Space Bags.

Well I'm moving. To California. And I have to take everything the Navy didn't take in my Rav-4 in order to get paid for my drive across the country.

Listen. My mom called me a hoarder. Nick said I probably could get rid of 50% of my wardrobe and still be able to clothe a small African nation. They're right. They are both right. My solution? Space bags! You know, those bags that suck all the air out and then you get lots more room. Well, I don't know how those people get their clothes folded so neatly to the point where the bag lays flat- Here, enjoy my stellar space bag results.

My clothes are going to be straight wrinkled when I get to SD. Also, you could knock a person out with the pure density of these clothes.

This is only 80% of my stuff. Do you think the Rav-4 can handle it? I totally underestimated the amount of CRAP that I have. Jesus may have to pull a miracle on this one. Seriously.

Oh, and I am really going to miss her.

And I had to say goodbye to her today too. :(

But on the UP side I get to go on a road trip with her.

Oh, and be married to HIM again. Which will be totally worth it.

It will be worth not having to do this anymore.

Navy Wife Boot Camp Phase One Complete! (In my mind the completion of phase one is having to leave everything and everyone you know to follow your husband)

Education

As you well might know, I received some experience this year in Special Education. I spent about 2 months working with 1st and 3rd graders. Needless to say some days were easier than others. Some students were easier than others. However, I have to say after a last year when my class was a struggle EVERY day I loved working with these sweet little beings.

Yesterday I had to say goodbye to the school that I have worked at for the past two plus years. It was kind of hard. It was the first tangible goodbye I had to give. Every goodbye before this was "Bye, but I don't leave for two weeks so I'll probably see you". Yesterday was it. I know it's shocking to say this, but I was upset. I love so many kids in that school. I've invested time in them. I know about their family lives and have watched their progress. I've worried about them and spoken about them almost everyday after work.

Oh well, I'll send them a postcard from San Diego-right?

On Having Friends.

Alright. Tara begged, pleaded, and cajoled me to work at camp for the entirety of our friendship. This summer was the summer I said- Yes! I want to be the secretary at Camp! Excuse me, Administrative Assistant. I had a LOT of fun. I made friends. Now, I must leave them.

Last night I thought I was going to my last bible study- but instead Camp threw me a Harry Potter themed farewell party. I'm not going to lie. When I walked in and everyone yelled "Surprise!" I got a little vaclempt. My friends out did themselves, decorating with candles, making Treacle Tart, supplying my favorite candy, a costume, and recreating the enchanted ceiling at Hogwarts. Someone even searched outside for straight sticks to make into wands. I have to tell you... this was the best. party. ever.

Luna Lovegood, Harry, and Tonks were there.

Ben spent his planning period making a Slytherin robe emblem to be Draco Malfoy. A true friend.

Molly Weasley.

And what HP party would be complete without a cloak of invisibility?

I know there is a group shot of all my friends who dressed up. I will post it as soon as I get it! :)

I trust my friends enough to confide in them that I love Harry- and they love me enough to dress up in costume to see me off!

Love, Kaley

PS Tara was an integral part of this party, but somehow got out of the pictures. Coincidence?

Sin City

IiiIIiiIIiit's Road Trip Time!

Well, soon at least. I planned out the road trip with Tara. We're hitting up Nashville, Oklahoma City, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and Laguna Beach.

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Las Vegas? Sin City? That's where they film CSI. It's like murderer central there. I hope nobody slips us a roofie then convinces us to steal Mike Tyson's tiger. I mean, there are many things that could go wrong. Maybe I find out I have an outrageous gambling addiction and I gamble away Nick and I's savings on the blackjack table.

In all reality if you want to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon then you drive through Vegas. And you know what, I'm not strictly opposed to seeing the strip. I mean, I don't have any desire to go there, but neither do I really want to see the Grand Canyon. You know what I want to see? The world's largest cup of frozen yogurt like on Boy Meets World.

Also, Tara and I decided we'll stay at the Cyrus family estate in Nashville and see if Steven from Laguna Beach will put us up for the night. :)

Asunder.

I met Nick in high school. We went on our first date at Adam's Ribs. I was 16. Seven and a half years later I find myself getting ready to move to the West Coast- just for him. Sometimes I envision my teenage self being told about this. "When you grow up you are going to move hither and thither for this man, for the rest of your life"

This is going to sound crazy, but I feel like from the moment I met Nick I stuck to him. Like a magnet to a fridge. (I have literary aspirations you know. That's why I make such good analogies) I think my little 16 year old self would have said "Heck yes!" I mean, I made him come to SU. Which, in retrospect, was a really good choice because now our framed diplomas look very nice together.

All kidding aside, I meant it when I took my vows. I really found my best friend in Nick. I'm excited to give up this strange half life where Nick is gone. I can't imagine my life where I didn't have this man.

Those that God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

Replace "man" for "Navy".

Growing Up.

Adult?

I'm almost 24. I've only recently begun to feel "grown up". It's a little hard to feel like you deserve the title of "Woman" when your mom folds your laundry. I didn't even feel grown up when I lived by myself in our little apartment with Kitty. I can't explain why I don't. It could be because people treat me like I'm 16 in public. It could be that most people over the age of 12 are bigger than me. It could be that I read children's novels.

I think the reason I have been feeling grown up lately is that I have been forced to make phone calls. Usually I beg my mom (or occasionally Tara... gosh even once or twice LP) to pose as me and make a phone call. This could be the doctor, a 1-800 number, the chinese delivery people...However, recently I have been making calls for myself. One day my child will be manipulating me to make calls for them!

Also, if you have foot in mouth syndrome... like your totally obnoxious and inappropriate... do people accept that better when you are more-well- adult? Just wondering.

Totally unrelated- The fam came to say goodbye :(

Here's some pictures of Xander and Gisela's cuteness.

Mother.

Today is my mom's birthday. My mom is the best mom anyone could ever have. Seriously, you should be jealous. Here are some reasons why my mom is the best mom:

• She is pretty and young looking and has passed those gene's to me. (Bonus!)
• She is kind and sweet.
• Although she went through a short "Northern Reflections" phase she now is very fashionable.
• She loves indulging in some retail therapy especially at Ann Taylor Loft.
• She is passionate about justice aka she lives vicariously through Judge Judy.
• She is super supportive.
• We dance the same.
• She cleans my bathroom.
• She loves Paul McCartney.

My mom has shaped the person that I am today. I love her and appreciate everything she does for me. I'm also going to die inside when I move across the country from her.

So, Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!

Keepin' it Real

One thing about moving across the country is that you have to say goodbye to everyone you know. This Columbus Day was the time I said goodbye to all of my college roommates. 1G was the name of our apartment and we "Kept it Real". I like to think that I still keep it pretty real, however I'm glad I don't keep my appearance as "real" as I once did. I won't even show you the pictures of me from sophomore year because it's that embarrassing. Anyway, I got to see all my 1G friends. Here is a picture:

And here is a picture from Senior Year (because sophomore would be too embarrassing):

On Sunday I have to say goodbye to all of my extended family. Leave and Cleave right? Right?!

Silver Lining.

You know the saying "No rain, no rainbows!"

Today was a rainbow day. I received a potential job offer from a Christian school in San Diego. I feel very blessed. My registration and stickers came in the mail after a long internet confrontation with the MVA. I received my Triple A membership and Pottery Barn Catalog too. The most important thing I got in the mail today was this:

A purple iPod!

I had been wanting one for my long, treacherous journey across the country. Nick politely declined my request. I accepted his decision with grace. I thought the box in the mail today was from Triple A. Imagine my surprise when I opened it and found... a purple iPod! It's purple! I love it. I didn't even tell him that's the color I wanted. It also came with a very touching note. My husband does have a way with words you know.

And so I declare once again: Rainbow Day!

Honesty- Bring it!

Let me be honest. I try to act like I don't care about missing my husband or leaving my hometown.

Honestly I do care.

Here is a list of people who have it worse off than me that I will think about when on the verge of throwing myself a pity party.

• The Elves that got turned into Orcs in Lord of the Rings. I always felt bad for them.
• People with dentures.
• Children that go to the school I teach at.
• Public officials.
• Stan Shunpike.
• Nick ( I mean at least I get to sleep in a comfy bed each night that's not in Pascagoula!)
• Animals trying to survive on the African Sahara.

And there you have it. Pity party averted. I may rest easy tonight!!

Hindsight.

We all had one right? That celebrity crush in High School? You buy all of the teeny bopper magazines and hang the posters on your wall. I've got three words for you. Freddie Prinze Jr. Oh yeah, ever since I saw "She's All That" I was hooked.

Last night I was very bored and decided to watch "Head Over Heels" on demand. If you haven't seen this four star winner it stars Freddie and some actress. Actress moves into apartment with models, falls for Freddie, thinks she sees Freddie murder a model, still dates him while stalking him, finds out he's an FBI undercover agent whose real name is Bob Smoot.

And I wondered why he hadn't done anything since Scooby Doo. He's a bad actor. And that's sad to me because I really did have such a huge crush on him!

Modern Marvels

Last night I had a "Girl's Night Out" with Tara and LP.

But Long Distance Marriages must be maintained.

I give you the iChat Party!

22 Days

Twenty two days until I move to the West coast.

Also, my First grade friend learned a new trick.

"If I pick my nose until it gushes blood I bet I can get out of class for awhile!"

Ugh. First graders are too gross for words!!

Lastly, I painted my toenails navy blue because I miss Nick.

I. Have. Arrived!

Today I was hit on by a man.

It's true. Not a teenage boy. Not a Grandpa. A real live man.

Let me recount to you the conversation.

Man- "How are you today"

Me- " Good thank you" as I continue walking.

Man- "Are you in the military?" (I was on the base)

Me- " No, but my husband is"

Man- "That was my next question"

Okay, so you might be thinking I should feel repulsed, sleazed out, a little bashful about this.

I don't. I feel like- ecstatic! I mean, for a man to hit on me, a young man in his twenties, I MUST look AT LEAST 18.

Moving on up. Kaley's official new average age: 18

Woop woop

Senior-itis

I think that I have "senior-itis". It's hard to concentrate on teaching and well-anything else. Sometimes I just nap to manage all the stress. This strategy seems to be working well. I leave in 25 days. Me. West Coast. 25 days. My only companion will be Ron Weasley.

No, no, not Harry Potter's fictional sidekick. The new Vizsla puppy that Nick wants to add to our family. My only stipulation on adding a dog child to our family, as I don't like or want one, is that I get to name it after a character in HP. This dog is red. Ron Weasley it is. Unless it's a girl. Then it can be Ginny Weasley.

Love, Kaley

PS I did NOT realize how many curse words were in "London Bridge" until I downloaded the NON radio edit.

Done aaaand Done!

Half of my first Navy move is completed! I should have brought my camera and documented how many boxes of stuff I had. Actually, let me share with you the exact number since the moving company inventoried all of the boxes. Ready? 61. 61 boxes you say? In my defense the lady did put like one lampshade in a couple of boxes. Does that make it any better? Well, I'm sending Tara and advance apology note for helping me unpack 61 boxes in a 925 sq ft apartment! That's why I got the garage right?

My mind has been on my move what with four weeks left in MD. I went to ULTA beauty and bought the best little travel tote! It's got everything I need. I feel so excited about this little tote that I would vouch for it on an infomercial. (Let me not be too hasty, if the body wash gives me boils- I will not vouch for it)

Epic right?

Love, Kaley

Moving.

What I did today.

• Moved most of my worldly possessions to a storage unit where they will be repacked by the Navy.
• Wondered what would be stolen/broken from among my material possessions ( I am assured this is very, very likely)
• Packed some more because I worried about fitting everything in my car.
• Joined Triple A.
• Watched "The City" (Can't stand Roxy OR Olivia!)
• Completed an application to a private school in CA.
• iChatted with husband.
• Worried.
• Fretted.
• Ate too much.
• Requested Transcripts.
• Made a copy of my Maryland teaching certificate.
• Got rejected by Sylvan Learning Center.
• Emailed the MVA.
• Started planning my itinerary for the road trip across the Continental US.

And that's about it.

Cali-forn-aye-eh

California is just a little bit different. For instance, it is against the law to talk on your cell phone while driving. So I had to go buy a bluetooth. I went for the pink one. I think I know how to use it.

People are more fashionable in California too. I mean there is a place there called "Fashion Valley". So I had to adapt. I had to buy skinny jeans. They are part of my "California Uniform".

California is also different in this way- Tara isn't there. LP isn't there. Mom and Dad aren't there. My family isn't there. My camp friends aren't there. My job isn't there. However, I will cope because Nick will be there and so will my Pottery Barn couch.