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Tad Rainey
Soldier, Mom, Individual
23 going on 5 or 40, depending on the day
Blond hair, Blue eyes
Enjoys Rollerblading and Bicycling, not running
Strange outlooks, odd ideas, and wierd philosophies
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Ramblings
Welcome to my page. This is most likely to be a rambling set of things that I think, believe, have heard, or wonder about. Visit lots of you like, but it's probably going to be rather bizarre and possibly difficult to follow. This is going to be on things that happened to me, and don't fit into the girls diary, and is on the more peculiar side of my existance.
26 Feb. 00
Well, another year older, and deeper in debt...I heard
that on a song once upon a time, and it seems to be
true. Yes, I have turned the age clock again. Now I'm
23 years old. Wow. Who'd have guessed that I'd be
here still, huh?
Along with the anniversary of my birthday, I took me
sometimes delightful husband off to a marriage retreat.
We had lots of fun. We rode in go-carts, on a canoo in
a bayou and got snagged twice on under-water stumps,
and goofed around a lot. There were seminars on
personality traits and how they affect a marriage, and
how to fight nicely in a marriage, and how to manage
the finacial side of a marriage. It was lots of fun.
It was really nice to have an entire day to ourselves.
There was a "daycare" facility, monitored by a
certified child care provider, and staffed by volunteers
from singles in our battalion. We left Sam with them,
and Rebekah went home with a friend after school. We
were totally free. We did check up on Sam every so
often, but she seemed to be having as much fun as we
were...She had lots of other little kids to play with,
and she loved it. In addition, we got a couple things
to take home with us, other than the paper pass outs
we got at registration...I got the pot of miniature
roses that was the center piece for our table at dinner,
we got a financial management workbook. It was lots of
fun, and we got back around 8 PM, just in time to tuck
Sam into bed.
Anyway, for my birhtday, in addition to a day with my
husband, I got a lot of Tupperware! It's so awesome.
I got a Tupperware dish that can be baked in the oven!
And it works really well. I got a bunch of recipe cards
with it, and I'm posting the one that I used the first
time I used my oven-safe Tupperware. I also got a
Tupperware bowl with a lid that has a hole in it for
an egg beater, so it doesn't splatter my whole kitchen.
Anyway, it's neat.
I guess that's about it for today:) See you all later!
05 Feb. 00
Same thing again...This is on the girls' page, so skim:)
We got more snow! 6 inches! And it's taken 2 weeks
to melt enough that we aren't getting ice every
morning! Way cool! I got almost 3 days off in the
middle of the week. It was awesome.
However, now I am back to the normal work schedule.
Yuck. This means I get to go out to the field starting
tomorrow. Absolutely horrid. I should be gone until
Friday, at which point I will be coming back home. I
have all the stuff that I'm going to need out there
together, so it shouldn't be too bad. With any luck,
this will be the last time I get to do this! But I
found this remarkable heating thing that heats water.
It's wonderful...I am bringing a stash of hot chocolate
mix and a mug...I'm going to have hot liquids out there,
at least. Also hot sponge baths! Yeah!
Other than that, I think life is still doing about what
it usually does. We're all doing well, and can't wait
to go back to California. We'll see you all then:)
22 Jan. 00
For all those who don't read my girls page, we had snow
on the 18th!!! For those who live where snow is a
common winter element, I suppose this isn't a big deal.
However, we don't get much snow here...Last winter we
got flurries that only stayed snow while they were
airborne, and melted when they touched the ground. So,
snow out here is really exciting, and I totally loved
having it. Not to mention that I got a day and a half
off work because snow is so rare around here that they
don't have the equipment to deal with it, so they close
down the whole post:) I made snow angels, and threw
snow at all the neighborhood kids:) It was great.
I got my flu shot. I think this is the first one I've
gotten in the Army. It wasn't too bad. It stung a
little, and I was the only person who insisted on
sitting down, but it didn't hurt much, and it's still
not really painful, the day after. I am pleased to
say that all my fears concerning the flu shot were just
that, unsubstantiated fears. With no basis in fact.
Other than that, we finally got our car back! Yeah!
It's so nice to have transportation again. Of course,
there's still a little work that needs to be done on
it...The brake cylinder needs replaced, I need new tires,
and there's some valve that needs to be fixed. Oh, yeah,
and the heater went out yesterday, so something needs
to be done about that, too. But we do have our car back,
for better or for worse, and it's so wonderful!
I'm counting down the months...Seven and a half, and
I'll be free! Isn't that great? So, like, on that
happy note, I'll leave you:) See ya round...
02 Jan. 00
Welcome to the new millennium!!! All who are reading
this have made it too! Congradulations to you...The
end of the world wasn't so bad, now, was it?
All jokes aside, it is kinda nice to be here, alive,
and with all the ammenities of the modern world still
at my fingertips. I know that I did secretly heave a
sigh of relief when the power didn't flicker, my
computer didn't crash, and there were no explosions,
other than the fireworks my neighbors were setting off.
So, what did I do for New Years? I went to a neighbor's
house and played a game called Phase 10 (it's the game
you end up with when you cross Rummy with Uno) and we
played with Sparklers and Snaps(which are little things
that snap when they hit the ground. You throw, they
snap. Very cute), and drank some Orange Dream and
Apple Pucker. Very yummy. It was pretty fun. We
hugged and kissed, and went to bed.
Our car is still broken. Which has me rather bummed out
most of the time. The parts have finally come in, but
the check from the insurance co has been delayed in the
mail, and I am still waiting for it. The mechanic
thinks that he'll have room for the car in his garage
so he can work on it tomorrow. If there is any luck
or compassion in the universe, I'll get that check
tomorrow, too. But I have no idea. So, I'm mostly
crossing my fingers and hoping for good things:)
Sadly, tomorrow starts full day scheduling again, which
means I'm probably going to be a bit hungry at lunch
(kinda hard to get a lift then) and not likely to get
home before 5 or 5:30 PM. So, like, this is getting
rather depressing, so I think I'll get off, and let you
know when it gets better. See you then:)
11 Dec. 99
I have just come home from the field. Yuck! For more
on that aspect of my life, go see my military page...I
don't want to repeat myself, and it's a yucky subject
to me, anyway.
Other than that, the car situation looks bleak. We may
just get the poor thing totaled. The axle damaged the
frame, and it's going to cost a bundle to fix. The
insurance person came out and looked at the car, and
told Brent to take it to a mechanic and that the
insurance would cover the repairs, but the mechanic
wants to get ahold of the insurance company and make
sure that they are aware of what needs to be fixed. If
the repairs cost more than 25% of the car's worth, they
have to total the car, and pay me what it's worth.
So, I'm kinda looking at used cars again...
On the flip side, I have discovered that I can walk to
the PX and the Commisary...It's a long walk, but Rebekah
can make it, and so it's not to bad. For big shopping
trips, we ask a friend for a lift, and for transport to
and from work, I bum rides. I'd rather have my car, but
we're surviving.
So, life continues. It's very hectic, but I'm feeling
better about the whole car thing than I was. I can get
a little shopping done of my own, and what I can't do
on foot, I can get rides from friends for. I guess
that's the end for today:)
04 Dec. 99
Well, trials come into everyone's life, and mine is no
exception. Last Tuesday (that wouold be the 30 of Nov.)
my loving husband ran into a curb, and about wrecked my
car. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and our car was the
only vehicle involved. The insurance will pay for it,
but first they've got to come and check out the damage.
We think that the axle may be bent, and that the struts
or shocks may be broken. They are supposed to come on
Monday (06 Dec.), and then we have to get it to a
mechanic and get it fixed. Not too bad, but it's been
a real trial for me.
And right before I go out to the field, too. Which is
also going to happen on Monday. At least it's only for
5 days...I'll be back Friday (10 Dec.), so here comes
another fling of over clingy children. I'm taking leave
the following week, though, so hopefully they'll get
their clinginess out. Then we have half days until
after New Year's.
I am so anxious to get out. Before I can, they are
going to haul me off to Ft. Bliss, TX, and make me
stay there for a month. That'll be in June or July
next year. I don't think I can get out of it. So,
right before they say goodbye to Daddy for a few months
for training, they'll have me taken away for a month.
My poor kids are going to be so upset.
Well, I guess those are the breaks for soldier moms. I
will be so glad when I'm out...Anyway, I guess that's
about it. See ya 'round:)
26 Nov. 99
Well, I have survived another Thanksgiving. It went
pretty well. I did most of the cooking (baking, really)
and it turned out pretty good. We had cornish game hens
instead of turkey...I fixed twice as many as we ate, so
we also had them for dinner tonight. They were much
better the first time around...The legs dried out when
we re-heated them:) I baked four kinds of bread...We
had banana nut, cranberry-orange, white, and corn
breads...Yummy! I fixed rice stuffing to go with the
birds, and Brent (bless him) made awesome mashed
potatoes. He also made his trademark killer
cheesecakes...Weep all who have tasted them, and weren't
here this week! I made pumpkin pies and a peach pie,
but I think that I need to work on the recipe for the
peach pie. I also made a "Golden Broccoli Bake" which
was fantastic...Very similar to the green bean bake I
tried last year, but Brent liked the broccoli version
better. And I fixed corn. We had cranberry sauce (from
a can, I'll only go so far...) and cookies (the girls
helped to make them...). And I think that about sums
up our little munch fest...It was all very, very good.
Other than that, I've decided that putting up with the
Army, even part time, isn't what I want to do. So
until I find out where we'll be stationed, and what
babysitters will be available, and then I'll decide
if the money is worth the time and the headache...I'm
sure it'll be a headache! So, that's up in the air at
this point.
I have been spending, spending, spending on the whole
"Tupperware" thing...Too many people I know are having
parties:) So, I've finally gotten one of those pie
mats that show how big you need to roll your pastry for
each size of pie tin...That was a real lifesaver for
Thanksgiving! I also got a neat thing for stuffing my
packets of things like cool-aid and marinade mixes. I
have a couple freezer-able containers coming because
we've decided it'll be better to freeze our leftover
spaghetti sauce than eat it for the next 2-3 days. And
a stuff sack for putting all my plastic bags into! So,
we're working on this whole idea of organisation.
Weird, huh?
I almost forgot to mention! I've finally started the
whole Christmas shopping thing. I found the cutest
hobby horses for the girls...They are a few shades
different in color, and I think I'll print names on
the handles, so they can tell them apart. I got
Rebekah a glitter bath set...It has spray on gel,
shower gel, and lotion, all thouroughly glitterised:)
I picked up a couple books...Sam is getting board books,
and Rebekah is getting her very own callendar. I also
found a cute alphabet book for Rebekah...To help her
with letter identification. Then we found a couple
boxes of crayons...One for Sam, one for Rebekah. We'll
see how well these ones work:)
Well, that's about the whole of it. I hope that
everyone who visits had as wonderful a holiday as we
did...The fun was non-stop! And I'll be back to do
this again sometime later:)
12 Nov. 99
Well, what do you think of the new picture? I think
it works much better than the prior one. I found that
lovely tree on a website with lots of other and similar
pictures...And more may pop up on my pages as I go
along.
I am contemplating the things to do when I get out...I
am getting out, you know. I start Terminal Leave in
Sept. As I begin the drive out to California again,
Brent will be shipping out to Basic Training. I'm going
to be a college kid, and he's going to be my supportive
husband. Also on the agenda is the possibility of
the Reserves or National Guard, and maybe selling
stamps...
Oh, yes! I haven't told you about my stamps! I had a
stamp party for my sister in California, and since she
was there and I was here, I ended up with demonstrating
it as well as hostessing it. Which wasn't too bad,
except that it was too much for me to do. So, having
successfully sold almost $300.00 singlehandedly, I am
thinking about doing that in my free time for a little
extra money while I'm in college. Besides, it's fun.
And I like showing people that it's really easy to make
neat stuff all by themselves:)
So, I'm excited about the whole "Get out of the Army"
thing, and I'm so, so ready for it. I'll keep you
updated about the whole thing...But for now, I must
rush off...I have more pages to tinker with, you know!
16 Sept. 99
Well, I am totally losing any respect for hurricanes
that I may have ever had...My second one that I
remember, and it also trickles off into the sea...Of
course, everyone is saying that it was a fluke and that
we are incredibly lucky, but I wanted to see a natural
disaster, not a wind and rain storm. Yeah, we had a
few power outages...We had a little flooding...But an
inch or so of standing water in the front lawn, and a
few houses wihtout electicity isn't what I thought we
were supposed to be in for. I was expecting blown down
trees, torn off roofs, busted out windows...You know,
all that good stuff...
Anyway, I'm also starting to think about the Stamping
Party I am going to give on the 1st of October...I'm a
little nervous, actually. It'll be the first time I
ever demonstrated any kind of product. At least I'll
be in front of friends when I make a complete idiot of
myself...I'll let you know how it goes after we do it.
Other than that, I am amusing myself on most Saturdays
playing Shadowrun with my husband at a friends house.
We drag the girls along, and they play with Steve's
kids. So much fun. Not quite a break, but it's
nicer than spending all Saturday at home alone with the
kids while Brent is off playing WarHammer...
I guess that's all for now. Catch you later:)
16 Aug. 99
There hasn't seemed to be much time for me to do this
page lately. I've been busy trying in California,
taking the girls to the fireworks, and going to work.
Then we had to get Rebekah ready for school. So, here
I am, finally pulling together some time for myself.
I've decided that I need a hobby. I think that I'll
start to make clothes for myself. And the girls. But
not the average, run of the mill, normal, modern day
clothing that you can buy at Wal-Mart. I think that
I'll make myself a wardrobe of renaissance style
clothing so that I can go and play at Rennfests and
SCA events and all those other fun, make believe things.
We (Brent and I) are about to celebrate our 3rd Anniverary.
It's a big step. Seems quite a while ago that we got
hitched. It's been strange, kinda hard sometimes,
easy as a breeze at others. We seem to be doing all
right just now. Brent has maybe *crosses fingers, knocks
on wood* gotten himsself a part time job, and so things
won't be so money scrunched around here. Anyway, it'll
get him out of the house more.
THat's about it. I forgot, another big stumbling block
on this page is my rather boring and repetitive life.
It's not that great to write about, and I guess it's
not all that to read about, either. See ya next time,
I hope:)
27 May 99
To all who know me as "Rainey, the long-haired blonde"
or any other such lable, I have done something horrible...
I chopped my hair off. It now brushes
my shoulders. I like it, it's easier and faster to put
up in the morning, and it doesn't tangle so much. Brent
says it looks good, too, and also that his is the only
opinion that matters, so I guess I look alright. I
look like I did in 5th grade. It's funny, in 5th grade
I thought I looked so grown up, but now I think I look
like a 12 year old.
The news on the Army side of things is that they may
put me up in the front office for a while. That's
what I got told last week, at least. Today they
thought that maybe I wasn't going, but I don't care...I'll
be gone for most of June, anyway. Three more work days
and I'm outta here! I can't wait to be back home and
see everyone again!
I discovered a nifty thing on one of the pewters in the
front office. When you type ":)" it gives you a cute
straight up and down smiley face. Like on a Wal-Mart
commercial. I thought this was incredible, but one of
my far more computer literate friends claims it's a
program that does it for that expression and a few
others. Oh, well. It was neat, anyway.
I think that's about it. Mostly what we are doing now
is anxiously awaiting the 5th so we can begin our long
drive. Bye, now:)...(Obviously, my pewter doesn't
recognise the things...)
15 May 99
For those of you who have knowledge of this bizarre
event, as well as those of you who do not, my candle
party was a great success, and I had a great time. Most
of the people I invited were able to attend, and by the
time everyone left, I had about six oreos, a handful of
chips, and a few glasses of juice left. That's what I
call a good party...When everyone is comfortable (or
hungry)enough to wipe out the snacks! Or maybe it was
just the kids, but I saw that most of the adults had
refreshments in hand, so I don't think it was only the
kids...
Anyway, I have a big shipment of candles coming to me,
and lots of them are actually for me...Kinda...I ordered
a lot of stuff as gifts for other people. So I had a
great time, and I think everyone else enjoyed themselves,
and I may do this again...Next summer, sometime...
Mother's Day was good. I went to a Mother's Day Tea with
Rebekah, and her class sang beautiful songs, and they
served us cake. I have hit a major step in being a
a mommy...I have finally gotten a "Handprints" poem
from my baby...It still is bringing tears to my eyes
when I think about it...Too true, she will someday be
far bigger than to be making handprints on my walls,
and concoctions in her bedroom...*sniffle*
I guess that's it...It was a lovely day, though, and
well worth the stress of getting it together. See Ya:)
05 May 99
Oh, exciting news! And hopefully no one in my company
knows about this place...But the allergists and
dermitologists are all convinced that there is nothing
wrong with me, and because I do want to stay in, I am
advised to let my profile run out, and go to the field
again. If it gets so I can't handle the itching, I
guess we are at step one again, but for now I still
have some job security.
Furthermore, I have put in my reqest for a leave of
absence, and hopefully will be out in California this
June! Oh, the joy! To be back home, and to show off
my kids, who can be wonderful and adorable...But aren't
always. And to be with the normal people again:)
I guess that is the updates for right now. Maybe
there is something else that I'm forgetting, but I know
it not. I'll see you 'round...
02 May 99
I have had a pretty cool weekend so far...I went to a
friend's candle party and won the door prize, which was
six floating candles and a couple votives. Also, I have
an appointment set for the day that I'm supposed to see
the allergist, if nothing else. I'm hoping to postpone
appointment to determine if I go to the re-class board
or the kick out board until July, if possible. I want
to go home this summer:)
Brent got the new release of "Heroes of Might and Magic:
III", and it's neat. We each have a single player game
going...Mine is a single senerio, and Brent is doing a
campaign. Then we are on opposing sides in a mega-battle,
and I guess he'll win, because he's got a better sense
of strategy than I do. But it's fun, and the graphics
are neat, and any of my friends who check this page out
and are interested in that game, it has my full recommendation...
Anyway, Brent is pestering me to leave so we can play
some more, so I'll come back and finish this later...Bye!
21 Apr. 99
Well, the doctors are still confused about my case and
my health...I am free of the field for another three
months, though, and I guess that's worth the hassle of
worrying about my future emplyment...
I met the most wonderful people this weekend...They are
from California! It's such a relief to find reasonable
people out here...Mostly I meet people with no sense of
humor and with very little taste. But I have once again
found a few people who can connect with me, and so I
hope that I stay in the military long enough to form a
good friendship with them, if nothing else. They have
a cat that looks kinda like Mushu, and I think that's
cool, too. Also, Brent likes them...And the husband
is a stay-at-homer, so he and Brent connect on that
level, too.
Mushu is getting big. He falls out of two hands at this
point. I figure it's about time for his shots, and
that'll happen the first of May, I think.
I have read this book called "Hart's Hope", by Orson
Scott Card, and it is wonderful! It's written in a
format that I usually don't read, but the story was
lovely, and when I finished it I had many tears in my
eyes...So, it's a great book, and if you like fantasy,
you should consider at least picking it up and seeing
if it's the type of thing you like...And maybe reading
it even if it doesn't seem your type, because you might
find out that it is...
04 Apr. 99
Today was lovely...We did an Easter Egg hunt with the
nieghbors, and the girls both got big stuffed bunnies...
Along with enough candy to keep us all on sugar highs
for a week. Rebekah has aquired a slight sunburn...Time
to break out the sunscreen again.
I think that Mushu has stripes...Light grey on slightly
darker grey, but still, striped. Very cute. And he is
very well litter trained...We have had no problem with
him at all. He is taking fairly well to his weekly
baths...Still complains a little, but he doesn't leave.
He doesn't much like his nails being trimmed, but he
submits to that, too.
I have finally gotten the time to read such things as
books...It is a lovely thing. Mostly it's been adult
fairy tales...I still haven't managed to outgrow the
things. I am also gradually working on shaping up
for the upcoming summer...I do a dance aerobic video
with my neighbor every night, and it leaves me sweaty.
I guess that's the point...I have also managed to loose
about four pounds. So I might be willing to wear a
swimsuit sometime...
Well, it's time for dinner. I may get back to this
tonight, or it may be later this month, but whenever
I do, I'll see you then...
20 Mar. 99
Oh, Oh...And now for my outtake on the new kitten...I
am totally, completely loving having a pet again. Mushu,
our kitten, is adorable. He stayed up and played with
me last night. He also knows to use the litter box.
Pretty cool. We got all the basic cat supplies yesterday,
around the first sometime, we should get a scratching
post and a few more toys. Sam likes Mushu's toys, too,
and runs around the house carrying them.
It has been forever since I had a pet...At least since
Basic Training, and I've been in the Army for almost
two and a half years. Having a cat is great. He's very
loving, and has no obvious problems with kids, which is
a little suprising to me...In his last home, he was mauled
by all the kids, and there were three there. But Sam
and Rebekah are very gentle with him, and give him his
space, so he gets along well with both of them.
All in all, it is very satisfying to have a pet again.
I think that Rebekah is at a good age for a "first pet"
of her own, and it'll do Sam good to have an animal
around. Plus, he's a very loving critter, and when all
the girls are down, he likes to love on me. Very, very
fun.
05 Mar. 99
Okay, my heart has kinda stopped the bleeding thing.
My kid sister should be able to take care of herself.
Besides, there is great news afoot! I have passed my
PT test and my 4 mile validation! It is wonderful...I
have renewed confidence in myself. The Army knows not
what to do with me...I talked to my doctor, and he wants
me to undergo another variety of tests to determine
if I am genuinely allergic to the woods out here. If
the tests come out positive, I may be reclassed! Of
course, I may not find out until after my ETS date,
and so we go round again...
Anyways, smiles all around! We all want to be happy...
Practice being happy on your own, it spreads;-}
27 Feb. 99
My heart bleeds for my baby sister...She has such a
difficult time with her life... And I would ask that
anyone who happens across this will offer whatever
suplications they choose to whatever greater power they
desire, to help her through any problems she is experiencing...
If you see this, Lizabug, remember we love you, and
hope you come through this without much scarring...
25 Feb. 99
I guess that anyone who actually wanders around my site
will discover that I am inserting my Guestbook on all
of my pages. This is a vain attempt to induce more
responses...i.e., I don't know if my page is getting
noticed or appreciated, or if it just sucks. So, I am
adding my Guestbook at regular intervals so it is
convienient to put your two cents worth in. The book,
no matter what I have put next to it, is the same. See
one, and you'll have seen them all. Sign one, and you've
signed them all. With Many, Many Thanks...I would like
to know if anyone knows or cares...
Also, Thank You
to those who have already signed, and please continue
to leace your opinions in my book...
20 Feb. 99
I have discovered that I have a longtime fan status for
a person who's work I had never really appreciated in
concert...Just bits and pieces, unconnected.
This person's name is Sue Dawe, and she draws lovely
pictures of unicorns, some I recall from my 7th grade
school folders. Simply beautiful. I can't find the
link, but if I do, I'll put it in so people can see
what else I appreciate. Other than that, it is rather
neat what a little tangent searching will lead you to
while on the net...Catch you later!
19 Feb. 99
This is my first entry. HI! I'm Tad, and I hope you
find this place at the very least a little unique. I
may even try to be humerous, but I don't know. Mostly
this is an introduction...
I don't really have anything to say today, but I
thought that I'd get this started, so that, someday,
when I finally have something to say, I can have some
where to put it. That's all...
My e-mail address it tadrainey@janrix.com Write, I love mail!
