I have tried this blogging thing many different times. It goes in fits and starts - I'd get pretty good at keeping up, then stop as other things distracted me. The biggest problem was when I ended up doing something just a little interesting I'd be to busy with it to blog about it. So mostly I've blogged about the more boring parts of my life and as it is a tiny life already that can mean pretty mundane blogging.
This year I will try to blog about the interesting stuff.
We started the new year in Las Vegas. That sounds more exciting that it was. We celebrated early with a birthday dinner for my grandmother-in-law. It was a fancy dinner at Nove Italiano on the top of the Palms hotel. I believe our family will be debating which dish was the best for years to come ( in our house we're still trying to decide between the Nove Spaghetti with seafood to the 45 day dry aged New York strip with balsamic glaze).
Speaking of our house: we are not in it. Well, not till June at least. My husband has a military thing to do in Monterey, CA and we have moved all four of us out here for the next few months. The plan is for my husband to not miss the the baby's big milestones and to have a bit of an adventure as a family. So far I've been in Monterey for four days and I love it. We're enjoying the cold weather, so different from our home in Ewa, and I love the view of the ocean. I look forward to the trips and adventures that are so close to our little temporary home.
I also look forward to getting a chance to write about it and reflect on how awesome my life can be at times.
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Cravings
Yesterday I was asked if I had any crazy cravings during this pregnancy. I wanted to give the funny story he was hoping to hear, but honestly I couldn't think of any cravings I had had yet.
I can think of some now.
I wanted pickles in the first trimester. We didn't have any in the house though, so after Christmas when I had come home from seeing my parents my husband had stocked up on pickles for me...I didn't really want them anymore.
A few weeks ago I wanted Oreos. I blame this on NPR which had a bunch of different shows run a story on how Nabisco had to find a new marketing strategy for Oreos in China. Now it's a big cookie over there. They talked about Oreos so much I wanted some for weeks, but held off because they aren't exactly the best snack. I finally got a package, finished it off in a few days, and now I'm over it.
Yesterday I wanted Halo Halo (a Filipino desert). The nice thing about living in Hawaii is that you can just get Halo Halo mix (dried fruits, beans, etc in syrup) at any supermarket. Not only is it that easy to get it I actually had some in my pantry. Even better. I also found a package of pudding mix (my Dad always made Halo Halo with pudding instead of condensed milk - I like it that way better). So, right then and there I craved a food and I could make that food. The jar of Halo Halo even said "easy open." Perfect.
It was not easy to open. I spent 20 minutes trying to whack that thing open enough to turn it. I finally gave up on the Halo Halo and had a peanut butter sandwich.
And here's the real problem with me having those typical crazy cravings and crazy times. With Emily we were in Korea where my husband had a curfew at night. It was an attempt to keep military members safe and out of trouble in a land of bars. So if I did wake up at midnight and crave, say, ice cream - I was out of luck. He couldn't go out and get me any. I couldn't really either because a woman walking around Songtan alone at night is not-a-good-thing.
Now that we're in Hawaii there is no curfew anymore. However, my husband works the wonkiest schedule ever. Sometimes three days on, sometimes five. Sometimes in the day, sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes at night. During the week. During the weekend. Sometimes he has to go in for 8 hours, sometimes it's 12 - usually it ends up 20. So it sucks. Bad. I never know when he'll actually be home and I never know when he's home if he'll be awake. And a wonky schedule with a tired husband and a crazy toddler means that half of my house is often off-limits just so he can get a little shut-eye.
So during my Halo Halo attempt he was actually home. He could have helped me open the jar. In a normal family he could have driven down the street and actually bought some real Halo Halo. But he was sleeping because he had been out at 5am to 1pm and was gearing up for work starting at 8pm. Incidentally, I'm writing this at 7am the next day and he's not home yet.
The thing I'm taking away from all this is it's exceptionally inconvenient to be pregnant when you're in the military, but if you are going to be pregnant - don't be typically pregnant.
I don't crave pickles and ice cream: I crave my husband.
I can think of some now.
I wanted pickles in the first trimester. We didn't have any in the house though, so after Christmas when I had come home from seeing my parents my husband had stocked up on pickles for me...I didn't really want them anymore.
A few weeks ago I wanted Oreos. I blame this on NPR which had a bunch of different shows run a story on how Nabisco had to find a new marketing strategy for Oreos in China. Now it's a big cookie over there. They talked about Oreos so much I wanted some for weeks, but held off because they aren't exactly the best snack. I finally got a package, finished it off in a few days, and now I'm over it.
Yesterday I wanted Halo Halo (a Filipino desert). The nice thing about living in Hawaii is that you can just get Halo Halo mix (dried fruits, beans, etc in syrup) at any supermarket. Not only is it that easy to get it I actually had some in my pantry. Even better. I also found a package of pudding mix (my Dad always made Halo Halo with pudding instead of condensed milk - I like it that way better). So, right then and there I craved a food and I could make that food. The jar of Halo Halo even said "easy open." Perfect.
It was not easy to open. I spent 20 minutes trying to whack that thing open enough to turn it. I finally gave up on the Halo Halo and had a peanut butter sandwich.
And here's the real problem with me having those typical crazy cravings and crazy times. With Emily we were in Korea where my husband had a curfew at night. It was an attempt to keep military members safe and out of trouble in a land of bars. So if I did wake up at midnight and crave, say, ice cream - I was out of luck. He couldn't go out and get me any. I couldn't really either because a woman walking around Songtan alone at night is not-a-good-thing.
Now that we're in Hawaii there is no curfew anymore. However, my husband works the wonkiest schedule ever. Sometimes three days on, sometimes five. Sometimes in the day, sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes at night. During the week. During the weekend. Sometimes he has to go in for 8 hours, sometimes it's 12 - usually it ends up 20. So it sucks. Bad. I never know when he'll actually be home and I never know when he's home if he'll be awake. And a wonky schedule with a tired husband and a crazy toddler means that half of my house is often off-limits just so he can get a little shut-eye.
So during my Halo Halo attempt he was actually home. He could have helped me open the jar. In a normal family he could have driven down the street and actually bought some real Halo Halo. But he was sleeping because he had been out at 5am to 1pm and was gearing up for work starting at 8pm. Incidentally, I'm writing this at 7am the next day and he's not home yet.
The thing I'm taking away from all this is it's exceptionally inconvenient to be pregnant when you're in the military, but if you are going to be pregnant - don't be typically pregnant.
I don't crave pickles and ice cream: I crave my husband.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Lonely
For Christmas Emily and I flew over to Maui to spend time with my parents. I had a wonderful time being back home and we did great things like visiting my favorite goat farm, walking along the beach, eating amazing food, shopping. However, the best part of the trip was the company.
It seems strange that in a job like motherhood-at-home where you are literally never apart from your child you could feel so lonely. In the past 16 months there have been very few times when I've actually been alone. Maybe a quick trip to the store here and there, or a short nap. When I'm lucky I get to shower alone. Lately, I've even been able to close the door for a moment while I go to the bathroom and boy is that a luxury! But despite being in constant company of my most favorite person in the whole world I am pretty lonely.
In Maui, when Emily and I got out of bed, my parents were there to share breakfast with and generally chat. For Christmas, after the hustle of present opening, we spent the day simply napping and resting together. Not a lot of talk or purpose. Just being together with my mom and my baby, enjoying Hawaii.
After I got home I went back to routine. Emily and I snuck out of bed, careful not to wake up D since he is on a different sleep/work schedule than Emily. We spent the morning playing and having a leisurely breakfast. D got up later and played with us. Then we went to bed early and D joined us later. It was a special day since D didn't have to go to work, on work days he gets up either later than us or much earlier and we either wake up without him or see him off right before we're planning the afternoon nap. All times between this are me and Emily hanging out. Sometimes we have playdates or excursions. I have clubs and meetings I drag her along too. However, primarily it's just us girls and for some reason I feel super lonely at these times.
It's not because Emily can't talk yet. She babbles, but I don't really need the conversation. I didn't have a lot of it with my mom. What I think I need is more quiet company of people who understand me. Often I hear young girls and mothers say that it's great to have a person who will love them no matter what. I don't get that with Emily. She loves me, that's clear. I love her too - no matter what. But when we spend time together I don't feel she knows me and thinks I'm grand because I am who I am. She thinks I'm grand because I take care of her, feed her, clean her, hug her, work hard to make sure she's comfortable and happy. She also thinks I'm a pain the neck because I do all these things. I'm there for her and that's the way it should be, but it sure is a lonely job.
I fluctuate between desperately needing space - a time to be an adult without Emily or D expecting me to be Mom and Wife to needing no space at all and needing lots of people around me. It's like being on my own island. Water everywhere, not a drop to drink.
It seems strange that in a job like motherhood-at-home where you are literally never apart from your child you could feel so lonely. In the past 16 months there have been very few times when I've actually been alone. Maybe a quick trip to the store here and there, or a short nap. When I'm lucky I get to shower alone. Lately, I've even been able to close the door for a moment while I go to the bathroom and boy is that a luxury! But despite being in constant company of my most favorite person in the whole world I am pretty lonely.
In Maui, when Emily and I got out of bed, my parents were there to share breakfast with and generally chat. For Christmas, after the hustle of present opening, we spent the day simply napping and resting together. Not a lot of talk or purpose. Just being together with my mom and my baby, enjoying Hawaii.
After I got home I went back to routine. Emily and I snuck out of bed, careful not to wake up D since he is on a different sleep/work schedule than Emily. We spent the morning playing and having a leisurely breakfast. D got up later and played with us. Then we went to bed early and D joined us later. It was a special day since D didn't have to go to work, on work days he gets up either later than us or much earlier and we either wake up without him or see him off right before we're planning the afternoon nap. All times between this are me and Emily hanging out. Sometimes we have playdates or excursions. I have clubs and meetings I drag her along too. However, primarily it's just us girls and for some reason I feel super lonely at these times.
It's not because Emily can't talk yet. She babbles, but I don't really need the conversation. I didn't have a lot of it with my mom. What I think I need is more quiet company of people who understand me. Often I hear young girls and mothers say that it's great to have a person who will love them no matter what. I don't get that with Emily. She loves me, that's clear. I love her too - no matter what. But when we spend time together I don't feel she knows me and thinks I'm grand because I am who I am. She thinks I'm grand because I take care of her, feed her, clean her, hug her, work hard to make sure she's comfortable and happy. She also thinks I'm a pain the neck because I do all these things. I'm there for her and that's the way it should be, but it sure is a lonely job.
I fluctuate between desperately needing space - a time to be an adult without Emily or D expecting me to be Mom and Wife to needing no space at all and needing lots of people around me. It's like being on my own island. Water everywhere, not a drop to drink.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Sign
Yesterday evening I got an awesome package in the mail from Mommy used to be so pretty... A little while ago I had "won" a giveaway from her. Just finding out I had won an internet giveaway was awesome, actually finding the package in my mail was even better. Made my day.
In the little package was a bottle of Soothage Soothing Gel and Prenatal Vitamins.
We are sorta, kinda, maybe, it'd-be-a-happy-thing-if-it-happened-but-I'm-not-sure-I'm-fully-ready-but-I-sorta-want-to-get-excited-about trying to conceive. Kinda. In a way. A little bit. So I'm kinda, in a way, hoping these prenatal vitamins coming now might be a sign.
In the little package was a bottle of Soothage Soothing Gel and Prenatal Vitamins.
We are sorta, kinda, maybe, it'd-be-a-happy-thing-if-it-happened-but-I'm-not-sure-I'm-fully-ready-but-I-sorta-want-to-get-excited-about trying to conceive. Kinda. In a way. A little bit. So I'm kinda, in a way, hoping these prenatal vitamins coming now might be a sign.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Parenting Hours
So I read this article last week or sometime about how mothers spend over 1100 more hours parenting than fathers do. However, the survey was for working mothers and fathers who average 7.5 and 4.5 hours each day respectively. It doesn't really apply to me because I average 22-24 hours a day. Yes, I count sleeping time as parenting time because often sleeping time means attempting to doze while balancing a baby on my chest. She's been having some rough nights lately...
I also had a problem with the fact that the article was basically an ad for VTech toys. Instead of buying another toy why not get Dad to change a diaper once in awhile? Or pick up a toy? Or clean her g-d hands!
I've been harboring some resentment. Last weekend Emily had a bad night when we got home from the AF Ball. I was already tired and spent, but she needed extra love. I get it. We were away for a long time (about 9 hours, the longest time we've been separated yet). The next morning Emily wanted out of bed at 6am. Guess who got up with her? Me. At around 10am I thought she wanted a nap and I brought her back to bed (where my husband had been sleeping) and tried to nap with her. She didn't want a nap. She got up at 10:15am. Guess who got up with her? Me.
At around 1pm my husband got out of bed and offered to take her while I took a nap. They went downstairs and he had some breakfast. I curled up in bed and drifted off to sleep. At 1:25pm my husband came back to bed, with Emily, and told me they were going to take a nap. Emily was not ready for a nap. Guess who got up with her? Me. After a 25 minute nap. Guess who went bad to sleep? Him. After sleeping a full 12+ hours.
I have hated him just a little bit all week. More so each time I got up with Emily every night. And day.
But then there was today. We had another rough night and she got up at 5:30am. I played with her till 10:30am and then I broke. No sleep, no naps, no break, and a headache made Mommy mad. I carried her upstairs and dumped her on the bed. He got 5 extra hours of sleep, he could watch the baby for 20 minutes. Then I went to take a shower and I locked the door.
To his credit D watched her while I showered and changed. Then he watched her while I went to Wal-Mart and got my contacts and glasses ordered. And shopped. When I got home he held her off from nursing so I could finish a row of knitting.
So, yes, in our house fathers don't spend as many hours as mothers. And sometimes that makes me mad. But those few hours I do get without Emily are so precious and so welcome that I am more grateful.
I also had a problem with the fact that the article was basically an ad for VTech toys. Instead of buying another toy why not get Dad to change a diaper once in awhile? Or pick up a toy? Or clean her g-d hands!
I've been harboring some resentment. Last weekend Emily had a bad night when we got home from the AF Ball. I was already tired and spent, but she needed extra love. I get it. We were away for a long time (about 9 hours, the longest time we've been separated yet). The next morning Emily wanted out of bed at 6am. Guess who got up with her? Me. At around 10am I thought she wanted a nap and I brought her back to bed (where my husband had been sleeping) and tried to nap with her. She didn't want a nap. She got up at 10:15am. Guess who got up with her? Me.
At around 1pm my husband got out of bed and offered to take her while I took a nap. They went downstairs and he had some breakfast. I curled up in bed and drifted off to sleep. At 1:25pm my husband came back to bed, with Emily, and told me they were going to take a nap. Emily was not ready for a nap. Guess who got up with her? Me. After a 25 minute nap. Guess who went bad to sleep? Him. After sleeping a full 12+ hours.
I have hated him just a little bit all week. More so each time I got up with Emily every night. And day.
But then there was today. We had another rough night and she got up at 5:30am. I played with her till 10:30am and then I broke. No sleep, no naps, no break, and a headache made Mommy mad. I carried her upstairs and dumped her on the bed. He got 5 extra hours of sleep, he could watch the baby for 20 minutes. Then I went to take a shower and I locked the door.
To his credit D watched her while I showered and changed. Then he watched her while I went to Wal-Mart and got my contacts and glasses ordered. And shopped. When I got home he held her off from nursing so I could finish a row of knitting.
So, yes, in our house fathers don't spend as many hours as mothers. And sometimes that makes me mad. But those few hours I do get without Emily are so precious and so welcome that I am more grateful.
Monday, September 19, 2011
64th Air Force Ball
Highlights include:
Penguins! This actually has nothing to do with the ball. It was held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. My favorite thing about this hotel are the african penguins and turtles that live there. Before the ball even started we took a walk down to see the birds nuzzle down for bedtime. I love penguins.
Uniforms! The evening was a tribute to heroes. To highlight the history of the Air Force they dressed in period uniforms from WWI through to the conflicts of today. Being a history and costume buff I was thrilled. They did a wonderful job.
Dresses! As I get more and more into clothes construction and fashion I find myself constantly looking and evaluating the clothes around me. Needless to say the ball was a wonderful place to see al the pretty dresses. Also...I got to wear a pretty dress. Unfortunately, the pictures we took do not showcase the beading that was on the waist of my dress. None of them show the beads! Typical.
Food! It was yummy. We had prime rib. I swear our table alone was a served a whole cow. I ate two pieces of the chocolate ganache cake (thanks to my husband handing over most of his).
Company! The people at our table were wonderful and I enjoyed talking with them. I loved the conversation and the camaraderie. But most of all I enjoyed the time with my husband. It was special to just be on his arm all night. The hardest part was not reaching over to kiss him all the time (no kissing in mess dress). It was a pretty fabulous night.
Then we left during the dancing and snuggled up our little girl. Good night.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Half-Day
Today was one of those strange days when the hint of my life before baby, house, marriage, and Oahu came sneaking back.
We took a trip to Haunama Bay today to go snorkeling. It took a lot of packing and planning to figure out a day we could get down there. We also managed to tempt our new babysitter (and new friend) to come out and get some snorkeling in as well as playing with Emily on the beach while D and I had sometime in the water alone. That little hour where we swished through the water by ourselves, pointing out fish to each other, was a rare and wonderful time.
And then it happened. In the middle of a throng on snorkeling tourists D swam up to me and wrapped his arm around my waist completely unbidden. We treaded water there and shared an public, yet intimate, moment. It was almost like when we were falling in love and stealing any moment to touch. It was almost like before.
Then of course we returned to the shore and life. I went back to the baby. We played in the surf, took a walk along the wet sand. D went out with friends for long treks through the reef. Then home, a bath for the baby, a nap for Dad, a diaper change.
And it happened again. I found myself lounging in my chair, legs perched over the armrest, falling into a book completely. D and a friend were playing chess. The sun was setting. The house was quiet. For a minute I was back to being the young, unmarried woman who could spend her days with a book and a cup of tea. A woman who took the time to fall into and in love with a new story while her boyfriend spent time silently playing a game.
Then of course the baby whined for a hug and I drank my tea down quickly with her perched on my hip.
But for a few moments today who I was before managed to peek through. I spent half a day as myself and half a day as my new self.
We took a trip to Haunama Bay today to go snorkeling. It took a lot of packing and planning to figure out a day we could get down there. We also managed to tempt our new babysitter (and new friend) to come out and get some snorkeling in as well as playing with Emily on the beach while D and I had sometime in the water alone. That little hour where we swished through the water by ourselves, pointing out fish to each other, was a rare and wonderful time.
And then it happened. In the middle of a throng on snorkeling tourists D swam up to me and wrapped his arm around my waist completely unbidden. We treaded water there and shared an public, yet intimate, moment. It was almost like when we were falling in love and stealing any moment to touch. It was almost like before.
Then of course we returned to the shore and life. I went back to the baby. We played in the surf, took a walk along the wet sand. D went out with friends for long treks through the reef. Then home, a bath for the baby, a nap for Dad, a diaper change.
And it happened again. I found myself lounging in my chair, legs perched over the armrest, falling into a book completely. D and a friend were playing chess. The sun was setting. The house was quiet. For a minute I was back to being the young, unmarried woman who could spend her days with a book and a cup of tea. A woman who took the time to fall into and in love with a new story while her boyfriend spent time silently playing a game.
Then of course the baby whined for a hug and I drank my tea down quickly with her perched on my hip.
But for a few moments today who I was before managed to peek through. I spent half a day as myself and half a day as my new self.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Beach Memories
This weekend we, as a family, had one of the best weekends ever. The kind of weekend where the memories are so nice that you don't mind it ending because you can keep thinking about it. And it makes you smile.
Saturday we spent time doing things we love. I went to a workshop for a crochet project I've volunteered for. A bunch of women, sitting in a yarn shop, making stuff with yarn. That is what I call a perfect afternoon. While I did that D took Emily down to Waikiki and they played chess with the random chess lovers that meet near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. To D that is a perfect afternoon. Pretty perfect for Emily too because she adores hanging out with her Daddy. After getting to spend the afternoon apart, stretching our individuality, we came back together to spend a nice, quiet, evening watching a movie and eating cheese.
Sunday was more time together. We got out to church for the first time in a month and then rushed home to change so we could all go out and play at Ko Olina Beach Lagoons. D had his first experience snorkeling. Emily had her first experience swimming in the "deep" part of the ocean. Up till this point she had only ever sat in the surf and fussed whenever a wave would come up too hard. Sunday she loved everything and was quite the little dolphin. Her cheeks must have been hurting from all the smiling she was doing.
We rounded out our weekend by taking a long drive down the leeward coast, past Makaha and all the way to Kaena Point. Driving home we saw the sunset over the ocean. A vision I saw everyday growing up in Maui, but something that is still magical.
It doesn't sound like much, but there was something rather alive about this weekend. As if, finally, after all this work and planning and building we found the chance to live a day rather than get through a day. Life has been busy for us here and at the same time pretty boring. A house, a family, a wedding, school, work - it all starts to pile on the stress and depression. Even when we were having fun and doing wonderful things there was an undercurrent of stress that kept enjoyment away. Just going to the beach, the very picture of paradise, seemed like a lot of work and chores to me. I'm not sure my husband felt the same way, but my attitude probably didn't help him relax.
But this weekend, this very simple weekend, gave me a chance to exhale. As I swam out to the breakers and looked out at the ocean expanding ahead I finally felt that feeling only the ocean can give: the feeling of being weightless, small, yet significant because that ocean connects you to all parts of the world all at once.
I didn't take a single picture this weekend. There is no keepsake from this weekend to remember it by save some extra sand. But I know these past few days will be some of my favorite memories of our time living in Oahu and being a family of three. I am so grateful that these are good memories - finally.
Saturday we spent time doing things we love. I went to a workshop for a crochet project I've volunteered for. A bunch of women, sitting in a yarn shop, making stuff with yarn. That is what I call a perfect afternoon. While I did that D took Emily down to Waikiki and they played chess with the random chess lovers that meet near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. To D that is a perfect afternoon. Pretty perfect for Emily too because she adores hanging out with her Daddy. After getting to spend the afternoon apart, stretching our individuality, we came back together to spend a nice, quiet, evening watching a movie and eating cheese.
Sunday was more time together. We got out to church for the first time in a month and then rushed home to change so we could all go out and play at Ko Olina Beach Lagoons. D had his first experience snorkeling. Emily had her first experience swimming in the "deep" part of the ocean. Up till this point she had only ever sat in the surf and fussed whenever a wave would come up too hard. Sunday she loved everything and was quite the little dolphin. Her cheeks must have been hurting from all the smiling she was doing.
We rounded out our weekend by taking a long drive down the leeward coast, past Makaha and all the way to Kaena Point. Driving home we saw the sunset over the ocean. A vision I saw everyday growing up in Maui, but something that is still magical.
It doesn't sound like much, but there was something rather alive about this weekend. As if, finally, after all this work and planning and building we found the chance to live a day rather than get through a day. Life has been busy for us here and at the same time pretty boring. A house, a family, a wedding, school, work - it all starts to pile on the stress and depression. Even when we were having fun and doing wonderful things there was an undercurrent of stress that kept enjoyment away. Just going to the beach, the very picture of paradise, seemed like a lot of work and chores to me. I'm not sure my husband felt the same way, but my attitude probably didn't help him relax.
But this weekend, this very simple weekend, gave me a chance to exhale. As I swam out to the breakers and looked out at the ocean expanding ahead I finally felt that feeling only the ocean can give: the feeling of being weightless, small, yet significant because that ocean connects you to all parts of the world all at once.
I didn't take a single picture this weekend. There is no keepsake from this weekend to remember it by save some extra sand. But I know these past few days will be some of my favorite memories of our time living in Oahu and being a family of three. I am so grateful that these are good memories - finally.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Project: Patches
"...finally sewed on my new rank as MSgt (E-7)..."
When I spoke to my Mother that night she asked "Why did he say he sewed on his new rank? You sewed it on!"
Which is true. While my husband is working very hard to be the best Senior NCO he can be by working even harder than before, putting in even more hours, and striving to be a good example of USAF for me the new promotion means sage green thread and new patches.
On base it costs five dollars a sleeve to sew on a new patch. My husband has five or six blue shirts, two ABU blouses and two jackets. Five dollars a sleeve adds up quick so, since I have the fancy new sewing machine, I got to sew them on myself.
Looking online there aren't any best practices for sewing rank patches on. Probably because, while it is a time consuming and detailed task, it's pretty easy. However, for all you other spouses out there who are celebrating a promotion with thread here is how I do it:
1) I cheat. There are a lot of very specific rules to the size of rank. For instance on an ABU men wear the large insignia, women the small. However, on the service dress everyone wears the small patch on the shirts and men wear the large on the jackets. This is all very confusing so I make my husband look it up and just tell me what to buy.
2) I cheat some more. Again, the placing of the patch is pretty specific and needs to look really neat. Since I was changing the patches from TSgt to MSgt I just cheated. I placed the MSgt patch over the TSgt patch matching the bottom curve and the bottom corners. I lined the point of the "roof" with the dip of the "wings" to find the center (which ought to go right down the crease of the shirt). Then I tacked everything down at the corners with contrasting thread. Start at the bottom corners and add an extra stitch in the middle of the curve. Then move up to the upper corners. These won't line up with the previous patch because you're (hopefully) adding an extra stripe or roof so the patch is bigger.
2a) Tacking might seem like an unnecessary step where you could just pin the patch in the middle, but sleeves are tricky to maneuver in a machine and the patch has to be centered and straight so those extra hand-stitches will make life so much easier later.
2b) You can't tacked the new patch over the old patch on blues. ABU's (or the new ones at least) aren't supposed to be ironed so the patches will come off easily in the next step. On blues the shirts have probably been ironed, dry-cleaned, steamed, and starched multiple times. Surprise! All of that glues the patch onto the sleeve. You will have to take the patch off first. However, the patch also dyes the shirt underneath and you have a lovely pattern of where the old one was placed. Use that to mark where the new patch should go and tack away.
3) Remove the old patch from underneath the new one. I love seam rippers!
4) Sew it on. I start with a straight edge them work slowly down. End at a straight edge too...it makes the back stitching easier. Stitch at the "seam" between the rolled thread edge and the background fabric of the patch. That way no one can see where you sewed it on.
4a) I use matching thread for the patches, but I realized after removing the old patches that the "professionals" just use black for everything. At least they do in Korea. I don't recommend it. If you make a mistake and go offline a little it won't show with matching thread.
5) Snip threads off. Then snip again. Then snip again. Threads are bad.
6) If it's an ABU congrats, you're done. If it's a blues shirt iron the sleeves down the middle and get a good crease in the patch. Then do it again. And again. You'll probably have to do this every time it's worn for awhile. It's hard to get that crease into the patch.
7) Okay, now you're really done and you saved some money. Yey.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
My Other Kid
I've lived with a few men (not all of whom I had an obligation to like) and they have some pretty strange habits and a lot of them are pretty gross. Over the years I've learned to pick my battles about changing them...gym socks on the kitchen table (gentle nudge), re-wearing dirty jeans (ignore), drinking straight from the jug (click of the tongue).
Recently, we had a bunch of house guests so my husband stopped drinking straight from the jug (because sharing germs with the Mother-in-law is pretty gross even to him). But now it's just the three of us so it's back to the old trick. But not when I'm looking. No clicks if I don't catch him.
So how do I know it's happening? The other day I was pouring milk from jug to cup when I noticed chocolate stains on the rim. It was a little like a little kid with chocolate stains on his mouth saying he didn't get into the cookies.
Click...click...click
Recently, we had a bunch of house guests so my husband stopped drinking straight from the jug (because sharing germs with the Mother-in-law is pretty gross even to him). But now it's just the three of us so it's back to the old trick. But not when I'm looking. No clicks if I don't catch him.
So how do I know it's happening? The other day I was pouring milk from jug to cup when I noticed chocolate stains on the rim. It was a little like a little kid with chocolate stains on his mouth saying he didn't get into the cookies.
Click...click...click
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