To You From Us

Every year I write out Christmas cards. I address every single one of them, spend some time writing a little note to everyone and then NEVER send them out. I don't know why I don't just send them out....that's just silly. Needless to say this year I didn't prepare for a holiday card....so here it is! Mark my words....from here on out I WILL be sending a card every year no matter what!!! So you better hold me to it!


Happy Holidays To You From Us!
What a year 2009 has been! Here are nine things that made 2009 memorable for us!
1. We got engaged January 10th!
2. We spent a week in Ixtapa, Mexico. We both parasailed for the first time, rode jet skis, went on a banana boat ride, relaxed by the pool, went boogie boarding, and saw a whale.
3. We attended some dear friends weddings and I was the maid of honor in my cousin Laura's wedding. Congrats to all of you from us!
4. We saw Blink 182 at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas. They happen to be one of Dane's favorite bands and they were going to be in Minneapolis while he is gone. We had a great little trip to Las Vegas.
5. I hurt my right foot twice. One time requiring stitches. This memory wasn't the most fun!
6. We went camping at the Cannon River twice with a few groups of friends and had a great time!
7. We each got new laptops equiped with web cams so we can Skype
8. We had 5 awesome days in Indianapolis.
9. Dane made his way from Fargo to Indiana to Germany to Kosovo. He is now settled into the routine and each day passed is one more closer to him coming home!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year To You Love, Us!

Here is to 2010 and all it has in store for us!

K is for Kosovo

Dane has been doing some patroling in Kosvo and had the opprotunity to meet a family of farmers in a rural area. He said they were very welcoming and there was a language barrier but they smiled and laughed and even had a chance to snap a photo!
Dane has been keeping busy working out, watching movies, doing military stuff, (hopefully) working on some wedding stuff, and most recently we have been begining to look at houses!
We have been checking out some websites and emailing houses we like back and forth. We both love doing this and really can't wait to find the perfect one!
Lisa and I made a little Christmas themed package for the guys and they just got it at the begining of the week! They have a tree, bulbs, lights and some photos! Dane was able to show me the tree and decorations all set up!
I am keeping busy with work and for the month of December I am working weekends at Helzberg Diamonds. I really enjoy it and it will help this month go faster for me.

Well...looks like winter is here offically which means another season to tackle until Dane gets home!

100 days

Its been 100 days. Some of these days have been fast and others slow. A little recap (in no particular order) of the last 100 days.
Dane trained in Indiana and Germany. Dane got tazered and pepper sprayed. I got a wedding dress. We have been playing some serious games of battleship over Skype! We spent 5 awesome days in Indiana. I turned one more year closer to 30. We've made some exciting wedding plans! We've both lost some lb's! Dane has flown in a helicopter. The Vikings beat the Packers! Most importantly we've hit the 100 day mark!

Dane is officially settled into his Kosovo home now. He and two other sergeants live in a room that they have sectioned off into little individual areas. It looks like I need to send some pictures for him to put up on the walls and liven the place up a bit!

I will be traveling to Mexico over Thanksgiving for my cousin Laura's wedding! Congratulations Brad and Laura! Thank you for including me in your special day! I hope everyone enjoys Thanksgiving. It is by far my favorite holiday ever! There are no expectations except food and football. No pressure to buy the perfect gift just alittle extra pressure on the button of your pants! Every Turkey Day at my grandma's house we say what we are thankful for and since I won't be there this year I'd like to share mine now! I am thankful for Dane, my family, my friends, and my job!

265 days and counting!

My Hero...Sgt Fuglestad

Dane has been a part of the North Dakota National Guard since 2/12/ 2001. This has offered him opprotunities to learn many new skills, meet lifelong friends, and see parts of the world he probably would have never seen.
They were in a helicopter over the last week. I can't get over what an awesome picture this is! It looks like an ad for the military.
Dane is getting settled into his home in Kosovo and was able to give me a tour via Skype! It is a dorm size room with bunk beds and even a fridge! They will be getting a flat screen TV soon, they have internet, and cable TV. They were able to watch the Vikings beat the Packers (YAY!) and it sounded like they had a full "house" of guys watching the game! There will be 2 other people living with Dane but right now their are 6 guys in his "house".
I have been spending some time with another Army wife, Lisa, lately. She lives here in the cities and she and her husband have two adorable little girls! She has been a great support system for me and I can't thank her enough! Infact, I have met some awesome friends who are all waiting for their soliders to come home! Two that live here in Minneapolis, one that lives in Vegas, and MANY that live in Fargo. We will share a bond now and for years to come and I am lucky to have them all in my life!
I know I have said this before but this picture makes me feel it even more. I am SO proud of Dane and all that he has done and given up while serving his country. I miss him everyday and CAN'T wait for him to come home.

ADDRESS change and A Dress!

Dane made it safely to Kosovo! On Sunday he called to let me know they made it to Camp Bondsteel and were excited to be there. Today he told me there has been a change in the address so disregard the last one and use this one!

Sgt Dane Fuglestad

TF Defender A Co. 231 MTF

APO AE 09340

A little tibit of information about Camp Bondsteel

Camp Bondsteel has many facilities on base for use by the soldiers and civilian employees who live and work there. The post exchange (PX) is the largest military exchange in south eastern Europe and contains all the necessities and more that someone may need while in Kosovo, including TVs, phones, books, DVDs, CDs, small furniture, video games, computers, clothes, shoes, food, and more, all in its two story building. The base also has, arguably, the best hospital in Kosovo; a movie theater; three gyms; two recreation buildings that have phones, computers with internet connection, pool tables, video games and more; two chapels with various religious services and other activities; two large dining facilities; a fire station; a military police station; the Laura Bush education center where classes are offered through the University of Maryland University College and Central Texas College; two cappuccino bars, a Burger King, Taco Bell, and an Anthony's Pizza pizzeria; two barber shops; two laundry facilities employing local nationals who do the laundry for those living on base; two press shops; a sewing shop; two massage shops employing mostly Thai women who conduct various massages and are regulated by military officials; a shoppette that sells snacks and drinks, some DVDs and CDs, some office products, magazines, and essential personal hygiene items; various local vendors who sell Kosovo souvenirs and products; softball and football fields; and more. (from Wikipedia!)

There is a large photo of the base (that is too big for the blog!) Google Image Camp Bondsteel and there are some really cool photos of the area!

I bought a wedding dress last weekend and couldn't be more excited to wear it. If they didn't have to order it in I would probably have it on right now! YAY!

Thanks again to everyone who has shown their support for Dane during his deployment!

We appreciate everyone so so much!

Good Morning or Good Night

Dane is still in Germany finishing up the training before they put all of their last 2 months to good use and finally GET TO KOSOVO! We haven't talked as much as we did before due to their busy training schedules but when we do we always end our conversation with a good night to me and a good morning to him. It is something that is hard to grasp! That he is actually a day ahead of me. I go to bed and know that he is starting his day and he is going to bed knowing I am in the middle of my day.
Dane said they have been doing alot of training and at night they have fit in a couple of video games! He showed be all of the activities on the base once they get to Kosovo and it looks like there will be a few things to do to occupy free time! A movie theater, some fast-food places, and a really nice gym. They also have a TON of movies of their computers which Dane would watch movies all day everyday if he could so that is good entertainment for him. I also think it is a good time for him to catch up on all the "guy" movies I don't really like so much and for me to get in as many chick flicks as I can!
I just got off of Skype with Dane and he seemed in super good spirits. Infact he was able to pick on my alittle bit tonight so you know he has to be in a good mood then!

Not a whole lot new on the home front here. Just working at the VA and dealing with the politics of the workplace but aren't we all!
I am going wedding dress shopping this weekend and CAN'T WAIT! The wedding has been a good project for me while Dane has been away!

I have found a few websites and information on exactly where Dane will be and some other awesome information to keep us informed but...I am still working on it! So until the next blog good night or good morning! (which ever is appropriate)

Supporting the Troops

That's right....I got a tattoo! I went and got it about 4 days after he left Fargo. I had been thinking about it for over a year and decided I couldn't wait to do it. Dane didn't think I could handle the pain so when it hurt I kept telling myself I had to go through with it or I would prove him right! It only took 15 minutes from start to finish!

This tattoo means so many things to me. First, that I support Dane and all he does in the military. Second, this time in our relationship. I am thinking about him everyday and counting down the days(305), hours(8), and minutes(22) until he comes home to me, our families and friends!

I have been able to talk to him a few times over the last few weeks. They are back into training and preparing for Kosovo. Dane said that they are busy and the days are going by faster now. They are training for riots, checkpoints, and other police type work. He likes to call it "playing army."

Last time we talked he had his Kosovo address for me so here it is! (don't send anything until November or someone else may enjoy your card, letter, or treat!)

SGT Dane Fuglestad

TASK FORCE DEFENDER, CO. A
KFOR 12

CAMP BONDSTEEL

APO AE 09340

One Year

The wedding is one year from today! Mark it on the calender! This also means Dane will have been home for about a month and a half (hopefully!) We can't wait to spend the day with our family and friends. Not only will we be celebrating our wedding but celebrating the fact that Dane is home!
I was able to talk to Dane yesterday. He has been getting up early in the morning his time which makes it about 9:30 our time. I am so thankful for the time we have had to talk on the phone because we weren't expecting to be able to talk at all until he got to Kosovo. The connection isn't perfect so I really have to listen hard but even if I can't totally understand what he is saying I am just glad to hear his voice.
He is doing well but getting another cold. This doesn't stop him from running about 5 miles a day before he has to "play army" though.
From what I understand they will be leaving Germany October 22 and heading to Kosovo. Once they get there they will have internet in their living quarters so the connection will be better. Dane has set up a internet phone number you can call and if he doesn't answer you can leave him a message. That number is 701-212-4559!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Man of the House

Since Dane has left I have assumed the duties of the home, finances, car, etc. I have lived on my own for many years and seemed to have done just fine.
When I turned 16 my Dad told me that before I started driving a car I needed to know how to take care of it. So he took my out to the farm and showed me how to change oil, check tire pressure, change a tire, and all those other car care things. That was good information for a father to give his only daughter. Not doing to lie...I am a daddy's girl and I am pretty smart. I knew when he wasn't busy and then I would mention that my oil needed to be changed or that my tires looked low. I considered that time bonding time and a great time to clean out my car. I am however thankful for all of that information but I have yet to use it. Well...I can check tire pressure which leads me to my event of the day.
As I was driving to work my car informed me my tires were low. I checked the pressure with this handy dandy tire gauge and realized they really needed to be filled then I called my Dad. I usually call him with man questions and figure out what to do and then ask Dane to do it or Dane just takes care of it. Since I am the man of the house now I have to assume those man duties.
I am lucky to be spoiled by the original man of the house Dad (or Bruce the Moose) and Dane my man of the house now.
So until Dane gets home I will be a great man of the house! I will carry those heavy grocery bags, take out the stinky garbage, change the light bulbs, and fix the plugged drain and when Dane gets home I will hand over the duties and appreciate him and his man abilites so much more.

P.S. With even more important news!! I spoke with Dane this morning and they made if safely to Germany! We were told we may not have any communication for the next 3 weeks but to my suprise he called me today while I was at work and we were able to talk for a bit. They were getting settled in to the camp in Germany and he told me "We are going to eat, sleep, eat, and sleep again." Sounds like my kind of day. More updates when I talk to him again or when something else "exciting" happens with me!

Let the Blogging Begin!

Here it goes....I am going to try my hand at blogging!
Where do I begin?
Last week from Wednesday-Sunday I traveled to visit Dane in Indiana! It was the best Wednesday-Sunday I could have imagined. Dane and a few of his military buddies suprised a few of us army wives with a limo pick up at the airport. Us girls landed at around 3:30 and we waited and waited at the airport and the guys made it seem like their bus was stuck in traffic but they were lying....they were in a limo on their way to get us! Us girls ran and dropped our bags and hugged and kissed our heros! We spent our days eating out (which you can only do so much before it all tastes the same) and spending some quality time together. Dane treated me like a princess and I am so lucky and happy that we got those great days together before he left on a big jet plane.

Dane took off on that big jet plane today at about 4:00 pm. We were able to talk on the phone today while he was sitting in the plane getting ready to take off. They are headed to Germany for 3 weeks. I think Dane is anxious to get there because it means he is even that much closer to Kosovo.

I am anxious to hear that they landed and I will be sure to keep everyone updated on all of our events this year and the years to come!

Dane and I appreciate all of the support!
Once we get a more "permanent" address when Dane gets to Kosovo I will post it so we can flood him with cards and thoughts!