April Showers Bring May Flowers

And we have definitely had more than our fair share of showers lately. Seriously its mid May no more rain please, I am begging. I miss the desert and the hot scorching sun. However, all this rain does have a few minor benefits. Like a nice green law and pretty flowers. It’s fun to have a yard again after years of absolutely no yard or at best a tiny concrete patio. Trust me no grass was going to grow in the desert. Anyway after several years of neglect the porch was looking very sad.

I had it redone right before deploying so it had a brand new floor, fresh paint, etc…but definitely looked like no one lived at 211 Park.

After several stops at Westlake, Sherbondy’s, and this fun plant sale.



I was equipped with plants to jazz up the porch.

I had a table sitting around inside that works perfect on the porch. Now I just need to find a porch swing. I have been looking but no luck yet – any suggestions? The house finally looks inviting and not vacant, it will be even better once the plants grow more.



Now the weather must stay nice so I can sit on the porch and enjoy a glass of wine. And about Westlake - the place is going to break me by the end of summer! Everyday I pass by to and fro work and it continues to entice with the wide array of plants, trees, and bushes on showcase -luckily I don’t drive by Sherbondy’s or Muhalls as that would be even worse! Now its time to jazz up the backyard. Hopefully this weekend if Mother Nature cooperates.

Fallujah, Iraq

Monday we had a Townhall for work. One of those forced events intended to get you excited about your organization and the mission. There was a short video about Afghanistan to entice volunteers. As much as I am trying not to be enticed, it definitely did just that. Watching the video made me want to be there right now. Be there making a difference in an exciting environment. Be a part of the change that is occurring and watch the country develop. I am not allowing myself to deploy for at least a year. Otherwise I will never truly settle down or have a normal life (and my parents will go nuts). Maybe a year from now it will be out of my system and I will have no desire to go to a war torn country to work. But right now the desire is strong and those darn videos only make it worse!

Until then I can reminisce about past deployments and share photos. I went to Fallujah, Iraq probably 4 or 5 times during my two years in Iraq. There was a claims center right in the heart of the city where several Marines lived and worked. Occasionally Real Estate would make the daunting trip (via PSD, Blackhawk, and military convoys) from Baghdad to Fallujah to pay out claims. We paid the locals for the use of their property. The amounts paid were nominal and pocket change to us, but to the Iraqis it made a huge difference. As you can see they lined up outside the gates in anticipation.

Of course all the little kids came out to play. Many were so cute and you felt awful as they had no shoes, ill fitting clothes, and such a hard life ahead of them.

I almost wanted to adopt a few and give them a better life!

Once inside more lines formed and we would sign a lease with each Iraqi (we determined in advance the various real estate being used, the fair market value for that property, and the owner) and paid them in cash for the use of their property. Usually for 6-12 months at a time.



Most women were fully clothes in the Burka to include covering their face entirely with only their eyes peaking out. However you occasionally had a few that were not fully covered and not camera shy.

It was amazing to interact with the Iraqis and listen to their thoughts about Americans, their country, and the war. Paying for the use of their property was a small way the US could help stimulate the economy and I loved being a part of the process. It was often dangerous as the convoy getting to Fallujah was treacherous as was staying in the middle of town. The living conditions were very harsh – you showered in a bathroom with no shower just a hose and a hole in the floor. We slept on cots and ate whatever food they could whip up. But I loved every minute of it as did most of the Marines working at this FOB.

I am grateful for my plush digs at the moment. Grateful that I don’t have to wear full battle rattle every time I leave a hard building. Grateful that every loud noise is not a threat. But I often miss the adventure. Guess I just need to find adventure here in Council Bluffs/Omaha! On a side note “dress code” was also discussed at the Townhall. The Commander had to inform all that wearing sweat pants to work is not acceptable. Seriously folks you work for a professional organization you should not need someone to remind you not to wear sweats!

Washington DC New Attorney Conference

The week was a whirlwind. It started out innocent enough but once Wednesday Happy Hour hit it was all downhill from there! We had a really fun group for the Happy Hour (after we weeded out the nerdy non partying attorneys). It was a chance to catch up with old friends such as Marie (whom I met in Kuwait) and

Jerry (who I met in Omaha ages ago)

and also meet new friends such as this fun crew from Mobile District (Megan, Andrea, and Michael).


Who would end up being my partners in crime the next few days. Overall the conference was great. Wonderful speakers, lots of information, lots of breaks, photo ops with LTG Van.


But the nightlife was the highlight. We had another happy hour Thursday night which ended up at a random late night stop were we met some cuties from Seal Team Four.

Our late night crew.

Friday was a half day for the conference which was definitely fine by me. So my friend Kimberly (from Iraq) who lives in DC picked me up so we could hit a happy hour with her friends. Notice the happy hour theme here….

Her friends were a lot of fun and we had a very enjoyable time.



However she did have a slight bar injury resulting from broken glass and sandals. The combo of the injury and early start to the cocktail consumption resulted in us calling it a very early night. Probably for the best as we had spa appointments Saturday (which where amazing) and of course some power shopping. A week in DC definitely has me wishing I could take a developmental detail there soon. I know there are no photos of the monuments. I have done that in the past - plus my little brother and I are returning in October for the Army Ten Miler. It will be his first DC experience so plenty of monument taking opportunities then.

I made it home on Sunday just in time for Mother’s Day as of course I can’t miss spending the day with the best mom ever! I couldn’t have asked for a better mom and feel very lucky and blessed everyday that I have her as my mom. I know not everyone is as lucky. Thanks mom for being so great and being not only a stellar mom but my best friend ever. I love you lots and lots.

I am off to DC

for an attorney confrence. Lots of goverment attorneys all gathering togehter - doesn't get much more exciting than that Especially since I have several close friends there that I will get to spend time with. Updates to follow on Sunday.

Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon

I did it! I finished my first half marathon and I loved it.


My finish time was 2:04:48. I was 2089 out of 4808 and 170 out of 529 for my age/gender group. Obviously I won’t be winning any awards anytime soon (and to you runners out there I know this is slow) but I was proud of my time. It was my first race and really I just wanted to finish. The fact I finished with a decent time was a bonus.


The run would have not been nearly as fun without this crew. Myself, my little brother, my sister in law (married to the brother that doesn’t run - Erik), Paula, Brandy, and Cathi. We all ran together the first 8 miles or so (well not Justin as he is a guy and too fast for us) and then Christine Cathi and Paula took off while Brandy and I gutted it out. All of the girls finished within about 10 minutes of each other so not bad.

It was so fun to run with a group and have that support system throughout the race. Of course our cool matching shirts sealed the deal. The front said “we run because we drink” and the back said “I’ve been sober way to long how many more miles till the finish?” Classy I know but they were funny and we received a lot of compliments along the way. All of the girl’s husbands and boyfriends (to include my brother Erik) and my mom made the drive to Lincoln to cheer us on. This was very much appreciated as nice to see a familiar face throughout the run cheering you on and taking photos. There were spectators along every part of the race cheering and around 6500 runners. Aide stations were set up about every mile or two with plenty of water, Gatorade, and after the big 9 mile hill snacks. Awesome race. I am definitely looking forward to the Council Bluffs Half Marathon in a month and hoping to improve on my time at least a bit. Just need my slightly sore legs to heal first.


For some reason we thought this was a cool pose...

Ready for a bike ride!!!

I received my official number for Ragbrai (you had to enter through a lottery). I am riding the Council Bluffs to Red Oak leg of the week long ride as figure that will be plenty for my first time. For those not familiar with Ragbrai it is a week long bike ride/party across Iowa, you can look it up here http://www.ragbrai.org . We have a large group riding together and everyone made the lottery cut. Now we need a team name – anyone have cute ideas?

Now that it’s official I better start training with some long outdoor rides – just need this crazy Midwest weather to cooperate. I forgot how much I hate rain and cold weather!! Can’t a girl get some sunshine and warm weather please????

The race is on!

Thanks to the wonders of Facebook an extra race number/chip has been found and Justin is in the race on Sunday with us. Yay. On a side note I was schooled today at the Y by one of the morning runners and fitness queens. As I was inquiring about anyone having an extra number they asked if I was running. I replied with "yeah but just the half". I was told never again to refer to it as"just" a half, that a half is quite an accomplishment. Race photos and results to come after the weekend.


Aeisha has adapted amazingly well to life in Council Bluffs. Despite the fact it is cold and rainy unlike her native dessert climate. Grandma brought her up some kitty grass the other day which she quickly devoured. I know this doesn't relate to racing but I haven't posted any Aeisha photos lately so figured it was time.

Lincoln Half Marathon Goals

My original goal was just to finish. As when I first signed up running 13.1 miles seemed ridiculous. As I realized I could accomplish I set a goal of finishing in 2 hours. That is still a possibility, but a very slim and very remote possibility. The allergies or cold or whatever craziness I had really put a damper on my running the last few weeks. I feel like I can finish but not sure at what pace.

I need a goal to prevent aimlessly running that would result in an awful time. I stalked all of last year’s participants and highlighted everyone from good ol Council Bluffs. I have decided that I absolutely can not be the last place finisher for CB as that would be mortifying. Many of those that ran workout at the YMCA with me daily, how I could have any pride knowing I came in last. Especially as many are way older than me! The slowest CBer last year was a 45 year old female with a time of 3:24:56, but since she is 45 I figure that is not really fair. The next slowest female in my age bracket is a 33 year old with a time of 2:58:05. This is an average pace of 13:36 per mile. There is absolutely no reason why I would need to run that slow (no offense to whoever this female is as kudos to you just for finishing!!). Plus that is a whole extra hour of running – brutal! My goal is to come in maybe around 2:25 or less. I think that is attainable. The fastest CB girl was a 36 year old with a time of 1:45:36 – no chance I can beat or match that.

The fastest CB male was a 47 year old with a time of 1:42:25 – my little brother can totally beat that time! However MAJOR kink in all plans. He somehow never registered. We are in desperate need of an extra entry. If anyone knows of someone not running either a full or half on Sunday please let me know. We will gladly pay for the bib and chip so Justin can run as he has been training like mad. Please please help us out!

On another note today is National Walk at Work Day so get outside and walk at lunch. Its drizzly and nasty in Downtown Omaha but I am braving the elements to walk at noon.

My kitchen

Used to look like this….

Dirty dingy wallpaper, yellowy woodwork (the cabinets were the same until I painted), a fridge that sticks out into the open space, and so so appliances. I can't believe I entertain with a kitchen like this. However, I came home from work on Tuesday night to find this…

A construction crew violently tearing down the walls!

Ok so maybe it’s my brother and my dad

And my brother’s friend and my cool neighbor Jason. Also the tear down wasn't a total surprise. By the end of the week after lots of hard work by said construction crew (all I did was offer up dinners, pick up parts, and observe)

I now have a larger kitchen, a spot to recess the fridge, and direct access to the soon to be built patio.

Now I just need the new wallpaper to be hung (hopefully early next week), the woodwork to be painted white or restored to its original finish (to be decided this week), floors refinished, new lights, and new appliances. Unfortunately I have to wait until the end of June for the floors to be complete (hardwood is lurking beneath that awful linoleum). That means these fun new appliances purchased last weekend won’t arrive till July.



(Images from http://www.geappliances.com/products/cafe/)
Mid July a full reveal of the new and improved kitchen will be posted. In the meantime you’ll have to make do with snippets of progress.