Tree is still up. I'd rather blog. Feel special.

Well, we hope you guys had a restful Christmas. It was sooo great to finally spend one together! We made sure that we had NO plans so we could just relax over our 4 day weekend. Looks like you can't teach two old dogs new tricks. By day three we were BORED. :-)
Lucky for us our neighbors, Heather and Josh, were around. We crashed in on them for Christmas Eve after church for some Chili and the movie "Elf" - which Rob had never seen.
The rest of the week was pretty much a blur. I went to work, but no one else was there so I pretty much stared at my computer screen for three days.
I'm looking forward to our first New Years, although I don't anticipate making it to midnight. Pregnant lady be tired, yo. I can't believe we're in week 31. Only 9 more until Rockstar makes her grand appearance. We're getting excited.

Merry Christmas, and don't say I never gave you anything

These guys are awesome!

Because it cracked me up

Okay, I stole this from Diane's web page, but I thought it was too funny to pass up. It's Gizoogle. And here's the link to our website so you can see what i'm talking about.

The pregnant lady vents....

I'd just like to throw out there that I've actually learned the regiment of questions (in order) that random people feel compelled to ask pregnant people: How far along are you? Wow, you're tiny- are you eating enough? When are you due? Boy or girl? You're carrying low for a girl, are you sure? Do you have a name picked out? (pause while they try to pretend it's the best name they've ever heard of) Is that a family name?
This is normally followed by more personal questions (because apparently myself and the stranger have developed a deep, personal bond by this point) regarding my "birthing plans" and how I plan to ... we'll call it 'nourish' our child. Seriously people. A mild interest is appreciated but beyond that -- I don't know you!!!
Oh, and this is normally followed by some horrific birthing story that normally starts with "I'm sure this won't happen to you, but I ALMOST DIED WHEN..."
Here's the thing, people. You had your "moment in the sun". You gave birth, hooray for you and the miracle of life. You're done. Stop re-living your moment vicariously through other pregnant women. You're scaring the S--- out of us.


I do find all the ridiculous questions strangers feel led to demand answers to quite impressive. I swear, It's as if people think I have no doctor monitoring my pregnancy and when the "time comes" my 'big plan' is to just give birth in a box under the stairs. So I guess it was just a matter of time before I started answering them in ways that I find make the conversation more fun. I'm considering writing a book as I see that pregnant women everywhere are having to defend their ability to carry a child. I have a whole list of answers for unsolicited advice/questions, but the one I find the most entertaining is the following:

- Q: Excuse me, You're not drinking caffiene are you? 'Cause that's bad for the baby"

- A: "Well, yes, I am. But only to counteract the 4 shots of vodka I downed an hour ago... the kid hasn't kicked in a while. Hey, can I smoke in here?"

Ahh, the sarcasm lives on...

Laura is a Winner!

Well. I don't have much to report except some late news: My sister defended her thesis in Florida last week and now has a double masters degree! We are so flipping proud of her! Rob and I got a preview of her thesis- on fungus. It was soooo interesting. (hahahaha.) No but seriously, just wanted people to know my sister is smart: SMRT.

In direct contrast to my super-achieving sister, we'd just like to tell everyone we're not 'leaving you out'. No one is getting a Townley Christmas Card this year... we just didn't get to it what with all the "Rob preparing to leave the military" and "Danielle growing a human" stuff we have going on. Sorry. Happy Christmas!

White Pre-Christmas

So... We've made it through our first official snowfall of the winter season. Rob finally got his chance to go out and shovel snow- (and I finally got a break)! Plus it's not like there's really an option - imagine falling down THOSE stairs. Scary stuff....

We had a church event at our house this weekend involving starving college students who couldn't believe (with our spread of cheese, crackers, ham, chips, etc.) that we "ate so well!" Apparently they are used to splitting a pizza between 8 of them. Funny, those days seem so long ago already! And they made fun of me because I don't 'get' facebook.
This is my December picture. Yikes. I'm starting to really feel it- but I'm encouraged by the girls who keep telling me that they hope they carry the same way I am whenever they get pregnant. I'm going stir crazy though, so I'm going to start heading back to the gym- just to walk and lift the 2 lb weights. Anything to stay just a LITTLE active. (Don't lecture me, it's all under a doctor's supervision. I promise, no marathons).
Oh, and I passed the gluecose test. :-) yay! Something went right on the first try!!!

Gimme some sugar

So, I had the big glucose test today. That was a fun surprise. "Here, you're pregnant and nauseas- drink this sugar liquid in 5 minutes or less and then sit here for an hour and try to ignore your shaking hands".
Good times. They will get the results back tomorrow and as usual, "Will call me if something is wrong". I wish they would call if something is right also. Who wants to sit around and wonder how the test went all day? Plus it would be nice for once to be in with the 'regular' pregnant chicks for once. I swear, in "Analogy Land" If pregnancy were a high school, I'd be the good kid who somehow always ends up with the crowd that's caught smoking behind the gym. ...I'm pretty sure that analogy made no sense. Whatever, use your imagination.

I'm about to drive my sister to the Airport so she can go to Florida and defend her thesis. Pretty exciting because if/WHEN she passes, she will have completed her double masters! Woohoo!

8 Ladies remain in the dugout

I know you guys thought I was kidding when I said everyone I know is knocked up. Starting to believe me??
Laura and Andy G. welcomed baby Aidan Emery on Sunday night/Monday morning. Mom and Baby are both cool and should be home on Thursday. :-) Congrats, G's!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/g9g/2084475818/
Although I'm sure it's possible, I couldn't 'steal' their picture... so there's a link instead. Shut up, I'm more of an "outdoor" girl.

*Note- don't send me comments on how save their picture to my desktop and then post it here...if I cared that much I probably would have looked it up. You're big kids, click on the pretty link.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Today we are gift-wrapping, errand-running champions. We put together Rockstar's crib with moderate expertise and we have a new storm door (FINALLY) that we are enlisting help on installing later this week. At the top of our massive "to do" list, we're trying to get some packages off in the mail - one specifically that has to go to Iraq - to make sure they get to their destinations on time. Even though Rob is home this year, there are still thousands of families that will be "minus one" this Christmas. So we're working on bringing a smile to our buddy Jay's face.

We miss you, dude! (And yeah, we took the picture for you). Don't worry, Mom, we took a "nice" one as well.

And then there were nine....

My team of pregnant women is beginning to dwindle...

This just in: Carrie and Scott Shippy had their baby!

This is Tyler Scott Shippy
November 25, 2007 ~ 11:51a.m.
9 pounds 9.2 oz ~ 21.5 inches(and mom is still alive!)

Congrats you guys!!!

Christmas Tree!!

So we're "that family" that puts up our tree the day after Thanksgiving. (Go ahead, roll your eyes). I'm super excited because this year Rob is FINALLY home for the Holidays. I could have put it up in August :-)
This year we have a new tree that came without some of the more important directions, so we spent some quality time together figuring it out.

In the end everything worked out so we joined hands around the tree and sang some Christmas Carols while drinking mugs of hot chocolate.

JUST KIDDING. We're not THAT family!

November = 25 weeks

So This is me at about 25 weeks. (Yes, those are pajamas. whatever.) I'm getting less and less tolerant of the 'helpful' hints moms keep giving me, i.e. "Sleep while you still can -hahaha". Who is sleeping? Anyone who's ever been pregnant knows you stop sleeping at about 20 weeks because from then on in, you're getting up 500 times a night to pee. The R.E.M. cycle is a joke, people.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. We sure did. :-) Rob had his first attempt at the turkey- which resulted in multiple phone calls to my parents (i.e. "where is the neck? Oh, gross!"). Laura and I were responsible for side dishes and we all made our own favorites. In the spirit of giving, we even gave Scout a (very supervised) opportunity to lick the turkey bone. He was in heaven.

And this would be our shot of leftovers...which we are STILL eating!

And the Golden Globe Goes To....

Nope. Not me :-)
On Friday our church held their annual Golden Globe awards ceremony to honor the Volunteer Ministry. This year I was among the nominees (in the category of Troubidacious Jammy Jammers - which means I'm a singer) so Rob and I got to go. It was awesome - Our church does a pretty sweet job with stuff like this. They even had red carpet interviews by "P-Diddy" and "Joan Rivers" on the way in, followed by a candel light dinner and awards ceremony. Other nominees at our table included Seth, Victoria, and Adam (all from our small group). We all lost- except Seth. :-) And it seriously was a blast. Plus it was nice for Rob and I to have a 'date night' now that I'm back in the land of the living. We couldn't remember the last time we'd been out for something other than errands.This is Pat ("P-Diddy") Linnell; our special musical guest. Performing one of his famous raps.

Christmas Shopping has begun

So.. It's RECYCLING DAY (dun Dun DUN!) and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't more than a LITTLE tempted to leave our recycling bin outside overnight. Just for kicks.

Rob left for London this morning so I'm going to make the most of the weekend by starting on our baby registry (which I have several people breathing down my neck about) and hopefully getting a jump on our Christmas shopping- which I LOVE! I normally finish before Thanksgiving when I can because I feel like then I can enjoy the holiday season instead of feeling the stress of the ticking clock.
One thing that's always eluded me is buying gifts for kids. I remember being a kid and getting the knit sweater with the big snowman on it and thinking "....why?" (and then being forced to wear it for pictures). But I didn't realize how hard it is to buy for kids when you don't have any. (Still not condoning the snowman sweater, though).
I've come to the startling realization that I no longer know what is "cool". I've searched websites that break down gifts by age groups...but I don't trust them. (No offense, Google, but I doubt seriously that any 11-13 year old boy is hoping for a play-doh set this year.) Normally I resort to finding at least 5 families with kids in the age group I'm trying to buy for and explaining to their parents that I need a gift for someone "your son/daughter's age" and does *this* sound like a good idea? (Parents are normally pretty up to speed on the latest stuff). It is a little time intensive, but seems to work like a charm.
- I've realized, however, this does NOT work if I'm shopping for my parents. No adult appreciates "Hey, you look kind of like my mom. Would you wear this?"
Anyway, I'm off to begin my 'kid surveys' :-) Adios

The conclusion of psycho recycling lady

So. The cop showed up around 6:30 and told us we had a few options all the way from having him go ask her to stop to issuing a "Peace Order" between the two houses. We decided that a uniformed officer showing up at her door would probably do the trick, and he asked for her information just in case she continued with her antics.
He came back to report that she was the nicest old lady and said she told him she was merely trying to 'help out a new couple on the street' (Rob and I bought this house in 2005) because we obviously don't know the rules and she didn't want us setting a bad example for other neighbors before the whole neighborhood just goes to hell. hahahaha. We didn't bother explaining about all the other neighbors she routinely harrasses because it was starting to feel a lot like the guidance counselor's office in high school.
Anyway, I hope this is the end of this ridiculous story... If not there may be a pregnant woman in a ski mask running around collecting all the recycling bins and dumping them in her backyard. Muahahahaha....

You know you need a hobby when...

Okay. So I know every neighborhood has one. But why, WHY? The lady across the street from us (Let's call her "Nancy") needs a hobby. Nancy is the self-appointed home owner's police officer of the neighborhood. She actually walks her dog (yep "and her little dog, too") around our street LOOKING for ways to report people.
My next door neighbor was reported for having candles in her window when it was no longer the Christmas holiday. (citation: "inapropriate decorations visable from the street") She had to explain to the board that the candles are for the troops in her family that are still overseas.
A-Mazing.
Nancy has also reported people for having their garden hoses on the wrong side of the porch steps. (Imagine the horror). And for having 'more than two pottet plants on the front porch". She has been kicked off of the HOA board and is no longer allowed to run for office because she creates such a disturbance. Yet, she perseveres.
Apparently we are her new objects of prey. (dun Dun DUN).
The recycling is picked up on Thursdays. On Thursday night, Rob got home late and hadn't had a chance to take our recycling bin in yet. Nancy actually waited until it was dark, came over to our house, took our bin and it and threw it over our 8ft fence in the backyard. Ironically she left four of our neighbor's bins alone.
The HOA actually ASKED me to report it to the police. (Her actions are considered harrassment, and touching other people's property or whatever). So I called the cops (if you can believe this) - and they actually have to send an officer over to meet with me...which is what I'm waiting on now. If you ask me, this all seems a little ridiculous, but being that she's bullied countless other neighbors...well, I'm not one to back down now. You done messed with the wrong family. You've got a Marine and a pregnant woman with an attitude.
BRING IT, LADY.

Halloween is Over. THANK YOU!

So Halloween was fun..I guess? We didn't really do much. I made tacos for dinner and we were both feeling tired from a long day at work so we decided to take turns answering the door for Trick or Treaters. Scout spent the night in the crate (mad at us) because he gets WAY too excited when we get company and we were worried that he would scare the small kids.

So, we were watching Kid Nation (shut up, it's cool) and my turn came up again. When I opened the door there was a little girl- maybe 3 years old- staring at me with huge eyes and holding out her pumpkin bucket. No sooner did I give her some candy then another girl (maybe eight years old) came up behind her in a wolf mask patiently waiting her turn. The three year old turned and saw "the wolf" and started screaming...and screaming...and screaming. Did her mom remove her from the situation, soothe her and explain it was just another kid? Noooo. Her mom calmly kept repeating "Say Thank you". (more screaming) Mom: No...Say Thank you (Screaming...Scout is now howling from the kitchen) "SAY THANK YOU" (Screaming, howling, and I'm starting to wonder if someone has called the police). I was trying to tell her mom (over all the noise) that REALLY, a "thank you" isn't necessary - and I felt awful for the poor little girl who was OBVIOUSLY terrified. But this mom wasn't having it. Finally the mother gave up, glared at her daughter and then looked at me and said "Sorry. Thank you". And they left.
I shut the door, turned around completely bewildered at the insanity to find my husband on the couch laughing so hard he couldn't breathe.
Rob answered the door for the rest of the night after that one.

An apple a day ain't working....

Another Monday...
Rob is coming home from his weekend trip to London today. I swear, sometimes it's all I can do to keep that guy inside the United States! We've gone as long as 7 months without seeing eachother but for some reason, this was the longest 4 days ever! I think I'm getting spoiled having him around all the time.
This weekend landed me in the ER again. (That would be the third time). Laura and I were shopping at Home Depot and I started feeling what I could only guess were contractions. All the horrors of having Rockstar at 22 weeks came flooding to me and the next thing you know, we were off to get help. After being strapped to various microphones and sonogram devices, the doctors confirmed that I was indeed having contractions and gave me a shot in the arm (???) that stopped them (and hurt like a mother). Apparently, on my laundry list of super fun stuff that's happened since we got pregnant, I can add "Irritable Uterus Syndrome". They said as long as nothing else changes - it's okay to have contractions. How am I supposed to know if "anything else is changing" when it took a specialist, a doctor and a nurse - whose sarcasm rivals my own - (and I quote "Being able to change so fast is what got you here in the first place, huh?") to figure out I'm okay.
Yeah.
Anyway, everything is cool now. We Townleys just have a knack for keeping eachother on our toes. When Rob called from London I was in the middle of all the tests. It must be a great thing to call your pregnant wife from a different country and her first words are "Okay, don't freak out, but..."

Lilyanna Barnett is Here!

The baby madness continues! Diane and Jason added a beautiful daughter to their family on Thursday. 8lbs 7oz, everyone's healthy and feeling good. :-) Congratulations you guys!!!

I think our next "at bat" will be coming from the Shippy's- but not for a few more weeks. Stay tuned, it's gonna get crazy.

A scary story- just in time for Halloween

Well in the midst of all our friends delivering/on the verge of delivering (Di!) it appears that Rockstar has been getting jealous of all the "displaced" attention.

About a month ago I had a "quad screen" (routine blood test which tests for chromosome-based diseases in your baby). Well, the results came back and they were not good. Rob and I were horrified to find that Rockstar tested High-Risk for Down's Syndrome. According to the test, there was a 1 in 22 chance that she had Downs. Not knowing what to do next, we followed the hospital's advice and met with a genetics counselor (big, freaking waste of time by the way) who did nothing more than try to convince me that Rockstar was the ONE in 22 and we'd be bringing home a Down's baby. Oh, and she must have mentioned at least three times that we can choose to "end the pregnancy" if we'd like. (That would be a resounding HELL NO).

After discussing all options, we decided to have a sonogram done where they would measure everything about Rockstar and determine from that if her risk was greater or less based on the results. Everything looked great (praise the Lord) and that's the day we found out we were having a girl (also happy news!). But the hospital, ever the "Bad News Bears" told us that just because she looked healthy, didn't mean she was. And Down's babys pass the "sonogram" test all the time. (So why did we bother?) At this point, the stress was too much. Does she have it? Doesn't she have it? We just needed to know. So we had the amnio test done. (Big, scary needle in the belly). haha, I say "We" but they definitely didn't stick Rob. Although he sat with me and held my hand and tried to say usefull things like "It's only like 5 inches long, you broke your nose and handled it- you can do this". (I told him to skip that 'helpful' phrase when we're in delivery).

Anyway, the amnio test can take up to 14 days for results- which of course it did. But we just got them back and found out that not only is ROCKSTAR HEALTHY, she was never at risk for Downs. Apparently the quad screen has a very high false positive rate (ladies remember that when you get pregnant. It's a stupid test- and it's OPTIONAL.) Aside from being pissed that the hospital scared us so badly, we're increadibly thankful that God's protecting our little girl! - And maybe a little smarter that hospitals are ultimitaley there to make money off of our insurance.

Quad Screen - $120
Genetics Counselor - $380 (for ONE hour)
Amnio - $800
Finding out your baby girl is healthy - PRICELESS

Welcome Chase Harper!!!

Okay I have 12 pregnant friends so you can expect more posts like this one... Wait, make that 11 pregnant friends!
Chase Harper entered the world today at 9:40am at 6lbs, 7ozs. Everyone is doing great- you can read all about it here. Or just drool over this pic...

Congrats Jess and Adam!!!

Progress Report

Okay all you picture nazis out there- I am going to get you off my back once and for all... Here are pictures from the last four months (July, Aug, Sept, Oct.) I swear, I woke up two days ago and that belly came out of nowhere. Crazy alien baby...

Ohhhhh, We're halfway there... OHHHH LIVIN' ON A PRAYER!

So today marks the "half way" point of Rockstar's stay at Hotel Danielle. (Hotel management is rejoicing). Don't give me that "bad mom" look. I'm already head over heels in love with our baby daughter - but I am a little tired of our daily ritual with the bucket. I've all but given up on the elusive "pregnant glow" that everyone else has so easily mastered and I haven't been able to get a full night's sleep since (what feels like) the beginning of time. Ahh, motherhood.
I've also acquired that 'pregnant brain' thing I hear so much about. This morning I just noticed I had the fire place on AND the air conditioner at the same time. Yeah. I hope my 'regular brain' returns soon after delivery or I will need supervision with our new-born.

Wave Hi for the Cameras

So yesterday Rob and I got the best anniversary present we could have asked for:

We found out we are HAVING A GIRL!

- Just for the record, we would have been just as happy with a boy, but for some reason we've 'known' it was a girl for months now.-
Of course we called all grandparents and Aunt Laura as soon as we got out of the hospital. Rockstar (who's name will actually be Anna Stuart) will be the first Townley girl born in something like 200 years, so Rob's mom was shocked. :-) My family produces girls like plants produce oxygen so the Kukichs were more like "Yep. Sounds about right". Needless to say, we're all pretty excited.
We had the longest sonogram ever because Rockstar was lying literally on her head like a little yoga queen and the sonographer couldn't get any of the measurements she needed. Rob didn't believe me when I told him he'd be in trouble if we had a girl (she's going to have him wrapped around her finger). That is, until I heard him tell Rockstar he'd buy her a car for her 16th birthday if she would just change positions so we could get some measurements.
Yeah. And it begins.
We got a TON of pictures, I'll post one as soon as we scan them in. We got the 3D ones too, which are cool... except that she's only 19 weeks along so those don't resemble a baby as much as, say, Skeletor. But she's OUR Skeletor! I can't wait to meet her!

TWO YEARS, my friends!

Today is our Two Year Anniversary! AND Rob is actually home for it. Have I mentioned Rob is home? Cause Rob is home. ;-)

This weekend we actually got out. I'm moving slow but moving, none the less! We went to a local corn maze with some friends and got lost...very, very lost. (As soon as I decide to locate the USB thingy I'll put our pics up.) But just so you know, corn mazes are no joke, guys. I thought it would be super easy...maps are for suckers...etc. Yeah....just wait for the media recording we have on this one. Either way, I'm sure we looked rather ridiculous... 7 of us total, 3 of us pregnant, and all of us a little on the "witty" side. Gooood times.

After we stumbled out of the maze, we all came home to play Trivial Pursuit and make sarcastic remarks to each other. 'Cause that's what good friends do. It was awesome.
The rest of the weekend was spend running a few errands, and making Rob's favorite dessert: baklava. (He can't just like something simple like brownies... no. My man demands time intensive sweets.) Eh, whatever. We had a good time trashing our kitchen with cups of flour, sugar, nuts, etc. And we kept joking "Hey, what time do you have to leave on Sunday? Oh that's right YOU DON'T"!
-'cause in case I didn't mention it, ROB IS HOME!

Home!

Just a quick note to say...Rob's home for good! No more North Carolina, no more going to Iraq, just a good old, boring desk job. Amen.

and yada yada yada...

Okay so it's officially October and the military still hasn't surprised us with a deployment to Iraq. I'm starting to think we might actually get a holiday season together. Crazy, huh?
(Pause while I have a small party in my head).
Jessica's baby shower was awesome - thanks for asking - I don't have pictures because I took all of them with HER camera, but when I get around to it I'll be sure to steal a few of her pictures so you can all see what a great friend I am. (I know. shameless).
In other news there really hasn't been much going on. I have discovered what it truly means to have a 'pregnancy craving' - and it is no joke. For some reason every night I have to have chips and salsa for dinner. You'd think after 9 straight nights in a row I'd be sick of it, but noooo. I actually think about it while I'm at work and my mouth waters. It's the strangest thing. But I suppose it's better than craving tablespoons of peanut butter... whatever.

I'm feeling better!

Okay. I think it's finally safe for me to crawl out from under that rock where I've been for the last few months. My body is threatening to actually start feeling better. This is the first week in literally months that I've been able to work 40 full hours! (Rob and I are ready to throw a party). Additionally, we have some great news: Rob is moving home! Next weekend (Oct. 5th) Rob will officially be moving to Maryland to work out of the base at Quantico! This is the best 2-year anniversary present I can think of. (And yeah, it's been two years- crazy huh?)

Tomorrow we are throwing Jessica's baby shower. Home girl only has like 5 more weeks before she's due and just looking at her belly kind of scares me. The sheer size of "Peabert" only serves as a reminder of how big Rockstar will get and the expectation of me to...you know.... All pregnant women are adorable and the thought of them having their baby is exciting... but now that there's no turning back for me... well, let's just say I don't sleep as well as I used to.

Kukich Cousins: The Yugoslavian Drinking Team

Since I have no life these days, I figured we could all reminisce a little. My cousin, Christine, graduated from high school last year and we went to her party back in July. I never updated you guys on it because I was still in the land of the living. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Anyway, I found "old footage" from it today, and even though it means I'm going straight to hell, I figured I'd share it. Christine insisted on having a "moon bounce" of sorts hooked up in the backyard. It's a basketball game- the players are tethered together by rope and have to make two baskets on their respective sides. Anyway, we were trying out our new camera and I caught the action of 18 year old Christine vs. 27 year old, Marine, "I bench press small ponies for fun" body-builder Rob... And she kicked his butt. (Sorry honey... I still love you!)

Nothing Much Here

Just so you guys know, we're not abandoning you. We just really have nothing to talk about. Rob is still driving back and forth from NC every weekend and I...well, I'm the sickest pregnant woman I know. I've missed so much work that my company has asked if the doctor will consider putting me on short-term disability. (Dear Lord, I hope so). So unless you'd like updates on the latest from day time television or the happenings of me and my security bucket... i got nothin'. I kinda miss having a life.
I suppose the up-side is that we're now almost 16 weeks along. In another month we'll be HALFWAY and we should find out the sex of the baby. Although as of now I still don't even look a "little pregnant". I'm down 10 lbs from my regular weight. Yep, apparently pregnancy is the best diet ever.
Today I have a dentist appointment. THAT should be interesting...

JOSH IS HOME!!!

Yes. This would be our neighbor Josh who has just returned from four months in Iraq. I missed the airport scene because I was home hugging a bucket (yes. Still.) but luckily our paparazzi neighbors, Jess and Adam, and my sis, were there to capture the moment.
Those of you who've never had anyone close to you deploy, let me just say, there's NO feeling in the world quite like having them come home.
Welcome home Josh! We're so glad you're back safe!!!
P.S. I stole these pics from Jess's blog. You can see the rest of them by clicking here.

Of Monkey Bread and Commuting.

Ok guys....so the aforementioned monkey bread? Yeah, pretty much awesome. Sure to become the "normal Townley contribution" to pot luck suppers and what not. How could anyone NOT like a foot tall, gooey, chunky cinnamon bun?

Down to business. This weekend's marital bliss was cut short for us because my employers thought it best to schedule a weapons' training day for some folks in my unit who missed their annually required training, on my day off. So...being apparently one of two guys around certified to supervise this sort of thing, I had to drive back down to NC, arriving at the weapons' range around 6:30 this morning ready for a full (if sleepy) day of watching people shoot silly guns. I was already frustrated enough with missing a day off...even moreso to find out that there were only 6 guys showing up for training, none of them actually needed the training (all had been to Iraq at least twice, and were all seasoned vets)...and the powers that be only gave us 50 rounds for each guy (normally for this kind of thing, each would get about 500). Basically the whole thing was taking place so the bean-counting officers in charge of us could say that "their people meet all the necessary training requirements" so if something goes wrong in Iraq (you know, like someone getting shot)...they can point a finger at someone's training record and say "I'm not to blame for Johnny getting shot! I made sure he was properly trained!" - In reality, the only useful training we get happens when people actually start shooting at us...and we hopefully make it through a little smarter and more wary..

So we lined them all up on the firing line, and it took 7 minutes to blow off all the ammuntion. That's right folks...I drove 7 HOURS in the middle of the night to watch 6 combat vets shoot at paper for SEVEN MINUTES. We were all packed up by about 8:15...gone by 8:20. Had I stayed home, I would just be getting up to make some coffee and enjoy it on my deck in the Maryand breeze. As it happens...I'm in North Carolina with absolutely nothing to do because the whole world here is closed for Labor Day.

Suffice to say...I'm getting out of the service.

weekend stuff

Well the morning sickness continues. We'll be 14 weeks on Thursday which means SECOND TRIMESTER. If all the rumors I've heard are true, I'll stop wanting to "just end it all" here pretty soon and start feeling superhuman. Or at least human... I'm not picky.
This weekend has been pretty good though. Rob got home before me on Friday, cleaned the house (which I was responsible for trashing), provided me with dinner made to my exact specifications (popcorn, juice box) and rented the only three classic movies that Blockbuster carries (LOVE classic movies...Rob hates them). So yeah, HUGE husband points for Rob.

We also got a juicer from our buddies, Victoria and Seth, and spent this morning juicing everything we could find in our house. It reminded me of when Laura and I were kids and got the Play-Doh spaghetti factory. We had quite a few concoctions going - and since my husband will drink anything, it's a super fun spectator sport.

Tomorrow morning the P-street crew is doing breakfast- as we do most holiday mornings. Rob is making Monkey Bread! (I know you don't care, but I'm pregnant and monkey bread sounds like Christmas right now).

Can I just say...

After 13 weeks straight, I'm really tired of the nausea/vomiting. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy we're expecting, but this is starting to seem a little ridiculous.

Help Kids Learn Stuff

Okay, I know there are people asking for your money on every corner (at least here in Maryland there are). But I have a friend from college, Libby, who has been a missionary in Kyrgyzstan for the past few years and she's got a good thing going.

The school she works for is a Christian one with the lowest cost available to families there. ($42 a month). They finally were forced to raise their price to $60 a month this year. This has caused a lot of kids to drop out because the family can't afford to send them anymore. They are looking for people to donate (any amount is GREAT)approx $300 ($30 a month for a school year) so that a child can go to school.
Each child that is sponsored will write a monthly letter to their sponsor and send updated pictures throughout the school year. The sponsor will also be able to receive his/her children’s progress report from their teacher. (I thought that was pretty cool). It's also tax deductable and they will send you a receipt.

Anyway, no pressure. I just thought this was a great cause- and I love that you get to hear from the child that you help. (also a good way to get your kids involved). If you're interested you can leave me a comment or email me at danielletownley@yahoo.com and I'll put you in touch with the right peeps.

Oh, the madness!

Oh, you guys and your craziness!
Okay, please let me clarify for those of you going nuts that we're having a boy and didn't tell you before posting it on our blog. We are almost 13 weeks along. We have NO IDEA what we're having! We probably won't know for another 2 months.
I wrote "He" (in quotations and everything) in my last entry because I don't want to call Rockstar "It".

K...everyone good? The sex is unknown. Say it with me. :-) Smile. Breathe.

Say CHEESE!

Rob took Friday off to drive up and go to our first sonogram with me. I really like our new doctor. We had our first appointment with him yesterday and not only did they seem knowledgeable, but they gave us a ton of ways to contact them should we have any questions or need anything. Plus our "new" hospital is much closer. Oh, and, AND we got to see ROCKSTAR for the very first time!

It was a lot more emotional than I had expected. "He" was bouncing all over the place- it was fascinating. Anyway, so far everything looks great! According to them, the worst of the morning sickness should be over and in two weeks I should be begging Rob to take me out to my favorite restaurant. (I'll believe THAT when I see it).
Anyway, glad we could share our first pictures with you guys :-)

8 hours down!

I'd just like to point out that this makes two days in a row that I've gone to work. I seriously am going to buy myself a medal. My co-workers are joking that I must be feeling better because the sarcasm is returning. Ahhh... life. :-) They are also teasing me that I'm such a hard worker, I've already worked three times as many hours as last week. (If you remember, I got two whole hours in last week).

I'm still working on re-entering everyone's phone numbers on God's green earth into my phone. You don't realize what a crutch the cell phone is until you don't have your electronic little black book anymore. I think I'm at like 70% recovery though... which isn't bad considering I had a LOT of numbers. I think the lesson we learned is that Rob should do all the cleaning from now on in order to prevent future cell phone loss. I just can't be trusted. Can I get an Amen? Anyone? In the cheap seats??

Doctor Drama...yes still

I just want to put it out there that I actually WENT TO WORK TODAY! Today was the first day SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME where I woke up and my first thought wasn't "Where is my security bucket?!" (The security bucket is exactly what you're thinking it is).
So I went to work...a little late...but still, I was there. I actually left the house!

I also had my second doctor's appointment today where I planned to go in and tell them off for being, well, horrible. Then I was going to inform them I was changing practices, demand my medical records and leave feeling fairly superior and intelligent.

Yeah, not so much.

On my way there I got a message from them cancelling my appointment and instructing me to call and reschedule. I'm a little angry about that. Less than 30 minutes before? Really? My lawyer friend says I can actually bill them for cancelling on me last minute (in the same way that a doctor's office will bill you for cancelling with less than 24 hours notice). After the Tom Foolery they've been putting us through, I'm considering it... I mean, at least for the gas....

Great Americans

So, not to take any thunder away from Rockstar (yay for Rockstar!!)...but you guys have to read this.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aY5OQ5xv9HR8

A pair of sisters from Lexington, SC have just been endited for defrauding the U.S. Government of over 20 MILLION dollars in fraudulent shipping costs by overcharging for the small items their company supplied to the troops in Iraq. Taking advantage of the "automatic online approval" that government supply shipments receive if they're going to a warzone from authorized government contractors (so supplies get to our troops as fast as they can, with the least amount of red tape), they charged $998,000 (yes, that's nine-hundred and ninety-eight thousand dollars) for sending an envelope with 2 steel washers in it to a base in western Iraq and $455,009 to ship three machine screws that cost $1.31 to manufacture.

To add insult to injury, the sisters spent the majority of the embezzled funds on luxury items (Bentleys, a yacht, property in the Carribbean), so even if the FBI reposesses the property, they still have to auction it off to recoup the stolen funds.

One of the sisters (Darlene Corley) committed suicide by shooting herself after learning that she and her sister were to be sent to jail when federal investigators uncovered their crimes. I wonder if that bullet cost her less than the washers and machine screws.

Yet again...the picture below proves true. Taken somewhere in western Iraq. How a propos.

An Apple A Day...

Today the "miracle of life" landed me in the hopsital with an IV of fluid.
Nothing serious, everyone please calm down.
I've just been dealing with some bad dehydration lately and for the past three weeks getting ahold of my doctor has been like trying to understand why Paris Hilton is still trying to have a singing career: Impossible.
His receptionist apparently is under the impression that SHE holds a medical degree of some sort beyond "Hello, Doctor's Office, this is Susie". She demands to know why I'm calling and "what's wrong, exactly". Anyway after leaving about 500 messages for my doc over the past three weeks, I finally called today and yelled at her when she told me the doctor was out (you know...again.). She finally listened to the laundry list of what's up with me and she was like "Yeah...that's not good...you should see someone".
(are you rolling your eyes?)
So yeah. Unless Rob wants to deliver Rockstar out of the back of a truck or something, I have a feeling we'll be switching doctors.

The Cat is out of the Bag

Okay, all of you who already know and have been bugging me to post this;

WE ARE PREGNANT!

(dun Dun DUN)

I wanted to wait until the 12th week to go announcing it all over the internet, but we're almost 11 weeks and apparently I've joined the varsity team of Morning Sickness so I'm miserable and running out of other stuff to write about. So here's to being knocked up and miserable! Go Team!

Despite all the 'super fun' morning sickness stuff, we are really excited about the arrival of Rockstar (which is our nickname for "it"). It's been pretty tough with Rob gone all the time, but I swear, he's like the Merry Maids service on weekends when he's home, and in the mean time I have awesome neighbors (those are two seperate links) who come over on a daily basis making mac and cheese, taking out the garbage, and force feeding me bottle after bottle of water. (Had a few hydration scares).

Work has changed 180 degrees. I never go these days and if I do, I look like hell and I'll stay for an hour or so until my face turns green and someone says "Hey, you really don't look well... do you need someone to drive you home?" It's mostly men and they've been surprisingly understanding...although most of them have been married for 20 years and have kids close to my age, so I'm guessing it's not their first time dealing with a pregnant woman. They are basically letting me work 'consultant hours' (i.e. whenever I can) and even let me move my cube to a remote section of the office so I don't have to smell lunches, coffee, etc.

In the mean time I've been threatening Rob that he'll be carrying the next Townley baby... Hey, Science is always making progress...

And we're back!

New phone got hooked up today (whew). Thanks for all the emails with your info... Keep 'em coming... Or, now that I'm back, you could just call me.

Oh... and enough with the garbage can jokes... yeah yeah, you're all hysterical.

Call Me

Rob has been super husband lately. I'd just like to get that out there first. So this week I thought I'd counter with 'amazing wife' and clean our house from top to bottom while he was in NC. So I did. Like the "clean the baseboards, and all the tiles in the showers" kind of clean. (See? Amazing Wife). Anyway, somehow - it still baffles me - I managed to throw away my cell phone. Yeah. So anyway, the insurance peeps are sending me a new one, but I have no ones numbers anymore. So here's your big chance to get a space in the Townley's phone book. :-) Email me your numbers at danielletownley@yahoo.com
Thanks guys... and in the mean time, yeah... I got nothing. My bad.

You know what your life is missing? More usless stuff!!!

When you see a sign that says "No Soliciting" To you, does that mean "Hey you know what would make our day? Come knock on our door during dinner and sell us something we don't need!!!"
I'm just curious because that seems to be the case in our neighborhood even though we have a sign at the FRONT of the neighborhood that says "Private Community, NO SOLICITING". This has encouraged numerous salespeople to come on in and piss us off. Some are so aggressive I've seen them actually wait for a neighbor to get out of their car, and then walked them to their door while pitching their product.
The worst are the following three products that I like to call repeat offenders.
1.) Newspaper salesmen. Apparently the new fad is for newspapers to send around kids who claim that my subscribing will help them go to college. I totally don't understand this. A paper costs, what, $1.50 at most? So even if the paper gives you get HALF of the proceeds, you're making a whopping 75 cents each time someone doesn't slam a door in your face?? For College? You know how else you can get money for college? AN ACTUAL JOB. The last kid that came to our neighborhood didn't even care about the paper he was selling, he wanted to come in and use the bathroom. But I'm sure he's on his way to Med School by now.
2.) Comcast Cable guys. The last one that came to our neighborhood was knocking on each door and asking for the phone numbers of the girl's who lived there. I know this because my sister was one of the "lucky" ones that got harrassed. Creeeepy.
3.) This last one is my favorite. The Kirby vacumm cleaner people. In case you need a vacumm and can't see spending less than a grand. These guys you literally have to shut the door on WHILE they are talking. I told them I HAVE a vacumm cleaner. The guy (way too cheerfully) explained that he didn't want to sell me a vacumm, he wanted to show me how clean my carpet could be!!
I always ask if they saw the "No Soliciting" sign- just to be sure before I start to get mean. This is what I get: "We're not soliciting, we're here to improve your lifestyle" blah blah blah.
So yeah. I'm just curious, is it just us? Am I missing something? Are you all part of this harrassment or does my neighborhood just have this invisible albatross around our proverbial neck?

We're totally hot

Okay, I'm starting to think there may be something to all this "global warming" we're hearing about. It's flipping HOT outside. Yesterday I came outside and overheard one of my neighbors literally "yelling at the gods" and asking them why it's so (expletive) hot out here. I think she saw me giggling - and I felt bad about that because I don't know her, but I didn't think it was a really good time to go introduce myself.

In news that will absolutely SHOCK you, the marines have decided to renege (yes. again. shocked, right?) on sending Rob up here permanently by this weekend. We are now looking for sometime in September...although they haven't mentioned September of WHICH DECADE.

I think we're going to start drinking...

The Bourne Ultimatum

Rob is going to see this movie tonight while in Jacksonville, NC. I don't know anyone who's not a Matt Damon fan. I saw this 'trailor' today and thought it was hysterical. So here it is... freshly ripped off of youtube. Enjoy!

In sickness and in health...and in sickness....

Man. Remember when I used to post all the time? I've gotten a little slack lately....aaaand I'm over it.

This past weekend was dull. I've been feeling sick and so was confined to the couch all weekend where severe cabin fever ensued. (Outdoor people can only take so many episodes of CSI). The silver lining was this ridiculously handsome man who drove 8 hours (there was traffic) from North Carolina JUST to sit on the couch with me. From Friday night to Sunday night we hung out watching TV, playing Scrabble, and taking prescription induced naps (okay, just me on that last one). Additionally Rob made all meals, did laundry, took out the trash, fed the dog, you name it.
Oh, and Laura brought over two movies; Premonition and The Marine. okay, "The Marine" she brought over as a joke because we're very anti- this whole "Marine" movement that Hollwood just can't get enough of. She begged and begged us to watch it claiming that the whole thing was just hysterical. No dice. (Sorry Laura!)
So if you were feeling left out that I haven't been updating, it's not you, it's me. (Nah, it's you).
I'm a tad under the weather. But no worries. I'm in good hands.
Thanks again for this weekend, Honey! Hurry up and move up here!

So, I've got good news, and bad news....

The good news is: ROB IS GETTING MOVED UP HERE!!! (Finally). The USMC has agreed to relocated him up here no later than August 10th! I am still in shock, but we're both thrilled that he only has to make that hellacious drive a few more times. Praise the Lord.

Now for the bad news... So, I'm sure you all remember our friend, the dishwasher. Yeah. Well the NEW new one was installed on Saturday. We ran it last night (Sunday). This morning Rob got up to make breakfast (because he rocks) and came back upstairs angry that our tile in the kitchen is making a 'squish' sound when you step on it. Yep. New dishwasher was installed wrong and is leaking all over the place. I got on the phone with Lowes and simultaneously the fire dept. showed up at our door. (it's a big leak).
At this point doing the dishes by hand doesn't really seem all that time consuming.

Truth In Advertising

You should watch this clip. A refreshing look at our distorted perspective on beauty.



And in case anyone was wondering what "Real Beauty" looks like...cue my supermodel wife...she requires no retouching. :)

That's Entertainment

Okay. I believe in God, let's just get that out there.
I also believe that even God occasionally needs entertainment.
Enter Danielle.

So, back in May we purchased a new dishwasher. Oh, the joys of home ownership. I remember when $500 was a shopping spree. No, no. These days that is not the case.
Anyway, so Rob and I went to Lowe's where Bob, the SO helpful salesperson, helped us pick out a dishwasher in NO time! (imagine that! ). It's self-heating so it doesn't even waste our water heater energy. He even brought all the paperwork right to us so all we had to do was sign the dotted line and write the check.
-One month later, said dishwasher is not working. The soap door doesn't open during the wash cycle so basically our dishes are just getting a nice, warm spray. Like a sauna for your plates.
I called Lowe's where I was transferred, and transferred, and transferred and.... you get the point. Finally, they gave me a new number to call and get someone to fix it.
This guy was amazing. He showed up in a white van (re: SUPPOSED, YET SEEMINGLY INACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD OF TRAVEL FOR THE sniper shootings of 2002) sat on the floor in my kitchen and opened up his "Mr. Fix-it manual". First he said I was using the wrong soap. (this is possible?) When I debunked that theory, he swore it was that our water didn't heat (re: above "SELF HEATING DISHWASHER"). When he left, he was frustrated that I wouldn't sign something saying he had fixed it. Call me hard to please.
When I called Lowes AGAIN to get a new guy they literally said "Okay, we'll send out the good team this time" The catch is that you have to wait two weeks. Whatever. Two weeks is today, my friends. Between 8-12. I took the morning off to wait for said dishwasher guy. It's 3pm. I have taken an entire day of leave and no one has shown up. Am I angry? Oh, A TAD.

This is not over, Lowe's. Not even close.

So...

So, busy times here in Townley-Land.

Rob was up here all last week for the Fourth of July. It was so nice to have him actually LIVING in the same house. (Seriously, you people don't even know!)
We got a lot done around here, including one round trip to Jacksonville, NC to check in. Because really, what week is complete without a trip to the armpit of the United States?

Additionally, we've finished digging up our backyard and replanting grass seed. Our previous owner sold it to us looking somethign like this (that's right. I went there) and with all the interior stuff we were working on, we just never got around to it until now. So now I'm out there twice a day watering dirt. I'm sure the neighbors think I've lost my mind.

Aside from that, we're hoping to hear soon if Rob will be relocated up here SOMETIME THIS CENTURY. He did have an interivew last week that went really well. (6 more months until we can wave goodbye to Uncle Sam) so we're hopeful that he'll get the job and we can just be 'normal' for a change. Okay not 'normal' but at least less stressful. Whatever, you get it.

okay, so that's basically our update. This weekend Rob is running in a "Friends of Sudan" race on Saturday morning and then we're heading up to Delaware for my cousin's high school graduation party. We're gonna get her so dru-I'M KIDDING. Relax.

Independance Day

Happy July Fourth, People!

Be sure to hug a member of the armed forces today. :-)

I need more Space in my Office

Let's take this time to talk about things that irritate us. I'll go first.
Today at work THIS was my conversation with ... well, we'll call him "Joe".

Joe: (looks at my boss's cube- which is empty). Where's Tom?
Me: Not here yet. I'll tell him you came by.
Joe: Hmmm.....(leans against my cube)....I really need to see him....when will he be here?
Me: I'll just go check the GPS tracking program I installed in his shoulder while he was sleeping. I don't know.
Joe: Riiiiight....well, maybe you can help me....I'm trying to find out if he labled it. I was looking for it this morning in the shared drive but I can't find it so I'm guessing it either isn't there, or it's called something else.
Me: (stare at him with BIG smile) Just to clarify. You realize I have no idea what "it" is that you're talking about?
Joe: (Looks at me like I'm mentally deficient) The program I was talking to him about yesterday at the meeting. Hellooooo.
Me: Was I there?
Joe: No. Just Tom.
Me: (pause....Smile)
Joe: (Blank Stare)
Me:(Smile...widen eyes, raise eyebrows...)
UNCOMFORTABLE LONG PAUSE AS JOE TRIES TO FIGURE OUT WHY I'M SMILING
Joe: So...(obviously confused)..isn't Tom normally here by now?
Me: (I start to worry that we've "reset" the conversation and we're going to start allllll over)Yes. Normally. I'll tell him you came by
Joe: yeah....cause I really need to talk to him.....when do you think he'll be in?
Me: okay, bye-bye now.

*Later when Tom came in, 'Joe' came back with a "Ah-HA! I knew he would be here! I just KNEW it!" victorious look as though I'd been somehow concealing Tom away from fellow co-workers. But not from Joe. Joe was too quick for me!

Sometimes I think a college degree might, JUST MIGHT, be over-rated.

Grill, we hardly knew ye

It seems as though the ramifications of our 2-month stay in North Carolina are STILL coming back to haunt us. In addition to owing North Carolina FOUR DOLLARS in my taxes this year (Thanks to the "job" I had at Onslow County Public Schools for a hot minute), we sold or gave away a lot of our household items that would never fit in our 'grand' pink carpeted one bedroom apartment. (yes. PINK). Among these items was our brand new grill we'd had for MAYBE a month before we found out we were moving. We sold the grill to our neighbors, Adam and Jess. Rob was distraught over this one. But I, in my infinite wisdom, convinced him it would be futile to keep it in a storage unit for 2 years - and besides, it's not like Home Depot would discontinue it or anything. Sheesh.
We were back 2 months later. Oh, and yes, Home Depot DID discontinue it.
We've been eyeing it ever so enviously from our yard ever since. (I realize this picture seems stalker-ish. I'm okay with that).


Finally we started the grill hunt. (i.e. I looked it up exactly one time on Google) Lo and behold if you can't find LITERALLY everything on http://www.amazon.com/. Today we fired up the new 'old' grill, and I think the sky was a little bluer, the grass a little greener, and the salmon...well, a little undercooked but whatever.

zapatos nuevos!

Rob and I are going to run in the "Friends of Sudan, 5k". It's in Annapolis on 14 July. Anyway, in light of that, Rob finally convinced me today that it was time for new running shoes. I didn't really believe him...until we got to the store. What is it about seeing new shoes next to the ones you've been wearing that makes you feel like a second class citizen? Anyway, since I'm a creature of habit, I bought the newer version of my old running shoes. And well, wow.
















What a difference a year makes. (Yes. I waited a whole year. shut up).

Flight of the What?

This is Flight of the Concord. You may have heard of them before... I haven't. But they're hysterical.


I dig it.

Camping 101

List of Things We Forgot To Pack:
- Sunscreen
- Long Pants
- Sweatshirts
- Pillows
- Sleeping pads (they go UNDER your sleeping bag)
- Towels

This weekend was the big "small group camp out". Rob didn't make it up here until almost midnight Friday night which left us almost no time to pack on Saturday. Luckily, we adapt well...and we have some good friends who know how to prepare.

This was no "relaxing weekend" though. It was like the Camping Olympics- and it was a blast. As soon as our tents were up, we hiked out into the woods to go rock climbing. (oh, and by "rock" I mean terrifying 50 foot cliff. yeah.) This would be Rob and me climbing the Cliff o' Death. (shut up. Nobody looks good from that angle!) By the way, there's something....interesting about these pictures. If you can figure it out, I'll give you a dollar. (okay, more like a pat on the back. But you're intrigued, aren't you?)

Anyway, afterwards we cooled off by throwing each other around in the lake to see who we could throw the farthest (very high school - we know) until the sun was on its way down and poor Rob was literally shaking from the cold....also possibly because we forgot towels.

After a luxurious shower in the bathouse (re: hose inserted into the side of a wall) we huddled up by the campfire playing "Loaded Question", eating S'mores, and watching Steve make Pineapple Upsidown Cake over a campfire. (Yes, it can be done!)

Rob and I spent that whole night freeeeezing (Note to self: Next time check the weather channel. Dress accordingly) and the early morning listening to the conversation of SEVERAL crows with a nest about 30 directly above us. Ahhh, nature. We left early on Sunday to get some rest at home before Rob had to drive all the way back to NC. We're definitely down for another camping experience...but I think next time we'll make a list.

The Stewart Family!

This is Paul, Kelly, and Piper Stewart. Kelly and I went to college together (CU, BABY!)..The next thing I know she is married and has a 5 month old baby girl. Kelly is also probably the only female I've ever met who is as sarcastic as I am. (Another reason to keep in touch).

Anyway, they are moving to Papau New Guinea to be missionaries for the next 3 to 4 years with Wycliffe Bible Translators. So unless the Marines have some REALLY off the wall plans for us, we won't be seeing them for a while. Before I left for work this morning I asked them to make sure they took A picture of themselves on our camera so I could share it with all you fine people... Ahh, Kelly...you're nothing if not thorough!

The following series is a little something I like to call "What Piper did while Danielle was at work". Oh, and BELIEVE ME, this is about HALF of the pictures I received. (Kelly, I'm gonna miss you, girl!)

She rode my dog...

Sent a few emails...

Played my guitar...

Hung out with our cookie jar...

And made out with a picture of my husband. I knew it was just a matter of time until he found a younger woman. Oh, it's ON!

We'll be praying for you, Stewarts! Let the care packages commence!

*If you would like to support Paul and Kelly while they are in PNG, we would be happy to get you their information*

We're so LOST!

So, you guys are stuck with me for the week. Rob is out camping in the field playing cowboys and Indians - or whatever Marines do out in the field... actually I think it's some kind of weapons training. He called last night to check in and informed me that he is basically layered in sweat, insect repellent, and sunblock. (Stand back, ladies. He is ALL MINE). The irony is that our Small group has planned a camping trip that just happens to be this weekend. Nothing like camping for seven days straight (with a 6 hour drive thrown in for good measure)!
It's okay though, we could use some time outdoors. This past Saturday we spent on our couch. Why? Because we have discovered Season One of Lost. Neither of us have seen it before and I was feeling 'under the weather' so we thought we'd check it out. Holy Addicting Television, Batman. Now we're hooked and planning our "Season Two" weekend (but maybe this time with some breaks for dinner and a stroll around the neighborhood).
Don't get too concerned, we aren't TOTAL couch potatoes. Right now I'm gearing up to go play some ultimate Frisbee down in 'Dena. If you're around and you want to come, the Townley Carpool leaves at 6!

Because I know how much everyone loves it when I do these...

Rob is on his way up to MD for the weekend (!!!) and it's hot outside and I'm not feeling very original... so here's one of those "What is the first thing that comes to mind when you read...." Have a great weekend, guys!

1. Your ‘ex’ and You= wha? who?

2. I am listening to= My air conditioning kicking in. HECK YEAH

3. Maybe I should= do the dishes

4. I love = Rob

5. I cant = play the harmonica

6. I don’t understand= Swahili, Quantum Physics, my thermostat...the list goes on

7. I have lost my respect for= Pres. Bush

8. I last ate= potato chips, hey, DON'T JUDGE ME!

9. God= Amazing. I truly don't know that I can put Him into words.

10. Someday= kids :-)

11. I will always hate = when I forget my coffee on the counter in the morning

12. Love seems to= make me a better person

13. I never ever want to lose= my keys. Yet I do. ALL. THE. TIME.

14. My favorite food is = I normally tell people it's Grilled Salmon but my actual favorite is Kettle Cooked Potato Chips (I'm sick and twisted)

15. I get annoyed when= I need clothes from the dryer that are still damp

16. My family is = A blast. Seriously. You wish you were one of us on the inside. C'mon, admit it.

17. Today I = got something for nothing!

Off we go into the wild, blue yonder...

Today I was able to attend Heather's PROMOTION CEREMONY! I must say, I was pleased to find that the Air Force is a TAD more organized than the Marines (Re: Rob's Last Promotion). But I wouldn't go much farther than a tad. We showed up at the required time, and ended up sitting in a building with no air conditioning (it's 90 outside today) for 90 minutes before the ceremony even began. We kept joking that "It's a good thing it's not super hot and her uniform isn't made of wool, or this would SUCK!" yep. Swealtering. Although I did learn a new tradition the Air Force has. As one of the two people "promoting" Heather, I got to punch her in the arm (???) during the ceremony. All i could think about was how if someone at my office actually hit me in front of everyone, that guy would be fired and I would probably sue.
The military is weird, y'all.
The highlight of the event, however, was watching Heather try to recall the words to the Air Force song as all the newly promoted Airmen were required to face us and sing. I was so proud of P-street's little rockstar. She tried so hard... hahaha (yes, I'm that friend).

Table For Four, please.

So now that we're on our third summer living in Crofton, we finally decided to get with the program and buy a set of deck furniture. To test drive our new purchase, we invited some of the P-Street gang over for dinner...and yeah, it was awesome. You guys have to try these recipes, perfect for a warm summer evening:

Entree: Asian Invasion Salmon Salad

Ingredients:
1 Salmon Fillet (fresh, approx 1.5 - 2 lbs)
1 Block of Tofu (extra firm)
1 Heart of Romaine Lettuce
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Can of Water Chestnuts
1 Cucumber
1 Cup of Cherries (fresh, halved, pitted)
1/2 Lime (zested)
1 Cup of Fried Chow Mein Noodles
1 Cup of Mungu Bean Sprouts
1/2 Cup of Soy Sauce (reduced sodium)

Directions:

Slice Lettuce, Pepper, Water Chestnuts, Cucumber and Cherries. Set aside. Mix lime zest with soy sauce in a small cup. Heat two non-stick skillets to medium, and pan sear tofu and salmon separately for approx 15 minutes, basting with soy sauce mixture occasionally. When done, both tofu and salmon will be firm when pressed.

Remove tofu and salmon from heat, flake salmon and slice tofu appropriately. Mix remaining ingredients in large serving bowl to make salad base, top with tofu and salmon. Serve immediately with ginger or balsamic dressing.

Serves Four.

(Note: Rob just made this one up. Tofu is optional.)

Dessert: Sangria on a Stick

Ingredients:

1. 1/3 cup granulated sugar
2. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3. 1/2 lime, zested
4. 3 cups fresh pineapple chunks
5. 2 dried star anise pods
6. 1 1/2 tablespoons white rum
7. 2/3 cup fresh orange juice
8. 2 1/2 cups dry white wine

Directions:

1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, ginger and lime zest. Add the pineapple and toss.
2. Scrape the pineapple into the skillet, add the star anise and cook, without stirring, until the pineapple caramelizes, 5 minutes. Stir in the rum and let the alcohol burn off, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the orange juice, scraping the bottom of the pan; let cool.
3. Discard the anise. Puree the fruit mixture in a blender. Stir in the white wine and pour the mixture into icepop molds. Freeze until solid, about 4 hours.

(Note: Star Anise is optional. Thank you, Rachel Ray, for using the most random, unattainable spices imaginable in your recipes. )

Yield: 12 pops.

Get Cooking, People!!