I didn't realise how much I missed working and kids!

I have been going through hoops here at Ft. Gordon to start working as a respite worker through the EFMP department. Ugh...It's been total crap. And to make it worse, not many people are willing to work with me because I am only down here until late August. So I chalked it up to a loss until I got a call from a mom yesterday wanting to know if I would do some last minute babysitting for her. :D YAY! I finally got some work. She wanted me to work Thurs-Sat but I have plans Friday and Saturday. She wasn't upset with that at all, she was just happy to get even one day. I guess there were some issues with her previous worker or agency or something so she had to change last minute. She had two kids, both under 10 and one had ADHD. I loved working with them!

I feel so guilty now though, because at this point after not working all summer, I honestly can't wait to get back to IL to work in the school system again! I'll be back with 1st and 2nd graders again and I will be working with all my swim students again! I miss them all so much.

Margie's Meatloaf

-2 lbs ground anything (preferable beef extra lean)
-one egg
-one package onion soup
-four slices of bread (broken up into approx. 1x1 pieces)
-one can whole tomatoes or stewed tomatoes.

Glaze: 2 parts ketchup, one part Karo syrup.

Mix ground beef (or turkey or tofu or veggie burger or whatever), egg, onion soup mix, bread and the can whole or stewed tomatoes. Don't mash, just mix. Put into loaf pan. Just before putting into oven, poke several holes with your finger, at least 2" deep with your finger. Mix the glaze. Brush glaze over meatloaf, making sure that the holes get filled.
Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

Bubba's Belly Run

Not too long ago, a fellow Army wife, Nicki Bunting, laid her loving husband, Brian "Bubba" Bunting to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Like so many others, Bubba was tragically killed in action by an IED a mere two weeks after returning from R&R. Days after finding out she lost her husband, Nicki found out she was pregnant with their second child.

Nicki has been an incredible inspiration to me and a model of grace, dignity, strength and love at a time when she would have every reason to curl up in a ball. I have asked myself many times if I could hold myself together the way she has and still find a way to be happy for others and encourage them the way she has continued to do. I have caught myself thinking "It could have been my husband just as easily" and yes, it could have been almost any one of our husbands, brothers, sons, or friends.

In the midst of this loss, Nicki has managed to organize the First Annual Bubba's Belly Run, a 5k Run/Maternity Walk and Fun Run on September 27th, 2009. The proceeds will benefit the Bunting children education and other Gold Star families.

Although most of us can't participate IN the run, there is one thing we can do to support this. How? Order an American flag for a mere $5. The flag you buy will not be sent to you. It will be displayed along the race route and will honor one of the 5,001 + soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting the same war as our very own loved ones.

I was pretty dishearted to learn after buying a couple of them that only 80 or so flags have been sold, and so I am writing to encourage all of you to visit the site and buy a flag (or two or more) to honor Bubba and the rest of those who have paid the ultimate price.



PLEASE pass this on to let others know about this! Support the fallen! 5 bucks is a Starbucks or a Extra Value Meal at McD's. You can do without that for one day.

Thanks for reading and passing this on.


I am going to run/walk this and I just really want to get the word out.

A stupid messed up situation

Mike and I got down here to GA yesterday morning. I spent most of yesterday sleeping and he had work. He got home this morning and we both slept some more. Now, this afternoon he told us both that he didnt want me staying here. For the whole 6 weeks. He said it was better if I stayed somewhere else, but it was ok if I came to visit. Um...WHAT?! We gave him plenty of time and plenty of notice that I was coming. Well, It's not like the idiot didn't know I was coming down here for 6 weeks. He knew that we were going to try to spend a decent amount of time together after the wedding. He said it was ok for me to stay here before. When our plan originally was for me to move down here completely, he said it was ok for us to stay here until we found a permanent place, ie on-post housing or an apartment. He said it was fine no matter how long it took. When Mike told him that I wasnt moving down here permanently, he said it was ok that I was going to be staying with Mike for a while. He's never had a problem with me before. I still don't know what his problem is. He told Mike that the lease contract (Mike pays him rent for 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom and communal use of the rest of the house, living room/dining room and kitchen) was for 1 room mate only. He told Mike something about it being too crowded. I either stay in the bedroom unless Mike is home, or I am out with Mishu in the rest of the house. I don't use his food and I've washed the dishes I've used and even the dishes he's left on the counter. I keep up after myself and I'm not loud. I'm trying to find a job here so that I'm not bored off my brains. I'm only down here for 6 weeks so the hunt has kind of been a failure, but oh well. I just don't get what his problem is. Well, Mike to the rescue, he called a bunch of his friends down here and one of them is going to rent a room to us. He knows our dog and loves her to bits. He actually lives in the same association. But still, his current roomie just blows my mind. Thank God he is staying at his girl friend's house this weekend. I am still really mad about the whole situation.