Thursday Five & Friday Follow

It's that day again and what a windy one it is. The wind must be blowing at 65+ miles an hour out there. It's ridiculous. When I got home, all my trash was strewn around my driveway because one of my trash cans had bowled over. Figures. I just got back from taking Lucy out to do her business. First of all, it was hilarious to see her walking in the wind, like she hadn't had her V-8 in months :) And second of all, after she peed, she didn't even want to bother trying to do a #2. She ran to the car, looked back at me as if to say, "mom, get me the heck out of here". So I did.

But anyway, you guys know the rules for Thursday Five! Blog about five things throughout the week that has made you HAPPY, GRATEFUL, JOYFUL, ELATED, APPRECIATIVE OR ALL OF THE ABOVE. Then, head over to http://www.mannland5.com/ and get linked to all other Thursday Five participants! It's that simple!

And here we go:

1. Taking my boots off after a long day at work. Ahh...that feels so good :) About two weeks ago, my boss asked me when I'm going to transition into sneakers because pregnant females are allowed to do that. I said, "never, Sir. It took a lot for me to get in this pregnancy uniform." That's how stubborn some Army girls like me are--and most of my peers are. We don't like to show weakness or vulnerability in front of our male counterparts--even if it kills us...and if it's stupid.

2. Talking to Malu on Tuesday! Love you baby!

Iraq 2005

3. Finshed off my 26th week of pregnancy by getting to see Vaiosina yesterday. The appointment was to do some testing for my sister's condition, since she has neurofibromatosis, but the testing never really happened because....well, I really don't know why. Basically, they ended up doing a 3D ultrasound and told me if I wanted to do genetic testing I could go back. Whatever, I'll take a free ultrasound any day--and time off from work too. I was told that her heart and brain are looking and functioning perfectly. Just what I want to hear. But this girl does NOT like ultrasounds. She was kicking the nurse the entire time she moved the wand over my belly--kicking the wand itself just about every time. The nurse called her feisty. So funny. This is what she looks like. I'm sorry baby girl, but you still look scary to mommy!

4. Getting one of those fleece baby blankets in the mail from Terri and Court Williamson. It's so cute and it has little baby lions all over it. Terri and Court are friends of ours from Colorado and their son was deployed with Malu last year and they became really close. Terri and Court were also in charge of the unit's Family Readiness Group at the time and they were terrific. Although I was here in El Paso and they in Colorado, they checked up on me every month via email or phone. It was always nice to know that they cared. And they still do. Thanks you guys!

5. Ladies lunches this week. This month is "hole in the wall" restaurant month, so every week, we're trying out some new places to eat--nothing mainstream or familiar. Just places we know or have heard are fantastic, but are in the oddest and sometimes run-down places in town. This week, we tried a place called Doner Kebab and they serve the best German fast food in town. We could tell it was good...it was packed with Soldiers when we went. They serve the German version of the Greek "gyro" with fries. It was delicious! Today, we went to an old diner called Elmer's...and it was wonderful too. You can tell all the people are there were regulars because most of them were old, but the food was great. I had beef tacos with their fabulous guacamole. Delicious!

And that's my five! Woooo hooooo! It's Friday tomorrow--which is why I'm getting an early start on Friday Follow! It's actually Friday on the east coast, so what the hey. You guys know the deal with this too.

Head on over to the following blogs for more info and to get linked up with all the Friday Follow participants. It's so much fun!:

One to Try
Midday Escapes
Hearts Make Families

All of these blogs are on my blog list (to the right)...what a great way to make new friends!

Happy Friday Everyone!