And, there's always one in the crowd who thinks they don't have to participate with the "dress" code.

My friend Christie and her husband.

Men were invited to bring their women folk.

While the most amazing man in the world was in Iraq, he decided that when he returned, he would have his fellow soldiers over to our house for a "Man-Dress" party.

My neighbors (Evelin and Richard) smooching. They are such nice people. I'll miss them when we all have to move this summer.

Kirby took this one. I just love him so much.

Can you believe how beautiful my dress is? I LOVE IT.

The Belles of the Ball. From left to right: Christie, Ruthie, Me, and Janet. I'm sure I'll mention these ladies in the future. Now, you can put a face to a name.

My dessert plate. You can never have enough dessert. I had one of each.

This is me sitting with the most wonderful man in the whole wide world.

The Schedule of Events

I discovered this dress in a small boutique and decided I needed to try it on, just for fun. I instantly fell in love with it. I have never felt so beautiful in all my life, including my wedding. I simply had to have it. I figured I could wear it around the house when I needed an extra boost to feel better about myself.So, when the 2nd Brigade 1st Infantry Division Spring Formal showed up on my calendar of events, I knew exactly what I would wear.

Is it possible to have too much to do?

Yesterday. Although it is over, the effects will linger for another two months.
Yesterday at approximately 1245 and just by happenstance, I discovered that I am expected to attend a meeting tomorrow at 5:00 pm. Nothing like finding out things last minute. I also was informed that I am obligated to plan a going away gathering for our commander's wife. That date has already been selected, but not passed on to me. The obligation of me being the person to plan that gathering was also not passed on to me. How am I supposed to plan for events when I am not advised that I am required to plan for events nor informed of the dates of which I am planning?

Here's what's on my agenda for tomorrow. Substitute teach for 3rd grade from 7:30 to 3:00. Provide after school child care with School Age Services from 1:00 to 5:00. Attend a ladies coffee from 11:00 to 1:00. Attend an organizational meeting at 5:00 to approximately 7:00pm. Hmmmm. Looks to me like there are a few overlaps. I just don't think I'll be able to accomplish everything.

Now, this meeting tomorrow that I am required (by military protocol) to attend is for a gathering of all the commanders' wives. That shindig is scheduled for a day in June.

During all of this, I am also expected to attend other military gatherings and events, which are inconveniently planned during the middle of the work day. Although I am capable of multi-tasking, I fall short at being in two to three places at the SAME time.

On top of everything else, I have to arrange for extended family to visit for my son's high school graduation, buy a house in Kansas, pack my household and ship everything back to the United States, arrange for shipping my beautiful bright red MINI, figure out how I'm going to get my three delightful dogs back to the states without violating any temperature restrictions (80+ degrees = NO FLY), work and still do all the daily activities that I normally do.

Phew! It's exhausting just to think about.

Dinner.

A city view.

Another Barcelona building. I loved the artwork/architecture.

A side street in Barcelona.

The Sagrada Familia cathedral designed by Gaudi.

A spanish building.

Up close and personal with El Tibron at the Barcelona aquarium.