2 Years and Counting..

Today is our second wedding anniversary. I feel so blessed to be able to spend it with my husband. Although this deployment has been tough, there is no one else in the world I would wait for. When I think I can't get through another day without him, I just think of his smiling face, or his cute laugh when something is really funny and I know that I have no other choice.



Michael I love you and I am so happy to call you my husband. I know we will have many more years of happiness together.

What Happens in Dewey...

Back in the day, Dewey used to be the coolest place to hang out in the summer. I am sure for some people it still is. Dewey is the type of beach where there are streets of bars and drunken people falling over themselves. It is so crazy down there it had its own reality TV show on Real TV. I had my moment were Dewey was so much fun. There have been a ton of memories there, after all, it is where I met my husband :)

But those days have come and gone. I just don't see the point in driving down there to get wasted and pay money when I can do the same thing in my house, not have to worry about driving somewhere or paying a lot of money to drink or stand in lines.

Well today is the day we are revisiting those days! Today is one of Michael's friends birthdays and we are traveling down there with a group of people to celebrate. I haven't been in about two years, so it should be interesting. Wish me luck and pray I don't get too annoyed by all the 'young' people there who are wasted, bumping into me or try to hit on my husband. They might get 'accidentally' punched in the face! HA

What a Beautiful Day!

The last two days have been amazing here! It is finally sunny, after weeks of rain. The husband and I were able to lay in the pool yesterday and today. It finally feels like summer and my summer tan is finally starting to look up. My husband's on the other hand....well we have time to work on it, poor thing!

This is also my 200th post! I can't believe it. It has been a great outlet throughout this deployment. It's nice to be able to write what I am thinking or feeling on days. Now we are in the double digits of this deployment and I received an email today about a reintegration meeting that is coming up in August! Yay!

Trying Out for the Olympics

Last night we had Michael's birthday party. It was a great opportunity for him to see all his friends while he was home and just have a fun night. Originally the plan was for him to drink and hang out. Well that plan never works, because he only has like two beers and then decides to stop drinking. That plan was fine with me last night, because I more than made up for his non-drinking.

Let's just say, that by the end of the night, my best friend, sister-in-law and me were doing synchronized jumps off the diving board into my parents pool. It was the most fun I have had in a long time, even if my husband did say we acted like we were twelve. I just hope my fun didn't take away from his, even though I am pretty sure he was amused at the three of us acting like idiots!

100 Moreee

Only 100 days left in this God awful deployment. YAY! I can't believe it. I remember when there were 100 days left until Michael came home. By the time he has to go back we will be down in the 80's and double digits!

Speaking of leaving...I already had my first breakdown about him leaving again. (I know, completely stupid) It is so nice having him, I can't even explain it and no one can fully understand it unless you are away from someone you love for an extended time (more than a month thank you). It is amazing waking up next to him, cuddling, making me breakfast, simply yelling out "I love you" or holding my hand.

I love my husband so very much.

Happy Birthday to ME!

So far, this has been the best birthday ever! My husband is able to be with me, and not only that, I woke up to him cooking me breakfast, roses and a wonderful birthday card.

It has been an amazing day already and it's not even 8 am! Yay!

Now Arriving at Gate...

Michael finally landed yesterday! His flight was originally supposed to come in at 2:30, but was delayed a half hour by the time we got to the airport. We (me and his mom) were able to get special passes to go right to the gate, which was really nice. The time for his plane touchdown came and went, and by this point I was almost losing it.

Finally, an hour late, his plane taxied to the gate. I swear it felt like he was the last one to get off the plane (I'm sure he wasn't), but I was so excited to see him. I saw him before he saw me, and I started to get teared up, but was able to pull myself together by the time I got to hug him.

It was the best feeling in the world...

So frustrated...

Ok, so originally Michael was supposed to be home Thursday like I stated in the last post, but that didn't work out. Then he was supposed to get a flight out and be home Friday. I hadn't heard anything all day yesterday, so I assumed he was in flight on his way home. Then I got an email at one in the morning, stating that they had 'the worst sand storm in at least a year' and all flights were cancelled. Damn desert.

So, he tried to go again today. I haven't heard anything all day, but I don't know if this is a good or bad sign. Yesterday when I didn't hear anything I thought it was good because it meant he was in flight...now I don't know. I called my brother in law on the way home from work and he looked up the weather for me. Under Baghdad, it says 'widespread dust.' Not a good sign....

I am thinking I haven't heard anything because he is still sitting in the airport waiting. I would like to scream I am so frustrated. We had tickets for a baseball game, but we can't go to that now. Tonight was my last night of work, and was planned out perfectly for those 16 days off, now I have to push it back and take more time off. It is all so frustrating when everything else had been going so well.

I know in the end it's just one more day, and I have already waited 8 months, but I so had my hopes up. Say a prayer that he got out of Iraq today :(

Of Course...

So just when I got my hopes up that my wonderful husband would be home Thursday...Of course, he won't be home until Friday now. He was going to get a flight out tonight, but apparently that wasn't happening anymore, so he is there one more night.

I don't know what my problem is. You would think after 8 months, what's one more day? When he emailed me I was completely sad, to the point where I almost started crying at work - pathetic right? So, I guess I have to add a day to the countdown...

3 :(

To top it all off, I was supposed to meet my best friend for dinner, but that has been changed to a later date. I guess I'll sit home and drink by myself...what else is new? HA

New Look!

How do you like the new layout? Michael picked the original one, but since he NEVER posts on here, or leaves me comments, I decided I would make it a little prettier. I was trying to find something patriotic, but this design won out! Love it.

Well today was very productive. I woke up early and put all of the animals bedding in the washer and then dropped them off at the Groomers. They are too cute, and smell delicious now! Well, maybe not delicious, but better than they did! I then ran to the grocery store, stocked up some of Michael's favorite foods. I still have to pick up a few goodies though! Then I had a blissful, much needed one hour massage! Then came home, scrubbed the bathrooms, took a shower and ran off for a pedicure. Then picked up the 'kids,' came home, vacuumed and cleaned Michael's car (and mine) and now am relaxing on the couch. Whew! What a day.

Michael is all finished at work. He got in the last of the paperwork he needed to complete his tasks, and spent the rest of today packing and cleaning up his CHU (The abbreviation for his 'home' away from home). Tomorrow is his last day at work. I know he is so excited, and I cannot wait to see him! There is light at the end of the tunnel!

THIS Week!

I can now officially say my husband will be home THIS WEEK. I cannot wait. I have been calm and handled myself fairly well. Now I am starting to get anxious. I know this sounds weird, but I am more nervous about all of his flying around the world to get home, than I am when he is in Iraq. I know, I can't believe I just wrote that.

Anyway, tomorrow I am completely off and it is a busy day! The dogs are getting dropped off at the groomer so they look handsome when Michael comes home. In the meantime, I am going to go grocery shopping (I kid you not when I say I have been eating oatmeal for three days), at 11 I have a one hour massage (yay), then off to get a pedicure, and then lots of cleaning. It is going to be a great day.

Now relaxing with a glass of wine (to calm the nerves) and waiting for Army Wives! I LOVE this show!

USO Tour

There have been some people that have come to visit while Michael has been deployed. I know he has had a chance to see the President (both!), the actors from 'The Unit,' The Raider Cheerleaders, among others. Steven Colbert was recently over there as well. I had heard something about it, but unless Michael tells me he will be on the news, I don't really pay attention. I did come across this quote though and thought it was nice. Perhaps more people should be sent overseas and then maybe they will understand what military families go through. Just maybe.

"Finally, I want to thank the troops here and around the world. I am rarely at a loss for words but when I think of all you have sacrificed for your country these past six years it really seems insufficient to say thank you and really inappropriate to say holy shit so I'll just say what I hope you can all say soon, "Honey, I'm coming home."

-Stephen Colbert at the end of his USO tour in Iraq

Happy Birthday JJ!

My BABY brother turns 21 today! I can't believe it. I am getting old!

I also have my first FULL day off of the summer - no school, no work at the restaurant! I woke up early and accomplished some cleaning. Since I only have a week (LESS THAN) until Michael comes up, it's time to clean from top to bottom. Since most of you know me, you know my house isn't messy anyway as I am OCD organized, almost to a fault. However, Michael's bathroom hasn't been used since he left, so I think I should probably scrub that, and all the other bathrooms.

Michael assured me I didn't have to do this, but I want everything to be perfect when he comes home. My mom bought me a special toilet bowl cleaner I tried out this morning. I don't know if we have hard water, or what it is, but ever since we moved in there has been a ring around our toilets that we just can't get rid of. Even Michael tried to scrub it! Well, I happy to report I demolished the ring this morning! I don't know where my Mom got this cleaner but it's AWESOME! One task down, about 7 million to go before he gets home!

First Day of Summer!

Ok, so technically it's not the first day of summer - that would be June 21, my BIRTHDAY! But, since it is the first day without having to go to school, that means it is the UNOFFICIAL start of summer! I woke up at 5:45 - thanks to Rocky and Remy, who I swear conspire together to get me up so I can feed them. Then I fell back asleep until 9:30!!! I guess I was tired!

Unfortunately, even though it's the first day of summer - I still have to go to work at the restaurant tonight. Oh well, hopefully I will make some money. Tomorrow is my first FULL day off!

Oh, and by the way...ONE WEEK!!!!

Happy Birthday Michael!

Today, my wonderful husband turns 30! (I know, he's old!) I wish I could be there with him but soon... Only 8 more days until I can hug him!

Today is also the last teacher day at school. As I type this on my Blackberry, only 45 more minutes remain until summer!

Four!!

Today we had our annual Par 3 Golf Tournament to benefit our local football boosters. We never go for the golf, instead we go for the booze! There is beer, food and fun times! It is something Michael and I always look forward to and I was sad today that he couldn't be here.

The day started off quite dreary. It was raining a torrential downpour and thundering! This is no good when you plan on standing outside with a metal pole in your hand! As the day went on, it started to clear up and was actually sunny, hot and muggy by tee time!

We had a great time even if half my team had to leave early :( We didn't win by any means, but for the raffle I did win a pitching wedge club! What I am going to do with that, I have no clue, but at least I won something!

Everyone on the course asked how Michael was doing, and how he was going to be home, blah blah. One hole, someone actually commented they didn't recognize me without Michael. What? Not that I don't love him and miss him terribly, but when I did become the girl who was always with her husband? I had an identity before I married him thank you. It just made me miss him more, seriously.

8 days...

Next Week

I can officially say that I will see my wonderful husband 'next week.' Yay! It still feels like this next week is going to take forever, but I am hoping it won't since my schedule is fairly busy. The last three teacher in-service days are this week, with school officially ending on Wednesday. Since I am not teaching summer school this year, I won't have to see the inside of that building into August! Lovely! We are also having our end of the year 4th grade teacher dinner at one of my favorite restaurants tomorrow night, and on Tuesday it is the annual Football Boosters Par 3 Golf Tournament (aka a drunken debacle as there are drinks at almost every hole!) I know Michael is upset he is going to miss this and I feel awful - I will drink double to honor him!

Wednesday is Michael's birthday, and Thursday I work at the restaurant. What a way to celebrate my first day of summer! I work all weekend and right up until the day Michael comes home. Next week is when the real work starts. I need to get the house ready and myself for that matter! I cannot wait!

Since I got home early from work tonight, I am in time for the season premiere of Army Wives! I am so excited for it to come back on. I know Michael wishes he was here ;) HA. Love you!

School's Out for Summer...

Ok, well teachers aren't finished, but my students are! Yesterday I waved as their buses pulled out of our parking lot at school. I have to say I was sad to see them go. They have been as much a part of this deployment as anyway. They gave me a reason to get up in the morning and always made me smile....and drink sometimes!

Today marked the beginning of the dreaded end of the year teacher inservice days. Ahhh, how I loath them. They are so boring. I wish they could make information relevant. Administrators always talk about making information relevant and interesting so students can relate and enjoy learning. Couldn't the same be said for teacher meetings? Instead, I will take my Blackberry and email my husband, search the internet and stalk, I mean search for people on Facebook!

My husband, by the way, will be home in two weeks. Holy cow!!!!

8 Months

It has been 8 months since my husband was officially activated and reported to duty. I can't believe it has been that long. Day to day, it drags, but when I look back on it all it has flown by, thankfully! I am hoping these next two weeks fly by for both my sake and Michael's. I know he is getting tired of it and there is nothing I can do to help him. He doesn't seem to want to tell me anything, and I know part of it is he can't, but is also chooses not to share anything about what he is feeling. Typical guy I guess.

My running is still going well. With Michael coming home so soon, I feel the need to get as in shape as possible. Partly because I want to look good for him, but also because I know we are going to be eating a lot. I think he may be looking forward more to the food then actually seeing me (ha!)

I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but I have a student in my class whose father is deployed with Michael. Well he came home on leave today. They were going to surprise him in school, but his Mom decided to take both kids to the airport instead. I am thankful for this. I don't think I could have handled the tear fest! Only 1 1/2 more days with the kiddies. 16 days until I see my husband!!

Welcome June!

AHHH! It's finally here. I have been waiting for this month since my husband kissed me goodbye and walked through the security metal detector in that airport. I have waited for it every sleepless night and every lonely day.

School is out in 2 1/2 days for my students and just over a week for teachers! My husband will be home in 17 days....