I am finally out of the woods with Mono. I haven't had a nap in over a week although Eddie has been kind to me and letting me sleep in. He's been coming home to get the kids ready for school in the morning. I've even been waking up on my own in the morning and feeling refreshed.

My latest obsession is Metal Detecting. I have been wanting a metal detector for some time now and I finally got one for my birthday. So far we haven't gone very far and most of the time have stayed on base. Today I found my first piece of real jewelry. I get so excited and it doesn't matter to me that I haven't yet found anything of real value. The piece I found today is a silver marcasite pendant of a heart. We also found a little non-precious metal charm thing that said love. All told, we've found around 10 dollars in change and a few assorted weird items including a tab bottle cap, a skeleton key, an AA 30 day sober coin, half a golf club, buttons, lots of pull tabs (those of you around my age will remember them) and lots of rusty nails. Eddie told me that he thinks it is so cute when I get excited when we dig something up. I like to think of it as modern day archeology. We've only detected three places off base and we plan to venture further down to Old Colorado City soon.

I know this makes me a geek but I own it. As my dear husband put it, I say "Yeah, I metal detect. So the fuck what!" :)

I have also signed up for College. I am registered for three classes; Spanish 1, Metalworking and Jewelry, and Psychology 101. I actually took Psych 101 and got a B before (nearly an A but I took my final late) and I've had a zillion years of Spanish starting in 2nd grade. Both of those classes are online. I am SO excited to take the metalworking class. I also have a man who is going to apprentice me in jewelry repair so it should be the perfect compliment to my class. Almost like having a private tutor. I am planning on a CLEP test or two because I tested very high on my placement test. I am an excellent test taker. Its been YEARS since I've had any formal education in English or Math but I still did well. The woman who gave me my test scores suggested the CLEP tests because it will save me time and money. A short test is so much better than taking a class.

The boys are done school next week. I am going to continue their education throughout the summer. They are both very far ahead of their classes in reading and math. Ryan needs a lot of work with his writing. I am trying to encourage Avery to start reading novels. I started very young. I think I was 8 or so when I read my first Stephen King novel. After that everything my parents had in the house was up for grabs. It is so hard to steer them toward a book when the internet calls their attention. I guess a bribe system is in order.

Eddie has less than 9 months left in the Army. LESS THAN 9!! He found a job posting for his exact job description at Ft. Monmouth. Oh, if he could get that job, I think I'd just about up and die. The chances are slim because he is still 9 months out but if we could live by the shore, I just don't know what I'd do! I might even be able to convince my sister to move there as well which would make my life perfect! A house by the shore, Eddie with a job he loves, my family around an hour away and my sister living close is my vision of the perfect life.

I'm off for now. Eddie and I are getting our drink/rockband on :D