Hi Everyone! Sorry I’ve been a bit absent lately. Lots of big life changes happening right now. If you follow me on Instagram (which you should if you don’t already, because I’m much better at updating over there than I am here), then you know that my last day of work in the Army was last Friday, and my last day wearing the uniform was this past Monday (I had to go in for my award ceremony). I have 51 days of leave saved up, so I’ll still technically be in the Army until September 23rd…just on a nice long vacation.
Pic from Instagram: this is the first time I’ve been able to wear bright nail polish in 9 years!
It’s a little bit surreal to see this chapter close. Tom and I were talking about it last night, and I’ve been in the Army for 33 percent of my life…and I’m only 27. Pretty crazy to think of it that way. It’s become such a part of me. I’ve met the two loves of my life through the Army, I’ve lost my husband and many dear friends in Afghanistan and Iraq because of the Army, I’ve gotten to see the world through the Army, I was lucky enough to lived in Hawaii because of the Army, I earned my degree through the Army, and I met lifelong friends through the Army. Will there be a void now that I’m out? I feel like I’ve done a good job at staying in touch with the “normal” world, so I don’t foresee the transition being a hard one, but since I’m being honest I will say that I did shed some tears on Monday and left work for the last time feeling a bit melancholy. (The hot pink manicure and pedicure I got right after work helped me embrace the transition to “civilian-hood” though, and the celebratory bottle of Veuve Cliequot champagne was the perfect way to end the night!)
Another Instagram picture. Cheers!
In addition to leaving the Army, we are also moving next Monday (of course Tom leaves for Korea for work that same day so I get to deal with one last Army move all by myself…hurray! (she says sarcastically)), our wedding is in October so I’m busy planning that, we are doing an Olympic distance triathlon next month so I have got to get my butt into gear and start training seriously, I’m buying a beach house in South Carolina with my parents, oh and now I have to figure out what the heck I truly want to do with my life! It’s enough to make me want to just go take a nap…or have a glass of wine!
That being said, please bear with me as I may be a bit sporadic in posting for the next little while. I have lots of great ideas swirling around in my head, but sometimes it just difficult to find the time to sit down and get it all out into words.
Thanks to all of you who read and support me. Every single comment and page view truly makes my day, and I’m so blessed to have this little spot in the world with some pretty awesome readers who cheer for me through every up and down. I love y’all!
Well done Katie, and good luck with EVERYTHING! I'm so happy to have found your blog (I check it every day) your are truly inspiring. I've had friends and family asking me to start a blog for a while now and thanks to you I finally got the guts to start classicnat.blogspot.com. I can't wait to see what you do next 🙂
I love that you went straight and got a mani/pedi after work! It sounds like the next few months are going to be incredible. Excited to follow you and see it all play out on this page! – Erica @ WhimsicalSeptember
Congratulations!!! What a wonderful phase of your life you are now entering. I have been following your blog for a short time, but cried through some of your more serious posts, and consequently am SO happy for you. You deserve all the happiness that is coming your way x
Congrats on all this excitement! It all sounds very exciting and so we'll deserved! You have great focus and attitude and I am sure will love the next chapter of your life!
And the next chapter begins…….thanks for your service!!! I look forward to seeing what is next…..besides the wedding! We will be making that transition in 22 months……after 30 years!! Yikes!
Anonymous
August 7, 2014 / 5:35 am
Congrats on the transition. I left the Army last year (in the midst of wedding planning too) and know the roller coaster of emotions that goes with it. Sometimes I miss it, sometimes I thank the lord I'm not still in. It ebbs and flows. But remember, if you ever REALLY miss it, you could always join the Reserves!
I had to do the math! I've been in 42% of my 40 years! That is crazy. I'm not sure that I like it. 🙂 I hope God blesses me with the chance to enjoy civilian life again in the not too distant future! I'm about to rack up an ADSO transferring my GI Bill to my step kids. Agh! I'm excited for all you are doing right now. It's all so awesome. I wish you guys the best!
Congrats! I'm in the Navy, and part of me is counting days until I get out, while the other part of me can't see myself ever leaving! I think it's awesome how you're moving into the blogging/interior design/staging world – I'm interested in the same thing!
Thank you! Oh and we finally made it to the Hay Adams and had a burger like you suggested. You were so right, it was delicious! Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Thanks Carolyn! Yes it's a tough decision to leave, and it's still a bit surreal, but I'm happy to be out but wouldn't trade the time I served for anything. Thank you for your service and for reading!
Thanks for your wise words! Yeah I'm not sure what I was thinking in planning all these changes at the same time. All good stuff though. I haven't missed the Army yet but I'm sure I will eventually 🙂 Thanks for your service and for reading!
Well done Katie, and good luck with EVERYTHING! I'm so happy to have found your blog (I check it every day) your are truly inspiring. I've had friends and family asking me to start a blog for a while now and thanks to you I finally got the guts to start classicnat.blogspot.com. I can't wait to see what you do next 🙂
Congratulations… and thank you for serving on our behalf…
So happy for you, hope your transition goes well and take your time, we will be here when you do decide to post.
So exciting! Congrats! (first time I'm posting but have been reading your blog since you were on The Everygirl)
Good luck and congratulations! I love your blog and can't wait to see what is next for you!
WOW – BIG STUFF! Congrats and best of luck as you navigate the new chapter!
I love that you went straight and got a mani/pedi after work! It sounds like the next few months are going to be incredible. Excited to follow you and see it all play out on this page! – Erica @ WhimsicalSeptember
congrats katie! enjoy this new season 🙂
Best wishes to you always!
Congratulations!!! What a wonderful phase of your life you are now entering. I have been following your blog for a short time, but cried through some of your more serious posts, and consequently am SO happy for you. You deserve all the happiness that is coming your way x
Congrats Katie! Love your style, love the wise words you have been blessed with, and love following along with you!
Congrats on all this excitement! It all sounds very exciting and so we'll deserved! You have great focus and attitude and I am sure will love the next chapter of your life!
And the next chapter begins…….thanks for your service!!! I look forward to seeing what is next…..besides the wedding! We will be making that transition in 22 months……after 30 years!! Yikes!
Congrats on the transition. I left the Army last year (in the midst of wedding planning too) and know the roller coaster of emotions that goes with it. Sometimes I miss it, sometimes I thank the lord I'm not still in. It ebbs and flows. But remember, if you ever REALLY miss it, you could always join the Reserves!
I had to do the math! I've been in 42% of my 40 years! That is crazy. I'm not sure that I like it. 🙂 I hope God blesses me with the chance to enjoy civilian life again in the not too distant future! I'm about to rack up an ADSO transferring my GI Bill to my step kids. Agh! I'm excited for all you are doing right now. It's all so awesome. I wish you guys the best!
Congrats! I'm in the Navy, and part of me is counting days until I get out, while the other part of me can't see myself ever leaving! I think it's awesome how you're moving into the blogging/interior design/staging world – I'm interested in the same thing!
Congrats lovely lady! Best of luck on your next adventures – can't wit to see them unfold here!
Thanks Natalie! And congrats on deciding to start the blog!! Your NYC trip wardrobe post looks exactly like what I would choose for myself!
Thank you! Oh and we finally made it to the Hay Adams and had a burger like you suggested. You were so right, it was delicious! Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Thanks Mol!
Thanks for reading Jessica!
Thanks so much Danielle! So glad you enjoy it!
Thanks Carolyn! Yes it's a tough decision to leave, and it's still a bit surreal, but I'm happy to be out but wouldn't trade the time I served for anything. Thank you for your service and for reading!
Haha yes I HAD to go get my nails done in a fun color 🙂 Priorities!! Thank for reading Erica!
Thank you!!
Thanks so much Meagan, and thanks for reading 🙂
Thank you Susan!
Thanks Vannessa! Thank you for taking the time to read both the happy and sad posts.
Aww thanks so much Emily! I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!
Thanks Diane!
Thank you! And good luck with your family's transition! I can only imagine how it must feel after 30 years.
Thanks for your wise words! Yeah I'm not sure what I was thinking in planning all these changes at the same time. All good stuff though. I haven't missed the Army yet but I'm sure I will eventually 🙂 Thanks for your service and for reading!
Yikes! Yep you're a lifer Karen, but you look so fabulous while doing it 🙂
Thank you Lauren!
Why thank you! 🙂