It's been a while

There hasn't been much going on that would really be considered interesting enough for me to blog about. However, Halloween was a couple days ago and I figured I'd share my costume. Don't ask me what I'm specifically supposed to be - I was leaning towards Chinese Assassin, and I wound up looking like Chinese Whore.

ZOO!

I love zoos. Greg and I went to the Nashville Zoo yesterday. And even though there's not a lot of animals there compared to like the Atlanta zoo, it's fun just the same. The weather was perfect and it almost felt like home again because we were waling through the woods where most of the animal exhibits are. Greg wound up taking over 100 pictures! The following is just a small sampling.

Happiness -n- stuff

My husband is finally home and safe. I couldn't be happier about it. The past few days have been GREAT! Saturday was his birthday and we went out to the Japanese Steak house. It was really nice. I've missed him so much. I just want to give him the world.

Quick post

Just a quick post. I'm going to be a busy bee today because Greg comes home Tomorrow night (or early in the AM the next day,but it'll be like tomorrow since I won't sleep.)

Patriot Day

Sept. 11 is now Patriot day. We all know why, so I won't get into that. Instead, I've decided to repost my essay on Patriotism. I say repost because it was posted on my main website for a while and also on my old myspace blog.

Patriotism-

The simple word “patriotism” means so many different things to so many different people. To some, it means that you put your full trust in the system (in this case, the government) and you would never doubt its decisions or actions. Others think that patriotism simply means belief in the rights that the constitution gives us – speech, press, religion, etc… - and even if they speak out against the government they are still, at heart, true patriots. For others, it is much more simple than that. These are the people who believe that patriotism is the basic love and pride for our country, be it for whatever reason. Then there is another group of people who call themselves patriots, but are they really? These are the people who will fly the American Flag because it is fashionable, yet they will allow the weather to destroy one of the greatest symbols of patriotism. Are these people patriot, or are they just playing with trends?

This is an opinion piece on a subject where I am not even sure of my own opinion. I consider myself patriotic. However, some people would argue with me. I do not fly the American Flag. In fact, there is not even a thought of one in my house (unless it is in a book somewhere). So which group of patriots to I think I belong to? I would say a little of group two and group three. I fully back those certain “unalienable rights” that are given to me and my fellow Americans. I respect my freedoms and the freedoms of others, even if I do not agree with them.

I also love my country for other reasons than those rights that the Constitution gives to me. This is one of the richest countries in the world, not only in wealth, but also in culture. This is the best country in the world because it is the world. The United States is a mini world. We have the rich in the form of individuals. We have development in urban areas. We have third world microcosms in our back yard. Greed, corruption, free enterprise, bureaucrats – while seemingly evil at points is necessary, but I digress. This is not about the “necessary evils” of society. This is about the meaning of patriotism and love for one’s country.

Yes, I enjoy my freedoms. But I also enjoy power. While, I myself, do not have much power, the country that I live in does. Has this power been corrupted? What power hasn’t been? But it still feels good. We are the country with the bombs. We are the world’s unofficial police. Some might say that we are also the world’s bully. Stealing the lunch money from those countries that are struggling to grow. However, the world is truly an uncivilized place. To use the tired clichés, it’s a dog eat dog world, eat or be eaten. I would rather be the big dog, than to be the one cowering in the shadows, fearing that each and every day my government may collapse. The United States is currently too strong and too stubborn to be the one to be bullied. And I find this securing.

While writing this, my husband brought up another good point. He asked if I had become a bigger patriot since he joined the military. After thinking for a while, I came to the conclusion that no, this action did not really cause me to become a bigger patriot. However, it certainly changed my viewpoints regarding patriotism. I do not love my country for what it does, invading and eating smaller governments. I love my country for what it is: a modern day Rome, superpower of the Earth, the elite example of a republic (or the closest thing to it at the moment). I have learned that I can support this country and our soldiers for what they are, however I do not have to support what they do. It seems an odd conflict of emotions, but it works in my heart.

So why do I not fly the American Flag above my home? Why is my car not covered in magnetic yellow ribbons that say “Support Our Troops?” That is not the type of patriot I am. I am the type of patriot who will look up at the Stars and Stripes at sunset and find it a beautiful and moving site. I am the type of patriot who will be there for my husband when he returns home from his tour in Iraq. I am the type of patriot who will show my appreciation for other soldiers with my pride and tears when I see them on the street. I am a Patriot of the United States.

-- April Nicole Loebick

3 Days until Greg Come Home

The countdown Begins

Okay, so the count down has been going on for a while now. However, It's now down to the last 5 days. My husband is coming in very early in the morning. I just hope I still look nice and radiant for him to come home to - and still be suffering from lack of sleep. Oh, who am I kidding? I'll be too excited to be tired anyway.

5 Days until Greggy comes home.

update on the website update

Okay, figured what was up with my website. It was a illing problem due to the hosting being on a credit card that expired - all taken care of now. So Http://www.loebick.com should be back up and running soon and my profile pictures should come back.

8 More days until Greggy comes home!

I spent last night and this morning updating my website. So it's all nice and updated. However, the site is down and I do not know why. I hpe to have it up agian soon as possible. Until then, here's the link incase it comes up on it's own: http://www.loebick.com

On another note, my Husband is due home the 15th or so. Hopefully it's the 15 or earlier. Greg's Birthday is the 16th and I want him to be home by then.

Almost Time

It's almost time for my husband to come home. He's supposed to be on a plane 6 days from now. It is almost a surreal feeling. I mean, I'm excited but it just doesn't seem like it is really happening. He's been gone for so long.

I've been doing lots of things to keep my mind occupied these last few days. I'm doing lots of stuff "Greggy coming home" oriented - what exactly, I can't say. He reads this sometimes and I don't want to give away the surprises. Also work helps the time go by. I'm only working a couple days a week, but it's good for now.

My other time taker upper is my GameCube. I'm playing Mario Party 6 and 7 until the controllers wear out! I may actually be able to beat my husband at it when he gets home because I've been practicing so much!

Idea stolen yet again

Okay, so after MSNBC stole my guilty pleasures idea, E! had to go and do that same thing? So, yeah, adding to my own guilty pleasure list - I watching E! on occasion. Right now 101 Guiltiest pleasures is on and I can't take my eyes off of it. I'm pretty sure most of my list will be on there - because this is where they got the idea, duh.

New Hair

Okay, just recently got back from the salon. Here are some pics of me and my newly remodeled hair:

It's lighter than what it looks in the pictures, I swear, heh.

80 Random things

80 Things You Might Not Know About Me

Whats your middle name? Nicole

How big is your bed? Queen Size. I hope to oneday have a California King

What are you listening to right now? the sounds of my computer and AC running

What are the last 4 digits in your cellphone number? 0181

What was the last thing you ate? A south Beach Diet Peanutbutter something snack bar

Last person you hugged? One of the the parents

How is the weather right now? To freaking hot.

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My mom

What is the first thing you notice in the opposite sex? I'm not sure. I don't look anymore

Favorite type of Food? Anything good. Some Good Soul food or mexican food.

Do you want children? one day

Do you drink? occasionally

Ever get so drunk you don't remember the entire night? I may lose bits and pieces, but never the whole night.

Hair color? brown

Eye colour? From close up I have green eyes, but from farther away they look brown.

Do you wear contacts/glasses? Contacts

Favorite holiday? Christmas or Halloween - I love decorating

Favorite Season? Fall

Have you ever cried over a girl/boy? Yeah

Last Movie you Watched? 40 Day and 40 Nights

What books are you reading? Magician: Master by Raymond E. Feist

Piercings? Ears only

Favorite Movie? Don't have a favorite, really. I watch what ever I'm in the mood for.

Favorite college football Team? Football? huh?

What were you doing before filling this out? eating my afternoon snack and taking headache meds.

Any pets? Waffles, MeeKeeKee, Pepper, and Peppy

Dogs or cats? Dogs

Favorite Flower? Orchids, though I can't keep them alive

Have you ever loved someone? Nah, just married for the hell of it. OF COURSE I LOVE HIM.

Who would you like to see right now? my husband.

Have you ever fired a gun? Hell yeah.

Do you like to travel by plane? never experienced.

Right-handed or Left-handed? right

If you could go to any place right now where would you go? I don't care as long as it was with Greg.

Are you missing someone? Yes, and I have been missing him since January.

Do you have a tattoo? No

Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday mornings? Do they still have saturday morning Cartoons? But yeah, I still watch some cartoons.

Are you hiding something from someone? I don't really have anything to hide

ARE YOU 18? no, 21 (yeah, these questionaires are so geared to high schoolers, hehe)

WHAT IS THE WALLPAPER ON YOUR CELLPHONe? Um, nothing. My phone is older and Idon't need any idiotic add ons.

DID YOU GET ENOUGH SLEEP LAST NIGHT?Sure thing

FIRST THING YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THIS MORNING? Damn Alarm Clock.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE HANDY AT YOUR BEDSIDE? Cell phone

GRILLED OR FRIED? depends on what we're cooking

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE? I'm a Military wife who's Faithful. heheh

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? Not the dark so much, it's the creatures that are active in the dark I fear.

FAVORITE HANGOUT? The bedroom...

3 THINGS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT? Greg, Waffles, and parents.

FAVORITE SONG? Changes daily.

WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? I have many fears.

ARE YOU A GIVER OR TAKER? A bit of both really.

WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?Apie, ApieToes, Monkey

WHAT IS YOUR DADS MIDDLE NAME? Allen

WHATS YOUR MOTHERS MIDDLE NAME? Ann

STUCK ON A DESERTED ISLAND & COULD TAKE ONE THING? A box of books

FAVORITE T.V. COMMERCIAL? I'm torn. Plus I don't watch too much TV

WHO'S YOUR CELL PHONE PROVIDER? cingular

FIRST THING YOU'LL SAVE IN A FIRE? My animals

WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU? Military ID and Cell phone

WHAT DID YOU WANNA BE WHEN YOU WERE A KID? Marine Biologist, Physcologist, teacher, model.

WHAT DO YOU USUALLY DO WHEN THE CLOCK TURNS 11:11? There some significance to this? During the day I'm usually eating lunch and during the PM I'm a sleep

THE COLOR OF YOUR BEDSHEEt? White with Blck chinese characters (which probably mean like Man-child or Roast pork)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU GO TO BED? I try to empy my mind, but sometimes I think about subplots for my book(s), or I think about whatever I was reading before I went to bed.

A Working Woman

So I did it. I went out and got a Legitimate job. Temporary of course. I got a part-time job at Gamestop in Hopkinsville. I'm a Working girl. Woot! I went today and had my interview with the manager (2nd interview, first one was with the asst. manager) and he immediately hired me after the interview was over. Yes, I'm excited. This will give Greg and me that little extra boost in money that will cover everything that we are wanting to do and buy when he gets home, and hopefully get to save more as well - think christmas.

My Dog has a Blog

Waffles has jumped on the bandwagon and has created her own blog. Check it out here: http://waffleswonderland.blogspot.com

MSNBC Buttmunches stole my Idea

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14134626/

And I mean TEE Totally Stole my Idea:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14134625/

Update

My Website has been updated for the month of August. Come check it out for new stories, poetry, etc. Http://www.loebick.com - Click on "April's Page." You can also check out my husband portion of the webpage. He really needs an update, heh.

Guilty Pleasures

The following is a list of different things that I consider to be my guilty pleasures:

Movies:
-Gone with the Wind
-Any Muppet Movie
-Certain Chick flicks that are too numerous to list here. Even a tough girl like me needs to see Jennifer Aniston fall in love (unless that love involves Ben Stiller *vomit*)

Books:
-The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich. I read all 12 of these books in a week's time. They're easy reads and they're just fun. Besides, who doesn't want to be a bounty hunter, really?
-Children's books. Things like Wizard of Oz, Black Beauty, and Grimm's Fairytales all appeal to me and my inner child.
-Dan Brown. Some people hate him and the inconsistancies that fill his books. I ate all four and I'll probably buy his future books.
-Old Anne Rice. Yes, I wanted to be a vampire. And Notice the "old" I put in front. I refuse to read any of her newer items (let's say since her husband died and she refused to write about lestat anymore). Her newer books are just horrid and really lacking in editing - but that's not what this blog is about.
-Harry Potter. I'm not really sure if this should even be considered a guilty pleasure or if it is, shoudl go in with the "children's books." However, I'm giving this series it's own bullet.

Magazines:
-Good Housekeeping. what? It's got some interesting tips and stuff in it.
-Women's Health. I'm almost obsessive with health now-a-days. So it's only natural

Music:
-Kellie Clarkson. It's hard to really come up with a guilty pleasure in music, since I listen to many different genres (Punk-New age, Bad Religion-Enya)

Television:
-The Biggest Loser. Inspirational maybe? I really enjoy this show.
-Desperate Housewives. Oh the drama.
-Grey's Anatomy. My favoritest show ever.
-Last Comic Standing. Not sure if this is a guilty pleasure since I don' know if people are ashamed to watch this or not. I just like listening to comics.

A Family's Plea

Just a quick link. This was posted by an online acquaintance regarding her brother who is in the Stryker Brigade (The troops that are getting the shaft and may be sent to Baghdad and extra 4 months).

http://bbs.chrismoore.com/viewtopic.php?t=8273 *

*Note: This message board is for one of my favorite Authors. It is not usually political.

I am a Woman (Part III)

I am a woman; at least I was last time I checked. Therefore, at times I can be moody, irrational, nitpicky, and so on and so forth. This also means that I can be demur, cute, loving, nurturing, and you get the point.

Being of the female gender adds to what I am, not just physically. I can get away with certain things that would be harder for a man to get away with - aside from having boobs. The main thing is that I can stay at home and be a house wife without having any kids to take care of. If a guy were to do exactly what I am he would be chastised and called a "lazy, no count bum." There may be a few explectives added for color and emphases. But no one calls me dirty names, well, other than myself, for wanting to stay home.

I cook. I clean. I give the dog a bath.

I use scented lotions. I shave my legs. I buy kinky underwear.

But what else does it mean to be a woman? I would like some feedback, from either gender. Does it really make a difference anymore? Give me some ideas.

I am a Writer (Part II)

*I apologize this has been a long time coming. I just haven't had the umphf to actually update this until I got a comment telling me to. Someone reads this, yeay.*

I am a Writer, or at least I pretend to be. I hope to one day be a writer withhousewife tendencies instead of the housewife with writing tendencies - in other words, get paid for what I love the most. Being a writer is my dream job, and I just hope it's one I can accomplish.

I've always loved to write. Have I always been good at it? *shrug* Depends on how close you want to scrutinize a 8-year-old's handy work. But the real writing started in high school. That's when I discovered poetry as a way to vent my frustrations/teenage angst. Some of it actually formed into decent poetry. I wrote poetry most of the way through high school and occasionally in college. Then, when I came to Fort Campbell, poetry was my escape from boredom. I would write at least once a day - sometimes good, sometimes absolutely horrible.

A little over a year ago was when I decided to go on a publishing adventure. I had heard about a new publishing company that was accepting a lot of 'new writers.' So I compiled a manuscript of my best poetry (and some not so good) and sent it in. Low and behold I got the congratulatory letter in the mail. I went through the whole process and now my book, Restaurant Called Cafe, is available through amazon.com.

There is a downside to this story. It felt good to be published, and I had thought I went with a decent Publishing Company, PublishAmerica. They were new, so there wasn't much information on them at the time - but I did my research and found good opinions. Now it's over a year later and this publishing company has earned a bad reputation as a vanity publisher. They'll publish anything that comes to them. Talking about really breaking my spirits.

I've recently veered away from poetry. In fact, it's been months since I've even attempted writing a poem. Lately, I've been working on a novel. I started writing it in the winter - right before christmas. I finished writing it around April and I've been editing it ever since.

I'm really wanting to get this one published, but I'm going to do it the right way this time. I have an editor. Once I get finished going through this the first time and making my edits, I will start shopping around for literary agents and sending out query letters. Wish me luck.

I Am A Wife (I Am, part one)

I am a wife, first and foremost. I have no qualms with that. Some people would shun the relationship that I have with my husband, saying that I'm too dependent upon him. Yes, I am dependent on him for certain things, like love and affection (and foot rubbies and neck massages and ... well let's just say more rubbing type things). Also, since I am doing the housewife/struggling artist thing right now, I have to depend on him for income. However, if worse came to worse, I could fend for myself.

It is for this reason that I cannot even fathom cheating on my husband. Even though I am missing the physically contact while he is in Iraq, I love him and I would never go running into the arms of any other male that shows me any type of comfort. Hell, I become somewhat beligerant whenever a strange male hits on me.

On another note. If he ever EVER slept with another woman his ass would be out on the pavement. If I am that dedicated to him, than he had damn well be that dedicated to me. Which I know he is(that goes without saying). I trust him and he trusts me.

Personally, I think that I am a good wife. Some may think I'm lazy because I don't have a real job and I have no kids to take care of, but I still take care of my house and the other living being inside of it. My house, for the most part, stays clean. (It's a bit messy right now, but it's not filthy or dirty - but durn it, my upstairs is spotless!). I take care of 4 very different animals (fat dog, two cats - one loving and fluffy, the other slender and feral, and the wildly popular Chinchilla.) Also, when my husband is home, he had a good home cooked meal on the table whenever he gets off of work. Okay, sometimes it's pizza or sandwiches, but for the most part it's a good hot meal. And, on weekends, Breakfast is cooked either saturday or Sunday. We also do things together, spend time with each other.

I love my husband. I respect my husband. I am forever Faithful to my husband. I will honor our vows 'til death do us part.' I am his wife.

The Blogging Concept, Part Deux

I was a bit harsh with my last post, maybe even a bit hypocritical. This idea of blogging has is positive points as well. It is for these reason that I have been sucked into this blogging phenomenon.

In my opinion, the best reason to blog is venting. I currently live alone due to the fact that my husband is deployed to Iraq. This mean that I have no one to voice my worldy (I wish) compliants to, nor do I have anyone that I can beat up on, or have sex with (but that's a different type of frustration all together). When blogging you can vent all you need to by typing out your frustrations to the world wide web. Now will anybody care? Will anybody comment either agreeing or disagreeing with your words? Does it really matter? Sure, the occasional comment will get me giddy. Someone is listening to me! Or reading me, rather.

Another reason for blogging is so that Susie Q can anonymously confess what she did last night, but still get the rush knowing that someone out there knows that she's a bad little girl. Actually, I'm not sure if this should be a pro or a con. But the point is retaining your anonymity. Are you blogging about how you love being a member of NAMBLA (NAtional Man Boy Love Association)? Well, you're not exactly going to be giving your name out because you don't want the parents of 8-year-old boy next door finding out that you like to...okay, let's keep this pg-13.

I would still have to say that the biggest reason for anyone to blog, however, would be the venting. This may include venting anonymously, but it's still the venting. This will probably be my main reason for posting any blogs - frustration over editing my book, the antics of the neighborhood whore, or even the government. However, today, I'm in a pretty happy place. Of course, it's 10am. Nothing has really happened yet (except crushing my toe with my chair, owies.) to really tick me off.

Well, I need to go play writer and housewife. Until next time, this is me signing off.

The Blogging Concept

I despise blogging. Everyone thinks that their lives are interesting enough or that their view points matter so much that other people will be interested. Is mine going to be any different? Hell no. So then why am I doing it? Is it because it's the cool thing to do? Nah, not really. I'm doing this to do one of two things. I crave attention and response, and while I have a basic grasp on how to build webpages, making it to where I can add comments to an actual page is something that neither my husband nor I have completely figured out yet, heh. And the other reason is...well, everyone else is doing it.

Wow, I sound bitchy. But come on, look at the word itself. "Blog" Breaking it down into sounds you have "blah" and "og" - not words that give off the prettiest connotation. "Blah" is usually an indicator of boredom and "og" is a noise that you make when you're in distress. Or we can break it down into "Bee" and "log." This one is even easier. Bees are fucking scarry with their stingers and things and they fly around buzzing around you, threating to sting you if you even move a muscle. Yes, Bees suck. "But April, what's so wrong with the word 'log?' It's just a part of a tree." Well it's also a synonym for poop. So you have bees and poop along with boredom and distress.

I guess another reason I don't like the whole blogging concept is the fact that it is so embrassed by Prosti-tots(not my word, though I wish it were) to show off their pre-pubescent booties and breasts. It also gives them the false hope that their opinions matter - like why Martini's are better made with Vodka instead of Gin... You're twelve fucking years old. You probably snuck a taste of your mother's Smirnoff Ice and thought you were drinking vodka, because it's the same brand name.

But I digress. I'm actually sitting her laughing my ass off at the irony of this post. I'm blogging (still hate that word) about why I hate blogs. Okay, to make this better, I'm not blogging, I'm venting. Therefore no one has to read this. It's like when therapists tell a person to write out their frustrations in a letter without sending it. That's what this is. I'm writing out my frustrations with blogging, while doubting strongly that no one will really read this. Well, if I do have an audience, and still have your attention, I have to warn you that my ending will be anti climatic. No "killing whitey" no "fuck the police." Just a good and simple, "So long!"