Quarters One is Moving...

 

Yes, Quarters One is moving again! But this time just to a new web host, you can now find me at  www.quartersone.com. It's a little more sophisticated and much prettier if I do say so myself! You can still find old content here at this address and really old content from Fort Riley, KS at quartersone.blogspot.com

 

                                   I hope to see you there!

Final Farewell

It ended pretty much as it began...
In 1982 we walked hand in hand off the field at Michie Stadium following Bill's graduation from West Point.
In 2018, 36 years later, we walked hand in hand out of the Army Retirement Services Office at Ft. Meade, MD.  
Making the decision to leave a career after so many years wasn't an easy one but it was the right one.  
We have been privileged to be a part of so many amazing military postings like the 1st Ranger Battalion and the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 173d Airborne Brigade, the 1st Infantry Division and all of the outstanding communities that support them.  
I am grateful to so many people we met along our journey!

A little truth from Jimmy Buffet

Reflecting over the years these are some things I wish someone had told me as a young Army spouse...

*Put your family first.
*The only thing people will remember about you is how you made them feel...good or bad.
*Your friends make Army life the best life.
*Don't create drama or be drawn into it. 
*The big Army does not have a secret plan for your military spouse...people are in the right place at the right time. 
*There are no guarantees, everything promised is written in jello.
*When it's your turn to leave the Army 
(and it will be your turn one day) 
remember that as good as it was...the best is yet to be!

With Gratitude and Happiness, 
Shand

Postscript...Ok, this is not really the final farewell, I'm staying around the blogosphere for the after party hope you'll stay with me!

October is My Favorite Color!

  

It's been exactly 3 years and 9 months since I've been able to say I love our Army quarters.  
Don't get me wrong,  I'm grateful to have lived at Fort Myer but those quarters and I had no chemistry.

Nada.

But I love, love the new Quarters One!
(Which is actually Quarters 3 but you know the story...)

 This is the same 1930's floor plan that we lived in, with some variation, at Fort Benning and Fort Bragg. 

 Last fall I thought we might retire over the summer so I gave almost all of my faux fall decor to my daughter.
Even though that hasn't happened (yet) I didn't want to make purchases I had to keep around.

So when I came across a veggie stand full of these beauties...

I decided to fall into my favorite season keeping everything natural and simple. 

And I don't have to pack it up when Christmas rolls around!

These little white pumpkins are the best! They go with everything and just about every room gets one.

One of the few things I kept were pillow covers.  I'm pretty obsessed with pillows.

The foyer.

These heirloom pumpkins are perfect for the kitchen.

The crows made the cut, too. 

See them in last year's fall blog HERE.

We had our first guests for dinner...

Our gorgeous, fun friends,Vikki and Jeff.  

(They seriously look like Grace Kelly and Cary Grant!)

We served our dinner in small, Italian style courses:

Butternut Tarte and Prosecco 

Leek Soup

 White Bean and Fennel Salad

Shrimp and Grits

Ginger Snaps with Cream 

Wine

and then some more wine...

Keep up with us on Facebook and Instagram! 
Thanks for visiting our first post about the new 
(and improved) 
Quarters One!

With Gratitude,

Shand 

We've Moved!!!

"Oh my!" (she says)
"We'll make beautiful memories here my angel!"
(Pecks his wife on the cheek and she pretends to smile)~Saving Mr. Banks~
Yes, Quarters One has moved! I apologize up front if we've moved into your neighborhood. I'll be the one walking a very loud beagle (I mean very loud) with 3 legs and an overly friendly yellow lab who thinks everyone needs to love on her.  I'm usually dressed in something that makes you wonder "Is she going to the gym or back to bed?"
I look forward to sharing our new quarters and new adventures!
With Gratitude,Shand 
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram...(when I remember we are on there!)