All Settled In

It seems as though months have passed since I took the time to sit and write. The first weeks after my husband got home seem to be precious and worthy of uninterrupted evenings and weekend afternoons. Though I will admit that I have missed my quiet moments in front of the glowing screen to reflect on and think about and record the happenings. Suffice it to say that I am very happy and am eager to welcome spring and summer after such a long and cold winter. We are planning a number of excursions in the coming months and hope to enjoy all the North Country has to offer. To all my diligent fans, keep me accountable... I plan to blog at least once a week. Until next time, enjoy the little things.

Home is Where We Are

Deployment has ended and he has been safely returned to me. All the beautiful little things have started to fill my days and they are incredible. It has been a wonderful homecoming. Excellent food, good wine, phenomenal company. My heart has never smiled wider. We have enjoyed home cooked meals like never before; including flavorful potstickers and curry chicken. The pup is overwhelmed and ecstatic that his daddy is home and he has his most favorite playmate back. I am so happy to have my husband, and best friend home. As we always tell one another, "Home is where we are." Welcome Home.

So Close!

We are down to the wire, folks.

I am a nervous wreck; every minor concern or superficial blemish around the house is now a glaring, ugly, horrible nuisance that must be rectified before my husband gets home. Circumstances that I have lived comfortably with for months now seem to be absolutely unacceptable and in desperate need to readjustment. For instance, during a puppy play session weeks ago, one of the dogs knocked the doors to the entertainment center off the track and broke the latch; it didn't bother me then but I am now frantically trying to contact the manufacturer to order replacement parts. I know my husband probably won't even notice these minor discrepancies but I just can't have him coming home to it. Not on my watch.

To give you an idea of what I have accomplished in anticipation of his homecoming:
Reorganized and cleaned all the closets (with the help of my lovely and talented twin sister)
Picked up all the poop (Thank you, Stinkin' Dawg Waste Disposal!)
Cleaned the carpets (Stanley Steemer took care of that and tossed in a free deodorizer spray)
Oil change for my car
Cleaned out the garage
Reactivated the cell phone
Reactivated car insurance
Coordinating with friends and family for his surprise :)

What still needs to be done:
Scrubbing the kitchen
Swiffer the hardwood
Deal with the clutter
Replace lightbulbs in outside lights
Order replacement parts for entertainment center
Clean the office
Oil change for his car
Serious vacuuming for my car (lots of dog hair)
Decorating for his homecoming

So, if you need to find me anytime in the interim I wish you luck. We are so close!

Counting the Days

We are counting the days, folks. I dare not share specifics but I will share my excitement! This is a very exciting time in my home; as it is our first homecoming experience, I am nervous and excited and overwhelmed and ecstatic and and... you get the idea. Let me suffice it to say that I am ridiculously, incredibly, unyieldingly stoked!

Counting the days has never been such an emotion roller coaster before... bring it on and bring him home!

Love and Support

All we really need is love and support... always.

Families are a tough nut to crack - on the one hand, if you are too delicate then no progress is made, while, on the other hand, if you act rashly then you may shatter the shell and risk damage to the nut. Somewhere in the in-between is a lovely balance where nuts are perfect and families thrive.

So much is lost when we don't take the time to communicate genuinely with one another. Feelings are disregarded, tempers flare, no one is truly satisfied, and, worst of all, the family is left ruptured and torn, beaten down and defeated. This weakened shadow attempts to limp on yet it is only a matter of time before it collapses and is left heartbroken. To accept defeat seems the only viable option and the decision rests on heavy hearts, unwilling to give up but too tired to carry on. It is impossible to imagine that anyone would wish this devastating conclusion upon a family, but sadly it happens all too often. One can only hope that the slightest glimpse of hope persists to tugs at the heartstrings - a willingness to mend the downtrodden and lonesome family.

It isn't fair or appropriate to pass judgment on family. Family is a dynamic, living component of our lives - just damn complicated. Yet, even as complicated as family may be a little love and support always goes a long way. Just a thought.

Adventures in Twindom

My twin sister and I compiled this list our adventures during her visit in late February. What may seem lame or bizarre to others is only natural in the adventures of twindom.

Sushi with a fellow milspouse.
Puppy wake-up calls.
We cleaned like whoa.
Homemade cookies with a mug of milk.
We ate dinner with a drooling canine audience; I guess he is a big fan of pork chops.
My sister experienced a flash micro blizzard... only 10 inches in one morning.
Blueberry pancakes.
Assaulted by a snow plow... get it... we thought it was laugh out loud, hilarious.
Keys to the Miller Museum of Geology at Kingston.

Third Attempt

This post marks the third attempt to blog this week... I have been unable to successfully complete a post - or a sentence, for that matter - due to the rambunctious pack of pups that has overtaken my townhouse. In order to complete this post without interruption, I have sequestered myself in a peaceful, quiet place better known as the kitchen counter.

They run, leap, bark, chew, play, snooze - all in unison. No lie, if one lays down to rest they all join in; likewise, if one hears something in the middle of the night they all join in chorus to alert me to potential danger (I am puzzled as to what awakens the oldest at 0400 every morning...). They really are good pups and they make a great play group. Who needs the dog park when you have three rowdy pups in the vicinity and doggie daycare?

My days are certainly not in short supply of laughter and photo ops. I have camera phone at the ready so I can send a quick snapshot to their parents in daily attempts to boost morale and share the laughter. I take my part in the healing process very seriously. 

After seeing some pictures I posted to Facebook of the pups playing, my father-in-law called and asked if I was selling tickets to the wrestling match! These pups sure know how to have a good time.

And so, to close out this third attempt I leave you with this snapshot of the fun: 

Love and Deployment

Today feels just like any other day during deployment because every day I miss my soldier. All this talk of flowers, candy, and chocolate is ridiculous... all I really want is a hug and kiss from my husband. To feel his warmth would be a delight. The thought of his homecoming is what sustains me. But I know that I am not alone; all over this country there are incredible men and women apart from their beloved because the mission comes first. Barely legible letters, midnight phone calls, bruised care packages - these are the ways we say "I love you". And, I truly believe that these magnificent moments make separation bearable. 


Each day I pray that my husband and all our soldiers return home safely; asking St. Michael to bless them and keep them from harm. I remind myself that love is patient and endures all things; love never fails. I believe love conquers deployment with ease.  


To my friends who are far from their loved ones, hold strong and remain steadfast. Your tears are welcome and embraced, so long as you wipe them from your cheeks and remind yourself of the many blessings in your life.


To my friends who have been reunited with their soldier but wait patiently for full recovery, the circumstances may not be ideal but be thankful you are with him and he will be well soon enough. Your fears are understood, your anxiety understated, your strength inspiring. 


To my friends who are able to touch, smell, and taste their lover - do it! Your happiness is beautiful and should be celebrated. 


Happy Valentine's Day, friends.


"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflates, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Uncelebrations

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Happy 5th mesiversary to me and my husband! That's right, friends, today marks five months of wedded bliss. Well, not quite bliss but at least it is a milestone. I'm sure I would be much more cheerful if my husband was actually present for the occasion - it does, after all, align rather closely with St. Valentine's Day. But, I know that moping over the circumstances of deployment would be fruitless. Instead, I would much rather lavish in the happy thoughts of his safe return from down range. He will be home this year, ya know. Very exciting stuff! As always, the mission comes first.

Also, it is our puppy's 9 month birthday! A most momentous occasion, indeed. It is a pity that he is afflicted with yet another bout of puppy poops on this somewhat special day, but I'm sure he will rise above - he always does. Enjoy this lovely snap shot of my little guy:

I know it seems a bit queer to celebrate these seemingly ordinary occasions; however, I must comment that it is these singularly bland milestones that make my life so stinking wonderful. No really, each day is a gift and should be celebrated in one way or another - even if it means digging deep and remembering hard to conjure up a special, beautiful and terribly ordinary reason to celebrate.

So, happy tenth day of the second month of the beginning of the second decade of the second millennium!