're going to buy, take all possible reusable grocery bags into the store. Somehow, the baggers at the commissary can stretch 4 items into 3 reusable bags and then "double bag" one bottle of dish soap into 1 paper bag and 2 plastic bags...
  

• I am wearing a shirt that Shad really likes tonight in hopes that he'll be so distracted that he will not notice I haven't cleaned much of the house today. I'm not too hopeful that it'll work, but hey, it's worth a shot, right?
  

• I got really scared today because I got a letter from the DOD. Thankfully, it's not about my lack of base etiquette, or crankiness at the commissary due to their lack of canned pumpkin puree (they say it'll be in by the end of this week - FYI), or frustration with the gate guards regarding our car registration, or my "happening to not mention that I had already had an early ultrasound at my civilian provider" when first appearing at the MTF (Military Treatment Facility - aka doctor's office/hospital). Instead, shock of all shocks, it's actually a survey asking about my satisfaction with a visit to a MTF for a referral. I'll be happy to fill out the survey. It was one of the better experiences I have ever had - everyone there was very helpful and great. Yay! Who knew they actually cared?

• I got to go to a Welcome Tea yesterday for a Spouses' Club that I have just joined. I got to meet a lot of other wives and it was really nice to be around and mingle with other wives who have been through the same things.
  

Flu Shot?

I'm debating whether or not I should get a flu shot. CO gets one each year, on the first day he can get them. He swears by them. I, on the other hand, have never gotten one, and haven't really gotten sick before.

Enter this year. I'm pregnant.

According to my doctor, pregnant women are more susceptible to getting the flu, and if they do get it, they usually get it more severely than a "normal person." Great. She can't make me get it, but she can highly suggest it.

I'm worried about the effects of getting the shot. Could it be bad for baby? Is it worth the chance I'd be achy for a few days afterward? Should I be nervous it'd be from a military hospital?

What do you think? Is it worth it? Should I get it?

WW: I feel like Elle (Woods)

Wednesday already?

Well, I'm happy to report it's Wednesday. And Wednesday's almost done. My brain is kind of scattered, so you get a bullet list of my thoughts...

• I've been trying a ton of new recipes lately - it's been a lot of fun. Check out Flaky Apple Turnovers and 5-Minute Individual Potato Gratins.

• Our local commissaries and some grocery stores (aka all of the ones I go to) are out of normal, canned (not pumpkin pie mix) pumpkin puree. I really REALLY want to make pumpkin bread one of these days, and I guess I'll have to roast and puree the pumpkin myself. That could get interesting. But then I can also make pumpkin seeds!
  

• Tomorrow I'm going to listen to a congressman talk about the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act. I'm tired of not knowing where I'm a resident, or having to change it with each PCS. I vote in and still have my driver's license from the lovely state of Hawaii. I technically live in Virginia. My daughter will be born in Maryland (if things go as planned). Um... wouldn't it be easier if I could be a resident of the same state as my husband, who is not a resident of any of the states listed above...

• We're probably going to try to paint baby girl's room this weekend. Hubby wants to paint it light pink. Who am I to say no?

• I get to go to a "tea" this weekend. I wonder if there will be crumpets as well. I hope I can find something appropriate to wear!

• Baby (and I) sleeps much better when I don't eat sugary foods (including ice cream and chocolate malts) shortly before bed. I now eat them during the day ;) Ha!

Things I learned from working at a divorce lawyer's office...

To keep myself mildly busy (but still have plenty of time for creating fun crafty projects and relaxing), I have been working through a temporary agency. I've found that it works pretty well with our moving schedule and sometimes can pay pretty decent. They can propose an assignment to me, and I can either reject it or accept it. Very nice. Plus, unlike subbing, they usually call me a few days in advance instead of at 5am on the morning of... a definite bonus!

My first assignment was a 2-day gig, working as a receptionist. My last job was 2 weeks (fortunately one of them was a 4-day week!) as a receptionist at a law firm. A law firm that handles a lot of divorces.

Here's what I've learned:
- Divorces are expensive, and often ugly, hurtful and painful. Avoid them at all costs because it is a great cost - on so many levels.

- Details are important.

- Even if you're paid less than what you might think you deserve, you can still do a good job. And it might come back to make you more money one day. Or not. Who knows? But sometimes a job well done is satisfaction enough.

- There's a reason lawyers charge so much money for every email, phone call, and appointment - if they didn't, they'd never go home.

- A kind word can go a long way. Try to look for little opportunities to make someone else's day - it kind of becomes a little game (especially when you're not busy at work) and is really fun.

Rave: Starburst FaveREDS

No more sorting through the yellow and orange Starburst candies to get to the good stuff - the reds and pinks. Starburst has finally taken the hint and created an ENTIRE package of candy with various shades of reds and pinks. Let me tell you, they're all of my favorites in one place. And there was much rejoicing in the land.