THE TRUTH ABOUT SWELL RIO

Before things get too comfortable around here, I thought I might explain the story behind "Swell Rio."

You see, Flyboy is currently stationed at Laughlin AFB—an Air Force training base about 9 miles east of Del Rio, TX (population 35,000). Not much has changed since we moved three years ago, but we definitely know what to expect this time around. We originally lived here from 2008 to 2011 while Flyboy attended undergraduate pilot training. Young and newly married, we were blissfully unaware of our end destination. We arrived in November 2008 and we had the hardest time explaining our new town to family and friends. It was only when they came to visit (God bless them!) that they really got a feel of what life is like in this small border town. Fast forward to 2014 and we find ourselves here yet again!

Around here, things are pretty simple and laid back. If you've got a hankering for Starbucks*, there's something you need to pick up at Target, or you need to fly out of the nearest airport—well, you're about 150 miles away, so you might as well make a trip out of it. In fact, the entire drive takes five hours round-trip, so get your iPod playlists ready m' dears. Feel the need to spruce up your wardrobe? Look no further than J.C. Penney or Ross. Gifts or knick-knacks? Your best bet is the True Value, and I'm not kidding. If you're like me and you desperately crave a J.Crew fix—well, then you better get to know the UPS man. The last time we were here, m' main man went by Jaime. Next to Flyboy and Tripp, he was like my favorite guy in all of Del Rio. Seriously. Oh, and an average Saturday consists of visits to Wal-Mart, HEB, or Home Depot. Polish off your day on the town with lunch or dinner at Chili's. If you're feeling particularly crazy, maybe go see a movie?!? Get. Out.

I should admit that I prefer to be spoiled with Trader Joe's and regular visits to Anthropologie, but I've learned to live without those joys for the time being. Believe me when I say that when I do get to visit my favorite restaurants, stores, etc., it's maj on a level even Rachel Zoe hasn't witnessed. Trips to the big city feel like Christmas and your birthday all rolled together.

We've been here for two weeks, which doesn't warrant any moping or griping; however, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit afraid of what the next three years entail. Last Saturday, we hit all of the Del Rio hot spots, with the exception of the movie theater, and I got teary-eyed on our ride back to the base. I wondered, "Is this really what every Saturday is going to be like for the duration of this assignment?" Throw pregnancy hormones and the fear of how a baby will fit into the Saturday mix and I was a hot mess. No, this isn't the easiest place to live, but like most things in life, you have to work to see the good.

When you put aside the lack of amenities and the remote location, there's a diamond in the rough. It takes some effort to find it, but it's there. I can assure you! Live in a town like Del Rio and watch your priorities shift. Suddenly, you're more focused on friendships and barbecues and less preoccupied with your phone. I speak from experience when I say the Chili's and Tractor Supply routine can get really old unless you surround yourself with the best company. Amazing bonds are created when you live in an area like Del Rio. Some of our favorite memories hail from this very place, and I'm hopeful we'll create many more.

Back in 2009 during our first stint at Laughlin AFB, I remember emailing my dad. I'd heard a lot of people refer to this little ol' border town as Hell Rio. I thought it was rather clever (hence the remote location, temperatures hotter than Hades), so I opted to throw it into the message to my dad. Despite the fact that I couldn't take credit for the term, I just knew he'd find it humorous. When he responded, he referred to it instead as Swell Rio. I remember sitting at my computer screen and smiling—that was just like my dad. He knew that "swell" was one of my favorite buzz words and he used it in a way that reminded me of the person both he and my mom raised. Focusing on the negative is all-too easy, but it's an unhealthy and slippery slope. With 20+ years of military service and a handful of stressful moves, my parents endured a lot, but they always managed to find a silver lining, no matter what cards were dealt. They tackled the military lifestyle with so much grit and grace, and I'm determined to do the same.

That email from my dad taught me a lesson about perspective that I'll never forget. I can create beauty with my attitude, behavior, and actions—it's all up to me. There will still be good days and bad days in Del Rio, but when I refer to this border town as Swell Rio, it reminds me to see the good, no matter the circumstances. Some days are easier than others, but I've found that when you say it enough, you begin to believe it. At least that's my plan, and I'm sticking to it!

I hope today's post has cleared up any confusion regarding our current location. As far as I'm concerned, it will always be Swell Rio. Lucky for me, I've got a few years to see if it catches on this second time around.

P.S. I'm signing off for the week. My mom and sister are in town, and we've got a lunch date at Chili's! See you next Monday.

SIX RANDOM THINGS...

Some days, the idea of settling down at our next base still feels so far away. Monday was one of those days; we struggled a bit. A few weeks ago, we got to submit our application for base housing. I was excited because it felt like we were finally getting somewhere; it seemed like we were one step closer to being reunited with our household goods. Woo Hoo! Then factors like Mother Nature get in the way and Flyboy's schedule is delayed a tad. It's like we're taking two steps forward and one step back. When the weather's wonky, he doesn't fly. It makes complete sense, but we're both ready to be done with this phase of training. He's ready to knock out his last block of flights, and I'm eager to get the hell out of Dodge and make our next place home. Because FB doesn't have a solid finish date, it's hard for both of us to focus on the prize. All the uncertainty makes it feel like we're just flailing about without any real plan. If you're new around here, that's enough to throw Type-A(shley) into a tizzy. I'm learning to be more patient, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little overwhelmed by the LACK of details. What can I say, I'm a work in progress. Whenever I DO feel this way, I try to shift my outlook and focus on the positive—details I can look forward to and variables I can control. In this case, I thought about six items I can't wait to unpack in late March. Of course, I'm excited about the basics like our über comfy couch and mattress, but I came up with a handful of random "things" that make me happy. Whenever the time comes and the moving truck arrives in Swell Rio for delivery, it's going to feel like Christmas! Cardboard and packing tape never sounded so good.

SIX RANDOM THINGS I CAN'T WAIT TO UNPACK: 

• EAMES ROCKER // For my 25th birthday, my mom and dad gave me an authentic Eames Rocker—I like to call it my "Prayer Chair" (read more here). No matter where we move, it's where I can sit to find peace and relax. As silly as it sounds, the deep seat pocket feels like a hug from my parents, and that always makes me feel at home.

• BLAIR RITCHEY LULU // I'm almost embarrassed to share this with you, but I don't currently have possession of my trusty Lulu Clutch. I know, the chartreuse color is perfection and I use it ALL the time. Let me explain. I was using it when the Hawaiian movers were packing our stuff up. I had it laying out on the kitchen counter, but they must have taken my Washi tape system a little too seriously because I failed to put a hot pink piece of tape on my clutch to indicate it should NOT be packed. I remember taking it with me to get pizza the first night of our pack out; I didn't want to bother with a bulky purse. Anywho, I had it laying out on day two because it held my hand cream, migraine meds, and lip gloss. I didn't realize this until AFTER I had a situation with the lead packer—I asked him to kindly wrap our bar cart separate from the rusty laundry drying rack. I heard a loud noise and saw what they were doing. I explained that they could not be stored together for the next six months because I was afraid the rust might spread. I didn't think it was too much to ask, but I later heard the gentleman whisper something under his breath. I wasn't sure if he said "rich" or if he said something that rhymes with rich and starts with a "b" instead. Ha Ha! Long story long, I didn't want to be an inconvenience, and I didn't have the nerve to ask about my Lulu's whereabouts. I should have had it stowed away with our luggage. I imagine I'll find it in a box with kitchen knick-knacks (sigh), complete with a Starbucks receipt and a Boston's Pizza punch card.

• "CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD" PRINT BY HELEN FRANKENTHALER // This was also a gift from my parents, and my heart skips a beat every time I see it. The bright colors are enough to fuel my creativity and optimism. If every day I feel as joyful as this painting looks, then I've fulfilled my duty to live color fully. I think that's an easy goal to strive toward. 

• BIG-SHOT DOT SKIRT // This skirt makes me feel like I can conquer anything. It's just SO happy, and I feel invincible when I wear it. It may be a little dressy for the Tractor Supply, but I know it's going to be ready to twirl around the Rio.

• KITCHENAID STAND MIXER // When I have time on my hands, I like to bake. It's just so relaxing and fun to try out different recipes. Can you imagine what a problem we'd have on our hands if I had access to Chick-Fil-A and my stand mixer?

• SPIN BIKE // It's my preferred way to workout, and I'm counting the days until I get to clip into the pedals, listen to inappropriate music, and sweat a little. Aside from blogging and baking, it's the best stress reliever.

I realize all of these things are just "things", but many of them represent memories and bring me delight. Could I do without them? Of course. Do they have the ability to make any sparse base housing unit feel like home? Yes, and that's why I'm excited for our impending reunion. When your home isn't any one location, it's your stuff that gives you a sense of ownership and belonging.

WEDNESDAY WORDS

via

One afternoon a few weeks ago, I started sifting through snapshots and note cards in an attempt to create a makeshift mood board for the wall above my desk. Ever since I was in grade school, I've always had a bulletin board covered with layers upon layers of inspiration. Our temporary digs didn't feel like "home" yet because it was lacking in color and personality. Nothing really made it feel like it was ours; I thrive in an area that inspires. Like a tornado, I barreled through our stuff and started cutting up keepsakes and plastering them on the wall with Washi tape. My mom laughs at me because I have a tendency to rip out pages from our coffee table books. If you ever come to our house, please don't leaf through the displayed books. You'll more than likely find a page or two missing. As someone who respects a gorgeous book, this just doesn't seem right. I know! It's just sometimes the pages are SO gorgeous they deserve to be seen daily. Once our books are artfully stacked, I don't revisit them as often as I should. If a page speaks to me in a way that makes me incredibly giddy, I MUST find a way to frame it, or cut it up and add it to a collage. I know I'm making some of you cringe at the idea of this, but it happens when I get in a creative tizzy. 

Unfortunately, this was bound to happen when I started running out of momentos at our apartment. Can we just have a moment of silence in remembrance of our household goods, which are currently being held hostage in some storage unit far far away?! I lied. They're actually in the same city as we are, but that tidbit of info hurts too much! Why don't we get back on topic? I turned to my Kate Spade Things We Love book and started flipping through the pages for ideas ONLY. I swore to myself that I would NOT rip out any pages from my favorite book. Then, I read the Henry Miller quote above and it made sense. I re-read the quote and I smiled. I started looking at other pages, but kept coming back to that quote. I broke my rule and pulled an Ashley by ripping it from the book. I closed my eyes and looked away because I couldn't believe what I was doing. Once I taped the page to my makeshift moodboard, I beamed. 

These words speak to me; they're the perfect reminder when I'm uncertain as to what my future entails. When you move and your beloved routine is turned upside down, it's so easy to cling to your old ways and wish you could just GO BACK. Although I try to be strong and find joy in each day, looking back leaves me feeling nostalgic. Yes, they're memories, but our past in Hawaii is still too fresh. Right now seems uncertain and unsettled, so it's easy to want to look back. Instead of merely reminiscing, it can be a crutch and a way to avoid and accept the NOW. I think I've done a fair job at embracing this current season of life, but that doesn't mean I don't have my moments. Reading Miller's words each day allows me to reboot and just be grateful for right NOW. It's never about where we live, it's about the company we keep and how we CHOOSE to look at each day.

Happy Veteran's Day

Flyboy's grandfather was a navigator on The Leading Lady.

Note: I wrote this post two years ago. My blog was just six months old, but I feel just as strongly about these words now as when I originally wrote them. Since my readership has grown, I felt it was important to share my thoughts once more. One Fine Day is my platform to discuss topics that are near and dear to me, like honoring our veterans.

As a product of the military, I've spent the past 28 years surrounded by some of the bravest men and women. I've learned firsthand the true meaning of words like patriotism, integrity, and valor. I witnessed sacrifice in the name of prosperity and freedom. I stand in awe of those who've served our Nation selflessly, and I'm forever humbled.

My dad served in the Air Force for over 20 years. For most of his career, he worked as an historian. He's a retired Chief that taught my sister and me the value in honoring our veterans by looking to both the past and the present. As a family, we walked the beaches of Normandy together. At such a young age, it was hard to process the scope of the historic events that took place there. When I look back, that trip was quite memorable. During those impressionable years, we learned what it meant to honor our veterans and why it's so important to never forget their service. I remember my dad instructing us to get out the dictionary, to look up the word, and to read the definition of veteran aloud. I won't forget that moment or the meaning ever.

Being a history buff, he may have thought that trips to historic spots in Europe would teach us the most about those that served and sacrificed. He might not know that he, himself, was the best tool for his daughters to fully comprehend what it means to be a veteran. He may not have battled on the front lines (thankfully), but he wore the uniform proudly. I never once heard the man complain about work. Instead, he viewed this chapter of his life a blessing and an honor.

One thing I've learned over the years is that each person's call to duty is quite different, but every service member is integral in supporting the safety of our freedom. It doesn't matter if you fly a desk (as my dad used to joke about his job) or you fly a C-17. Military jobs and missions may vary, but there's one thing every service member has in common — courage and commitment. It's important that we honor the contributions they've made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world.

Awhile back, I watched an interview with Tom Brokaw (one of my absolute favorite human beings). He said that WWII united our country in an effort to save the world, and while deeply divided during Vietnam, the whole country was still very aware about what was happening. Mr. Brokaw believes that today's wars are not something the typical American thinks about every day. According to Tom, "Less than one percent of the American population is bearing 100 percent of the burden of battle."

The legendary newsman went on to pose the following questions...

Do you know someone fighting on the front lines? How about a family in your town that has a loved one serving?

Brokaw says that if you can't say yes to one of these questions, then you don't really care about the war or the men and women who are fighting it. His biggest concern? People don't think about the sacrifices that brave soldiers and their families are making for freedom. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the longest in U.S. history. According to Mr. Brokaw, it's not just the length of time that has made these recent wars different than past ones — it's our country's level of engagement.

"I, as a political reporter, believe very strongly that this democratic republic cannot have something that involves our blood and treasure assigned to only a very small part of our population, and nothing else is asked of the rest of us. That's not just unjust. In a way, it's immoral."

Mr. Brokaw says that we all have to "re-enlist as citizens" by raising our consciousness about the wars — to think about the men and women who are fighting every day and losing their lives — and also to do something about it. How? Stay abreast with current events. Volunteer. Visit United We Serve. Take the time to shake the hand of a veteran and say "Thank You." As important as it is to act, it's just as imperative to reflect. In fact, why don't you go ahead and forgo an episode of trash reality TV, 15 minutes wasted on Facebook, or online retail therapy, and watch this 60 Minutes segment about wounded warriors and Operation Proper Exit. I guarantee that you'll be left speechless and humbled by these brave men and women. However you feel about war and its appropriateness, it's important that we remember to honor those that have served and serve today.

A special thanks to family and friends who have served and currently serve in our nation's military. 
I'm so very proud to say that I know you!

With great humility and gratitude,

ANF

Hawaii to Texas

Our last morning in Hawaii was perfect. We ate Mac Nut Pancakes and went to our favorite beach.

The morning started out a little cloudy, but the sun joined us for one last rendezvous. Classic Windward side!

We dropped off our postcard and said "A Hui Hou" to the islands.

Flyboy's moving blues. His cuteness masked his PCS sadness.

A new glossy and fun flats to ease the pain of leaving.

The new Jettawagen. I like to call it my "rig" because she's a diesel. Seems legit, am I right?

We managed to cram everything into the wagon and began our journey to Texas. Beesly looks terribly comfortable!

It rained the ENTIRE trip from Missouri to Texas. I was wishing I had my wellies with me!

Trips to Target and IKEA made our credit card work overtime.

Making this temporary apartment feel like a home by welcoming a Fiddle Leaf Fig into the mix. I call him Big Tex.

Now we have a reason to send cute moving announcements!

I woke up Sunday morning, and I think it finally hit me — we're not going back to Lil' Puna. I cried just a little bit. Okay, a lot. I'd seen our beloved rental empty and weeks had passed since we left Oahu, but Sundays together were always spent at the beach. It was "our" time to do nothing and just be. It was the one place we could both go together and just shut off our brains for awhile. I looked outside our apartment and saw nothing but a parking lot full of cars and heard the sound of a nearby train. Gah, I hate the sound of that stinking train! Our time in Missouri felt like a vacation and the first few days in Texas were a blur. We were making lists, unpacking our suitcases, running to Target, etc. In terms of accessories and stationery, I was set, but if you asked me for a roll of toilet paper, I couldn't help you! We literally needed all the essentials, and I guess a set of glitter and calf-hair flats aren't necessarily paramount, but to my credit they certainly come in handy. It was nice to keep busy, but I hadn't yet faced our new reality. It was finally time to create the new routine (hate new, love routine) I'd been envisioning for months. Later that evening after a lot of intermittent sniffles, I found myself setting up Monday's blog post on our laptop. It was my first night cooking dinner at our new digs, I was back to blogging, and Bravo TV was blaring in the background. Oh, hello routine, my old friend, you're back! I felt a sense of peace and my eyes lit up at the realization that this current season of our life is different, but it's okay. Post-epiphany, I looked into our bedroom to find Flyboy on the floor with Tripp and Beesly. It all became clear that we were exactly where we are supposed to be right now. Our Sunday Fun Day may no longer be seaside, but maybe "our" time to do nothing and just be will now take place with our dogs on the floor. For the first time in a long time, we get to be together and that's a gift in itself! 

Have you ever felt this way about moving? The highs and lows? Any tips to ease into the new?

P.S. As I penned this Debbie Downer to Pollyanna post, the train went by twice. TWICE. I still hate the train!

A Bloggie Break

"A life is made up of a great number of small incidents and a small number of great ones." —Roald Dahl

As mentioned earlier this week, we're either skipping around Missouri with family and friends, or whistling a happy tune in our new Jettawagen (fingers crossed) en route to the great state of Texas. Y'all come back now! Ya hear?

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Off We Go!

The day has finally arrived! Yippee! We're off to Missouri for a brief vacation to visit family and friends en route to Texas. I have a feeling it's going to be an epic way to rest and relax before we officially call "The Lone Star State" home for the next three years. Hawaii, you've been a real doll, but it's time we look ahead at the adventure that awaits! A Hui Hou — that's Hawaiian for "until we meet again." We're so very grateful for the memories. xoxo

Moving Day

Yay, we made it! The day has finally arrived! Is it weird that part of me is excited? There comes a time when you get so fed up with every little detail of moving and you're just ready to be finished. That's where I'm at. I've stuffed every possible piece of clothing and accessory into my allotted duffels, and I've chucked the last of our random pantry items into the trash cans. Don't get me wrong, I will undoubtedly shed a tear —okay, let's be honest, I'll probably go to the ugly cry — as we drive down the hill the last time, but I'm more than ready for the next chapter.

When I'm not fielding questions from the packers and ruling Lil' Puna with my fancy clipboard, you'll find me at our laptop Pinning, emailing, etc. If it's anything like the day we moved in, there will be Samoans singing with pizza boxes and water bottles strewn across the house. I'll not-so-secretly listen in on conversations with Flyboy. If he's around, I let him do the talking. After all, he's the outgoing and fun guy. They'll probably mention his "southern drawl" and he'll tell them about his job. I'll probably hear the word "cool" a lot, in addition to laughter and the sound of packing tape. They might even ask him questions about the C-17 and what it's like to have grown up in Missouri. They really got a kick out of that a few years ago. You can bet they'll pick up various knick-knacks and look puzzled by their purpose — that one is usually a given! And if FB is lucky, they may try to convert him to another religion like they did when we moved in. Ha Ha! We'll hold our breath as they move our precious household goods up and down the hill in a small pickup truck. They'll make countless trips, and we'll get used to the sound of screeching tires and the smell of burning rubber. I can guarantee we'll never experience a pack-out quite like Lil' Puna. These details may seem silly, but they're worth noting because they make this adventure memorable and fun.

What about you? Do you have any packing tips? Favorite moving memories? Do tell.

ANF

What I'm looking forward to...

As our Hawaii chapter comes to a close, everything seems bittersweet. Flyboy and I find ourselves wondering WHY we have to leave. This is laughable because the last 2.5 years haven't been incredibly easy on us. Lately, we've spent a lot of time TOGETHER and he's been home every night for dinner. It's an insanely wonderful change of pace! He hasn't left for any trips and if he flies, it's local missions that last a few hours and he's home at the end of the day. I haven't had to work on the weekends, so we've had two full days to unwind and be TOGETHER. When we get all misty-eyed and wish we could turn back the clock, we have to remind ourselves that this wasn't the norm. While we're incredibly grateful for this time on the island, we know that life here was always the sweetest when we could spend time with each other. When we think about the change that's coming and leaving the routine we've grown to appreciate, it's hard to focus on the good that lies ahead. Over the next few weeks,  it will be crucial to soak up our final moments here and remind ourselves about all the good stuff that will come with the next adventure.

"Choose to see the good stuff."

• Sweater Weather // Now, I realize Texas is still quite toasty, but I know we'll be making plenty of trips to Missouri, Virginia, and Iowa. I plan to get good use out of my coziest cardigans and crew necks. 
• Buh-Bye Time Difference //  The 5 or 6-hour time difference between me and my family has been pesky. I'm looking forward to the day I don't have to do addition before I pick up the phone. I hate numbers!
• Plan Trips // Flyboy's schedule should be a lot more reliable for the next few years. Huzzah! Hopefully, this means we'll (finally) be able to plan a Euro Trip, and see family and friends more often. 
• Walk the Dogs // Our current living situation hasn't been the most conducive to walking our pups. It's been a major bummer, because it was always my favorite time together as a family. We've taken advantage of the hill and we've gotten used to climbing it for exercise, but it's not quite the same. When we go for walks, we have to load Tripp and Beesly into the car and by the time we're situated, they're already exhausted. It's a lot of work and not really worth the effort. I'm excited to make it part of our routine again. I just hope they still know the purpose of a leash!
• Timely Arrival of Magazines // As someone who relishes her monthly periodicals, I can't stand receiving them late. The idea of finding them in my mailbox on time brings me so much delight.
• More Time with Family // This makes me the happiest! When I was looking for a picture to include in today's post, I couldn't find a recent snapshot of me, my sister, and my parents. It's been 1.5 years since that happened, and that's entirely too much time for us to go without being together. Ticket prices to and from Hawaii are hefty, so I'm looking forward to being on the same continent again. That should help! I already know there will be plenty of road trips and shorter flights in our future.
• Unpacking // This is a bit ludicrous because we haven't even packed up our household goods yet. However, we'll be living out of a suitcase for about 5-6 months while Flyboy undergoes training in San Antonio. The idea of not unpacking our stuff until next March blows my mind. I like to feel nested, so this ought to be interesting. Ha Ha! At least I'll be surrounded by my favorite people and fur kids. 
• Marfa, TX // When I get overwhelmed by moving details, I close my eyes and plan our future trip to Marfa. I can't wait to visit the capital of quirkiness. Of course, I'll channel Beyonce and have my photo taken at Prada Marfa. I still need to decide on whether we should stay in a teepee or trailer. Decisions.
• Treasure Hunting // I've missed antiquing. Lucky for me, there's plenty of that in MO and TX.
• Jimmy John's // Freaky fast. Freaky good. We'll, it's been a freakin' long time since I've had a rendezvous with Pepe. That's about to change, and I couldn't be more excited. Yippee!
• Chipotle // Love wrapped in silver foil with a side order of chips and guac. Please and thank you.
• Anthropologie // Stroll through the store and smile at every clever and intricate detail. That's bliss!
• TX Time // All of this "us" time that's occurred lately, well, I love that there's more of that in our future. 

As always, thanks for joining me on this ride, and for giving me a little place to share random thoughts!

IMAGE CREDITS: Sweater // Phone Dock // Planner // Clock // Leash // Magazines // Prada Marfa // Packing Box // Arrow Marquee // Jimmy John's // Chipotle // Anthropologie // Texas Print