MilSpouse Roundup

 

Head over to The Adventures of Mr. Superman and Mrs. S and link up.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

This week’s questions are:

1. What is one of the things you always do special when your husband returns from a deployment? submitted by Keep Calm and Soldier On
This time I have a lot of special things planned...a special outfit, special pictures, special meals, date nights, etc.

2. What do you do to help your spouse and/or yourself re-adjust after a deployment or long separation? submitted by Diapers, Dogs and Deployments
Include him in things, when he's gone I do everything myself and I find it works best to include him.

3. Are you a crazy coupon clipper (I’m becoming one, so share your secrets with me)? submitted by Married My Airman
 I clip them and forget to use them so sorry I don't have tips.

4. What’s your most treasured memory of you and your spouse (not counting your wedding – that’s a given)? submitted by Scrubs, ACUs and One Crazy Ride
Our first kiss...it happened in his kitchen (which is now our kitchen) and it can only be described as movie worthy...I had butterflies, sparks, fireworks, etc.

5. If you could live anywhere overseas, what would you pick and why? submitted by Little Moments Like This
I'd say Italy or England. Italy because I've heard good things. England because my brother lives there.

Now head on over to Wife of a Sailor to link up!!

My Furbabies

Ares and Eva

As much as I sometimes grumble about them barking, needing to go out 40 times an hour, destroying electronics, etc. I can't imagine my life without them. I had them boarded overnight yesterday because we had a work day away and I wasn't sure how late we'd be getting home. As it turned out we got home early enough that they'd have been ok but better safe than sorry. It was so quiet last night. And I can't get over how much safer I feel with them in the house. The cats just don't have much intimidation factor.

Teaching

When I went to college I had the goal of becoming a teacher. I was going to major in English and get my Education certification. However, things changed and I graduated many years later with a Communications degree. I don't regret it because my degree has served me well. But somewhere in my soul, my subconscious, my little voice, etc I still have the tug of teaching. Currently I'm filling that by leading a Bible study at work. But I know eventually that won't scratch it well enough.

Virginia has a Career Switcher Program. If you have a Bachelor's Degree, have been in the working world with 5 or more years experience, pass the Praxis II, and a literacy test you can enter their program. It is a 10 to 16 week program depending on where you take it. At the end of which you are probationary certified to teach. You teach for a year then you can apply for permanent certification. (I've simplified this a lot for more information Google it) I'm not sure if I'll do this but it is tempting. (I won't lie I like the idea of summers off)

Currently with J deployed and such my job gives me a lot of flexibility. I have great co-workers. And I love my job. So I don't think I'll be doing anything soon but I like the idea.

Military Branches

Ok just a warning this is a rant...you've been warned.


Saturday night I was at a party...a number of active duty and retired military people were there. The conversation went to military branches. I was talking to a man who is active duty Army. I told him J is active duty Navy. This started a whole thing of which branch was better. There were comments made about the Air Force not being as strong as the Navy and the Army. Then there were  comments made about the Army being better than the Navy. Then there were jokes made about the Marines. The long and short of it was it was on its way to becoming a pissing contest about one branch being better than an other. It started out light hearted but it moved to serious.

My husband is active duty Navy. My father is retired Air Force. We have friends in the Army. We have friends in the Marines. We have friends in the Coast Guard. All of them do an important job. So why is it necessary to say one branch is better? We need protection on air...and land...and sea. We need all of the branches and all of the positions in the branches to keep us protected. It just makes me mad. Now I'm all for good ribbing among military people...joke on each other but when you get serious about it...it needs to stop.We are in this together. And I'm glad we have multiple branches of the military.

MilSpouse Appreciation Day

First go check out Riding the Roller Coaster to learn about MilSpouse Appreciation Day...

Then check out Wife of a Sailor's "You Might be a MilSpouse if..." you'll laugh, smile, tear up, and nod a lot.

And of course go to Personalized Sketches and Sentiments to link up with the MilSpouse Weekly Roundup!

 

Never the Same

My boss says "Trust is like Grandma's vase once broken it can be put back together but it is never the same."

As I go through the parts of my parents divorce I am constantly reminded that things will never be the same. On Monday I had to go to the lawyer's office for the deposition for Mom and Dad's divorce. They needed someone who knew the beginning and the end to verify Mom's statement. I admit this hit me harder than I thought it would. I get it is a needed part of the process but still to have to do it for your parents was rough. But it is done. Then I just have to go sign the document so it can go to the judge. Then their divorce will be processed in the courts.

I will admit that Mom and Dad both seem happier since they have separated. It is probably something that should have happened years ago. I'm still sorry that it has happened. I don't care what age you are divorce is not something you expect for your parents.  

What I am grieving is that my family will never be the same. We will never have holiday dinners together. We will never share family memories together. It will always be different than it was. Is change bad? No, but it is change and change takes time.

Good things come out of bad things. And that is what I'm holding on to during this experience. That and my favorite quote...

God never gives me more than I can handle I just wish He didn't have such faith in me. ~ Mother Theresa

Welcome Home

No I'm not talking about the new show on Lifetime. Although it does have some good storylines.

I'm talking about my own homecoming. I'm going to need a welcome home outfit...my sailor is coming home for a visit. I'm so excited!! I have some fun filled things planned...

• of course a fun filled welcome home at the airport...and at home
• I'm having boudoir pictures taken this month with Christina Rush Photography
• I have a special night out planned
• I have a day at the beach planned
• I have days with nothing planned
• He has made himself a honey do list (yes he has made jokes about me being on that list)

Things I miss...

My husband thinks some of this is crazy but these are some of the things I miss with him deployed...

• Lazy Saturday mornings with coffee
• Hurried Weekday mornings with a kiss good morning and a kiss good bye
• Relaxing on the couch in the evening
• Coming home to someone
• The way he picks on me a little when I say something wrong...sadly when I'm tired I do this a lot (sadder I do this when I'm not tired)
• Cooking together
• Sharing the bed with a person instead of two spastic dogs
• Good night kisses (three of them) and good nights
• Sharing a bathroom (we only have one)
• Going grocery shopping
• Going to Lowe's (He's convinced this will fade quickly)
• His crazy love of Deadliest Catch, Ax Men, and Swamp Loggers (Don't quote me on the shows it's been awhile)
• His laugh
• His touch
• Touch in general (I have bubble issues so only a select few get in he did very quickly...he's good like that)
• Grilling (He is the grill master...I haven't tried I might rock too)
• Shooting pool
• Putt Putt
• His ability to balance me
• His hugs
• Him taking the dogs out
• Him taking the trash out (it's a boy job after all)
• His handiness around the house
• His goofiness
• His clothes on our bedroom floor (he misses the hamper and I won't care)
• His smell
• His commentary on my shoes
• Him