Wedding Highlights Video!

So I've been trying to figure out how to upload the "highlights" portion of our wedding dvd to the blog and can't for the life of me figure it out... I did however find out from our dvd guy that he had already put the highlights portion on youtube... While he did have to take down the original music that accompanied it because of copyright stuff and add some almost-depressing sounding violin music, here it is, in all its glory. BUT if you mute the youtube volume and just play it with the music I recently added to the blog, it makes it a little better--happier, not quite as depressing :) This video is especially great because it shows Dad knocking my veil off which, other than the actual getting married part, was probably the most memorable event of the night :)

Another One???

Just wanted to remind everyone to keep the "Charles Veazey, III" Veazeys in their prayers... this handsome little family of four is about to become a family of five. Betty is being induced tomorrow (Tuesday) morning and we should have a new little Veazey baby girl sometime tomorrow (bringing the grand-total to six)!!

I'll post pictures as soon as I get some...

What Is That Bright Thing In The Sky?

I never thought I'd be so excited to see the sun... Over the past 2 weeks (since Aaron's been gone), the weather has been TERRIBLE. We've had one or two peaks of the sun for about 30 minutes at a time since then and it has definitely been wearing on my disposition. But this morning, after the snow melted, I saw this beautiful sun outside so I had to take a picture. And since I've shown you pics of the house in the snow, I figured I should show you some of the house in the sunlight too - even the house looks happier :) It's going to be a good day...

Junior Daffodil Parade

Today, Howard and I got to experience the 48th Annual Junior Daffodil Parade in our neighborhood. We woke up to the parade participants lining up in the field across the street from our house and the sounds of marching bands practicing their tunes. Of course it was raining. Isn't it ALWAYS raining here? Ugh... but Howard and I loaded up- me with a rain jacket, gollashes and camera, him with the leash, and we headed up the street in the downpour. Even with the bad weather, a LOT of people still came out for it- I suppose they're used to it. Howard, of course, was a hit. He waltzed through the crowd like a paid professional... he might as well have been shaking hands and kissing babies. Someone was handing out dog treats for free, so of course I grabbed a handful. Unfortunately, I didn't get any of Howard enjoying the show (Had I let go of the leash, I'm pretty sure he would've jumped in to join them) but here are a few I got from mine and Howard's big date this morning...

Perfect Timing...

When my mailman Vic knocked on my door this morning, I just figured that, yet again, I'd forgotten to put postage on an envelope.

Nope. It was a package. From Columbia.

I wasn't expecting a package from Columbia and figured perhaps it was just a late wedding present, but when I opened it up, it was so much better. Homemade cards (made with markers and construction paper). Luna and Kashi bars (I am addicted to them). Candy (What's there to say?) Magazines (Or as I like to call them, "The news..."). Coloring books (Perhaps they want me to improve my artistic abilities?) Laura, Mary Neil, Michelle, Meg, Lorrie and Jaimie had put it together to brighten my day and "give me something to do" while Aaron is gone. I thought it was so sweet that I may or may not have cried. I can't even WAIT to see what I get when he's deployed this summer! Ha, just kidding...

I have the nicest friends in the entire world. Miss you guys :)

They Came, They Saw, They... Conquered

Or something like that...

We had a blast. I picked them up Saturday night and piled them (and all of their bags) into the truck. The four of us...squeezed into the Extended Cab Toyota Tacoma. Was it tight? Yes. Did we have a choice? No. Luckily, it wasn't raining, so all of their bags went into the very back of the truck (of course, we didn't have the same luck when I brought them back to the airport tonight... more details on that a little further down). I will say that Joyce, the first time flyer, packed the best-- only a couple of outfits (appropriate, since she'd only be here for about 2.5 days) and she packed it all into a bag that she didn't even have to check. I was impressed...


Sunday, we ventured out to the base and drove around a little bit. We then took in some lunch at a cute place not far from the house and drove over to Gig Harbor after that so that they could see it. After a run to Tacoma Boys with Mom (a local market) to pick up some seafood, Emily came and over and we cooked dinner and Joyce and I showed Emily how to play Gin Rummy. Because she totally started kicking our tails after just a couple of games, we came to the conclusion we'd been hussled and vowed privately to never play with her again... (We take cards very seriously in the Veazey family...)


Monday involved another lunch outing and another trip to the base--but this time we went to the BX. Once inside, I thought I'd never get them out. Again, Joyce (a former military wife who regularly visits the base down in Jacksonville) was the easy one. However, we lost Aunt Joan in the purse and wallet section and Mom set up camp in make-up and perfume. After grabbing a few souveniers for everyone back home, Mom and I made it to the check out counter and when we couldn't find Aunt Joan or Joyce, mom went to "look for them..." It was then that I heard an announcement for them over the loud speaker in the BX... yeesh... Anyway, we finally made it out of there and back home for a lovely southern meal cooked by Mom (including pot roast, collard greens, pea salad, etc... you get the gist...).


Their last day in town involved a trip into Seattle. But it was raining. This begged the question, what do we do with all of your bags? (I won't say whose bag was the biggest... but her name was Joan...and since there were two Joans on this trip, you'll just have to use your imagination). Well, we somehow managed to get everything in the cab of the truck. But it wasn't comfortable for anyone involved (except really the lady with the biggest bag who somehow wound up in the roomiest seat--the passenger seat) This was the result (it doesn't NEARLY do it justice):



Like sardines, we packed into the car and headed into Seattle to look around, eat some seafood and then I dropped them off at the airport. There were some funny things that happened, but I won't publish those for the world to see on the blog- they'll be reserved for a Veazey-family mass email to go out tomorrow. But we had so much fun, ate some good food and laughed a lot and I was sad to see them go.... it's definitely too quiet around here. But I AM exhausted-- did I mention the fact I haven't slept in days? A certain someone refused to transition to West Coast time and woke up every morning around 3 or 4 am and began banging things around (not even sort of quietly) in the kitchen making coffee.... Guess who it was! (Hint: not me...)


Howard took quite a liking to his Aunt Joyce...





As all women should, they spent most of their time in the kitchen cooking... I hope *all (all 2 of you) of my faithful readers know I'm joking...


Seafood feast at the Crab Pot in Seattle...

All-in-all, a VERY good time with The J's...

On Second Thought...

It's only 9:30am here on the West Coast, and I've already received 2 phone calls from what we'll call "concerned" family members asking me if I'm sure I'm "ready" for this visit from "The Golden Girls..." I had been feeling like I was ready... like I'll be able to handle them all on my own. But because of all of the attention it has brought from Veazeys around the country, now I'm beginning to second guess myself. Am I really ready for this? And more importantly, is the Pacific Northwest itself prepared for this invasion of 60-70 yr old southern women who don't fly often, one whom has never flown (all carrying what I'm sure are bags which have been packed way over capacity for their only 3 day visit), their often loud southern accents and their unfamiliarity with a culture unlike what they may find in GA/FL? Brace yourself, Tacoma/Seattle area... this could be a very bumpy and yet thrilling ride... one which I'm sure none of us will ever forget and yet will thoroughly enjoy! :)

Stay tuned for pictures, hilarious stories, and if we're all lucky, some video documentation of this historic visit...

**Disclaimer** All of the above said in jest, of course, as I am obviously thrilled and flattered that the matriarchs of the Veazey family are travelling all the way across the country to spend a few days with me and keep me company in my husband's absense. But you must admit: it will still be hilarious...

Fun Recipe

I don't fancy myself to be a great cook... I'm getting better, but I still have a hard time thinking up things to cook. Which is why I depend on my friends to give me ideas :) At the Training Day chili lunch thing at the squadron the other day, my friend Emily (who is a GREAT cook) made Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili. It was delicious... and healthy! So, courtesy of Emily (and Cottage Living), here's the recipe--I felt I had to share:


http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1585321

The recipe says to serve it over rice or chicken or something, but we had it just by itself and it was perfect that way as well...

Enjoy!

Again? Really?

I woke up around 5am to let Howard out to use the restroom and there was just a trace of snow on the ground. "Hmmm... that's weird... I didn't know it was supposed to snow at all" And I check the weather very faithfully since living here since it changes so frequently. Fast forward to about 8 when I woke up for good and I looked up at the skylight above my bed and it was covered in snow. For some reason, I didn't think much of it. Then I let Howard outside again, and this is what I saw:

Thanks for the heads-up, Weatherman...

On A Brighter Note...

... Aaron and I ran up the street to Metropolitan Market yesterday to pick up some paninis to grill. We went as soon as he got home from work so he was still in his flight suit (and new leather flight jacket! I like it so much better than the green one... and he got it for free after completing his dollar ride). Let me preface this story with the fact that I had some preconceived notions about the people out here in ole Washington State prior to moving here that I'm not very proud of... in the same way that I'm sure people here have some interesting ideas about us good ole cousin-kissing southerner's ;) (insert THICK sarcasm there...we southerners don't really do that... at least not where I come from) But a good ole traditional patriotic appreciation for our troops and what they do (some on a daily basis) was not a characteristic that I had attributed to Pacific Northwesterners when I was stereotyping them to prepare myself to move here. Coming from Enid, Oklahoma where you can't walk into a grocery store without someone seeing your military i.d. and offering up the discount you didn't even know was available to you, Aaron and I weren't quite expecting hospitality like that around every corner of Tacoma. And while I'm sure not everyone here is like this, just like not everyone in the south is like this either, while standing in the panini line at this "posh" market in the Proctor District, a lady in front of us otherwise minding her own business (and who looked, from mere appearances, like she may lean a little to the left politically) turned around and said to Aaron simply "Thank you for serving..." and smiled politely and turned back around. Out of all of the kind gestures I've seen since I've been here (and there have been many- from compliments on my rainboots just about anywhere I go, to some of the friendliest neighbors just walking down the street in front of our house stopping to say "hello" and "welcome to the neighborhood"...) that was by far the one that made me (and Aaron) smile the biggest. And it made me so proud to be out in public standing there next to him. Definitely one of my biggest ever "Proud to be an American" moments (cue Lee Greenwood)....

Going, Going... He's Gone

Woke up at 6:15 this morning to take Aaron and another guy from the squadron to the airport. Aaron says he'll be back "hopefully" (emphasis on that word) by April the 18th. Wow. That does seem like a long time... Not sure how exactly to keep myself occupied enough to not get too sad while he's gone... I almost feel like I need to ration out some chores and activities over the next several weeks to even it all out. And the weather here is really not cooperating- it's rainy today and is supposed to stay this way all week. That's just not helpful when you're already trying hard not to be so sad. Thoughts/ideas on how to occupy myself? Feel free to contribute... Or you know, to come visit me... whichever... :)

Never A Dull Moment

The weather is beautiful outside so I have the front door open while I've been folding laundry, drinking coffee and google chatting. While I was sitting here at the dining room table, Howard took off past me to go outside...only he had one of my flip-flops in his mouth. Have I mentioned he's gotten quite a bit more comfortable in his new home? :)

In other news, Aaron's 15-day trip got pushed back a day to Friday. I was SO excited- it's rare (I feel ) that you ever are surprised with GOOD news. So we had a nice relaxing night and went on a date to a little restaurant up the street. This extra day together was so unexpected, it definitely put quite the spring in my step.

Then came Thursday. I left for the squadron to bring some chili I made to a Training Day lunch while Aaron stayed home to pack for his trip. Then I got a phone call from him that now he wasn't leaving on Friday at all. I was so excited. Until I found out that he'd instead be leaving Saturday for Air Drop school in Oklahoma for 4 weeks. Yeesh. Nothing like a violent shove back into reality. So I'm getting ready for a month or so without him--he, in Oklahoma while I'm in Washington taking care of the house and Howard. Luckily, Mom, Aunt Joan and Aunt Joyce are all coming out on the 21st for a few days. Golden Girls come to town!!

The Couch

Aaron and I finally received our first big home purchase (other than the house itself): OUR COUCH! We bought it a few weeks ago and it was delivered yesterday. I even convinced the guys who delivered it to move our other (gross) couch out to the garage until the Salvation Army can come pick it up. This "southern" accent (which is not southern AT ALL but people here think so because I say "y'all" alot) really comes in handy out here sometimes :)

And that gracing the back of the couch is our alpaca blanket... Howard loves it ("loves" = chews on it) and it's actually pretty warm. And the chest in front of it is Aaron's great-grandfather's WWII chest... Please pardon the mess around the couch...

What'dya think?

More updated pics of the house to come one of these days for you family and friends far away...

Smile, You're On A Web Cam

I feel like I've officially joined the 21st century with my recent purchase of a web cam (as if Facebook, MySpace, the blog, etc... hadn't already put me more-or-less "up with the times"). Aaron is leaving tomorrow for a 15-day trip and since we are about to purchase a new laptop with a built-in webcam, we figured that we'd get a webcam for this (rather slow) laptop so that he and I can Skype while he's gone. I'm very excited. So if you're on Skype, email me your Skype name and we can chit-chat "in person!" :)

Big Week

I had a VERY busy week last week:

The movers and the ADT installers showed up on Wednesday (the 4th) at the exact same time. It was overwhelming enough to have several people saying "Excuse me, Mrs. Scogin? I have a question..." at the exact same time. But then Aaron, who was supposed to have the "day off" (if there's such a thing for him right now) got called into work to mission plan for a flight the next day, thus leaving me, the movers and the ADT man alone together to get everything installed and moved in and set up by the end of the day because our very first house guests (Rach and Adam) were arriving the next day (also my birthday!). Cue a very stressed Becca. Luckily, my friend Brittany called and offered (OFFERED!) to come help me get everything put away since she remembered we had family coming the next day. I was SO glad. So since I last blogged, we now have furniture, I'm an entire year older, and it's snowed twice.... (and is snowing as we speak...er, type... and both boys--Aaron and Howard--are napping).

We had a blast with Rach and Adam and tried to shove a lot of fun into just a few days. I think we managed okay :) I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Anyone who knows me well knows that one of my favorite things to do at night time is to fall asleep on the couch... well, we haven't had a couch for so long that I haven't been able to. So the very first night we had one, guess what I did... (and lured Howard into doing with me)

Yep, fell right to sleep. Howard took to it nicely. Luckily, the angle from which Aaron took this picture didn't show my mouth GAPING open which it was evidently doing it (I may or may not have woken up with drool falling down my face...)

Rach and Adam got here Thursday and we grabbed lunch, took a tour of the base, had a few impromptu games of bowling and then went out for my birthday dinner. Friday, we went into Seattle...

Even in the Pacific Northwest, some things never change. Here, Adam glued to his Blackberry...just this time, there's a Starbuck's Coffee in his hand (not just any Starbuck's--the first one ever... so we justified it...)

Howard had had a biiiig week and was just plain tuckered out... so he passed out in his new favorite spot--right by the door... and in his new favorite position--flat on his back.

Friday night, we cooked the tuna that we'd gotten at the market that day in Seattle and Tyler came over to hang out...



We decided to do a little "On Demand" Karaoke and included a few instruments we had laying around. Adam had really taken to the mandolin and the organ, while I had made a remote control into a microphone...

Adam and Howard did some bonding...

And Rach and Howard did some bonding...

Saturday, we drove out to Gig Harbor so Rach and Adam could see it and we stopped by Tyler's house. He has a rediculously awesome house right on the Bay. This was taken on one of his decks...

And these down on the beach in front of his house... (anytime you see one of these bands in my hair,, it most likely means I either didn't blow dry my hair OR I didn't wash it...just puttin' that out there... )

We've had a prett snowy few days--yesterday and today anyway... we were excited for Howard to see his first snow, so we took him outside when it started to let him play around.

I tried to get him to take a picture with me, but instead he decided to use my body as a shield from the snow...

We went to the field at the school across the street and kept calling him back and forth between us, and because he's so smart, he's learning his name and kept running to us when we'd call. He knew he did well :)

Howard had his first vet appointment today and he did great- he was quite the hit with the ladies in the office and strutted his stuff the entire time he was there. Wednesday, we get our chimney fixed AND they are delivering our NEW COUCH!!! I never knew I could be so very excited about a couch... but I guess it's just a sign of the new maturity I've reached in my old age :)