Day 175: On my mind

R&R is just around the corner. I'm super excited to actually be able to go to the airport and pick Kevin up. Last time he surprised me so I didn't get this experience. I have yet to anxiously wait in the airport for my soldier. (not to say that I haven't anxiously waited for his return in with other spouses and family members at redeployment ceremony, or just in general terms..) Nevertheless, I am looking forward to having that moment.

I am so excited to see Kevin! (yea, yea, I know I already said that) But this excitement got me to thinking. I was thinking about how much trouble reintegration is. I was thinking about the struggles we faced after last deployment. I've been thinking about other people I know who battle through reintegration, shutting down that battle field mentality and the problems it causes and of course the monster, PTSD. For the record, soldiers and marriages can face a number of problems throughout reintegration without PTSD, seen it, lived it. People often just assume problems and distance between them and their soldier is automatically PTSD. Just saying- for the record is all. My point is that R&R is often so easy, peaceful and amazing.

Why doesn't R&R have the same struggles as post-deployment reintegration?

Don't get me wrong I get 15 days- that's it. People only got 15 days out of 15 months; 15 days out of 12 months, ect ect. I am thankful that my 15 days will be enjoyable. I was just simply, "thinking"; just wondering why the experiences are so different?

What a Week!

Monday: Nathan started school and I went with my sister to take some pictures of his first day and witness this little boy growing up.

Tuesday: The drama started. This was Nathan's first time riding the bus. Nathan has been wanting to ride the bus for years. He's see the other kids getting off the bus in the afternoons and ask everyone why he couldn't ride the bus and we'd tell him "Because you don't go to school yet. When you get a little bit older you can ride the bus." Anyway, my sis put Nathan on "The Green Frog" bus in the AM. However, he was not put on "The Green Frog" bus in the afternoon. Nathan was lost for a few. Thankfully, this brave little 4 year old boy knows his mommy's phone number and luckily there was a nice mommy at the bus stop who saw this scared boy and offered to help. My sister got a phone call from this nice lady saying that her son Nathan was with her in a completely different part of the neighborhood. Some foul up happened at the school and Nathan was put on the purple flower or some other bus route.

Wednesday: I finally went to Pinkberry which opened in Colorado Springs months ago. I'm kind of obsessed with the Pomegranate Pinkberry. mmm Cue mouth watering. Also visited Old Navy and DSW where I picked up some new shoes for our R&R trip to Vegas!
I tried a new recipe. Something I adapted from a friend. I pan fried some Pork chops with olive oil and some S&P. When they were all cooked up and happy I threw in a chopped red bell pepper and an onion and a large can of Diced Tomatoes, some more S&P and about half a tspn of crushed red pepper flakes. I put all of this into a baking dish and threw it in the oven at 375 for about 15 mins just to get all the flavors happy. I made some whole wheat rotini pasta on the side and proceeded to stuff my face.

Thursday: I visited my friend and forced her to watch PS I Love You, because she hadn't seen it yet- weird, right?

Friday: I got busy with a friend. We had some lunch and popped into JC Penney then saw The Change Up-- so funny. It was vulgar but hilarious. It's always nice to giggle. :) I tried another new recipe: I started with a marinade two tablespoons Dijon mustard, rosemary, parsley, S&P, olive oil and a lil water. Threw in some Chicken Thighs and let them marinade all day. I pan fried them with some olive oil and had some green beans on the side. YUMMM!!

It's officially been Saturday for 5 hours and 44 minutes 6 hours and 5 mins. For some reason I went to sleep about 1030ish and have been up since about 230. Saturday is off to a stellar start. This Am (in about an hour) I'll be heading over to Fort Carson for the Walk for the Fallen. This is the 3rd year in a row I've participated. It's always heartbreaking to be there. It's humbling. The last two times my husband had just returned home from deployment (the first time) and back from extended field rotations last year, so I was feeling especially grateful to have him by my side. This year he's on the other side of the world. I'll miss him. I'll be walking with friends and kiddos for a great cause.

How was your week?

Family

I've said here on this blog many times how much I love and appreciate my family; my blood, the family that I was born into. But, the family I've chosen throughout my life is also so important to me. My friends (the good ones, the close ones) are some of my favorite people on the planet. I've learned that you're born into a family, but you also build a family throughout your life.

Lately I've heard how good of a friend that I am. How much members of that family I've spent some time building appreciates my being in their lives and all that I do with them. I don't do things for people out of obligation or because I'm looking to be appreciated. I do things for the people in my life because I can't expect people to be there for me and help me out when I'm in a bind unless I'm as giving with myself and my time. Don't get me wrong I don't just run around like a super hero handing out acts of kindness to strangers on the street.

My point is that I love my friends and I'd do anything for them. I have high expectations for the people in my life but I feel like that's okay because I hold myself to a high standard. Treat others... and all that.

Someone made the observation to me the other day that this "Army Family" is not all it's cracked up to be. I gotta say I agree. I don't know that I've been in a position to really need my Army family members. But really when I've seen people in need of that support, miles from home and their blood family I've seen people be forgotten, left behind and forced to "suck it up"-- as we often are over here in the Army life.

Family is what you make of it. Appreciate what you have and that they will always be there for you no matter what, and looking forward to building your own family- choose wisely.

Troops work without PAY...?

First reaction to this story: O.M.G!!

I've seen it all over Facebook for days now.... Yes, it's scary to think about my mans down range not being funded and volunteering (as in, not getting paid) because I'm pretty sure I'm still unemployed (whole other conversation right there) and I'm pretty JP Morgan/Chase is expecting our mortgage on 1 Apr regardless of whether or not Congress pulls their heads out of their collective ass, and stops with the posturing and pissing contests. It's ridiculous really.... We may be kind of behind on the news over here in Germany (not an excuse with the internet, but silly me I find everything in the world kind of depressing so I don't do much to in the way of searching it out anymore... when I see it on a commercial then I'll watch) but what I gather is the Demo's presented a plan to cut like $8 Billion and the Repub's offered up a plan to cut some $61 Billion from the budget. The commentary on AFN was saying both sides are on complete opposites of the spectrum only to get their political bases fired up then will ultimately come together and compromise.

I say why not cut out the bull-shit and just compromise?? Seems like a much better use of our tax dollars, having them all in Washington and actually doing something constructive.... egh, maybe that's wishful thinking but, hell a girl can dream.

Lets also recall (milfolks) that in the 90's when the government shut down, this effected the civilians our military was still paid and life went on. My mother on the other hand (GS worker for over 20 years) may not be paid, hell may even be furloughed but such is life... right?

Lets remember with all the posturing going on for the Presidential race no one wants to be this close to any election with troops downrange and NOT fund the military. It'll never happen (my prediction). I mean... lets hope not, because I'm pretty sure come the 1st, those JP Morgan/Chase folks are going to want their money regardless.

Personally, I'm not going to bogged down in the politics and banter.

The D-Word

So it only took 2 months and 7 days since arriving in Baumholder for serious talks of Deployment to start. The Army being what the Army is, we of course, know nothing concrete. I don't know if I'll have 2 days, 2 hours, or 2 months with my husband before he leaves on his 4th deployment. I know that Kevin has been lucky in regards to dwell time and stabilization, in comparison to others. He wasn't caught up in the troop surge. He wasn't extended to 18 months like some families I know. But the reality of "this is really happening, again" just hit me. I lost hope this morning, of spending his birthday with him this year, or mine, and most likely our anniversary.

Here I am, after surviving Kevin's last deployment of 355 days, only looking at (approx.) 275 days without my love and I'm feeling lucky, scared, deprived and proud. I'm Lucky because we've had the last 547 days together and we're only facing 275 days apart. I'm Scared because we're all people, human, regardless of age, time in grade, enlisted or officer, we all love our husbands and worry the same way. I feel Deprived because I have no solid information as to when Kevin will be leaving (things are still up in the air); we have a 4-day this weekend. A 4-day we could venture to Paris or Munich, but we'll spend it close to home.... waiting. I feel Proud because, to this day there is nothing I've done that I'm more proud of then standing by (behind, whichever adjective you prefer) my husband, supporting him throughout his deployments.

I've often wondered if life would be easier for the Pamela and Chase's out there; the Delta's (hush hush, shhh) leaving on a moment's notice. You don't have this 3 month pre-deployment build up of non-sense to deal with. You get to rip the bandaid and press on with business. Of course, the grass isn't always greener- I understand that the "high speed" fellas (as I like to refer to them) do a lot more training (as they should, they're high speed after all) a lot more deployments (lest they be shorter, but different missions, ect). I really don't need all the spouses of the high speed fella's coming out of the wood work to explain the differences to me, trust me I get them and I fully respect them. I'm just saying this one aspect is something I've wondered about; Would it be easier to cope with, that way (not the whole High speed aspect, JUST the last minute/no notice part)?

I guess I'll find out, won't I?

Things to come

Have you been reading the news lately? Bad things are on the horizon.

Most recently the Koreas began their hostilities once again. Did you know that the Korean war never really ended; they're still technically at war with each other, technically there has been a "cease fire" since 1953. Click here to read CNN's coverage.
Hubs: Holy expletive!
Me: Huh, what's going on?
Hubs: We're going to War with Korea.
Me: (saying nothing out loud, think to myself: O.... how wonderful........... I'm sure they'll work it out on their own.. HA.... unlikely.)
True story, which took place less than 30 mins ago.

Have you been following the recent recommendations on Military benefits, concerning retirement, pay-freezes (for three years including BAH, Base Pay and COLA) and raising Tricare out-of-pocket costs? Well I hope you have. It's completely asinine. I mean need we really get into the strain the military has been under or the past 9 (almost 10) years? Beyond that can we all just agree up until now folks joined the military under the assumption that they'd serve but be rewarded with GI Bill Bene's and a pretty rockin' awesome pension plan. I love how this "Presidential "Blue Ribbon" Debt Panel, aka Debt Reduction Panel is co-chaired by Former Republican Sen, Pete Domenici (funny, I thought those Repub's were "usually pro-military"... allegedly) couldn't find any other way to reconcile our national debt than to tell our hardworking military to yet again- PAY UP! As if the military community haven't done enough. I suppose we haven't according to them. Some changes include possible retirement after 10 years of service- yet not collecting retirement checks until the age 60. After 20+ years of service checks wouldn't be available until age 57 (vs. the current way of doing things, retirement checks are available immediately upon separation). Also, retirement is currently computed based on the active duty members most recent 3 years of pay, the committee recommends changing it to the most recent 5 years of pay. Which in theory you've attainted a higher rank between years 15, 18 and 20 (at that) so the average would now be lower. Great. Additional recommendations can be found here, and here.

If you do nothing else please click here, to contact your local reps and tell them how you feel about these changes. It's the beauty of our country you have the ability to speak up and voice your opinion but doing nothing will likely get you an outcome your aren't in favor of.

A big thank you to Military.com for keep our community informed and making it easy to contact our representatives in Washington.

Click here to read more from Military.com.

Saddened

I'm sad dear readers!

Remember that exciting day when I announced that Kevin and I were PCSing to Germany? I was sooooo excited to learn that my sister and her family would be joining us there also! I know that people do it all the time without their sisters and nephews, but I was just so excited to experience this with them. Sadly, we found out that Levi (my bro-in-law) 's orders were canceled! We aren't exactly sure why, but regardless he isn't going.

I know that it will be exciting for Kevin and I to be just the two of us; have a fresh start; concentrate on our own little family. This will be a really great step for us. I'm just really super sad people! Kevin and I tried for these orders, we wanted them. We also never in our wildest dreams thought that my sister's family would be there at the same time, at the same post. So, in the beginning I knew that it would be hard on me to be that far away from my family, from my nephews. Not for nothing,  I didn't have to think about going to Europe without family, missing birthdays and holidays. But now I'm smacked in the face with that reality.

It sucks.

NEWSS!!!

Ok, so I have some news. When I said this to my mother she thought I was going to tell her I was pregnant with a baby girl! But well, that's not the news. The news is that Kevin has temporary/conditional orders!!! To where, you ask? GERMANY!!!! 

I am thrilled with this prospect and couldn't be more hopeful. 

The orders are conditional on Kevin's chain of command all signing off on lifting his fence. We can't figure out why he's fenced into his current unit... No one can figure it out. All the same we're waiting for about another two weeks for the final answer! Keep your fingers crossed people. If all works out we'd PCS in November. Wowzas!

So you all know I started a job 3 weeks ago, right? Evidently I found a job with the only company in town with no military affiliated people! I swear this is the least military-savy group of people I have ever met. The other day one of my co-workers was shocked when I told them that my husband is up and out of the house by 430 everyday. "WHY?!" he asks. "PT" I said. "What's that?" He says. "Seriously?" I say. 

It only gets worse from there. 

I explain to my *ignorant co-worker that there's a war going on and they have practice their running so that they're conditioned if they should have to run to and fro to ensure their personal safety. 

Duh. 

Just saying. 

Have you heard about what Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran's of America (IAVA) is doing with Miller High Life? 

They're teaming up for the sole purpose of giving back to Vets. Head over to their website and take a look in the Rucksack to search for events in your area. They're giving away tickets to events such as MLB games, NFL games and Nascar events. Head over to the website for more details on how to participate.

I know I'm really cramming a lot into this one post but I HAVE to share with everyone that my Best Friend, Amanda had her first baby last Friday the 25th!! I can't believe it but she's really somebody's mother! It's intense and I'm happy for her and her family.
Baby Matthew Alan was born at 836 PM EST. Weighing in at 7.36 LBS and 18" long.
I love you Manda... and my new Godson Matthew!
Go check out my guest blogging the day Matthew was born.

1 more day of work before a week off for vacation. (less than) 2 days until ECLIPSE! Yes I'm mother-effing excited about that. And 3 days until our vacation to SAN DIEGO!
woooooo
I'm one excited girl.
but I'm headed to bed.
G'night!

ARMY Stuff

{source}

As we all (should) know last Monday (yes I'm late... get over it) was the Army's 235th Birthday.

The above picture is how some soldiers in Afghanistan celebrated.... with a 2.35 mile run!

I just needed to share the pic- thought it was amazing.

~

Have you heard about MSRRA? Or you know, Military Spouse Residency Relief Act? I'm not sure how much looking you've done into this program- if at all. But it is somethat that (in theory) would have benefitted me. You see my husband is an Oregon resident- born and raised there. Where as I've been in, and a resident of Colorado for-ever. Active duty military and non-state residents our charged a flat $30 to register their vehicles. But since our cars are only in my name and I am a resident we're charged, lets just say much more than $30. So when this MSRRA came around I was overjoined at the opportunity to change my residency to Oregon and save lots-o-monies on my vehicle registration!

Well, that's not so much how it works.

You cannot just randomly choose the same state as your soldier/active duty service member. But you CAN however, (not so randomly) choose residency at your current duty station and keep that residency as you PSC all over God's green earth. :)

This article was extremely helpful in clarifying the do's and don't's of MSRRA!

When Your Husband...

Cooks dinner it makes things allllll better!

Kevin doesn't cook. Period. Well, not quite that "period." He does make macaroni and cheese. Since I started working again I've been pretty beat/exhausted/lazy/useless in the evenings. Somehow I'm also more hungry throughout the day. This using your brain business is no joke. Anywho, today I text Kevin about 4 p.m. and asked him if he would mind starting dinner because I was super hungry. To my surprise Kevin agreed. Once I (finally) made my way home he had the grill heated up, steak on, and rice-a-roni started! All I had to do was make the corn! 

Gotta say I don't think there are too many things that comin' home to that wouldn't fix. 

My friend and her husband are doing okay. Last I heard he's still in Kuwait awaiting transport to Germany. He broke two vertebra near the top of his back. He's up walking around and they don't think he'll need surgery. All in all he seems to have been pretty lucky. Thanks for all the support and prayers! 

In other Solider/Army related news, all the NCO's met with the new Sergeant Major today. Evidently he's a very family orientated guy and will be contacting the parents of all the soldiers. You know.... just to say Hi. While I think this is great.... I'm wondering why he isn't contacting the spouses of the married soldiers and parents of the unmarried guys? 

Any thoughts??

Oh.... last but not least (although I wish I didn't have to talk about this at all) the hubs will be gearing up for his fourth deployment this fall -- the gearing up part is in the fall. The Deployment part I'm not sure... but my best guess is in the Spring (2011). 

So for "I Want it Wednesday" I want another Wednesday... 

That doesn't include conversations about injured soldiers

or deploying husbands. 

In Memorial

Today I have all of our men in women in the military in my thoughts. 

Today I am grateful and humbled by their service. 

Forgive me but I'd like to discuss a few I am associated with. 

on August 21st, 2009 Sgt. Matthew Ingram died in Chapa Dara, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle and his unit came under small fire from enemy forces.

I was at Matt's wedding; he married a good friend of mine, Holly in the summer of 2006. 

I have lost touch with Holly. Today I found her on Facebook, and hope to reconnect. 

The local news did a story on Matt and interview Holly last August, which is how I learned of his death. 

My heart goes out to Holly and her (now, year old) daughter Chloe.

<source>

I have to also mention Mrs. Rachel Porto today. Visit her blog, here if you haven't already.

Johnny is in my thoughts today. As are you and Ariana. 

John William Finn

Medal of Honor earned by manning a machine gun from an exposed position throughout the attack, despite being repeatedly wounded. Through all of that he continued to serve in the Navy until the time of his retirement.

John Finn passed away at 100 years of age on 27 May 2010. 

He was the last Pearl Harbor Survivor. 

Take some time today to remember and appreciate the military who have given their lives for the freedoms we hold so dear. 

"Greater love hath no one than this, that he lay his life down for his friends." John 15:13

P.S.A.

Public Service Announcements to follow. Just some info I thought everything would have some interest in:

I was contacted by someone from the CareMeridian Nursing and Rehab Facility and asked to post the following article. I'll comment on why afterwards. Please take the time and read:

Traumatic Brain Injuries and the Military

Military men and women are continually involved situations where risk of injury is high. One silent war wound that can often go unnoticed is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) . A TBI damages the brain that can often cause life-altering wounds, which can result in changes in personality, behavior, and even the brain functions of the victim. Some of these conditions are not just life-altering, but can be life threatening and are often partnered with rehabilitation from special care facilities like CareMeridian Las Vegas nursing home.

According to the Veterans Health Initiative, active male members of the military were hospitalized due to TBI related injuries at a rate of 231 per 100,000. The rate for female members of the military was 150 per 100,000. Based on these statistics over 4,000 military personnel are hospitalized on average each year for traumatic brain injuries. Some are as mild as a concussion, while others can be severe and have life altering effects.

The best way to prevent TBI is through awareness. Recognizing and responding to the symptoms of a TBI can often aid in the preventing further damage caused by the injury. Dizziness, headaches, changes in personality or sleep patterns, and memory loss are clear signs of TBI. Unfortunately these symptoms can sometimes be ignored or discarded as minor pains during times of conflict and even once the solider returns home. This sets up a dangerous precedent for a war wound that may never heal, so it is vital that serviceman and their families are aware of TBI, so that they can recognize and help treat it if symptoms are present.

Has your soldier or a soldier that you know come back with these symptoms? I know guys that have these symptoms. Maybe it's worth looking into. I posted this not as an advertisement for this facility but because I felt the information within this article would be beneficial to my readers. Now you have more information. I find it interesting that through all the conversations and briefings I've been partied to I haven't received this basic information of TBI.

Happier news:

Jim Beam (yea you know it) has teamed up with Operation Homefront to give a lucky service member a once in a lifetime opportunity. Visit Jim Beam and nominate your soldier for one of the following prizes!

The final two days of a major golf championship at Pebble Beach on 19 and 20 June 2010.

A home game for a professional baseball team on Chicago's South Side on 10 July.

A Kid Rock concert and the opportunity to meet Kid Rock in 2010.

Even though I'm hoping mine'll win! woot woot!

:)

A big thanks to Jim Beam and Operation Homefront for their support and recognition of our military and their families.

Re: Green Zone

Hey Paula I wanted to respond to your comment that you heard Green Zone was Anti-American, but I know sometimes I ask questions in comments but forget to check back. I didn't think it was in any way, shape or form ANTI-American. No Ma'am. "Absolutely not"-- as my nephew, Nathan says. 

Matt Damon plays CW2 Roy Miller who is running all over Iraq tearing apart WMD sites based upon "reliable intel." Well I think we all know there weren't and aren't any WMD's in Iraq. That isn't news. Well, Mr. Roy Miller realized something had to be wrong with this oh-so reliable intel and brought it up to his Colonel-- who well said this isn't the time to be bring up the issue in Washington. So throughout the movie Miller is fighting against the status quo, pleading for accurate information and getting get it at all costs. At the end of the movie he's clarified some of the intel his team had been conducting missions based on and he makes the point that IT ALWAYS MATTERS WHY WE GO TO WAR. The reasons matter. 

I know there are some people, even some military folks that feel soldiers should just shut-up and blindly follow their orders. At some point I feel there is truth to that... however, I feel its WAY farther down the line. There has to be a way to do what CW2 Miller did; to let the chain of command know that something isn't right in the field. Chasing these invisible WMD's was costing lives... so this fictional Roy Miller did what he needed to do to stop waisting his team's resources and costing lives. 

a lil' bit-o-this...

I chatted with an admissions rep from Kaplan University this morning. Which is great news because I'll finally be on the road to being a productive member of society again. I was on the fence about whether or not to get the Associates first than continue on for a bachelors. Because anyone who knows anything knows you need a bachelors to get by these days. But I finally decided to get the associates knocked out and on my resume then  continue on with the bachelors. So that's the plan! 

Kaplan here I come.

In other news Erin and I went and saw this guy's latest flick! 

Remember Me. I think we were both pleasantly surprised by how good this movie actually was; you know minus the teenaged couple two seats down making out the entire movie. 

The hubs and I had date night on Friday. Went to our local hibachi and a movie. Yea, I've been seeing a lot of movies this weekend- I know. Green Zone was better than Remember Me, granted they were just different in a lot of ways but it was overall just better. Gotta love some Matt Damon. (:  I was shocked by it also. I knew it was set in Baghdad and all but I didn't think it would be dealing with the realities this war. It hit close to home. Awesome movie all. 

I think I've mentioned that since I've known Kevin he hasn't been home/we haven't been together for one of my birthday's before. I'm not complaining- it is however, my reality; and it looks like this year won't be any different. :( Thankfully he isn't deployed. But somehow the Army senses my birthday is near and therefore has to take my husband any ol' place. His unit is off to Ft. Polk for a month. Egh... it is what it is! 

What do you do when you're alone on your birthday? Something special I hope.. I need the ideas. 

Lovers and Haters

Part One: Lovers

I don't know about you, but I definitely give a shit!!! I give a shit that on 3 October 2009, 8 Americans, lost their lives in the mountains of Afghanistan. 8 soldiers assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, CO. lost their lives in over an 8-hour-long gun-fight.

I'm sure you've all heard this storty on the news or read about it. Long story, short: A well organized Taliban lead, Al-Qaeda attack overwhelmed Camp Keating, located in the Nuristan province of Afghanistan. The surviving men and women were forced to abandon the COP and air support was called in to level the base. These men and women left with only the clothes on their backs; nothing else. One soldier wrote to the American Legion saying "most people back home dont even know, no one gives a shit."

The American Legion has since set up a website to donate to these soldiers. They have raised over $50,000. Target has gotten involved. They donated "$30,000 in gift cards and merchandise to help the dozens of troops who lost possessions." I also read in our local paper that you could have went to Target yesterday and purchased items specifically for these men and women; Target matched the amount spent in support of this cause. I'm not sure if that is the $30,000 referenced above, or in addition to. I also heard that one of the major computer manufacturers (HP, Dell, Apple- I can't remember which specifically) is going to replace laptops for members of the units effected in this gun-fight.

{Photo Source: The Battle for COP Keating; Burnpit/ American Legion}

Because I give a shit I assumed based on the nature of my blog that my readers would also.

Please also, if you haven't yet vist Tammy Munson from ArmyHousehold6 and read what her husband, Sgt Daddy had to say of the events that took place on October 3rd.

~~~~

Part Two: Haters

My last post triggered hate from the Haters. Odd. Considering it wasn't even offencive in anyway. Hmm. Oh well.

Dear Crap Blog Detective:

If you don't like what I have to say then don't read my blog. I'm thinking my 80-someodd followers would beg to differ with your conclusion that my blog is "crap." In regards to my job search, if you would like to bring your ass from the UK to Colorado Springs, CO and find me a job you can please my guest. In the mean time I would urge you to shut your mouth, because really you know nothing about my life, my choices, my hardships, or my efforts to secure my own job.

Maybe you find my blog and therefore my life mundane or wasted. All I have to say is at least my blog serves a positive and (I'd say) necessary purpose. Versus your blog which is designed only to offend and "hate" on everyone else. Find something more positive to do with your time. If you, still feel my blog is crap, OK. No sweat off my balls. But ask yourself really who or what I'm hurting by rambling on? No one. So leave me to do what I do.

Express your hate and nastiness else where.

Good-bye.

Samantha.

Free Food for My MAN!

November 11th is Veterans Day. Applebees is doing their part to appreciate the service of our military and offering free meals for all Active Duty and Vets!

Check it out!

Incase anyone is interested, my all-time-favorite menu item at Applebee's is the Maple Butter Blondie... my mouth is watering. Swell.

Pass on the good news about Applebees! :)

Sound Off

I want your opinions on a few things. So, please weigh in!

First:

Kev and I were watching an Extreme Home Makeover re-run the other night. I don't remember the family members' names but I do remember that they lived in Arkansas. Anyway, we had Mom, Daughter and Son present for the taping. Their "claim to fame"/reason they were chosen for the show is, Mom started a non-profit (which I also don't remember the name of) which assists/works with the Missing and Exploited Children Organization, after her 3rd child (a daughter) was abducted 10 year earlier. Ty and the gang were in attendance for the 10-year anniversary of when the daughter was taken.

While Kev and I watched the episode we discussed the fact that this girl had been abducted 10 years earlier and that I couldn't possibly be as hopeful as this mom was. Kevin disagreed and said if it were my own child that I'd feel differently. Egh... maybe. Maybe not.

I got to discussing this episode with my mom a few days ago. I told her I didn't believe that I would be able to hold onto hope for that long. I went onto tell Mom how 'they' (the episode) campaigned very hard to get your kids finger-printed and have a current picture (at least once every 6 months) at all times -- as a PREVENTATIVE measure. I'm sorry people but how on earth are having pics and your babies fingerprinted going to prevent some psycho from snatching them off of the street? Prolly won't. Sorry to poo-poo that idea. Well, Mom agreed. She suggested Chipping your kids. We chip our dogs, right? Why not?

Those of you who just cringed and cursed my mom, take a minute and really consider it. If (God-forbid) someone were to abduct your son or daughter wouldn't you want to have this back-up?? For anyone who actually has their dog chipped you know that you can't just voila! activate it and have your mutt picked up lickety-split; whomever finds your precious pup had to take them to a vet and the vet activates your chip....... if all that goes according to plan then you can bring your dog home. I'm thinking I'd prefer something more along the lines of "LoJack". GPS.

{again, stop cringing... hear me out}

"LoJack, not LowJack, is the only vehicle recovery system operated directly by law enforcement. The moment you report a car stolen, a routine entry into the state crime database will automatically trigger the LoJack System hidden well on your automobile. The car tracking device begins to emit an inaudible signal that police can use to track the path of your vehicle. Law enforcement authorities then follow the signal, track down and recover your car and return it to you. " -www.lojack.com

I think that if some sick-o stole my kid, I'd wish I had them chipped (at an early age, it wouldn't be painful, ect ect ect.) so that the Police/FBI (whomever "they" deem) could track them down and bring them home.

You're turn. What do you think? Sound off!

I brought this up to my neighbor, Nikki. She hated the idea. She didn't want "the man" (lol) knowing where she was at all times. I think this is BOGUS! "the man" already knows where you are; and if not, he sure as shit knows how to find your sneaky-ass ASAP! So I'm gonna go ahead and poo-poo that argument. I would rather have "the man" be able to track me because he's bored and has nothing better to do, if it meant I could (if the need should arise) find my stolen child and bring them home. Versus suffering, wallowing, wondering and HOPING they would someday find their way back home.

~***~

Second:

How do we feel about the Afghan discussion in Washington right now?

Yes, I say "we"... we are now a collective and think as one.

;)

Seriously, what are your thoughts? SOUND OFF!

This may be an immature or simple-minded viewpoint but really, troop increase or whatever they decide. I kind of don't really care- honestly. Here's what I do care about: I care about finality. I care about Levi, my brother-in-law currently serving his 4th deployment, in Afghanistan. I care that he got swept up in the first troop surge... which is odd because that was suppose to be in Iraq- right? Lord, who knows anymore? Well, he was in Afghanistan at the time and was still extended to 15 months. It sucked. Increase troops, fine. Whatever. I don't think that they should make the guys already serving over there have to stay even longer in order to reach their "additional surge numbers". Whatever they turn out to be. I say: Send the guy who's only deployed once and drove a desk since 03. Send the douche-bags I see walking around post without a combat patch. Versus, more or less penalizing the soldiers who know what they signed up for and who suck-it-up and deploy time-after-time-after-time.

Hmm. I'm thinking that's goin to be unpopular. Oh well.

Coming back to Finality. If an increase is determined to be necessary in Afghanistan then it better it be successful. Make it count. Please don't make it a habit either. The Iraqi surge was successful and the majority of the troops left behind are non-combat related. So "they" say. All the same, if a surge is necessary I hope it would speed up the final exit from Afghanistan.

Ok, I'm tired and have written enough for one day. Please weigh in. Please don't go on and on about how repubs or demo's suck at life. It's not relevant. And it sort of bores me.

Nothing

No news from Kevin.

No news from the Army.

Just waiting... and waiting.

Thankfully, my in-laws and family are here and God willing I'll have more reliable specifics in the AM.

I love my husband and couldn't be happier that he's coming home SOOO soon but I am also really nervous and anxious about his return. Anyone else get that?

Frustrated. Disappointed. Lonely.

As previous stated the FRG meeting earlier was completely unhelpful. I hate this. I was sincerely hoping they would provide something useful. I think you can understand my frustration, anger and disappointment I felt when all I was provided was an 8 day window! Now I am forced to make a more realistic guess for my MIL. So that hopefully she and my FIL would be in town for the Homecoming Ceremony. I hate the idea of having to take full responsibility for my husband's Mother's attendance at his 3rd Homecoming Ceremony. What if I'm wrong and she misses it? UGH! I am ridiculously over all of this Army BS.

I get the importance of OPSEC. Hence why we have the secure FRG website. With this secure site why couldn't they give us the exact date? Why sit and make us stew on this, wondering and above all GUESSING. It's sick. The Commanders down-range know when they are leaving their FOB, when they're getting to Kuwait... hmmm so why wouldn't they know WHAT day they're leaving Kuwait and therefore returning to Post? Tell me (for example) they'll be home the 28th; being that I'm a reasonable minded individual I understand that they may get delayed somewhere along the route and they may not make it home until the 29th. See, now was that so hard?

My bitching and complaining will get me no where. I will be stuck waiting and hoping my guess was accurate enough and Kevin will see his mother's and step-fathers smiling faces amongst the crowd at this, his 3rd Welcome Home Ceremony!

~~~~~

Sleeping has become quite the chore as of late. The anticipation coupled with the lack of information makes me extremely uneasy, come bed time. Plus, a year of sleeping a lone has just taken it's tole on me. I'm over it.

As stated in this post I have an issue with paranoia (see #5). When Kevin and I got married than bought our home I insisted on a security system. Some people have alarms in their homes as a standard; I did not. But when I chose to marry a soldier that meant, field rotations, NTC and most notably deployments. Long story-short: I was going to be alone quite a bit. Left alone+paranoia= this-girl-gets-an-alarm!

Lately... the alarm is falling short on the piece-of-mind category. Instead I wake up in the middle of the night to the dog snoring or shifting his weight outside the bedroom door and immediately freak out. Thought #1: I wish Kevin were here. Thought #2: IF someone is there, what do they want? Thought #3: "SAM! Stop thinking like that! No one is there. If someone were there the siren would be baring!" Thought #4: I wish Kevin were here. Thought #5: I sleep much more soundly when I sleep next to my husband. Thought #6: I wish Kevin were here.

Life right now... consists a lot of frustration, disappointment and loneliness.