Arrived.

EB and I are firmly within the Maryland state line. I am tired. I am busy. I am an anti-blogger until next week.

Side note: Exquisite Escapades is going private. IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND ARE NOT A FOLLOWER, GET IT TOGETHER!

:)

Ellie feeding herself.

Fun!

How fun is it that while Andrew is headed to Afghanistan, he's wondering if he'll get paid or not?! If you ask me, I just couldn't conjure up a better scenario.

Government shutdown 101: What does it mean for the military?

By Anna Mulrine, Staff writer / April 8, 2011

Washington

     While the Pentagon will continue to prosecute the war in Afghanistan in the event of a government shutdown, US troops will work without pay, according to a new guidance issued late Thursday by the Department of Defense.

     “All military personnel will continue in a normal duty status regardless of their affiliation with excepted or non-excepted activities,” reads the memo. Yet, it adds, “military personnel will serve without pay until such time as Congress makes appropriated funds available to compensate them for this period of service.”

Civilians working for the military in essential activities also will not be paid. DOD civilians “not engaged in excepted activities” will be furloughed.

     The guidance is the first step in the Pentagon’s efforts “to begin detailed planning,” according to the memo, which was sent to the secretaries of the military departments and to DOD field offices.

The Pentagon will continue its NATO operations in Libya and its humanitarian relief work in Japan. It will also continue to prepare and train US troops who are headed to war in Afghanistan. Operations in Iraq will also go on.

     “The Department must, as well, continue many other operations necessary for the safety of human life and protection of property including operations essential for the security of our nation,” reads the guidance. “These activities will be ‘excepted’ from cessation.” Yet there will be closures throughout the DOD as well. In fact, says the memo, “all other activities would need to be shut down in an orderly and deliberate fashion, including – with few exceptions – the cessation of temporary duty travel” for troops on temporary assignment.

     Responsibility for determining which functions and jobs “will be excepted from shut down” resides with the Joint Chiefs and the secretaries of the services, “who may delegate this authority as they deem appropriate.”

     US troops on active duty may also be assigned to carry out nonessential activities, in the place of furloughed civilian personnel, according to the guidance. Reservists on active guard duty will report for work.

Some DOD contractors will also be affected by a shutdown. “No funds will be available to pay such new contractors until Congress appropriates additional funds,” according to the memo. The only exceptions will happen in the event “where delay in contracting would endanger national security or create a risk to human life or property.” Civilian military intelligence specialists are not considered essential in a number of cases – specifically those involved in “technical intelligence information collection” not in direct support of the military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Libya. This includes “general political and economic intelligence,” according to the memo. Employees with responsibility for “environmental requirements which are not necessary to prevent imminent threat to life or property” also will not need to report for work.

The memo notes that “surgery to continue recovery of function/appearance of wounded warriors” will continue. But family members will not be able to have elective surgery.

     Also, while military children will be able to finish out the school year, no summer school will be held, should a shutdown continue into June. Summer school is not considered an essential activity, according to the memo – a negative for parents, perhaps, but a potential cause for celebration among students in the midst of a budget crisis.

Link: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0408/Government-shutdown-101-What-does-it-mean-for-the-military?cmpid=addthis_facebook&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d9f367009867f94%2C1

So. That's cool.

Here we go.

"Don't worry, Papa, I've got these."

Andrew is off. I won't be able to update or post too much about it until he's arrived safely at his destination, but so far he's happy and enjoying the adventure. I hope that you'll keep him in your prayers and thoughts.

I hate the inevitable.

I hate deployments. And I really hate packing. I think I'd be much happier about all this nonsense if it hadn't been looming for so long... it was when we first arrived in Hawaii that we knew that this day would come. We've been preparing for a year and I think we're emotionally tapped at this point. That, and a baby... and all the other junk... and blahhhhh. I just want it to START already. Once he's gone, I can relax into a deployment routine, find a job, and start a year of fun Maryland events. It's not that I'm not enjoying this time with him, because I truly am, but every time the date/time is moved, I get anxious and have to reconfigure an already stressful schedule. Blah. Blah. This all said, Andrew should be en route by the end of the week and he's surprisingly bouncy about it. He's a true adventurer and I think the thought of putting his job to practical use sends him through the excitement roof. He will be gone soon enough and then I will be reliving all these last moments for a year... Ironic.

One of the last family trips we wanted to get in before Andrew leaves is a trip to the Aquarium. It's a definite truth that I LOVE a zoo, aquarium, or museum. I teeter between being a giddy 5 year-old checking out the Hawaiian Monk Seal and a 72 year-old asking about the life cycle of a Sea Urchin. Andrew is positively the most patient husband as far as this goes because I'm quick to embarrass myself... which explains his patience. The longer he waits, the better the story will be. Urgh.

Can I just interrupt to say that these two people are my absolute favorites in the entire WORLD?! I am seriously so in looooove.

AND THEN WE SACRIFICED HER TO A FISH!!

No. We didn't. But it crossed our minds this morning when she woke us up at 5:05AM. If only...

After the Aquarium, we had a quick dinner and a few games [I mean, GAMES, Michael]. We're Dave & Buster's freaks.

I even named my horse after her. See? Mama of the Year.

You know what's better than a day out, though? A day IN where Papa eskimo kisses EB to sleep. Literally. She was fussing and being a general hot mess and he eskimo kissed her for a few minutes and she was OUT.

Don't ask me. I just report this craziness.

Fast-track to today... We got up, headed to Legal, CYS, ACS, SBHC, and a ton of other places that have replaced their real names with acronyms. This isn't Ellie's favorite day plan and we certainly payed for it. To try and lessen the blow, I took her by a park while we waited for Andrew to finish up Army junk.

Dirty baby toes. :)



What a little trooper. She's seriously the best travel companion ever.

Once home, we had some snuggle time.

Talk about overwhelming happiness, right?!

Aaaaand, now I'm off to be a Domestic Goddess and make my normal mediocre dinner. Win.

Oh! And a little Cumberland, Maryland shout out from the History Channel.

Check THAT out!

I'm not sure...

If Ellie just REALLY likes the 5 o'clock hour or if she's in love with Bill O'Reilly.

PopPop would be so proud.

Words with Friends, Afghanistan Packing, and Family Photos

You'd think that being as close to deployment, we'd slow down. Well, we actually have quite a bit, but we're still having as much fun as ever!

I've officially started my domination over Words with Friends [an app for the iPhone] and my life is forever changed. 1. Because I realized that if Andrew can't win, Andrew will just cheat. 2. I'm learning to definition to those very important Scrabble words... like "qi" and "fez." If you're interested in playing, my username is: cnknieriem.

I just want to point out that if "EIEIO" was a word, I'd totally rock tammytwigg's world.

Andrew's week has been easy as we get ready for DeploymentGate2011. For most of yesterday and this afternoon we've cuddled in bed reading our Kindles. Andrew and I are big, noisy people... but relaxing and simultaneously reading has been comforting. I find myself talking SO much about my feelings, etc... trying to rationalize every part of our year apart, but just having some quiet time has given me more strength than anything else. I can feel Andrew preparing himself... the way he looks at Ellie and the slow pace we've been taking... I know that he's starting to feel the weight of this week. It's all very heartbreaking. There is some good news- we're starting to formulate some R&R dates and plans and that helps. As long as I can keep busy through the summer and fall, I should be fine. This preparation has included a significant amount of packing, though...

And playing with "Army toys."

Ellie has definitely enjoyed having the two of us around all the time... and all the cuddles.

My two lovebugs this morning before we had our family pictures taken... Could they be ANY sweeter?!

Oh! And the eating saga continues. It's all very exciting for me... she's starting to be such an independent gal. Eating. Crawling. Learning tricks.

EB has also been making a total mess of her crib at any/all times. It's a party in there!

So, speaking of our family pictures! Lysandra Cook, found at http://www.lysandracookphotography.com/, took our pictures on what ended up being very short notice. Seriously, they're so beautiful. Here are my favorites, so far. We get the rest sometime next week.

Are those amazing, or what?! She did them for us for FREE, too. Why? Because she participates in Operation:Love:ReUnited. A federal photography program for service members. If you aren't familiar, you can check it out at: http://www.oplove.org/.


After our portraits, we grabbed some breakfast... at which time, Andrew realized his true calling in life: eating as much bacon as possible.

This is Kaneohe right before the H-3 tunnel. Is it any wonder that I LOVE Hawaii?!

Once back at home, we awaited a box. What box? Oh, THE box. The box that Andrew's parents and siblings have been taunting us about. The box that contained a very exciting surprise. The box that was shipped priority so that Andrew would be sure to get it. And what was in that box?

"THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER" ...and the two sequels.

This was Andrew's favorite childhood movie and I am happy to report that it is on deck for tonight's viewing.

After "Family Naptime" and some motorcycle repair, Ellie decided to do some gymnastics which resulted in:

What is her issue?! This girl needs to chill the heck out! :)

So, as we turn into the last week or so that Andrew will be around, I can safely say one thing: My family matters. During Andrew and my pending divorce, there were so many insecurities and questions and now, coming full circle, I can feel the love between us again. We will still be standing in 12 months and THAT makes me a very giddy school girl.

Some side notes:

I've found myself reading this: http://www.deargirlsaboveme.com/ And, if you need a good laugh, you should read it, too.

I've also found myself thinking of this: http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/Stephen-Colbert-Sings-Friday-with-The-Roots-4111/1317553 Mostly because I've been trying to decide: Is Stephan Colbert or Jimmy Fallon my ultimate celebrity crush? More on this later.

I can't be the only bleeding heart.

Live Animals Being Sold as Keyrings in China

 

Keyring ornaments are perhaps the most useless item you'll ever carry in your pocket or stuff in your purse -- but now, thanks to an increasingly popular item being sold in China, it can easily be the cruelest, too. For the price you might expect to pay for some kitschy trinket, Chinese street vendors are selling live animals, permanently sealed in a small plastic pouch where they can survive for a short while as someone's conversation piece. Apparently, these unimaginably inhumane keyrings are actually quite popular -- and worst of all, it's totally legal.

     According to The Global Times, these keyring accessories containing live animals are widely available and sold publicly in subway stations and on sidewalks. Potential buyers (read as animal-abusers) have the choice between a living Brazil turtle or two small kingfish, sealed in an airtight package along with some colored water. One vendor claimed that the trapped creatures "can live for months inside there" because the water contains "nutrients," though veterinarians have already disputed this claim.
"I'll hang it in my office, it looks nice and brings good luck, " said one customer who purchased the turtle.
As the cruel trinkets continue to gain in popularity, thankfully so to have the voices of animal rights supporters in opposition to the inhumane treatment of the animals they contain. "To put a living thing inside a sealed and confined space for profit is immoral and pure animal abuse," Qin Xiaona, director of the NGO Capital Animal Welfare Association, told the Global Times.
Even some right-thinking passersby are trying to do their part in saving the animals' lives where they can. "I bought one to free it. It looks so miserable," said one woman, unnamed by the Times.
Despite the fact that the selling of animals as keyring ornaments is a clear-cut case of animal cruelty, it is actually entirely within the law. Chinese law prohibits the sale of wild animals -- a designation which evidently does not apply to the Brazil turtles and kingfish being sold.
For the time being, in lieu of legislation which may or may not come to pass outlawing the sale of living creatures as objects of amusement, Xiaona suggests people use their better sense to squelch the trade. "If nobody buys it, the market will die," she says.

     Sadly, it is likely that so too will the animals which have already been sealed in their colorful, transparent tombs -- gasping for the final breath of air they've been packaged with, as they peer out to a world in which their lives are considered essentially worthless. And in such a dark hour, it's hard not to believe our very humanity awaits a similar fate.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/live-animals-being-sold-as-keyrings-in-china.php