I will Thrive - Deployment Stories

First a little deployment irony...

We live in Virginia...specifically southeastern Virginia. We don't get snow very often and when we do it is about 4-5 inches at the most. This year we have had two snow storms in December. The first was on my birthday and brought about 3-4 inches. The second was the day after Christmas...it was the third largest snow storm in years (I mean since the 1800s) and both required shoveling. And where is J...in Japan.

Our dog is a bit of a trash compactor. I love him but if he can eat it he will even if he shouldn't. So the fact that he got a hold of something he shouldn't doesn't surprise me. The fact that he would have to go to the emergency vet on New Year's Day and have major surgery does. And of course it would happen while J is gone. J felt bad about it but I told him there was nothing he could have done if he was here. Other than sit and worry with me. 

I have mentioned in the past that during this deployment I'm doing things for me. Part of it is him being gone, part of it is stuff I need to do for myself.

So in January...

• First Place 4 Health starts this Thursday and I'm the leader so I'm excited about that. So I'll start discussing my progress in the weight loss and eating side of things.
• Beginner Stripper Exercise Class starts on Monday the 10th so excited about that.

I also went and talked to my tattoo guy about another tattoo and I think I'll be getting that in February. I'm excited. I've been wanting to get this for a while. I'm going to use my Christmas bonus to get it and to pay for the class. I'll keep you posted on how things go. 

I Will Thrive - Deployment Stories - Power of Attorney

For about three weeks I've been trying to make a payment on one of J's credit cards out of the savings account at the same bank. I went into the branch they told me to call the credit card line. I called them they sent me into the branch. I went into the branch again they told me they couldn't do anything because the credit card office closed early for some reason. So I finally got back to the branch last Friday.

A little background....I work in a church and funerals are a fairly common occurrence at my work. Friday was also the night of our staff Christmas party at the pastors' house at 6:00 PM. The funeral was to take place at 1:00 PM. It was an emotionally and physically draining experience. There were over 400 people in attendance we had to bring in chairs and we were still standing room only. So when we finally got done it was 4:00 PM (an hour after we're supposed to leave work). I had to stop at the grocery store and get a gift for the party and go home and get ready. Well the bank has a branch in the grocery store and there was no line so I though sweet I have the Power of Attorney with me I can do this real quick. No such luck...

So I go up to the teller. And she proceeds to inform me that they can't make a payment in the branch. I take a deep breath, count to 20, and say "all I'm trying to do is give you money toward a credit card what do I have to do?" She decided maybe she should talk to the branch manager. So I get transferred to the branch manager. She asks me how she can help so I start my spiel. My husband is military and is in Japan. I need to make a payment to his credit card from his savings. I'm not on the account but I have full Power of Attorney. She hmms and haas and finally makes a couple calls. She can do it. I show her a copy of the Power of Attorney which I was told would be fine by their Credit Card department and by the legal office on base. In fact that is not the case she looks at it and says..."I need bifocals and I can even tell this is a copy not the original. I need the original." I said that their credit card department told me that a copy would work. "Well not for me. I need to see the original." Thinking that it was signed in black ink I asked her how she would know. She assured me she would. So fortunately I had the original in my car so I go get it. Well it turns out it was signed in blue. She flips to the signature page and says "so you can't tell the difference between the original and the copy huh? I think it is pretty obvious don't you?" I grit my teeth and bite my tongue smile and nod. She takes care of it and has added me as POA on the account. Although I appreciate the thoroughness I don't appreciate her attitude. Then as the icing on the cake...she says "well I don't see why you don't just have your husband come in and add you on the account that would make this all a lot easier." I thought to myself. Well thank you. If that was possible I wouldn't be jumping through your hoops. It wasn't an overly active account so we never thought to add me to it. Now we know. I guess I figured in such a military dense area that they would be a little more helpful and understanding. But at least now it is done.

I Will Thrive

Hello out there! Sorry for the disappearance...it was a busy and full week last week. We were busy getting Mom packed and moved and then getting the old house cleaned. But she is tucked into her apartment and life is good. The house sold. And now we go onto the search for a new home for her.

Now onto the Thriving Part...

J is doing well over in Japan they are keeping him very busy which helps him. And they have our pay almost completely straight. They are working on the last part so hopefully by January we should be set. Whoo hoo!

I am going to be leading First Place 4 Health starting the first week in January. I'm excited about this I think it will be fun and I think it will be a good experience for those of us participating. And I know I want to be in better health. I've decided I will be healthier at 40 than I was at 30. (For those doing math yes I've given myself a good couple of years.)

My friend S and I have decided that 2011 is our year for excitement and going out of our comfort zone. So in January we plan on taking a stripper exercise class over at Studio Rio. I think it will be a fun experience. And it is different. I can't wait. 

I've decided while he's gone...I'm going to pamper myself once a month. This (really last) month was getting my hair colored. When I was a kid I had bright red hair then it went to auburn and now it is just brown. So I decided to go back to red. I like it..a lot!!

My friend S has also helped me by taking pictures of me to send to J. He likes seeing what I'm up to and having updated pictures. 

And when I went to the eye doctor I was very delinquent in this...and I was diagnosed with a mild astigmatism but it is enough that he wants me to wear corrective glasses. So I now have trifocals. This has been interesting. As a girl who never wore glasses to jump to trifocals it has been fun. But I'm adjusting to them.

The new hair color and the glasses.

I will Thrive...Deployment stories

J is in Japan for three years. It is his last three years and we'll get to see each other but it is tough none the less. Most of the time I do fine...I have moments but overall I'm good. And I've decided to set deployment goals for the time he is gone. I figure a) goals are good, b) goals will keep me busy, and c) goals will help the time pass.
Just like my business I've decided that you guys can help keep me honest. So here they are. If the list seems long keep in mind I have three years... (Please realize some of these require outside people)

Personal

• Start my business selling purses and jewelry
• Get back to working out regularly (it really helps with my stress level)
• Work on eating healthier
• Eat at home five nights a week
• Cook at least three nights a week
• Go out with friends or family once a week
• Pamper myself once a month with a pedicure, manicure, etc

Home

• Get our basement and attic organized
• Start getting other rooms cleaned out and put together
• Paint the bedrooms
• Put in a fence for the dogs (and me)
• Replace carpet in the living room and upstairs
• Paint the exterior of the house
• Replace our garage door (it has issues)
• Redo the bathroom

Work

• Get training on inDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Work to expand our Carnival
• Revamp our marketing publications