Getting To Know Me - #2

Here's the 2nd installment of Getting To Know Me!

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Katia over at Kashmir Shangri La asked "What is the best and worst part of being married to someone who is a soldier?

Well, the worst part is the separation and the screwy schedule.  Not to mention the worry that comes when he's on a mission or deployed.  Having to cancel plans because a mission came up.  Or having to raise my daughters as a single parent.  Or knowing My Marine is missing many milestones because of his commitment.

The best part?  I could make a list that goes on and on.  But to name a few:  1)  The friends we've made.  They are closer to me than my own family at times.  Mostly because they are here and my family is 2500 miles away.  I know I can any of my fellow military spouses - day or night - and know they are there for me.  2)  The values that the military instills in us as a family.  Because of the military, we have to live a certain way and honor a certain code...mostly because that's the lifestyle My Marine has to maintain as well.  3)  The opportunities/benefits.  I know that my husband's job is seure.  Our benefits are great -- discounts, perks, being able to stay at the bases instead of expensive hotel rooms, fantastic cinammon lattes on the Air Force bases, shopping at the Commissary.  And finally 4)  The uniforms.  Can you say Marine Corps dress blues???  YUM-MY!

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Heather over at This Is A Story Of A Girl asked "Where in Japan did you live?" and Martha over at Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf asked "Did you learn to speak Japanese?"

Actually, we've never lived in Japan, so no I never learned to speak Japanese.  (Although I wish we had the opportunity had we stayed in the Marine Corps!)  What I meant by my bio in my sidebar is that because of the military, we have friends all over the world - including Japan.  We can pretty much travel anywhere and know that we know someone somewhere.

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JTR asked "How often do you read other blogs (hours per week maybe)?"

I try to visit every one who comments and visits me.  I do most of my blog reading during lunch (about an hour each day) and then in the evenings after the kids are in bed (maybe about an hour or two every other night.)  Fridays I spend a little more time reading because I participate in a lot of blog hops.  I wish I could read every single blog, but I can't.  So I came up with a way to read -- I try to read every 5th blog.  So far, so good.

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Jane over at Aging Mommy asked "What plans do you have for your blog in year 2? Do you expect to make changes and if so what and why??"

I don't have plans to make any major changes.  But I do have plans to maybe share some of my favorite recipes and add a feature to my blog called "Blogging Buddies".  I plan on interviewing some of my favorite blog writers and followers and then featuring them.  I intended to debut this during my Blog Birthday Month, but time got away from me.  I do have my first interview lined up, so I'm hoping to launch this in July.  Other than that, I kind of evolve as I see things and learn things along the way.  So unless anyone has any suggestions, The Toy Box Years pretty much stays as is!

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Annette over at Live, Learn Love asked "What is your favorite date night?"

There are two things that hubby and I love - music and movies.  If we can get our favorite sitter for the night, then we'll usually go to dinner and then hit the bar to listen to our favorite band, Five13.  They are a phenomenal rock cover band that does everything from 80's rock to today's top 40.  It's, honestly, like going to a rock concert, but with cheaper beer!

Our 2nd favorite thing is going to see movies.  We'll hit our local Movie Tavern and have dinner and drinks while seeing (hopefully) a great movie!

If neither of those are possible, then we'll make some munchies at home and have a movie night snuggling on the couch.  (That's my favorite behind seeing Five13!)

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See you next week for more questions and answers!