Rough Times ... Welcomed Homecoming

Whew! What a rough time we've had with the deployment. He was gone a month, but we had more issues thN the previous year-long deployments! As in the previous post, you know the little guy was sick with some random flu-like virus on the 19th which lasted the day.

The following Tuesday we woke up ready to head to the airport to send my mom, aunt and cousins home. Unfortunately, we also woke to a surprise ... Jamie had a 100.3 degree temperature. By the time we dropped my family off and got home after lunch it had risen to 102.9 ... Yikes!! So the fun began ... we alternated a regiment of meds and rest.

He had so much trouble sleeping, couldn't eat ... poor little guy just sat in my lap with little to no energy.

On top of all that, he had six ... SIX ... teeth popping through. UGH! I can't imagine the pain it has been in.

His fever finally broke Saturday morning, just in time for Daddy to come home! It was definately good time, I was beginning to reach the end of my rope. Nights with no sleep, struggling to get him to eat, juggling vistors and a sick toddler - I was exhausted!

With Daddy home, things settled down ... I even got a pedicure on Sunday! Its was a good thing, because this morning Jamie woke up with the right side of his little face swollen from mosquito bites.





It looks so pitiful huh!?! Poor little guy keeps scratching ... I feel so bad for him.

Well, I'm off to get some stuff done before the little guy wakes up ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

Dealing with Deployments

So I've learned how to deal with deployments - how to stay busy, what makes it better when I get overwhelmed (McD's mocha frape LARGE!), etc. I thought I had it all figured out, but this past year been a learning experience to say the least.

Luckily, with the nature of George's current unit, he is gone weeks at a time versus months, but still its a hard concept to grasp when you're 16-months-old. Usually, about day 3 is when things start to get really "fun" and each day is an adventure depending on how he feels! Today, was one of those days. The day started at 4:30 a.m. - Monkey was ready to go, but I needed a few cups of coffee!

From the start he was ready to push buttons. By 9 am, Jamie had greeted me with dirty diaper on hand, knocked the surround sound speakers down twice, hidden the remote so the TV is stuck on Disney Channel, smeared blueberry smoothie across the breakfast room walls & thrown a 2-hour tantrum! Whew! What a day!

Later, he managed to pull more than 150 wipes out of the box before I found him. He was sitting on top of the pile, he clothes barely on 30 minutes were all wet!

It's hard to be patient with him but I know that he just wants his daddy. On top of it the poor lil guy is cutting two teeth! I can see them at the edge of his gums and go to bed each night praying they break through during the night.

The key is really just to keep busy. We go to the park, plan dinners with other moms who have kids his age, go on trips to the zoo, etc. I try to go to the gym a few times a week, where he gets to play with other kids in the child care center. Every day is a new adventure, new test of my patience. I just hope he knows when I patience its just that I miss Daddy too and don't know how to make it better for him. In the end, I hope it makes us all stronger ... and closer as a family.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Appreciating one Tough Crowd!

Today is Military SPouse Appreocation Day and what group is more deserving? Even the president took time out to show his thanks ... (not in its entirity)

Presidential Proclamation--Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Military spouses serve as steady and supportive partners to the heroes in uniform who protect and defend our great Nation every day. Across America and around the world, military spouses serve our country in their own special way, helping families and friends through the stress of a deployment, caring for our wounded warriors, and supporting each other when a loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice.

Our service members and their families seldom ask for support or recognition. They carry out their duties to family and country with the quiet courage and strength that has always exemplified the American spirit. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we have an opportunity to not only honor the husbands and wives of our service members, but also thank them by actively expressing our gratitude in both word and deed.

When a member of our Armed Forces is deployed, an entire family is called to serve. The readiness of our troops depends on the readiness of our military families, as millions of parents, children, and loved ones sacrifice as well.

On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, let us join together to show our service members we are taking care of their families back home as they serve our Nation across the globe. As neighbors, teachers, parents, and fellow citizens, we can reach out to military husbands and wives in our communities. We can show our appreciation in countless ways, from offering to help with household maintenance and childcare to encouraging the community involvement and career development of military spouses.

It is through our actions that we show our commitment to our service members and their spouses. By embracing military families, we demonstrate our partnership in the defense of our freedom and the security of the United States.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 6, 2011, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

~~~

So let raise a glass, be it wine or tea, and give thanks to the Homefront Guardians, the Silent Soldiers.

Until our next cup of tea ...

New Bedtime Prayer ...

As I lay me down to sleep ...
one less terrorist this world does keep ...
with all my heart I give my thanks ...
to those in uniform across all ranks ...
you serve our country and serve it well ...
with humble hearts you go through Hell ...
so as I rest my weary eyes ...
freedom rings our flag still flies ...
you give your all and do what you must ...
with God we live and in God we trust. Amen.
GOD BLESS THE USA!

Finding Your Support Team ... and Your Sanity

Life as a military spouse has taught me many things ... some of these lessons are just as easily learned in everyday life, but like many things in military life these are learned faster, are rooted deeper and are shared readily with others because of the nature of our unpredictible nomadic lifestyle.

One very valuable lesson that I learned early on, and has recently been reinstilled as I navigate the uncharted adventures of motherhood, is the importance of finding and holding on to a support group.

Now many of us who live the military life may have a strong family and friends network and they have been our rock and stability as we partake of this journey, but even the most well-meaning family member can garner the wrath of a military spouse who has been seperated from her beloved servicemember by uttering one simple statement ... "I know what you're going through ..."

Personally, I've had family and friends utter this statement ... sometimes in support of a long seperateion, but most irritatingly in terms of their own seperation from a spouse.

Recently, I had a friend whose husband was sent away on a business trip for 10 days ... yes, fellow spouses, 10 day, and you know where I am going with this ...

I called her near the end of the business trip for some unrelated matter and listened to her bemoan the fact that her husband "has been gone for sooo looonnngggg!" I tried to be symphathetic and bite my tongue, but when she utter those words ... "Now, I know what you must go through ..." I couldn't hold my words any longer.

"Do you really know what I go through?" I asked. "Does your husband goes for weeks without a call, only sporatic emails here and there? Is he constantly being placed in harms way as strangers in another land want him dead for no other reason than that he is an American? Do you feel fear and hope course through you body when the phone rings and relief mixed with disappointment when you answer the phone? How often do you hug your children and wipe away their tears when they ask when their parent is going to come home or ask why Mommy/Daddy doesn't want to come to their birthday party, dance recital or school play?"

Now of course, as soon as the words were out of my mouth I was apologizing. Its wasn't my friend's fault. We had made this decision to live this life - it wasn't forced on us. But I knew that despite my momentary lapse in judgement that my family and friends were only tryng to support me, even if they would never understand the daily struggles.

As soon as I was off the phone I called another military spouse and cried as I told her what happened. She undertood ... truly ... she'd been there too. Its like trying to comfort a friend whose lost a child, you don't know how to help, but deperately want to be there for them ... and the reality is sometimes you can't be. They need someone who has truly been there, who has felt the pain, fear, confusion of their situation.

I was lucky that early in my military spouse "life" I had started to find that support group who would always be there for me, even if there couldn't be there for me.

KG, was a co-worker whose husband was deployed at the same time as mine and we bonded over journalism assignment, frustration of not knowing and love for our fur-babies. From there our friendship grew.

ABW and I met through our military life blogs and despite being at different point in our military lives, we still found a common bond.

Brit, was a new military spouse when I met her and was very much in need of some guidance when her husband deployed shortly after they were married. But as the deployment went on I saw her grow from a giggling teenager to a confident adult who show strength beyond her age when she recieved the call that her husband had been injured. Months later when our husband returned home and we prepared to say goodbye and head off in different directions, I knew that both of us had grown up a little bit in those 15 months. Shortly, our sadness of leaving each other was brightened by the fact that we both got pregnant at the same time and were able to share the joys (and pains) of pregnancy and motherhood despite being serveral states away from each other.

There are so many more ... the moms at the baby's weekly playgroup have developed a friendship and bond that I know will continue long after the Army and life seperate us. But the important thing is having people who understand what the hard times are like and who can comfort you. Its having people who can make you laugh in your darkest moments and who know when just being there for you is so much more important than having the right words.

Finding a group of people who "fit" you is very important no matter what you do ... military or "civilian" life. To have poeple there to pick you up when you fall, light the way on your dark days or just laugh at your "not-so-funny" jokes. As my mom always told me ... "You are who you hang with!" Well, Mom I must be a little bit crazy, a little bit crafty and a whole lot of happy!

Until our next cup of tea ...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger ..."

... At least that is the motto I use when making coffee!

So I've been on the job hunt for almost 5 months now, and it is B-R-U-T-A-L out there! Not to say that they interviews have been vicious, in fact most have been infomative, but the uncertainty and confusion that I see in the face of potiental employers when they look at the work that I have done for the military as a civilain can shake the strongest self-confidence!

You know as military spouses we say:
I wear no uniform, no blues, no greens. But I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen. I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give, I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line. My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do I. I stand among the silent ranks, known as the Military Wife and I LOVE my life.

Its a reminder that we may not wear the uniform or face combat, but we live the same life, make the same sacrifices, face the same challenges. As an officer's wife I have spent years telling spouses to be strong, that today's challenge may be tomorrow's reward. We chose this life. Whether we married a Soldier or made the decision once married to take this path, we made the choice ... and now, we pay the price. We say goodbye to our loved ones, we wait anxiously by the phone, we tuck our little ones into bed and tell them that Daddy/Mommy is one day closer to coming home ... but now I realize we face another battle ... because of the choice we made, our personal lives are turned upside down at the "needs of the Army/Navy/Marines/Air Force" and more so are our professional lives.

After a while you get the hang of personal part of it ...packing, unpacking, decorating, rearranging, the puzzle of fitting all that furniture into a house that you swear is less than half the size of the last one. It a challenge you tackle head on, one that becomes a victory as you slowly juggle the pieces of your home finding a way to make another house and home ... albiet temporary. But the professional life, that one is hard.

I guess I hadn't realized it until now because I'd always be fortunate enough to find a Department of Defense position in jouralism or public relations, but now that I am outside in the private sector looking, I am stating to see the difficulties expressed by other military spouses.

Its daunting to go into interviews and have to explain the various short-term jobs that fill your resume to potiental employers. They want to know why you didn't stay, and more so, if hired, how soon will they need to find your replacement.

Many see your work history as an old ragged blanket, not worth much, whereas you see it as a uniquely pieced quilt, each woven thread offers an opportunity that makes you a better person, a hard worker, a more dedicated employee. It gives you insight that others may not have ... if nothing else you treasure it more because you know that one day, whether in the near or distant future, you will be pulled away to face the uncertainty of another city, another group of potiental employers.

I had a recent interviewer tell me that they were "disregarding the work I had done as a Dept. of Defense employee, because their company didn't do military stuff."

Um, I'm sorry, but how is journalism experience related to the military not the same as news in the private sector? I still have to go out and interview people, I still have to follow the same Associate Press writing guidelines, I still have to meet deadlines ... I just happen to do it in airplane hangars, in make-shift tents, or sitting alongside a Soldier massaging the overworked body of his military working dog. How is my experience as a media liaison not the same because I escorted people around a military base not a million-dollar office building. I've interviewed generals and admirals, talked one-on-one with celebrities and welcomed traveling dignitaries.

Servicemembers leaving the military have a variety od resources at their disposal for finding a job when they get out, there are a list of companies that are "veteran-friendly" but there are few who offer the same courtesies to military spouses. At times it can make you feel like your role was insignificant to the outside world. But just like you learned as a young spouse new to this life, you wake up, pull on your boots (or high heels) and face the day determined to make your place in thsi world ... even if its only for a short time.

Until our next cup of tea,

Don't give me a choice, then get made when I make a decision!

So, I haven't posted much about military life on here lately, but lots has been going on. Now that I'm a SAHM with a baby, I'm getting to see the otherside of things ... not that I wasn't understanding before, but now I'm feeling the heat.

My husband has command of a small group of Soldiers, of which 12 are married. Most have children, most under the age of 5 with the exception of 2 9-year-old girls. Now with the exception of me and the 1SG's wife all of our spouses work, go to school, or both. All are actively involved in their childrens schools, which is mandatory here in South Florida and about half either are from here and have family in the area, or their Soldier is from here and has family locally.

Now our parent unit (name withheld to protect the not-so-innocent) is made of of many senior-level NCOs and officers whose children fall into the older ranges, though there are some who have young children.

Anyway, my husband's command is "attached" to this parent-unit, meaning that the unit also has another parent-unit at another installation.

Now, I've juggled both passing information sent to me by both the the families, made sure they knew of events and stuff, and sharing inforamtion that is not "unit-specific" with the other "parent" like camps for military chidlren, scholarships, etc.

Well, we were holding our own FRG meetings, socials and events since we arrived last December, but the Family Team leaders from the "local" parent group weren't happy with that saying we needed to stick with them. We ignored them and continued ( Geo is obligated to hold these meetings for his unit per Army Regulations). They weren't happy but when we the general left and was replaced by an admiral (joint unit) he agreed that we are a seperate unit and should hold meetings.

Well, the Family Team leaders weren't happy so instead chose to focus on the fact that our spouses don't participate AT ALL in the parent unit activities (daytime events) but we have nearly 100% participation at our own little events. Well, the fact that they tried to call me out during a meeting with the Admiral, while my husband was outside with the baby, didn't deter me or make me cower.

I argued that all of my spouses are otherwise engaged during the day and we took a poll of the familei and found that there are two nights a week that all except one spouse was free (diff on each night). So we hold activities and events on those days. We al so ensure the Soldiers are home to watch the children when we have a "girls night out" and if the Soldier is away (school, mission, etc.) then you can bring the child(ren) with you.

They argued that they had one night time event, during the summer. Um, isn't that when most families are on vacations?

Now it seems to me that we go above and beyond to put the families first, thus ensuring they can participate. Why is that concept so hard to understand?

Until our next cup of tea,

Found it!

I was so excited! As George and I were cleaning house (yes, he was almost doing more than me!) I found something that made me dance with happiness. So my first thought was to post it here 1.) to share what I was talking about and 2.0 so that I'd have it for the future.

In May we celebrated Military Spouse Appreciation and I had asked in a post is anyone had seen a particular "card" that had been attached to something called the Military Spouse First Aid Kit. Well I found it! There are a few variations, but it reads (and contains):

First Aid Kit for Military Spouses

cotton ball: to help cushion and soften the hard times
rubber band: to help you be flexible, and to hold things together when everything seems to be falling apart.
Snickers: to help you remember the importance of laughter
Band-aid: to cover the wounds and ease the pain
candle: to brighten your day
Kiss & Hug (candy): to let you know you are not alone
tea bag: to remind you are stronger than you think
Eraser: to help you start each day with a clean slate


I guess after my last post, you can imagine that I found it at the right time.
(And to update, I am doing better today. Hubby got up about 30 minutes after the baby and took over, sending me to bed. Unfortunately it took me an hour to go back to sleep because the puppy felt that I was laying in his spot and sat there staring at me inches from my face until I moved to George's side of the bed!)




Until our next cup of tea,

George Takes Command

Sorry this is a little late, but I wanted to post these pics. Geo took command of a company on Jan. 8. It was a short ceremony, but I was very proud of him.

My favorite picture of the ceremony. It is a picture of George saluting the company 1SG.


George and his unit.


Passing of the guidon.

THE PASSING OF THE GUIDON IS A TIME HONORED TRADITION SIGNIFYING THE RESPONSIBILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMAND. IN THIS CEREMONY, THE COMPANY 1SG REPRESENTING THE BACKBONE OF THE COMPANY HANDS THE GUIDON TO THE BATTALION CSM. THE BATTALION CSM THEN PASSES THE GUIDON TO THE BATTALION COMMANDER SIGNIFYING THE RETURN OF THE RESPONSIBILITY. THE BATTALION COMMANDER THEN PASSES THE GUIDON TO THE NEW COMPANY COMMANDER, THUS DEMONSTRATING HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE COMMANDER’S ABILITY TO HANDLE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF COMMAND AND MAINTAIN OR BETTER THE UNIT WHICH IS DISCIPLINED AND TRAINED IN THE BASICS OF SOLDIERING. THE COMPANY COMMANDER THEN PASSES THE GUIDON TO THE COMPANY 1SG SIGNIFYING HIS TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE LEADERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE COMPANY.

Historically, the flag or colors of a unit served as the point around which the Soldiers of the organization rallied as they moved forward into battle. The colors have traditionally been at the side of the commander and were carried forward even when the commander fell in combat. All others may perish, but the colors live on.


George giving his speech.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Life is full of adventure ...

I know its been a while since I last wrote update, but the last two months have been a whirlwind of activity. Some of you know parts of it, so bear with me as I fill everyone in.

Many of you know that October was spent with me packing up our home in Georgia (or at least seperating what the movers were not taking) while George finished school. The last week was a flurry of activity as the movers took two days to pack and on top of that the realtor brought 4 families through on those days to view the house for rent. Then the movers were suppose to arrive that Friday morming between 8 and 8:30 a.m. to load the trucks. At 10:30 a.m. I got a call that they were running behind schedule for another move 3 hours away and that they'd be there early afternoon. Many phone calls and one cranky pregnant later, they showed up at 5:30 p.m. to start loading. They finally finished a little after 11 p.m. Ah, the rollercoaster ride of military life!

We spent the weekend cleaning the house (George treated me to a maid who did all the scrubbing!) and then turned the house over to the rental company. That Wednesday (Nov. 4) he graduated school and Thursday we started the trip to Miami at 4:30 a.m. (UGH!) Eleven hours later, we pulled into our new neighborhood and got the keys for our "new home". We opted to stay in a hotel that night, since nearly everything we owned was on the back of a truck somewhere.

The next morning while the puppy stayed in bed (lazy little bugger!), George went to the AFB to in-process and I headed to the house to meet the movers. From the start I was nervous as bags and boxes fell out of the truck, but I was assured that none were ours! Once everything was unloaded and (most) were delivered to the room we'd specified, we settled in for our first night at the new house. (Don't worry, I am working on a post to explain the move in detail!)

That only lasted for a few days, because Nov. 10 we started the 2-day, 22 hour drive to Houston. We got to spend some time with family and I had tons of fun at the baby shower. Thanks to all who attended. While there it was a whirlwind of activity to include a 3-D ultrasound, shopping and visiting all those Texas restaurants that I've been missing!

Unfortunately, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving I got a call that my paternal grandfather was in a serious car accident and was in critical care in New Orleans. George and I cut the Houston visit short to headed to the hospital the next day to spend some time with my grandmother and the rest of the family. Thanksgiving day we got back to Miami and settled in for a few days together. The following Tuesday (Dec. 1) he left for a conference in North Carolina and I settled in to get a few of the nearly 200 boxes unpacked. I got multiple daily updates from my Dad and aunt about my grandfather's recovery and for a while he looked to be improving, but on Thursday (Dec. 3) I got the call from my Dad that he passed away. George returned home the next day (Friday). On Saturday (Dec. 4) we attended part 1 of our birthing class, then loaded the truck and headed to La. to attend the funeral and spend some time with my family. Despite his packed schedule, most of which was spent traveling, George found the time to contact and coordinate with 2nd Bn, 4th Inf. Reg., his unit at Fort Polk, to see if they could get a team together for a military tribute. As few know, George and my grandfather served in the same unit, though nearly 50 years apart.

Tuesday (Dec. 8) we headed back to Miami, and George headed back to work the next morning. That following Saturday (Dec. 12) we finished the birthing class and then prepared for the Winter Ball in Key Largo that night. Sunday, after a month of constant travel, we decided to forgo unpacking and headed for the warm Miami beaches. It was a good decision, a day of much needed resting and relaxing.

Now the house is nearly unpacked, George is quickly settling in to his new command position and we even managed to coordinate a holiday lunch for the Soldiers and spouses this past Friday. The Christmas tree is up and (kind of) decorated since we could only find some of the ornaments, but Great-Grandma's (Leija) two angels were set aside from the day the movers came and they are now on display in the kitchen.

Baby Jamie is growing and active. I am now 32-weeks and go every other week to the doctor. My new baby doctor is great, though I am looking for another primary care physician. I just didn't like the one I was initially assigned. We are also researching pediatricians and hope to get one picked by mid-January.

January looks to be a busy one as we start the month off with our first spouses social and George's Assumption of Command. We'll finish with the baby's room and start preparing for his arrival as well.

I guess its time to rest now then its off to clean the kitchen. I get tired quite easily these days. Hope all is well with you and your families. May everyone have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I will post some pictures in the next day or so.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Why I am proud to be an American ...

1. JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaule decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible.

Rusk responded "does that include those who are buried here?"

DeGuale did not respond.

2. When in England , at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush.

He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.'

3. There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?'

A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear p owered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?'

4. A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?'

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, 'Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

5. Robert Whiting , an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.

"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically...

Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.

"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !"

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."

Out of my element ...

{Sigh} For the most part we are settled in. The house is unpacked, we've explored the neighborhoods and local communities and we've got a schedule going. But I'm a bit out of my element.

This is our first Army move, so its all new to me.

At our last duty station I had lined up a job before arriving. I soon became actively involved in the unit's Family Readiness Group which was easy considering the unit was new and just being created. They were looking for help from any spouses who were available. Working at the post newspaper, I was in the know about activities and programs on post. By the time the first deployment preparations had started I was already researching a master's degree program to reach a personal goal while keeping myself busy. Working at the newspaper I also met a variety of leaders, their spouses, allowing me to make friends from all over post with relative ease. What most people find hard to believe is that I am relatively shy. Once I am comfortable, it is more easy. We also lived on post, so that made access to activities easier.

Now that we are here and I am not working. I do spend about two hours a day at the gym, but then come home. I occasionally go exploring, but feel bad because Sgt. Major does not have access to a dog door at this house. So I spend most of my time at the house.

I tried to contact a few organizations regarding volunteer opportunities, but haven't heard back from most and the few that have give me the run-around about needing to meet with a specific person to "interview". At our last duty station, which was in the middle of nowhere, there were many opportunities.

Its different for me. Yesterday, I went to the mall and ran some shopping errands. It was weird for me to be in the mall during a work day. I felt like I should have been doing something, but knew that this is what my daily life has become. I get up, make breakfast for us, see him off to work, then after cleaning the kitchen and a few house chores, just wait for my time to go to the gym. I've never been this "empty" on my schedule before. My poor planner looks so sad!

I'm excied about finding some activities and will keep you posted on what I find. The Red Cross ... the Post Museum ... the library ... I'm not trying to rush into anything, but rather want to find something that is a perfect fit. We'll see what I can find ... it's just one grand adventure!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Love worth waiting for ...

So I'm just going to vent here, please excuse me as I try to sort it all out ...

So as my returning readers know, my husband and his unit recently (January) returned from a 14-month deployment. Not our first so I knew to surround myself supportive friends. And that is what I did. There were four of us, three spouses and a fiancee, varying ranks of Soldiers, varying ages of spouses, I was the only one who'd been through a deployment before. None of this was issues. We tried to watch out for each other, support each other and when needed be a should to cry on, an ear for venting and a pillar of strength when things got bad.

The three of us who were spouses lived on post, each one street over from each other. The fiancee lived about an hour away, but we stayed in contact as much as possible by phone, getting together on days off. They were set to be married this month and we shared her excitement.

Fastforward to the Soldiers coming home, I was there with her to greet him when he arrived home.

Two months later, I think it was in March, they broke up. He'd found out he'd sheated on him during the deployment. The other spouses and I tried not to judge her. We knew this was a hard life and while we absolutely disagreed with what she did, we knew we'd made mistakes before. She was an adult about admitting her mistakes and they went their seperate ways.

We soon learned she'd returned to the other guy. Not something we'd agreed with, but it was her choice. Then the time came for us all to leave. Oddly enough, we all came to the side of the U.S., but the former finacee stayed there. We decided to stay in touch and see how things progressed.

Well, here is my rant. Yesterday, the former finacee called to say she and the other guy were wanting to get married and are trying for a baby(I know it sounds so much worse when I refer to them as that, but that's kind of how it is).

Something about that just set me off. Really it pissed me off. I'm happy she is moving forward, but it kind of felt like a slap in the face. Like she was saying that the sacrifices that we make as military spouses, the months and cumalative years, we spend waiting for our Soldiers to come home, and the reality that they may not, was not worth her effort. I know it's a hard life that we choose as Military Spouses, but for some reason this really got to me.

Maybe for her it was the easy way out. It was easier to not face those challenges, that their love wasn't THAT strong. Maybe I should look at it as a tool to measure how strong our love it, because there was never a doubt that it was worth the waiting. RIght now, I am sitting here, slightly irritated that my dear hubby keeps interrupting me like a child who only wants attention when you are busy, but in retrospect, it means he is home.

Well, I'm off to interrupt whatever game he and the puppy are engrossed in.

Until our next visit ...

Settling in ... Georgia on my Mind

As I expressed in my last post, we have made it to Georgia and are settling in. We were able to find a beautiful single story, three bedroom house in this cute little "cookie-cutter", Mayberry-type neighborhood.

{Our new house}


{My new big kitchen}


{Our new master bathroom}

We have had our share of headaches trying to consolidate our home with the furniture and stuff from George's dad's house which had been in storage until Easter weekend. There has been A LOT of purging. I am amazed at how easy it is to get rid of stuff when I am extremely exhausted. I wanted to just off load everything in the backyard and have a bonfire at one point, but I don't think the neighborhood association would like that.

We continue to live in a world with towering cardboard boxes, but I am slowly getting everything in place. (Only 137 left to unpack!) George has ensured that the important things were done the day after we got here ... so the cable and internet have been installed and the motorcycle is nestled in the garage with easy access. (Sigh) My list seems to be MUCH longer. I am not complaining because it is much better than the week we lived in the Red Roof Inn.


{George and Sgt. Major in standoff at the hotel of whether pup would get a treat and a walk ... Sgt. Major won!}

George and I both managed to get a respitory infection the week the movers came to Fort Polk and it lingers until today. We eventually went to the ER after 10 days (here at Fort Gordon) and after 6 hours of waiting they told us it was not high on the list and he was given an appointment for the clinic the next day (GRRR!).

There are some noticeable differences here than at our previous duty station ... like there are A LOT more dining choices and shopping and my personal favorite is there are 3 libraries and 4 bookstores (that I've found!)

All in all, things are slowing becoming normal. I have learning my way around faster than expected. I am almost finished with the last of my school work so I can turn it in and finally finish my masters. George is working on getting back into his "Iraq" shape and finishing putting together the motorcycle.

On another note, now that we are in Ga., Sgt. Major has become a local celebrity since the UGA-craze has consumed this state. He is loving it. Our master suit is (not surpisingly) larger than military housing and he has managed to spread out his toys between there and the livingroom.

Until our next cup of tea ...

So Says the Sarge: Packing It Up

Hey! It's me, Sgt. Major. Mom and Dad are quite busy right now with the movin and all, so I thought I'd give this whole blogging thing a try. Mom gets awefully excited about it, but Dad isn't into it very much.

Well the house has been a flurry of activity this week, and no one is paying much attention to me. A few of the ladies packing said I was cute and one of the movers stopped to pet my head, but for the most part, I've been watching everything and getting quite anxious.

On Monday, Mom and Dad picked my up from the kennel where I'd spent the weekend. I was not happy and they were concerned that I was sad and slow. For some reasn that they can't figure out and I haven't been able to tell them, I cannot jump anymore. I can't et on the bed, sofa or in the truck without their help.

On Tuesday, Mommy unpacked boxes that she and Daddy brought from Grandpa's house in Houston. Daddy came home sick and was in bed with me all day on Monday and Tuesday. She also did A LOT of laundry and packed the bags to take with us. Just watching her made me tired.

On Wednesday, the packers came. There were so many of them. They said if I was good I wouldn't have to go in the kennel, so I perched on the couch all day with Daddy and watch the craziness. Mommy was back and forth trying not to get in the way. It was kind of funny.

Thursday brought the movers and I was confined to the livingroom. At least I had some room to move around and Mommy and Daddy hung out in there in between checking on the loading of the furniture. The house looked really empty when they left. That night we slept on an air matress in the bedroom. I was happy because I could climb on and off all night! Daddy was still sick and went to bed after finishing the packing. We crashed at about 11 p.m. Mommy stayed up until 1 a.m. cleaning. She finished on Friday and then we packed the trucks and left at lunchtime. By then I was very excited about riding in the car and was running around crazy.

Yesterday we srove for about 7 1/2 hours before stopping in Tuscaloosa, GA. to sleep. Then this morning we were on the road again. I slept most of the time, see ...



Time to go, I think I hear Mommy putting food in my bowl ...

My life fits in a carboard box ...

Actually it took a little over 100 boxes, but my life is currently boxed up! The packers came today and packed up everything. It took only 7.5 hours to pack the house ... and that includes braks. These girls were efficient. It was like a whirlwind. They came in each took a room and got to packing. I could only stand there feeling completely in the way and useless.

We started with 3 packers, but after an intial walk-through when they arrived, they soon discovered that it would take a lot more help. Our guest room, garage and kitchen were packed floor to (near) ceiling with boxes and furniture from when we cleared out the storage unit from Houston. It was a 10x20 filled with stuff we kept when we cleared out George's dad's house.

By the end of the day we had 9 or 10 packers here, but they got it all done!

It'll be a long process of unpacking and organizing everything in the new house, but at least I can sort through and get rid of stuff as I unpack one box at a time. I'm hoping that will be a less daunting tasks than trying to tackle it all at once.

True blogger, that I am, I took pictures of the current state of my house ... Enjoy! I'm off to find dinner (though we've got no pots, pans, dishes or FOOD. I guess that means we are eating out tonight ... and tomorrow and probably all of next week, UGH!)









This is everything we are taking with us. That's right, for the next two to three weeks, everything I have will fit in two vehicles. I hope I didn't forget anything important!



Ah, the life of a nomadic miltiary family. The ever organized person that I am, I've taken all sort of notes, for the future! I'll try to post my "wisdom" after the dust settles (and boy is there a lot of dust!)

Until our next cup of tea ...

It's so hard to say goodbye ...

So Wednesday was my last day at work ... "Why?" you might ask. Well, we got orders, we are moving! Yeah! While I am quite excited to be going somewhere now after 5 years, it was really hard to say goodbye.

Monday they had my farewell luncheon. Yes, it was two days before my last day, but I knew everyone would be there and I wanted my last day to be a quiet one ... which it was, but more on that in a minute.

So George (husband) and KG (co-worker, neighbor/adopted sister) were my special guests. I was actually surprise George went because he too was getting ready to had his Soldiers and shop off to someone else, but he was there.

We met at the "new" local restuarant. it's not really new, but it is at a new location. There were commanders and FRG Leaders who I'd worked with in the MP Bn as well as FRSAs from other units.

So brief overview, I am a Family Readiness Support Assistant, which is basically part liaison between commander leadership and Families, part adminstrative assistant to FRG leaders and (in my case) a universal shoulder to cry on. The Army has madated that each deployable battalion have one of these "Family reps" to assist Families before, during and after deployments. (Note: Not all are military Family members ... but I think it helps to know what they are facing!)

O.k. back to the luncheon. So after we order the Rear Detachment Commander, who I am happy to call my friend as well, leaves and comes back in with a large frame and very cute "Viper" green tote.

So they do the presentation adn present me with a set of Battalion colors (the unit's flag). Here it is ...

This s close up of the inscription.



Here is the bag ... I was using it a few hours later! I am a "bag" lady!



I also got this adorable coffe mug. It's a bright fuscia pink with a lime green embroidered "M: on it. Love it!



I also got this cute "Fleur de Lis" candle and candleholder.



It was great and I am so greatful for all the well wishes. We are only a few weeks away from moving, but for the next 6 days I will concentrate on homework, because my exit exam is Wednesday. After that I'll be posting more!

Until our next cup of tea ...

I’m not qualified to serve coffee …

It’s no laughing matter … though many of the Soldiers at the MP unit where I work seem to think so.

I got a call today from one of the Major’s spouses in my husband’s unit. The Battalion commander is leaving and we are having a farewell for the commander’s wife. I assured her I would be there as well as what dishes I would be bringing. She then began talking about those who would be there and who wouldn’t be. Now, both of these Major’s wives as well as the commander’s wife are ladies I feel comfortable talking to. We’ve shared a lot of laughs over the past two years, especially in the recent deployment.

Though I am not the “class clown” I am know for making people at ease with my antidote stories and comical remarks … though for the life of me I don’t know why people find me amusing.

So as we talked, she told me that she had enough spouses to serve tea but not punch, so I offered to help. It seemed logical enough. However, she said I was a Captain’s wife and therefore was suppose to serve tea …

“What! I joked, "I can only serve based on my husband’s rank?”

“Oh, yes,” she replied laughing and then set out to explain.

At a tea and coffee social service is according to seniority. I think it’s because like in a tea party, being allowed to serve is deemed an honor.

The rank order goes coffee, then tea, then punch. Depending on the level of function is who is allowed to “pour”. So at a battalion level the Lieutenant Colonel’s wife is the guest of honor, along with her special guests. So then the Majors’ wives pour the coffee, and Captains’ wives pour the tea. The punch is poured by the First Sergeant’s wives. But the dilemma was that none of the First Sergeant’s wives were attending.

“Where do you learn all of this? Is there a book, or it is like parenting and you just make it up?” I exclaimed.

“Oh, when your husband gets promoted you get various books,” she explained, still laughing at my astonishment (and probably my parental reference since we don’t have children yet and I’ve joked about that a time or two with her.)

“You mean I have to study to be an Officer’s wife? More than for my master’s?” I joked.

She laughed some more … I really think she has the greatest laugh. She reminds me of my aunt Laura who is very prime and proper and whom I strive to be like, but I digress.

After a few minutes of assuring here that I was not a drink snob, nor would I be offended if I were to pour the punch, I verified when I needed to arrive and bid her farewell.

Still thinking it was the funniest thing, I sat down and talked it over with the MP’s Rear Detachment Sergeant Major (we share and office), who hadn’t heard about it. Goodness, who knew.

Here I am, an avid collector of teacups and quite fascinated with the customs and traditions of both tea and military having done a bit of research, but now I find that I've bearly started. I am anxious to see what other customs and courtesies I will uncover in the next few years. Hopefully, until then, I won’t mess up too bad!

Until our next cup of tea …




*** Editor’s note: Since my husband is in an infantry unit, which is strictly male Soldiers I can say wives, but the “proper” term is spouses as well do have male spouses in the Army.

~~~~~

The Soldier's Spouse Creed

I am in love with a United States Soldier. I will support him in his defense of the Constitution of the United States of America. And I will understand that he must obey the orders of those appointed over him. I represent the true backbone and fighting spirit of the Army. And for those who have served before me I salute you with all the strength and loyalty my heart can muster. I proudly stand by the one I love with Honor, Courage and Commitment. I am committed to support my soldier and the United States Army.

Time Together, Lessons Learned

What a day it has been. First of all, the entire Brigade that had recently return from deployment, reported back for their first day of work. For those who don’t know, after resigning back in to post (signing off of deployment), taking reintegration classes and accounting for equipment and such the Soldiers received 30 days of accumulated leave, which the Army refers to as “block leave” when a unit is taking it versus just and individual.

So basically it’s been pretty quiet around here. Quieter than during the deployment because spouses and children often accompany the Soldiers as they visit parents and such. (The schools are very good about working with school-age children and their parents to ensure they are caught up.)

George opted not to take leave so that we can take it when we PCS in April (permanent chance in station). That will give us time to get settled and attend the parties and such for Gordon and Mindy’s wedding (who knows, there may be time to paint some pottery too!) So the past few weeks, George and I had gone from working out together 30-minutes twice a week that we’d done while his dad was sick, to an hour and a half workout five days a week.

It was a great chance for us to spend time together while maintain an exercise regiment and identifying new goals. We’d tried it before, multiple times and it didn’t end well, in fact there was a lot of exasperation (on his part) and tears (on mine). I’m happy to say that we’ve done better this time around.

We do an ab workout on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a schedule he’d started in Iraq. It worked well for us when we were taking care of dad, and helped us relieve stress with so much time spent at the hospital (and at the nearby Starbucks), yet we were still able to feel like we weren’t “bailing” on him, since we were the only Family.

Four weeks ago, I asked George if I could join him the other 3 days, which he excited agreed. I was a little hesitant since he had been doing weights and running on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while in Iraq and I was starting from scratch. But he was patient. He let me make my own goals and start where I was comfortable, not where he thought I should be. That first week was pretty sad.

The first Monday we just figured out a starting point. I was able to bench press the bar … a staggering 45 pounds … and ran for about 5 minutes before calling it quits. I was ready for him to go all “drill sergeant” on me, but he just told me to set my goals for the end of the week … and left it at that.

Wow! The ball was in my court … I didn’t know how to go about deciding what sort of schedule to put myself on, so I outline some goals to meet … bench press 125-pounds and run for 30 minutes before we leave (in April). I thought that I would really have to push to meet those goals, they seems so far away even as a former athlete. I’d gotten to the point where I thought my former sports abilities were out of reach (in high school I played basketball, soccer and softball with cheerleading when it didn’t conflict!)

The first week my goal was to run 10 minutes and complete the full circuit of upper body weights that George was doing, with less weight of course.

By that first Friday, I was surprised that I easily met those goals, but was still hesitant that it was just beginners luck. The following week the goal of an additional 5 minutes and added weight was the next step. Each week, I compounded on the previous week, knowing that at a minimum I had to do what was accomplished the previous Friday.

Some days were hard … no brutal. The ab workout obviously changed as our core muscles strengthened. I went from doing sit-ups on a flat bench to sit-ups on an incline bench with a medicine ball … now the 14 pound ball. The running got boring after a while, but my husband helped me overcome that by putting some of my favorite R&B songs along with some of his “ultimate workout” Rock songs on the Zune he got me for Christmas. He even downloaded movies to take my mind of running, like the Underworld Trilogy (I’m a secret vamp movie lover). Soon I was learning to keep going through the pain and boredom.

I’ve learned to define my strong areas- leg lifts and (surprisingly) bench pressing- as well as my weaknesses- abs and triceps. I’ve learned that setting small goals will lead me to meeting the larger one with less stress. I’ve learned saying I can’t do something is way easier than trying to do it, but also way less rewarding.

As I said at the beginning, way a day today has been. Mostly, because I reached the goal of bench pressing 125 pounds and earning a T-Shirt from the gym. According to the staff member, I am only one of 5 females to do it since they started the “Power Pit” Program rewarding women who lift 125 pounds and men who reach 400 pounds.



The hardest part of lifting today was that since we’ve been going to the gym every day at the same time, we see the same people every day, so when I did the 125-lift for the staff ‘s verification there were about 5 guys watching and giving me advice. Boy was I nervous!

Overall, It was a great experience and now I get to set another goal. I definitely did it in less time than I thought it would be accomplished. As for the running, I am up to 25 minutes and should reach 30 by Friday … wish me luck!

Until our next cup of tea …