Hello Real World and Civilian Life!

Why hello there real world! 

I have been anxiously awaiting to lead the civilian life for quite some time now. Like since we made the decision to leave the Navy in January of 2014 but had to wait until the Spring of 2015. Those 18 months were a joy. But not really.

I am loving civilian life for several reasons. First, T works 9-5 8-6. He kisses us all goodbye in the morning, he's at Luke's football practices and is home for dinner. We even get to plan trips in advance.  I consider this a win, and a far cry from our “norm” in the Navy. Also, no deployments in the real world. Yeah, my husband doesn't leave for six months at a time while I try and “hold down the fort”. Although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to some one week business trips... cereal for dinner, crappy t.v., reading in bed late into the night, less laundry... Lastly, him not climbing into a metal death trap (also known as a helicopter) on a regular basis is a plus. Especially one that seems prone to crashing.

But, um, let's talk about things I am not loving about the real world. Let's talk about medical insurance for just a sec. TriCare Prime was A-MA-ZING. Yes, I know, it has it's issues and can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, but um, hello, IT WAS (essentially)FREE. My hospital stay for having Savannah (with an emergency C-section) was $33.00. Luke's 6 ER visits (we are averaging one a year people!) and 2 ambulance rides, well, never saw those bills.  Prescriptions, if filled on base, were FREE. Although as Tyson likes to say, “nothing is ever free”. I mean there was this terrible numbering system where you drew a number, waited 20 minutes then went to a window and handed them the number. Then they would tell you they would have it filled in 45 minutes. So not especially convenient when you have sick children and an unreliable spouse and need the medicine like right now. So sometimes I'd get it filled “out in town”- ya know, with the locals, the civilians, the others. And then I'd have to pay $3.00 or something. Once when it was $10.00 I was like, “why is this so expensive?” So please imagine my SHOCK and HORROR when I was told that Luke's epi pen would be $90.00. For a brief moment I thought maybe he doesn't really need to have it.... But then I paid and I was so sad. Sad about not having TriCare Prime. Sad that my kid has stupid allergies.

And let's not forget about the commissary. For you lay people out there, that's the grocery store on base. And it is oh so special. And I miss it. And I miss their sushi! And my grocery bill is completely out of control and I am still trying to figure out how to get it back down to my pre-civilian days. sigh.

Thank you real world for mostly being pretty great.

Mom hacks: things that will help you as a mom and/or things I love and think you should love too!

I love reading and I especially love reading in the fall and winter as it actually gets cold here (in Maryland) and I don't go outside when its cold. I huddle by the fire and count down the days until Spring. And I read. The last book I read that I could.not.put.down was The Nightingale. Yes mom, I know its sad so you couldn't read it. If you are one of those people(like my mom) who can't read sad books or watch sad movies(for the love- it can't always be a happy ending) then fine, don't read this book. But you're missing out on a great book!

Having a bad day? Buy someone else a coffee. No seriously. Participating in altruistic behaviors makes us happy (a little tidbit that I picked up- and more importantly remembered- from PSYC 101). Making someone else happy in turn makes you happy. Go to Starbucks and get that Pumpkin Spice latte and while you're at it, buy the other exhausted, overworked, overlooked person in the car behind
you a coffee. It'll make their day, and yours too. Win win.  

We went apple picking yesterday. Here is the applesauce recipe I made last night. It's easy, delicious, and...delicious. 

And I'm still over here singing the praises of  the Skimm. If you haven't checked it out yet, well, you should. And then when there is grown up conversation you can chime in and talk about the Pope's visit to the US. And Donald Trumps orange skin tone. And you can make witty comments and people think you keep up on your current events, when really, you just skimmed.