Wow

I believe this is the only word to describe our pre-deployment briefing today. We began the morning bright and early at around 8:00 in the morning and we went until around 2:00. It could have been longer I suppose, but trust me, it was long enough. There was some great information presented - just not for me of course. We don't use the military insurance thanks to our wonderful state benefits and many of the presentations were geared toward the soldiers themselves including VA benefits and the pay system over seas. I understand why this information is important but so much was on power point and I had had just about enough! Now normally I can sit through this, but for some reason it felt like my kidney's were shutting down. I couldn't even sit they hurt so bad. I went back and forth between standing and then laying the car (in the 96 degree heat of course). Needless to say it was a very long day, but on an upside I did get to spend it with my husband!

Military Design

I understand that our military is capable of great things. They have done an excellent job of protecting our country and coming to the aid of others. What they are not very good at is planning. Now you may say, "But how can that be when we are in a war. That obviously takes planning." And I would say, yes, one would think that. I have recently decided, however, that they plan nothing but still manage to look good. Michael is currently reporting to our unit everyday. This weekend, there is a family deployment briefing all day from 8 to 4:30. Michael was asked (by me) to RSVP to this event three weeks ago. Last week, while at training, he was asked again, and again responded, "My wife and I will be coming." ALSO last week, I received a phone call asking if we were attending. Now at this point I was still polite and told her yes and we had already responded twice. She of course apologized and said they just wanted to touch base with everyone. I understand this because I am a part of the Family Readiness Group (FRG), and it is hard to get everyone to respond, so I applaud their effort. I believe the last straw for Michael, was when they lined up everyone, and then went down the line and asked who was coming from every soldier's family. Now, Michael assures me he was nice, I think he probably responded nicely with the number again, but then lost it. He informed the lady we had now responded THREE times, to which she responded, "We are just double checking." Seriously?

Michael and I are both planners. If we are going somewhere, or we know something is coming up, events are planned to the last detail. Michael's 'vacation' to Iraq in July is in the middle of our summer. We planned everything around that trip. He couldn't buy 3 Doors Down tickets because he wouldn't be back, we couldn't leave for Disney until he got back, but we had to leave enough leeway in case his flight home was delayed. Yesterday, our lovely military told him he was no longer going. Now, secretly I am of course jumping up and down. The less travel time and time he spend there the safer he is. Michael is upset because of all the planning he had to do and the plans he had with the money he was going to make. Michael still would guarantee you he will get a phone call the day before saying he is going. We will have to wait and see. We will also see how this Saturday goes with the briefing. It should be interesting! Again, our military doing it's finest to plan.

Someday...

I wish that I could go back to 7th grade when summer was just that....summer. There was no work to be done, not bills to pay, just figuring out who was spending the night that day or what time we were getting together for Hide - n - Seek. Ashley, you remember those days! It was awesome. My friends and I spent all day at the pool playing categories, and getting a tan without even trying. Now it seems like summer is just an extra time to get some extra money either by doing summer school or working another job. What happened to enjoying summer? I know when I have kids I don't plan on working. (Plan is the optimal word here considering I don't know what our financial situation will be.) Michael and I are busting our behinds now so we can build our dream house when he gets back, and start our family. The extra money I am making is nice, don't get me wrong. Between his deployment and my second job, we will have a great down payment. It's not all bad. I do have some nights off (when I'm not at class trying to finish my Master's), and some days too. I still long for those pool side, lightening bug catching, sleep over summer times though.

Comment

I have my FIRST comment!! Thank you Bina! And yes, I loved seeing you this weekend I miss you very much. You should move up North. LOVE YOU

Back from N.C.

I had the most amazing weekend! My mom and I left around 6 AM on Friday and drove the 7 and a half hours down to Greensboro. (Bless this woman for going with me!) It was wonderful catching up with everyone and seeing them. We, of course had manicures and pedicures first, and then later the rehearsal and dinner. Saturday morning, our hair was done. I was terrified that my hair would turn into a puffy southern style, but thanks to my "Redneck" (her words, not mine) stylist, my hair was fabulous! We then had to kill around 4 hours in Courtney's swanky hotel room. You would think we were bored out of our minds, but we had the best time! These girls are so funny, and Courtney, through lack of sleep and nerves, was hilarious. I thought she would be a total mess, but she pulled it together and did beautifully through the ceremony. Gabe did wonderful as well and they are finally married! We wish them all the happiness in the world. When I came home yesterday, I discovered just how much I hate 95 and GPS systems. Let's just say 95 was PACKED and Mom's GPS decided to take us the scenic root through Washington instead of AROUND it. Needless to say, the ride home took around 8 hours instead of 7. Good times, but at least we got home safe and sound!

I also got to see Michael yesterday! His unit left the base a day early and actually came home on my birthday! He still has to report to the unit everyday, but gets to come home in the evening. I work 10 - 4 everyday so it works out great! I really missed him this weekend. I hate going to a wedding and not having anyone to dance with. I did really good until the last song when I started to tear up a bit. So I just removed myself from the situation and went to run stuff to my car instead. Sallie caught me in the hallway, and bless her, I didn't even have to tell her why, she just hugged me and said "Don't worry, he will be home soon." I love my friends. I don't even have to say a word and they always know how to reassure me.

Today is also Mom's birthday! Michael and I wish you a great, RELAXING, day! We love you!

The Need to Vent

I don't know if it's because I am exhausted or hungry, or both, but I feel the need to vent. First of all, I am traveling to North Carolina this weekend (which I am excited about because two good friends are getting married), but Michael will not be with me. I hate the Army. It forces us to put our lives on hold, or carry on like they aren't even there. It is so annoying. I waited 23 years to attend weddings with someone who I could dance with and introduce to everyone as my husband, but NO, the army has taken that from me. And will again, might I add, next March when Robin gets married and Michael cannot attend AGAIN. Yes I will have my Mom there, Lord love her, but it isn't the same. Am I proud of him for what he does? Of course, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Am I sometimes bitter? Yes. Not at him but definitely at the institution. Lord knows his unit comes before family. It's in their motto, so there is no arguing with this.

I also had class tonight. I actually like my professor, but any graduate class that require group work is annoying. It is impossible to get together outside of class, and frankly, I don't have the time. I wanted to sign up for a certain group, but wouldn't you know by the time it came to me it was full. So now, not only do I not want to do the group work to begin with, but now I am doing work I wasn't even interested in. Fabulous.

On an upside, two more days until I see my friends (Michael or not), and two more days until my birthday. Now Courtney and Gabe have no excuse for not remembering my birthday!

Missing Michael

So Michael is scheduled to come home next Monday. He has only been gone from me for 3 days since I got to see him Saturday, and I miss him a ridiculous amount. What is wrong with me this time? Normally I can suck it up and I am fine. Maybe it is because it is summer time and I don't have much going on. Who knows. I can't explain but I miss him a lot. God only knows what one year is going to be like. Perhaps I will get used to it after a month or so. One can only hope. Until October, I will count the small steps. Like making it through this week and then through the ten days in Iraq. I do have NC to look forward to on Friday! Only three more days girls! I can't wait!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all your Dad's out there! Michael, the boys and Remy love you very much are can't wait for you to come home again. I had a nice night tonight after a very busy day at the restaurant. I got together with my family, my sister in law's family and then my sister in law's sisters boyfriends family (if you can follow that). We had a great BBQ and enjoyed their company. Sarah and I got excited talking about our trip to Disney again. We can't wait. My normally emotionless brother actually seemed excited as well! I just have to get through a mini-deployment first!

Mike got home around 6 on Friday, and stayed until after I left for work on Saturday. I was unusually weepy when I said goodbye on Saturday. He isn't even gone for that long this time so I don't know why I was so upset! I just miss him very much. I will spend the next week getting ready for the wedding down in North Carolina, which will keep my occupied until he gets home. Courtney and Gabe, only 6 more days! I can't wait to see all of my college friends again! Not too much longer....

Mike and I wish everyone a safe and happy Father's Day!

18

This is the number of hours I will be spending with my husband before he has to leave again. Blah...His flight should be coming in around 3 today, and I get off work at 4. This should leave me plenty of time to look fantastic! Tomorrow, bright and early, we are both taking a Praxis test for Special Ed., and then he is off to Fort Dix for the last two weeks of AT. There have been some rumors that they will be home June 23 though so keep your fingers crossed!

Very was a bust last night :( I actually managed to win my first game EVER, but unfortunately, so did 8 other people. When this occurs, everyone draws a numbered ball and the highest number wins the bag. Well needless to say, I didn't get the highest number. In fact, I didn't even get a chance to choose a ball because a lady picked the highest number possible. Oh well! Life goes on....On the other hand I did get to spend time with a few of my lovely ladies last night! I have so much fun when I finally get to see them. It feels good to talk and laugh with them! What would a girl do without her friends?

One Year to Go!!!

Happy Birthday to my 'little' brother who turns 20 today! I say little with a laugh to myself because he is, of course, at least three inches taller then me and has somewhat of a gut that I like to tease him about. Have a great birthday!!!

Vera Bingo

The time has come. That's right, Vera Bradley BINGO! For any of you who may not know what I am talking about, this fun even combines two great things...Vera Bradley and of course, BINGO. Now, I love Bingo...the first three games. Then when I don't win, I just start to get very bitter. Ask my Mom. She has been with me to at least five of these things and by the end of the night I am not a fun person to be around. I guess you could say I am a little competitive. I mean, I can't even win a raffle that they give away! It's insane. Last time, Michael's Mom went with us and she won around four times. I am not exaggerating when I say that we were getting death stares from across the room. These ladies are vicious when it comes to Vera or Longenberger Bingo. She, my mom and my friend Coleen are coming tonight again! I told Mike's Mom that if she wins like last time, I am avoiding contact with her so we don't get attacked by the jealous women! Hopefully tonight I will be more successful! If not, I have a Plan B so that night isn't a total wash...wine with the girls after! That can fix anything!

Michael comes home tomorrow and I am so excited! I work 10-4 tomorrow and his flight is supposed to come into Philly around 3 so I should have enough time to get a shower and make myself pretty before he gets home. He won't be here for long but it is better then not seeing him at all!

Last night finished my first of 7 nights that I have to attend class for the summer! It really wasn't that bad, I just have absolutely NO motivation to do anything in the summer. I just keep telling myself that the day after the last day of class I will be in Disney, so that is what I am working towards! Only 6 weeks to go...

The Big 2-9!

Happy Birthday Michael Scott! I wish I could be there with you, but I am sure the money I gave you for the casino will do just fine! Have fun and have a well deserved drink! I love you.

Home Alone

Michael is officially in Illinois! He called earlier and said his flight had landed and he would call later after he had settled into his hotel (or visited the slots, HA). I will miss him this week, but at least I can see him on Friday and Saturday before he has to leave again. Other families won't see their husbands, wives for two more weeks, so I am blessed in that aspect. I hate sleeping alone in this house, but I am sure it's nothing a glass or two of wine won't cure! I made my run this afternoon and am well stocked. What I didn't anticipate was the bottle opener breaking! Thank goodness for wedding registries and duplicates of items! I think for this upcoming deployment I may need to invest in one of those electric openers.

I have had one friend so far say they have read this blog! Very exciting! I love my friends. I am so blessed to have these people in my lives. Sometimes I feel like an absolute horrible friend. I find it hard to find time to even call sometimes. Doesn't that sound awful? My New Year's resolution was to call more often and I have failed miserably at that so far. So I am making a June resolution....I will call more often, and I am trying to plan a once a month dinner at my house just for the girls. I think everyone needs their friends and a bottle of wine at least once a month! They would do anything for me and I can't even begin to thank them for everything they have done so far for me. I get to see the girls I graduated from college with in a week and a half. My friend Courtney is getting married on my birthday and I am so excited. I think she is starting to feel the pressure and stress of it all and I just pray that she can relax and enjoy every minute of it. My wedding was fabulous and I am glad my type A personality took a back seat for once! Courtney and her soon-to-be husband are honeymooning in St. Maarten. I have told instructed her that the only thing she should worry about there is not getting burnt on the beach and leaving the room in time to make Happy Hour. That week of my life was absolutely amazing. Michael and I had so much fun and wish we could go back!

We do get to go on one more vacation before he leaves. We plan on going to Disney in July! That is where we got engaged, and we both love it. I swear I feel like I am 10 years old again when I am there! Of course, before I get to that vacation I have to get through this three week training and a 10 day 'trip' to Iraq! I am sure it will go by sooner than I think. I am sure when I look back on it, I will wish I had 'just three weeks' to get through again!

End of the Year

It has been a very busy week here! Our students last day on Friday, and as I waved to the buses as they left the platform, I can't help but say I said a little prayer of thanks. I love my students, don't get me wrong, but we had some trying times this year! Even teachers need a vacation! Teachers are not finished until this Thursday, so Mike and I have a few days to go. I say any day without students is a day off. We have trainings and other meetings to attend, but all in all it isn't bad.

Mike will has drill on Saturday and Sunday so he will be coming home each night (YAY!). I don't know why, but I just sleep better when he is home. I hear every little noise throughout the house when he isn't there. Of course, Rocky is there to protect me! He even enjoys sleeping in Mike's place while he is away. I am sure I will be updating much more while Mike is away and I have time! Right now between work, my second job, and my Master's class, any spare time I have I like to actually spend with my husband.