AMEDD BOLC Friends

Since one of my friends from BOLC has become an avid follower of this blog and frequently asks if I've updated yet, I figure I'll give him a shout-out. Here's to you, Daniel Boone:
Here's a few more from playing in the field the last three weeks. It feels great to be back in civilization!

Passing the time in the tent with Phase 10 and Candy = ) Also qualified on M16!!!

We survived the Gas Chamber but not looking pretty. At least Texas gives us pretty sunrises!

But at the end of each day, Melinda and I still look like kids dressing up for Halloween...

Update on Sewing

While I'm here in Texas, I haven't been able to do much for sewing...or any of my crafts for that matter...but I thought I'd show what I was working on right up until they came and moved me all away:
A star quilt is something that I'd never be able to do so I'm pretty excited on how it was coming along. I really miss working on it and hopefully I'll be able to pick up where I left off to finish.
the colors (white, yellow, black and red) are to represent the traditional Native American colors on the medicine wheel and the orange is to represent me = ) It's very bright and bold...but it's just how I like it!

Firsts and Lasts

Recently my life has taken some turns and it's now much different than it was a mere two months ago. For better or worse, I made my decision and I'm sticking with it. So far, it's for the better...most of the time. As one of my instructors tells us: Hunt for the Good Stuff, and I'm always able to find it, so that helps.
Anyway...July 13th I reported for Active Duty in the United States Army as a social worker. Crazy huh. Some people may be surprised, but most probably aren't. It's very different. Working for the federal government at the VA for the last 4 years helped prepare me very well for the Army administration and way of life though.
Since mid-July I have been stuck (and I mean stuck because I think I'd rather be any other place in the country) in San Antonio for BOLC training - learning how to be a soldier and how to be an officer. The information is overwhelming and the training can be frustrating at times. Some days I think..."I CHOSE to do this..." but at the end of the day, I'm glad I'm living out this dream and calling.
July (and continuing) was a month of firsts and lasts, as comes with any changes and fresh beginnings.
I think the weirdest thing was to watch my belongings get pulled away and me not have access to them for months - and I just hope they arrive in Kansas as promised me. Driving out of Lennox for the last time as a resident was very weird...

and I won't lie...a tear was shed - weird huh? I'll miss parking in the middle of the street.

It's been a great home and a great small town to grow up in. Sadly, it won't be home anymore now that the last Crabtree has left town.
The prior weeks were filled with visiting friends and tanning at Wild Water West. I hate goodbyes, but I still didn't get to see everyone I had hoped before leaving.
My wonderful cousin made the trek from Iowa all the way to Corpus Christi and back to San Antonio with me. We had a great time but even that had to end. Watching her walk away to the airport terminal caused more tears to fall...but I'd never tell her that. (Good thing she's at basic training right now too.) I think the drive back to the Hilton (yes, I stayed in the Hilton for Army training for my first two weeks) was the first time that my decision and the effects to come really hit me. Still confident in my decision, I felt alone.
Training has been training. Death by PowerPoint. Some hands on. Physical training. Food less than par.
On the upside, I've met fantastic people that I pray stay in my life for years to come. I have to get up so early every morning that I'm able to see and appreciate the sunrise. We're also up late enough to put the sun to bed. God is good and he makes much beauty. I have a good group of friends that I can count on to go to church with me every week. We have fun and are experiencing new things together - life "tubing" in Texas, Sea World, the Magic Time Machine, numerous Mexican restaurants with "best in town" margaritas and lots of Texas Two-Stepping.
The lasts can be sad but the firsts are new and exciting. Nothing can replace the previous experiences I've had, but they sure can be supplemented...and I have plenty of pictures and friends to look back with and laugh.

New Life

With a kiss and a hug
I'm on my way
I've been anxiously waiting
For this day

It's too late for me
To change my mind
And sure of my decision
Is what I find

I quit my job
I'll move away
This is so ridiculous
Many people say

It's hard to understand
The move I've made
But my service and time
I haven't paid

So many people
Have laid down their life
So others can live
Without daily strife

I want to provide
What I can give
Which in turn
Could help people live

My friends and family
Behind me they stand
They always try to give
A helping hand

To leave behind
Everything I know
Makes this harder
But I have to go

With a little bit of fear
But filled more with excite
The choice was difficult
But I know my decision is right

I'm not sure where I'll go
Or exactly what I'll do
But I'm proud to serve my country
And be a Soldier too

Crazy!

So I'm a little crazy in the head, but at least I accept it and admit it, right???
Anyway, I'm going to be taking part a Polar Bear Plunge a little less than a month away and NEED some one time donations/pledges to support me. Donations go to Special Olympics - a great cause!!!
If you click the link below, it will bring you right to my pledge page and you can make your donation online. Please please please help me out!
www.plungemn.org/plunger/elizabethcrabtree
Thanks so much!

Another Hobby

Well, after over a year I have finally taken my Christmas present out of its original packaging and am putting it to good use...I am learning to sew! For a while, I've been wanting to learn, so much that for Christmas of 2009, I asked for a sewing machine. Because my parents love me mucho, they granted my request - however, I haven't even put it to use until last weekend, when I took it out of the box for the FIRST time ever.
To start out...I don't really have a space to sew, so I made the trek to the big city to find a folding sewing table. At Heirloom Creations I found the perfect table:

I was originally recommended to not try something too challenging - instead make napkins or something of the sort. It was a good idea but I feared if I was making something that I wouldn't really use...I'd lose interest quite quickly. So while I was at Heirloom Creations I looked around for good kits for beginners.

I found this perfect little wallet kit. It came with pre-cut fabric and the directions - which may as well have been in Latin, but it was all provided. Kindly, Krystal (friend from church) volunteered to help get me started in my new sewing hobby. I brought my machine and fabric and kits over to her house and we let it fly. After much chatting and only having to use my seam ripper once, I had produced a cute little wallet.

With the fabric provided with the kit being okay but not completely to my liking (a little too much pink and "floral"), I had gone and purchased some new prints. Then tonight, feeling brave and crafty, I attempted to make another wallet - and it worked! I didn't use the seam ripper this time, but I did stab myself with a pin...all these lil lessons and tricks that I'll continue to learn as I continue to sew.

Maybe next time I'll even mix different prints - I'm thinking a solid and a print...getting crazy now!

How's this???

Mom's been wanting me to update my blog. It's late. I'm tired. It's cold out. I tried shoveling the inches and inches of snow out of the driveway tonight. By the time I got inside, I couldn't really feel my face. It's too cold to be out shoveling. I decided. I also dislike cold/winter/negative degree weather. But I do thank God for giving me the ability to shovel - and also the ability to feel. I'd rather not be using my abilities to shovel and to feel super cold windchills, but at least I can.
How's that mom? Probably not what you had in mind, but I bet it still made you smile...probably more out of spite... =)