I hate Utah Traffic!!!

This is what I get to stare at for two hours every day, an hour to work and an hour home from work. Seriously, who wants to stare at the back of a Mitsubishi Mirage and a semi-truck? I don't!!! I mean sometimes it's a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Accord, but still, nothing I care about.

And it's not like they have anywhere to go, the traffic is stopped for miles.Then there are the lovely exits and on-ramps...see all the cars trying to get on the freeway? I never understood why exit and on-ramps always get so backed up...what is so hard about getting on and off the freeway, seriously people!!!Not only is this lovely traffic responsible for my car being in the shop for 3 weeks due to some idiot ramming into the back of my stopped car, but it is also the cause of hundreds of accidents every year. I think I see an average of 2 car wrecks per day involving anywhere from 2 to 8 cars per accident...It's ridiculous. If there were back roads from Cedar Hills to Salt Lake that didn't double my drive time, I would most definitely take them.

Even when you think traffic is starting to let up and you start to accelerate...5 mi/hr...10 mi/hr...25mi/hr....BAM!!!!...all you see ye break lights screaming in your face as you slam your breaks to stop. I guess that is why they call it STOP and GO traffic.

No I wanna drive the golf cart...

Today my work had their annual golf tournament and since I am such a fabulous golfer...I was the official "check in" girl. I was responsible to make sure everyone showed up on time, checked in with me to get their goodies (golf balls and tees), received their team score cards and cart assignments, get everybody to tee off on time, and take a team photo at the end. Pretty important huh??? Well I sure thought so...I took my job very seriously, to the point I even yelled at a few people for teeing off late and making my whole T-time schedule screwed up. There were 11 teams of 4, so by the time the last group teed off, the first group was just about back. Luckily I only had to wait 30 minutes, which was just enough time to get some dinner...burger and fries...yum! I did practice my picture taking skills while I waited...

Check out the cart!

Finally the golfers started coming back. Some of the golfers enjoyed a nice cold beer or two, or three...or ten...as you can see in the photos at the end of 9 holes.

Ritchie and Jason
Taunya, Brian, Paul, and I have no idea
Jason (again), Dave, and Lynn
I dont know, Chad, Dan, and Brian
I dont know, I have no idea, Suzanne, and Mike
Darrin, Scott, and Greg...don't ask!!!
Scott, Pete, Not sure, and I can't remember
Hmmm, Jason, Eric, and Randy
Wes, Tim, and Good Question
Ted, Steven, and Not quite sure
???, Pete, Dave, and Drawing a blank
No clue, Don't know, Eric, and Mr. Bunny Ears

Overall it was a ton of fun. There were contests for best overall team score, longest drive, etc. Also, there were random drawings for tons of prizes and gift certificates. Since i was "JUST" the checker-inner girl, I was not in any of the drawings, but I did get a "Thanks for Helping" card with $30 to the Cheesecake Factory (Yes, I will be going alone since Chris is not here and I can't wait until he gets back to go!). I guess since I did so good this year, they already have me signed up for next year...maybe I will do better at remembering peoples names next year.

2 years and counting

Today was mine and Chris' 2 year anniversary, and of course due to the lovely Army, we were not together. We barely even got to talk to each other...LAME!!! I just keep telling myself I have 50+ anniversaries to celebrate with him. Here are some photos to celebrate our marriage 2 years ago today...Our first kiss of the day!!!

So in love!

First Kiss as Mr. & Mrs. Chris Petty

To my sweet love...
Another year to create precious memories together.
Another year to discover new things to enjoy about each other.
Another year to build a life rich in love and laughter.
Another year to strengthen a marriage that defines "forever."

I LOVE YOU CHRISTOPHER WYNN PETTY!!!!

My Random Find

Last night I was looking online for some Army frames or shadow box frames to put some of Chris' pictures and medals in and I randomly came across this...


I read it and thought it was pretty funny, especially since most of these things are already happening to me and its only been 8 months. Since it is so small and hard to read, here is what is says...

1) As soon as you find out her husband is deployed take it upon yourself to tell her exactly how you feel about the war and how WE shouldn't be over there.

2) Follow that up by asking how she feels about the President.

3) Look surprised and say, "I don't know how you do it, I could never LET my husband do that."

4) If she's pregnant be sure and ask if the military is going to send her husband home for the birth.

5) Tell her she should really consider getting additional life insurance since her husband has a good chance of getting killed.

6) Remind her how lucky she is that her husband gets all that extra tax free money when he's at war.

7) Try to relate to her by saying you know just how she feels because your husband was out of town on business for a week last month.

8) Ask her how she can be faithful for a whole year and if she worries about her husband cheating on her.

9) Inquire on whether or not her husband has killed anyone.a

10) Be sure to ask her when her husband comes home, if he's done with the military or if he has to go back.

So next time you talk to an Army wife...be sure to keep these 10 things in mind!!!

An Even Bigger Dilemma...

Ok, so here I am freaking out about Chris' birthday which is in 3 weeks and our 2 year anniversary is on Monday the 18th. That date is even closer and I have the same dilemma, what to do for him? I have no clue. I will be working all day and Chris will probably be getting smoked big time by some mean Drill Sgt. That is definitely not how I pictured my 2 year anniversary! Maybe it's just a newlywed fairy tale, but I thought we would go on a 3rd honeymoon type vacation and just get away for a few days where we could think about nothing but each other. Yeah right!!! Instead we will both be spending the day alone. Well, me with co-workers and family and Chris with a bunch of random guys from all over the country. So romantic isn't it?

I guess I can try to be overly optimistic and think about all of the wonderful future anniversaries that we will be able to spend together, BUT as long as he is in the Army, I better not count on it. Now that I think of it, I can pretty much kiss birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, vacations, babies, etc. out the door for the next few years...man that's depressing! Gosh I am getting all sorts of sad, I better stop blogging about this before I make myself cry. I just have to remember that...

Birthday Dilemma

Chris' birthday is in 3 weeks and I have no idea what to get him for his birthday!!! Normally this is not an issue because Chris always wants something. New shoes, a shirt, speakers for the truck, 4 wheeler stuff, electronics, etc. But now that he is in the Army and pretty much can't have anything, I am stumped. For most people, the question is "What do you get the person who has everything?", but my question is "What do you get the person who can't have anything?" I know this is probably a stupid thing to stress about for the next few weeks, but I can't help it. If I don't send anything, he will be sad and feel unloved. If I buy something and then pay to sent it, his drill sergeants will just take it and throw it away (or keep it for themselves, like they did with his new cologne) and that will be a total waste of money! So, what is the solution to my problem...? I could find a cute card and write in it how much I love him, but usually the card is attached to the gift. I could try and write a poem, but I suck at rhyming and he would probably just laugh at me for trying. I could buy him something really cool and send him a picture of it and tell him I'll save it for later when he can have it, but that is just torture to remind him the Army life sucks. I thought about making him a mini scrapbook with photos of us, but I have already done that for him in the past (repeat gifts suck). Basically I am out of ideas and will quickly be out of time, so my lovely husband will get nothing but an "I LOVE YOU" text with a virtual kiss. That is the best I can do!!!

My Sexy Soldier

My wonderful hubby decided to join the Army back in January. I was not thrilled about it, but I knew it was what he really wanted. We both prayed about it and knew it was the right thing for him and for us so he signed his life away and off he went. This is him being sworn in as Private Petty. He looks so hansom and so ready with his shaved head!


He entered BCT or Boot Camp in Fort Benning, GA on January, 28, 2008. Rather than doing 9 weeks basic training and then 6 weeks infantry training, he did them together as a 17 week course. That totally sucked for me, because that just meant he would be gone even longer! There was a "family day" in the middle, but I was not able to go. His mom, brother, and sister in law drove down from South Carolina to spend the day with him. Here are some pictures from there family day.

Chris and his brother John-Michael

Chris showing his brother some combative skills

John-Michael trying on Chris' ACU's

Dropping Chris back off at the barracks

One last wave...I so would have been running after him crying hysterically!

After Chris returned to "hell" as he calls it, he continued his training and prepared for graduation. I was actually able to make it to that...thank goodness! His dad, brother, and sister in law also came down for the event. Here are some photos from graduation.

Turning Blue Ceremony
(that is where he gets the cool blue cord on his shoulder)
He looks so serious and so hot!!!

The soldier's loved one...ME...was supposed to be able to put the cord on him, but by the time I got down the bleachers to him, his Drill Sergeant had already done it, so we took a fun picture anyway. Also, this is the first time I had seen Chris in 17 weeks. When I saw him I just wanted to hug him and kiss him and well jump his bones, but he couldn't even touch me, he just had to stand there with his hands behind his back in formation. It sucked, but he did sneak in a little pat on my butt when we took this picture. After the quick snap shot, I had to leave him and go back to my seat for the rest of the ceremony...torture!!!

After the ceremony ended, Chris had to go back to the bay to get his stuff and was released from "prison" for 5 hours! Can you believe it...I don't see my husband for 17 weeks, barely get to talk to him and all the freakin' Army can give us is 5 hours.

Back at the hotel for our conjugal visit!

Well, we made the most of it and I dropped him back off at the barracks. The next day was the official graduation. Here are the photos from that.

Chris and I after the Graduation

Another picture of us, but my eyes were closed...dang it!

Chris with Drill Sergeant Brown

Chris with Drill Sergeant Hord

Chris and Kawolski talking to Drill Sergeant

After the graduation, Chris was able to leave base for the weekend, so we headed up the South Carolina to visit the rest of his family. Besides the fact we got stuck in traffic for 3 hours without moving an inch due to a semi rolled over across the highway, it was a lot of fun. I got to see his mom and sister and was able to meet my newest nephew for the first time, who was already a year old. We basically just hung out with the fam and relaxed.

Sunday morning we got back in the car and headed for Georgia. Chris had to report back that night and I had to say goodbye :-( Dropping him off was so hard. I cried and cried and cried some more! The crappy thing was, my flight didn't leave until Monday morning, so I had to go back to my hotel alone, knowing that my husband was only minutes away...torture AGAIN!!!

Chris is working on becoming an Airborne Ranger. He has completed Airborne Jump School and received his red Beret and his silver wings. He is currently in holding for RIP (Ranger Indoctrinate Program). That is where they weed out the good and the back before they sent you to the official Ranger School. He should be starting RIP in 2 weeks and then graduating from RIP 4 weeks later. Good luck my love!!!

Bye Bye New Car

Tuesday after work, all I wanted to do was go home and relax. I merge onto the freeway and 5 minutes later I am stopped due to an idiot Utah driver. Yes, this is my brand new car smashed!!! I don't even have license plates for it yet.


It was typical stop and go rush hour traffic. There was a large lifted pick up truck behind me who obviously decided not to stop. The sucky thing is that I was completely stopped and looked up in my rear view mirror and saw him coming right at me. I thought to myself...Is he going to stop? So with my head turned looking in the mirror, he slammed right into the back of my new car. As you can see, he was much higher than me, which is why he barely damaged the bumper, he went right over the top of me. Fully knowing it was his fault and trying to avoid a ticket, he asked me not to call the police. But I am no idiot, I've been in too many accidents to not know the drill. I told him I already called the police, so we just pulled off to the side of the freeway to wait. After exchanging info and waiting 20+ minutes with no police arriving, I called back to see what the hold up was. The dispatch advised us to just leave as long as we had each others insurance info. Lucky for him, he got out of a ticket! And I though Seattle drivers sucked...Utah is so much worse!!!

My neck was pretty sore, so I went to the chiropractor that night for x-rays and an adjustment. Of course, the next morning I woke up extra sore. I am still recovering from the whip lash and I constantly have a headache and feel nauseated all day. My car is in the shop and will be for the next 2 weeks, so I get to drive an awesome champagne colored Chevy Malibu. Yeah, its pretty sweet! It's definitely better than the white cargo van that Enterprise tried to give me. Me driving a cargo van...now that's funny. I would surely kill myself and everyone else on the road driving that. I can't wait for my car to be fixed so I can be back on the road with my own set of wheels.