Going Green

Towards the end of April my great friend Kat and I attempted a trip to the Onslow County Farmers Market, the closest one around here. We wanted to find fresh produce that has been grown without pesticides and that has not wasted fuel and energy coming to us from all over the world. As the market is only open Tuesdays and Saturdays April through October, we got up early on a Tuesday morning to see if we could beat everyone else to the fine selection. We found it easily around 9am and besides the vendors selling plants, some broccoli, and little else, we were the only ones there. We briefly surveyed the situation and left discouraged. I have done much complaining that in California it was so easy to find good food and that there is nothing here. I could just take a seven minute trek to the market down the street, open every day, and grab delicious looking vegetables, homemade granola, and tons of other organic goodies. We have not been back to the Onslow Farmers Market. We have however gotten our hopes back up and have been scouring the area for fresh, local produce. It's just not as obvious here as it was in California. There, the farmers were successful and their produce was greatly desired in high demand. And of course, in the San Diego area, the climate is perfect for growing great crops year round.

I'm still trying to learn about growing food in my own garden and have so far only had successful herbs and peppers. So, Kat and I searched the eastern part of our area the other day and found green peppers, corn, cherries, blackberries, and sprite. Not the soda, the melon. Which I found out I am not allergic to and ate with great delight. The following day another friend of mine came blueberry picking with me, a summer tradition I picked up in Florida with my dear friend Peggy Ann who could pick bucket loads all season long. We also found seedless watermelon at $4 a piece and trekked to a small Mennonite grocery store for some fresh baked goods. The more I look and the more people I talk to, the more great food I find! Hopefully, I am getting us another step closer to being healthy and helping the planet.

Summer so far

My Summer Session II classes have not been too bad so far and Adam has not been flying much as he waits for his squadron to return, so our weekends have been less busy and have given us time for exploration. Fourth of July weekend Adam's parents had a beach house in Emerald Isle (about 45 minutes due east of Jacksonville) and we spent Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning there with them. The weather was nice, we ate good food, explored some of the coast, and watched fireworks on the beach.

This past weekend Adam and I explored on our own and went south to Snead's Ferry where we ate hot dogs and drank special recipe root beer at Dr. Rootbeer's Hall of Foam. It was a nice little dive with root beer memorabilia all over the walls and a nice staff. The special recipe root beer was excellent too. I have a feeling we'll be back.

Later that day my brother stopped to spend the night on his way to Charleston, SC for a Coast Guard Boarding Team School. This was especially exciting to me because due to distance, money, and schedules around the holiday's (ie. Greg not having off Christmas) I have not seen my brother since the week before I moved to Pensacola, two years ago. He got to see our house, check out the Cobras up at Adam's squadron, and swim in some warm water at the beach. I think that was his favorite part since Cape Cod summers only elicit 55 degree waters at the beach. Hopefully another visit will occur soon and maybe I'll make it up to see him in Cape Cod before he gets stationed elsewhere.

In other news, I am still waiting to hear about a teaching job, but am trying to be hopeful. Your prayers are always welcome. I am still enjoying being a nanny and watching this little boy grow up, but I want so much to be in the classroom again. And, as always, things are up the air with Adam, but at least we know that he will switch to another squadron on August 5th and will hopefully get back in the cockpit soon after that.

Thanks for reading!

In case you were wondering, I did get an A in my video class. I also got an A in graphic design. I also started two new classes on Monday. It's been non stop, but as long as I work a little every day, it all seems to get done. I love school so much I'm not sure I'll ever stop. I am definitely in the right profession for it!

Lately, I've had some time off work as the family I work for has been visiting family. I'm more than happy to go back next week, but the last two weeks have afforded me time to get some much needed gardening done and spend more time with Adam. I think he's very thankful that I've been home during his lunch break and have had more energy to cook. I've been trying out new recipes and using herbs from my garden. Yesterday's experiment was with lemon thyme. There's something so satisfying about using ingredients that you have grown yourself. I've already requested a green house and vegetable garden when Adam is retired and we're settled down. He said it could go next to his airplane hangar.

We have quite a while before that happens though. And there are many possibilities ahead of us. Right now we are just waiting for Adam's squadron to get back from Iraq so Adam can join them. Then it will be up in the air as to where and when he will be deploying. We won't have any official word for at least a few weeks. For now, we'll just enjoy this long holiday weekend!

Instructional Technology

So, most people know I'm in grad school, and that I am getting a Master's in Education, but you don't know all the cool things I get to learn about in my emphasis on Instructional Technology. Most of it is boring to anyone not involved in the curriculum, but I also learn things like making and editing videos. Such as the assignments required of one of my current classes. This video, directed and shot entirely by me:), and edited with much help from one of our friends, should give you a good idea of what my class has entailed this semester, and also , what Adam does on a daily basis. Hope you like it!

Vegetables!

I am very proud to announce that my vegetable plants are now producing real vegetables! I have been attempting to grow (in containers outside) green onions, radishes, tomatoes, green peppers, jalapenos, hot peppers, and green beans.

So far I have hot peppers and jalapenos growing quite well. The green beans are still pretty tiny, but hopefully will be edible soon. The tomato plant is very tall and I'm waiting for it to pop some delicious red fruit out any day now. The green pepper plants smell strongly of green peppers, but don't seem to be growing too much yet. I'm also pretty sure the radishes and green onions are a lost cause, but it's still early in the growing season.

The highlight of my day today was using one of my home-grown hot peppers in tacos for lunch today. Adam gave it high compliments!

Here are some pictures:

Blessings

Well, I suppose the tone of most of my posts is busy. And, well, we are very busy. But it's a thankful busy. We are thankful for where we are, even if it's not a place we would choose. We are thankful for our situation, our work, and the life God has set up for us here in North Carolina.

Adam is so happy to be flying and working without being in training. He still has to study, and he is still required to fly graded flights, but at least now he has earned the title "Combat Capable Pilot". He is deployable, and will be, probably in February. He also has a ground job in the squadron. Each pilot has to also work in an office. Adam's office takes care of things like parties, squadron events, fundraisers, and sells t-shirts and patches. So, you know, he joined to Corps to be a party planner. Just kidding, but I like the job because then I get to help out.

I have been babysitting and taking classes. I really am enjoying both. My classes are really starting to get interesting and make me want to learn even more outside of class. I also have started an evening women's bible study with my friend Kat. We are so glad that it is working out and we have a group of ladies to meet with once a week.

Being back on the east coast, we have recently had much visiting with family. We drove up to Northern Virginia and stayed with Adam's parents. We also were there for my cousin Katie's wedding, which was great! I was so happy to see her again, and so much other family that I rarely see. The following weekend, Memorial Day, Adam's two brothers came and stayed with us. They got to see what life is like on base and the grand city of Jacksonville. Hopefully, we will soon get to visit with old friends and maybe even my brother. I haven't seen him in two years!

We are so happy to have work, have each other, and have God. We have gotten to link up with old friends and make new friends. We have a lot going on, and we like it that way. We are busy, but we are blessed!

Busy Spring!

We have gotten settled in North Carolina, and just in time for things to pick up. I feel I've been working non stop in my classes. I finished my Spring semester just days before starting the first Summer session. It's only been a week and a half, but I already enjoy the two classes and look forwarding to completing the assignments. Mostly, I look forward to learning graphic design concepts and video editing.

Adam, of course, has been checked into his squadron and started working right away. Many of his friends from California are here and they all have a pretty good time together at work. This month will be pretty hectic, the squadron is gone for pre-deployment work ups and Adam and a handful of guys are holding down the fort here at New River. Luckily, this means Adam will get some flying time in again as he hasn't flown since leaving California.

Besides taking classes, I have also started work as a nanny for an adorable 2 month old boy. The family is so nice and I feel very comfortable with them. I have also submitted application for teaching positions and am going to a job fair on June 7 for the county schools. I'm trying to be open to where God is leading me, I just don't know where that is yet.

We've also had time to play in the last few weeks. We have taken a few bike rides around the base, explored the marina just a short walk behind our house, and met up with old friends. We took a short trip to Virginia for my cousing Katie's wedding and Adam's two brothers visited this past weekend. We've been actively involved in Officer's Christian Fellowship here and have made some new friends.

We really enjoy living on base and are glad to be here. The house is old and was pretty dirty when we got it, but with some sprucing up and loving care it feels like home. I've taken to gardening which helps brighten up the place, and is a new adventure for me. I have vegetables growing outside my kitchen and flowers that are doing well on the front and side porches. While the Jacksonville area is not really a booming metropolis, and not a place we would normally choose to live, it's not so bad. It has everything we need and it sort of grows on you. We have so many friends here and are close to some nice places, including some nice beaches. We're just happy to be settled somewhere for a while.

Here are some recent pictures:

Our house:

My Vegetables!

Strawberry picking with Val and Baby Kristen: