Lawn Moving, Revisited

so, i just got finished mowing the front yard. started it last night, ran out of daylight and got up and finished it this morning. I still don't like doing it, but I have to admit....once I finished it, I felt pretty good. Not so much a "I am woman, hear me roar" feeling, but more of a "ya know, maybe I can handle it while Daniel is gone" feeling. I'm nowhere near done yet. I still need to haul out the weedeater and then it's onto the backyard, which is a lot bigger than the front. Funny how the "nice big yard" was a plus when we bought the house, but it's my nemesis now. Who knows, after I finish the backyard I may very well go from feeling accomplished back to unadulterated loathing of the yard again. But at least for now I have a feeling of "I did it!!!"

THAT was tough!

So, yesterday, my mom and I were talking about the big ceremony that will be held for the 45th Fires Brigade before they leave to head to Fort Hood. (FYI, it's rumored that it will be held on Saturday, August 16. This is the big one for the whole brigade. Last year's was held at Lloyd Noble Center. I've heard Cox Center in OKC mentioned.) Anyway, Mom and I were talking, and my 5 year old niece heard us and asked why her uncle Daniel was gonna have ceremony. Until now, I am sure she and my 7 year old nephew have heard us mention things, but neither of them had ever asked or wanted more information. I was trying to explain to her that Uncle Daniel will be leaving in a few months, and before he goes, there will be a big thing for him and the other soldiers. She asked how long he'll be gone. I told her more than a year. Her eyes got huge, but she didn't ask any further questions. Then she asked when the goodbye thing will be. I told her not until after school starts again, that she has all summer until it happens. Of course, the whole time I was fighting back tears trying to explain it to her. She took it at face value, Uncle Daniel's gonna have to leave for a while, and before he goes, there's a goodbye "party". Easy enough. If only it were that simple.

MEMORIAL DAY

I know that Memorial day is, for many people, nothing more than the kick-off to summer. While I am not against cook-outs, lake trips, camping and all the other usual Memorial Day events, would like for everyone to remember that Memorial Day is a lot more than just a three day weekend to start working on your tan. Many people don't have any loved ones who have served our country, so while they take flowers to the graves of their loved ones in rememberance of them, they simply don't stop to think about the origins of this day. Whether you do or don't have Servicemen and Women in your family, take a moment and remember those who have fought for the freedoms you now enjoy. No matter what your political views or thoughts on Iraq are, the men and women who have served this country, both in the past and now, deserve respect and honor.

Got plans?

Well, in a couple of days, Daniel leaves for almost 3 weeks. He'll be going to Camp Gruber, which is over near Muskogee. Pre-deployment training. A few days ago, he had to inventory all his gear and supplies to make sure what he actually has matches the list of what he is supposed to have. And, he gets to haul it all with him. They have some kind of check-off there and if you are missing anything on your list, you are charged for it. I don't want him to forget anything.....don't want him in trouble. But, if he does forget something, I hope it's one of the cheaper items and not something big like the body armor. I guess this is sort of a trial run for August when he leaves for a longer time. It's kind of strange....in a lot of ways, I am used to him being gone. Even during regular, non National Guard times, we hardly see each other during the week. He works nights, and with our schedules, it's not that uncommon for us to go several days with just quick phone conversations during breaks at work. Add that to the fact that within the last couple of years, there have been several times he was gone for extended times (working the border in New Mexico for a month, helping with training at Camp Gruber, etc) it's not that tough on me most times. I guess I'm just used to it. Now, August will be harder, since it's more of an extended time away, and I know it's preparation for being gone much further away, and for a much longer time. But the shorter ones don't bother me so much anymore. (I just hate, hate, hate doing yardwork and I know it will need to be done while he's gone. If anyone wants to volunteer, call me! haha. Yeah right. A girl can dream, can't she?)

I will have my last meeting of the current school year with my Girl Scout troop tonight. Then I have a final leaders meeting in a couple of weeks. Tonight is pretty much just an end of year party...nothing too difficult to plan. And the leaders meeting is nothing more than "turn in your financial reports and make sure I have your number for next year." Then I am done with any planning and preparations for about a month and half. I love volunteering with GS, but I need this break. The only bad part about the break is the fact that it times with Daniel's leaving. I'll enjoy being carefree and lazy for a couple of days, but then I will get BORED! So if any of my friends and family reading this have thought about visiting, now's a good time. Call me. Or come see me. While you're there, if you just can't resist the urge to grab a lawnmower, I won't stop you. (ok, I'm sure no one has this irresistable urge to mow my yard, but you can't blame a girl for trying.) All lawn mowing jokes aside, let me know if you wanna do dinner, have a chat, get dragged along to the race track with me, whatever. I know that blogs are accesible to any and every one who randomly finds it and reads, so I'll just say that the people this applies to know how to reach me by phone or email. Sorry weird internet strangers...the offer doesn't apply to you.

I'm sure I will update later this week, but just in case I don't, or I forget, I hope everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend. And remember, it's much more than just a free pass for a three day weekend. So take a minute to remember those who are gone.

Holy Crap!!!

I just saw a news article about a 15 year old Girl Scout in Dearborn Michigan who sold 17,328 boxes of cookies. Herself. One girl. 17,328 boxes. Holy crap! I'm the service unit manager for 9 area Girl Scout troops, and that one girl sold more than my entire service unit!!! For the record, I was worn out after sorting and stacking cookies to get ready for my service unit order....I don't even want to think about what it would have been like sorting for her area!! I'm impressed with her dedication. And a little bit jealous of the money her troop earned....wish my troop had funds like that!

**Edited to add: Yes, I realize this post has absolutely nothing to do with deployment news. However, my life DOES happen to consist of more than just waiting on deployments. Yes, I'm an Army wife, but I'm also a daughter, sister, aunt, Girl Scout volunteer, etc, etc. I have more on my mind than just military stuff.

Still nothing new to report, but I just wanted to say thanks to my friends who are taking time to check out my ramblings here. My hit counter is over 100 now, so I know someone is reading. So, thank you.

The nothing new update

Well, the latest news is there is nothing new to report. Daniel won't have a regular weekend drill as usual for May since he goes to AT towards the end of the month for three weeks. After that is done, I am hopeful that we will have some more firm dates and information. I'll share as soon as I can. A couple of people have asked if there will be any kind of going away/come home soon and safe thing. I am 99% sure there will be a large public one as there was when the 45th Infantry Brigade was getting ready to head to Fort Hood. (FYI, Daniel is part of the 45th Fires Brigade for those who get local newscasts and newspapers.) I know the send-off for the Infantry division was huge, open to the public and held at Loyd Noble Center, and I am pretty sure it was actually on a weekday, if my memory is right. I'm sure if there is a big to-do it will be on local newscasts and papers. I will also post an update here when I know for certain. As far as a more personal thing for Daniel, I would like to do something for our family, church, and friends. Again, once I have firm dates and everything I will get something coordinated.

My baby toe is healing, but still pretty sore. At least the swelling is, for the most part, gone.

OK, that's all I can think of that needs to be updated for the time being. Thanks for reading, and for keeping us in your thoughts as we get ready for the road ahead.

100% pure sympathy plea

Alright, here's some news that is non-deployment related. I now have a broken toe. It hurts like nothing I can describe. And there's not a darn thing I can do about it. That's the part that really stinks. I just have to suck it up and go on. (It's a good thing I am the one that wears flip-flops in this relationship, since those are the only shoes I can wear without pain.) For anyone curious enough to wonder just how I managed this feat, read on. I was cleaning the house getting ready for a meeting I was hosting. I was dusting and picked up one of those big jar candles - the kind with a lid. I don't exactly know what happened. Whether I had the furniture polish on my hand to make it slick, or whether I had the lid and not the jar, or maybe both....it slipped and seemed to make a beeline straight for my toe. Now it's several shades of purple and red, with swelling to match. So there it is, my sob story of the day. Feel sorry for me?

Message of the Day

Today's Message of the Day is:
Life is short, Break the rules,
Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly,
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably,
And never regret anything that made
you smile.
Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we're here we should dance.


I got the above in an email today from a wonderful friend of mine who has listened to me gripe and complain about so much more than this pending deployment. (I really am blessed to have such wonderful friends who are always willing to listen when I need an ear. You know who you are....thank you!) I needed this reminder today, and thought others might benefit from it as well.

The "Army" Room

So, when we bought our house several years ago, we bought a 3 bedroom. The second bedroom is our home office, and the third, which was intended for the "someday when we have a child" has been for quite a while, the storage room. (bad habit to get into, I know, but that's a whole other post.) As of late, it has turned into the "Army room", as that's where all the extra equipment that Daniel has brought home has ended up. Last weekend, Daniel brought home a new foot locker, extra pairs of boots, body armor, and some other stuff. While I am grateful that he has the body armor, at the same time, I would give anything if it was something he didn't need. That sucker is heavy, too. We weighed it (yes, we're dorks sometimes!) and it adds an extra 28.2 lbs when it's on. Yikes! I just wonder how much more stuff will end up in the "Army room" before it's all over. And I wonder how sad I will be when August comes and it's empty again.