Day 150 - Right Now

I can't believe it has been 150 days and we still aren't halfway through deployment... ugh!! 200 more days to go. But anyways...

Right now I am…

watching:  Revenge… my all-time new favorite show and I did once see Emily Van Camp when I was at Magic Mountain so it makes it more fun to see her act so devious.

eating: Chile Picante Corn Nuts

drinking:  Lemon Water

wearing:  Red blouse, Black pants, sweater and boots

avoiding:  working

feeling:  excited! My hubby is almost on his way to coming home on R&R

thankful:  for my sweet husband

weather:  Rain L

praying:  for safe travels for my husband

needing:  a hug from my husband

thinking: of all the things I need to get ready for my husbands arrival

loving:  looking at all the Christmas Lights during the holiday season

so what about you? what are you doing right now?

Day 145 - One Picture

Day 144 - Two Songs

Our God by Chris Tomlin is my absolute favorite worship song.

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison has always been a favorite.

Day 143 - Three Films

The next three movies never get old to me and I can watch them over and over again.

03.  A Walk to Remember
02.  The Notebook
01.  The Bourne Trilogy

Day 142 - Four Books

I love to read... so much in fact that I have found that the library is the most economical way to support my habit. Request online and pick it up when its ready. So easy and FREE!!!

04.  Autobiographies... I can read in less than a day. I just read the Jaycee Dugard book. Be warned it was very graphic and heartbreaking. I also have read all three Tori Spelling books. And on my to read list is A Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert.

03.  Mysteries/Thrillers... I have more than likely read every book by Lisa Jackson! She is amazing! I also enjoy Catherine Coulter, Lisa Gardner, Linwood Barclay, and James Patterson.

02.  Magazines... I must have my People magazine. It is just my indulgence and a great way to escape the world for just a little bit.

01.  Nicholas Sparks... His books are incredible. Probably the only ones who can bring me to tears. And the movies are just never quite as good as the books.

Day 141 - Five Foods

05.  Chinese.... All time fave place for this cuisine is PF Changs - It is also the place that husband and I went on our very first date. We have been lucky enough to visit PF Changs in Seattle, San Jose, Baltimore, and San Diego. We will most likely be visiting the Vegas location soon as well.

04.  Sushi.... I love any roll with cream cheese. There is a hidden treasure in Downtown San Diego that is my absolute favorite place for inexpensive but delicious sushi rolls - Sushi Deli 3 on Broadway. Now if you feel like splurging a bit, then you should definitely visit Harney Sushi in Old Town.

03.  Seafood.... I love crab legs, lobster and salmon. The most amazing crab legs are in San Franscisco on the wharf at The Franciscan.  I was also able to indulge in seafood delicacies when I was on the east coast in Delaware and Maryland. And if you are in the mood for a good lobster bisque then head on over to Sammy's Woodfired Pizza. One of the best soups I have ever had.

02.  Can I count liquid refreshment as a food??? Because when I am dying of thirst there is nothing better than a large Sweet Tea from McDonalds. And when I treat myself on Sunday morning before Church I have to order my Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.

01.  Chocolate.... Twix, Nestle Crunch, and Butterfinger satisfy those chocolate cravings.



Day 140 - Six Places

06.  San Diego

Born and Raised.  Beautiful Weather all year round. Sea World, the Zoo, Old Town - the place where I met my husband

05.  Port Orchard

This will be my new home next summer until we pick up and come back to my hometown of San Diego.

04.  Hawaii

A place I would really like to visit one day before we have children.

03.  Italy

Another dream vacation I have on my mind... Milan, Rome, Sicily

02.  North Carolina

Home of my Mother In Law and a place I hope to visit frequently.

01.  Las Vegas

A place I have been to often, but will be visiting soon for the first time ever with my husband. Vegas never gets old. Time stands still and there isn't a clock in site. Lights, shows, great food, even better people watching.

Day 139 - Seven Wants

07.  Children

06.  The I Phone 4s

05.  To one day be a stay at home mom

04.  I want to go to Legoland with my niece and nephew next year for MY birthday

03.  I really want to go to Disneyland next year for my niece's birthday

02.  I want the next couple of weeks to go fast so my hubby will be home on leave

01. I want it to be July - my husband will be back, I can move to Washington and we start our lives together

Day 138 - Eight Fears

08.  I am afraid that I will not be able to have children

07.  I am afraid that my husband will be injured while on deployment (or worse)

06.  I am afraid that I won't be able to find a job right away when I move next summer to Washington

05.  I am afraid of spiders

04.  I am even more afraid of thunder & lightning

03.  I am definitely not a fan of heights

02.  Driving alone late at night makes me nervous

01.  Irrational fear of my leave being denied, even though I talked to Human Resources and they assured me it would be approved... Just really impatient waiting for the approval

Day 137 - Nine Loves

09.  I love my husband more and more every day

08.  I love my nieces and nephew as if they were my own

07.  I love to read books and blogs

06.  I love that my parents have been married for 41 years

05.  I love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes

04.  I love buying home decor with leaves

03.  I love to travel

02.  I love to listen to worship music

01.  I love God  - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " Phillipians 4:6-7 (my favorite verse EVER)

Day 136 - Ten Day Challenge

Ten Secrets... this may take me all afternoon to write... maybe just some facts


10.  I drink at least one cup of coffee every morning

09.  I have worked for the same company for 7 1/2 years 

08.  I would love to go back to school, but have no idea what to study... thinking about Finance

07.  I enjoy reading and can typically finish a book in a day or two

06.  I collect turtles and dragonfly knick knacks

05.  I made my own bouquet for my wedding and proudly display it in a vase

04.  I have travelled to Seattle, Canada, New Orleans, Washington DC, Delaware, Maryland, New Orleans, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley and San Francisco in the last ten months.

03.  I will be adding Las Vegas to my travels in the next month.

02.  I took my first airplane ride at the age of 21

01.  I just did my budget through next June and can pay off two credit cards in the next six months

And on a side note:  Hubby got his leave approved. I am so excited to see him. 15 whole days together!

Day 128 - Thankful

It's been a little while... Super busy with my sisters wedding and now getting back into my routine at home. It was a wonderful getaway, but I so wish my hubby could have been there. Up in the mountains, far away, with family.

Thankful that this is another short work week.

Thankful that I get to spend my Thanksgiving with my nephew and both of my nieces.

Thankful that the days on the calendar pass by and it is getting closer and closer to my hubby coming home for two wonderful weeks.

Thankful for a husband who loves me.

Thankful to dream about next summer and spending the rest of my life with my husband.

Day 116 - Something Fun

(X) Gone on a blind date

(X) Donated Blood

( ) Skipped school

( ) Watched someone die

(X) Been to Canada

(X) Been to Mexico

( ) Been to Florida

( ) Been to Hawaii

(X) Been on a plane

( ) Been on a helicopter

(X) Been lost

(X ) Gone to Washington, DC

( ) Hugged a homeless person

(X) Swam in the ocean

( ) Swam with Stingrays

(X) Been sailing in the ocean

(X) Cried yourself to sleep

(X) Played cops and robbers

(X) Recently colored with crayons

( ) Ran a marathon

(X) Sang Karaoke

( ) Volunteered at a soup kitchen

( X) Paid for a meal with coins only

( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch

(  ) Seen the Northern Lights  

( ) Been Parasailing

(X) Been on TV

(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't

(X) Made prank phone calls 

(X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans

(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose

( ) Fed an elephant

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

( ) Fired a gun

( ) Been to the Opera

(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus

( ) Serenaded someone

( ) Seen a U.S.President in person

 

( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe

( ) Watched the sunrise with someone

( ) Driven a race car

(X) Been to a National Museum

( X) Been to a Wax Museum

( ) Eaten caviar  

(X) Blown bubbles

(X) Gone ice-skating

(X) Gone to the movies

( ) Been deep sea fishing

(X) Driven across the United States

( ) Been in a hot air balloon

( ) Been sky diving

( ) Gone snowmobiling

( ) Lived in more than one country

(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets

( ) Seen a falling star and made a wish

( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser

( ) Seen the Grand Canyon

( ) Seen the Statue of Liberty

(X) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle

(X) Been on a cruise 

( ) Traveled by train

( ) Traveled by motorcycle

(X) Been horse back riding

( ) Ridden on a San Francisco cable car

(X) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World

( ) Been in a rain forest

(X) Seen whales in the ocean

( ) Been to Niagara Falls

( X) Ridden on an elephant

( ) Swam with dolphins 

( ) Been to the Olympics

( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China

( ) Seen a glacier 

( ) Been water-skiing

(X) Been snow-skiing

( ) Been to Westminster Abbey

( ) Been to the Louvre

( ) Swam in the Mediterranean

(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game

( ) Been to a National Football League game

( ) Swam with sharks

( ) Been White Water Rafting

Day 115 - Mondays

Mondays are never any fun; however, I use Monday as my countdown to my hubbys leave. If it is approved then I will see him in Six weeks! I have pictured that day at the airport picking him up over and over in my mind. How glorious and amazing it will be to have him in my arms. It has been four months since the last time we hugged, kissed, or held hands. Looking back at the time that has passed astounds me that it has been that long. But then I am quickly brought back to the reality that he will return and it will be more than four months til he returns home forever. Next summer is in my thoughts every day. It gets me through each day. Our future.... moving to Washington State! Kinda scary for this California born and bred girl, but so exciting at the same time. I can't wait to get up there and decorate the house, find a job, cook dinner at home, curl up on the couch together. I'm going to miss my family like crazy, but it will be temporary. Long enough for hubby to retire from the Reserves in October, put the house on the market and for him to put in a transfer to California. Then we can buy a home here and start our family. It gets me through each day here knowing there is so much to look forward to.

Talked to hubby this morning and he has a cold. Probably the weather change. Spending the last six months in over 100 degree weather and then having it drastically drop to 60 degree weather can do that to ya. And so that I can document things that happen while he is there, they have a new General and he has decided to make some changes. When hubby first arrived they had nowhere for his class of 28 to go. They held them for a few weeks until they could find assignments. They placed them in random places all over the country. Thankfully my hubby was sent to a place that is for the most part really quiet. The new General has decided that they should be placed back into their original assignments. This means hubby goes back a place that is not so quiet nowadays. I really try not to worry about his safety. It is always in the back of my mind, but I try not to dwell on it. But with this possible move in the next month... I am worried. And honestly, I have been having some panic attacks (chest pain) recently that I can only relate to this deployment. Every day is something different. I suppose I will never get used to the way the military operates and changes things that suit them.

It is wedding week here in California... so happy to only be working two days this week. Wednesday my family will be driving up to the Bay area. My sister has found the most amazing Lodge/Resort to be married at. We arrive Thursday afternoon. That evening will be the "something blue" rehearsal dinner. Friday morning is breakfast and then to the bridal salon/suite we will go for makeup and hair. The ceremony is at 3pm. The weather forecast is predicting rain and/or snow.... Praying it holds off until Saturday since it is set to be an outdoor ceremony in the mountains. Saturday morning we will be driving into Lake Tahoe after breakfast and spending the evening there. I can't wait to take my nieces and nephew swimming in the heated indoor swimming pool. And Sunday is back to reality driving back home. Time to memorize my Maid of Honor Speech :-)

Day 112 - Eight Month Anniversary

Today we have been married for eight months... God just knew what he was doing when my husband and I met!  We had a short courtship and a long distance one as well. But every day I fall more in love. It really is true when they say you will just know. I was single for a great portion of my life so falling in love and being married is so sacred and special to me. I really never thought I would meet somebody. But patience is a virture and there really is somebody out there for us all. Being apart isnt easy but waking up every day knowing we have the rest of our lives together puts a smile on my face and gets me through each day. Each day I think of all the things we will get to do... traveling, having babies, going to the movies... Next summer cannot come quick enough. I am ready to get this deployment over with.

As of now I am really looking forward to my husbands leave next month. Right in time for the holidays! I cant wait to spend our first christmas together and new years.

Next Friday I get to stand next to my baby sister as she marries. Its been an exciting year and is only getting better.

Day 105 - Blood Pressure Again

Need to put this down so I can remember how many trips my husband will have made to medical for his Blood pressure. I believe this is now trip 2 since in Afghanistan and trip 5 since being activated in April.  Do they not see the pattern? 

Hubby has had a headache and neck pain for last few days. He also travelled this week by helicopter for a couple days as well. He broke down and went to doctor to be checked out.  They determined he possibly has arthritis developing in his neck causing the pain and headache, which then elevates his blood pressure. They gave him a cortisone shot and sent him on his way. He was ordered to rest & relax for a few days. So no work and lots of boredom on his agenda. He is supposed to go back for a blood pressure recheck tomorrow. But I have learned that those mean nothing. As long as they have a body and it is breathing they don't care about the welfare and health of the soldiers. I am not surprised by the arthritis determination... he is 6'5" after all and spends most days crouching through doorways.

On the bright side its Friday!

Day 100 - My self proclaimed first milestone

350 days.... How am I going to do 350 days away from my husband? While he is in a foreign country where danger is always there. I still dont know the answer to that question. It is NOT easy. That I do know for sure.
Well I have made it 100 days. I suppose it is an accomplishment. It doesn't quite feel like one. Now my countdown is til he comes home on leave. I try really hard not to think about the 6 more months after he leaves.

It isnt any easier at day 100 than it was on day 1... Every day is a challenge. At the moment it is lack of internet. I look forward to the few minutes I get on the phone with my husband. Since he moved rooms he has no internet so we must be at the mercy of the phone center at the camp. The phones that have a 6 second delay... so frustrating.

And then to learn that others from his training class in Lousiana are being sent home permanently in December. How did those few get so lucky? Why can't they all be sent home? Especially the ones they really have no purpose for. As my husband is now maybeon  his 3rd or 4th job since he arrived. Not one of them being what he was sent there for. 

So I suppose that since I made it to day 100 I will make it to 200 and 300.

Day 97 Kennels

I was really trying to wait until Day 100 to post about how I never thought I would make it to Day 100; however, this morning I just needed to write. Days are passing by. No they NEVER get easier. You just take one day at a time. Is morning harder than evening? It depends on the day. Every part of the day is hard. Don't let anyone tell you it ever gets easier during deployment. We are taking it day by day and then WHAM... I get a call from the hubby that they have decided he needs to move rooms. Okay... first of all I can't even consider what he is staying in as a room. It is plywood with a door. They have no floor to ceiling walls either. So when we do talk I can hear other peoples televisions and radios, etc. We had just got his internet to work in his room. Internet that by the way he is splitting with another person because the service providers in the country are charging an arm and a leg. If I recall correctly it is $170.00 a month!!! So 1/2 of that is costing us $85.00 a month!! Anyways, back to room moving. Apparently the room is 1/2 the size of the room he had before, which wasn't much. Room for a locker and a bed... so for a 6'5" man he is basically living in a sardine can. I really believe that my dog gets better treatment at the kennel when we board her.  My husband is a reservist. He was activated by a computer who picked his name. He is 43 years old... Yes I know this is what they sign up for, but seriously, I really think that for risking their lives they could be treated a little better. And yes, before I married a military man, I used to wonder what they were complaining about... Free healthcare, commissary, etc. Those benefits are nothing when your loved one is being treated like a piece of trash.  Fighting for a country that doesnt even appreciate us being there.

I've tried really hard to stay positive during this deployment. I knew what I was getting myself into... well sort of. I knew about the being 1/2 a world away from each other for a year. But I had no idea how horribly our men and women are treated overseas. I am thankful this is the 1st and only deployment we will have.  I honestly dont know how women w/children or women w/out children do multiple deployments. We are strong women. And though for the most part I may appear strong... I am crumbling on the inside. Counting down days keeps me sane. It gets me through each day. I have to hold onto the day he comes home. I have to look forward to our being together in 253 days. However, I know that number isnt correct either. Not knowing what day he will be home really sucks! 

So now I sit and wait for the next call... and wonder when it will be.

88 days... And getting closer to R & R

Life has been pretty normal and routine lately. Hubby is at the "rock" and the weather is finally cooling down. They had their first day of rain yesterday. We are getting close to 100 days down and we tentatively have leave dates for December. So looking forward to 15 days in a row with my husband before he has to return. I'm just staying busy. This last weekend was my sister's Bachelorette Party in northern California and next month is her wedding. The days dont get any easier but each day is a day closer to him being back home for good.

Day 66 War

Well, last Wednesday was the scariest day of all.. 60 days into deployment and the Taliban attacks the capital headquarters, the US Embassy and the airport. Of all the weeks for my husband to be in the capital and at the headquarters. He was in a management class when the bombings began. He was escorted to the Gym across from the classrooms. He was there for a little while until he moved to the D-Fac for the remainder of the lockdown. The attacks began at 1:30 pm Afghan time (2:00 am my time) and continued for about 21 hours. All was calm by Wed night my time @ 10:30 pm and 10:00 am Afghan time. I finally received a call from hubby @ 11:45 pm my time. That was the longest Wednesday of my life. I have to thank social media because if it weren't for Facebook and Twitter updates by the journalists, I dont know how I would have managed my anxiety. All went back to normal in the big city and he went on to participate in the Chief Pinning Ceremonies on Friday afternoon. Saturday was his planned flight back to the little country; however, his flight was cancelled until Monday Afternoon. He was fortunate enough to be able to stay in the military quarters @ the airport.  So it is now Monday morning my time... Day 66 and hubby has made it safely back to the Rock.  Back safe and sound in his room that he wired with internet. Yay! Tango calls can resume. Until December when he gets to take 15 day leave. Seems so far away....

Day 60 Nausea

I did hear from hubby yesterday around 11:15 am. He had arrived safely and was escorted to his very own private room w/bathroom, laptop, and telephone. The downside is having to walk to the camp 15 minutes away in order to perform his duties this week.  He was so beyond ecstatic to have his own room w/linens and air conditioning. I had a smile on my face the rest of the day.

And now... nausea... I have not heard from my husband in over 24 hours. Panic, Worry, Nausea!  Is he okay? Is it just a blackout?  Questions racing through my mind. So difficult to concentrate at work. It is the middle of the night there so I presume he is a sleep and I will not hear anything now for hours. God, I hate this! I give it to you God. Please make my mind stop racing and my anxiety disappear.

Day 59 Traveling

We are 59 days into this deployment and it doesnt seem to get any easier. Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of September 11th. The reason my husband is now half a world away from me. I never imagined that I would marry a military man nor would I imagine how 9/11 would touch my life yesterday. I felt so many emotions: anger, sadness, depression, hope, pride. It was a heavy day. I am so glad that I went to church though. God makes everything better. While I cried as I worshipped, I knew that this was just a season in my life and next year at this time my husband and I will be together. But I still get angry that we are sending our men and women to a war that will never end. While I am thankful that my husband is in hopefully the safest part of the country, I am still upset that he is even over there. His duties in my eyes have absolutely nothing to do with ending the war on terror. And he is traveling today to the other side of the country. My anxiety is so high. It makes me so nervous when he is in the air over there and then the drive from the airport to the base. It is so difficult to concentrate when my mind is on him and his safety. And then we he travels back on Saturday I will be a nervous wreck also. All for what?!  So the country has a new computer system!  Jeopardizing our families lives for a country that will not change and does not want us there. At the same time I am so proud of my husband for doing his duty. Doing what he signed up for. Never complaining. Going with the flow. He loves the Navy. He loves being a chief. And that is one of the reasons why I love him. He is so honorable and has the best work ethic. I know he does all he can to secure his safety to make sure I dont worry. But I worry. I always will. Until he comes home.

47 days One at a Time

I was out of town last week and busy with my new niece the last few days that I haven't blogged. Days keep going by. Busy is good... makes the time go faster. Missing my hubby like crazy! Wish he was here... especially as work becomes stressful and I dont have the luxury of sitting with him each night to relax and discuss our day. I would really love to just fall into his chest and have him wrap his arms around me. I am happy that he does call me daily and we have our few minutes to hear each others voices. Looking forward to December when he comes homes on leave... our 1st Christmas and New Years together :-)  I have mailed two cards and he has received both. The first card took 2 weeks and the 2nd card took a week and a half. I mailed his first care package over a week and a half ago and he has not received it. He did get a package from the Chief Selects home in Washington with goodies. Time to start putting together his next box. He built some shelves for his room and has watched two seasons of Smallville. Two more seasons are on their way. There have also been no more reoccurence of his head aches... so it appears his blood pressure has lowered as has the temperature. Hubby had WiFi in his room for all of one night before it got shut down. And the WiFi at the Cafe is not dependable. He will be travelling again in September which makes me nervous. I like when he stays put. The only traveling I want him doing is the kind that brings him home.

Day 33 Blood Pressure

Husband has high blood pressure. We knew this going into deployment. We had med holds during processing; however, he was still deployed. So I get my morning call.... Husband went to medical for a headache, which is typical when his bp is elevated. They took a bp reading... 170/110!!! Highest it has ever read. And this is after they increased his dosage back in May. To this day I don't know how he was cleared to deploy. So he goes back tomorrow for another reading. For the love of God.... could somebody please do their job and send him home to get his bp under control?! A persons blood pressure should never be that elevated and be allowed to work. I'm sure the temperatures where he is stationed are not helping the situation. Praying that his bp comes down soon.

I am very appreciative that we are able to communicate daily though. It is so nice to hear his voice each morning. I can not believe he has been gone over a month now. Hope the rest of the months fly just as quickly... or they can just answer my prayers and send him home on a medical leave :-)

Day 27 Tango

Hubby found WiFi at the Green Beans cafe this morning. We were able to chat off and on using the Tango app on our phones. Not the best connection but it is always wonderful to hear my hubby's voice. He does call every morning before he goes to bed. I'm so lucky we are able to chat. I'm glad he is at a remote fob with little activity and away from all the devastation that has been happening halfway around the world. There isnt much for him to do there but they keep them busy with work 12 hours a day. I dont know how families did this before internet. I mailed a card last Thursday and I'm still waiting to see when it will arrive before I send his first care package. It has been over a month since I said goodbye to my Chief. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks down. Every day is a day closer to home.

Deployment sucks

Getting semi bad news on the phone this afternoon and having to process it all alone....sucks!

Not having your husband home to fall into his arms....sucks!

Not being able to pick up the phone and call your husband....sucks!

Figuring out how to share semi bad news with husband....sucks!

Going to bed alone....sucks!

Having to remove contact lenses from crying for hours....sucks!

Deployment....sucks!

Day 25 - 325 to go

Sometimes counting the days seems to make this journey feel like its going to be longer than it probably will be. We have 25 days down... they don't get any easier. Night time is the hardest. Sleeping alone sucks. Trying to fall asleep takes forever. Worry never leaves my mind even though we speak daily. Just trying to stay busy and think ahead to the future. So thankful that I have been able to talk to my husband every day this week since he arrived at his destination. He works long days which help him to stay busy, but he is bored. I'm looking forward to his r&r in December. And a vacation next summer upon his return sounds like a good plan.... Maui?! One day at a time brings us closer to him coming home.

Day 22 - 6%

We are 6 % done with this deployment. 3 weeks down. I'm already planning things to do in December when hubby comes home on leave. He is working 8am-8pm Monday-Thursday & Saturdays. Fridays are afghan national holidays so he goes in a little later. Sunday mornings are reserved for worship services. I am so lucky that he has been able to call every day. That was my greatest fear when he left was that we wouldn't be able to talk. I finally got an address and am waiting to see how long it takes for him to get his card I sent before I send his first package. I have some things ready to be sent. He has internet at work so I email him all the time... it is my way of text messaging :-)  This time apart is so difficult, but I have to remind myself that next year when we have no debt we will have the most amazing life together. I miss him so much it hurts. I have saved all our emails since the day we met and was reading those this morning. I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

Day 17 Finally

My hubby called and he has finally arrived at his destination. He was given his own room. He then went to the PX and bought a mini fridge, fan, and new pillow. The FOB is really small. The calls are no longer free   :-(  Calling cards do not work there so he had to sign up for some calling program at 4 cents a minute.  But as long as we get to speak it is worth every penny. He was very tired from the waiting and travel the last two days. I'm just so happy he is finally in one place. No longer living out of his bags. A room with privacy and a network cable. He is going to set up Skype so we can video chat soon. 333 days to go...

Day 12 Tick Tock Tick Tock

The clock seems to drag on.... I just keep reminding myself it is one day closer to our future.  Already talked to my hubby this morning. He called on my way to work. He had been doing network and computer training all day. Before that apparently someone was snoring like a railroad at 2 in the morning so he woke up and did his laundry. He also had a chance to talk to his mom.  She is doing well. He learned the FOB he is going to only has 300 men and no females. Pretty desolate... I hope they have an exchange. Or I will be sending packages once a week. 

Day 11 Getting in a Groove

I am loving that my husband is stationary for the week and has access to the phone w/his free calling card. He called and we chatted for a while. Very nice!  He had spent his day helping the remainder of his group unload the truck with their bags and get them checked in.  He also found out exactly where he will be going and what he will be doing when he gets there.  He is going to a small FOB on the western side of the country. He will be the Network Project Manager responsible for the install of the network to six satellite FOB's. He will be in charge of the contractors setting up the network. He is really excited!  I'm happy he was finally given his orders and will be working soon. It will make the days go by quicker... I hope.  I've been busy with work and Vacation Bible School. It definitely helps me get through the days. Although I am still constantly thinking about my husband.

Day 10 Anniversary

Six months ago on 01/25/2011 we went on our first date... and here we are married. When you know, you know. I finally received a phone call from my hubby.  After being delayed at the airport for an entire night their plane took off to a less desirable part of the country. They were briefed and taken to Camp. He said the camp was absolutely awful and were not meant for living in. He hit the cot and was awoken to mortar bombings. So after awaking Sunday Morning they waited again for their plane. The plane took them to where he will remain for the next week.  He was given a calling card so we again will have free phone...Yay!!  He is in a temporary bunking unit with 25-30 bunks. He claimed a bottom bunk, went out to get his 2nd bag and came back in to someone making up the bed. He promptly told them to remove themselves from the bed and take an upper bunk. Some people have a lot of nerve. And on top of that it was a less ranking soldier. Enjoy your top bunk buddy.

A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders when I got that call. Waiting on pins and needles is not fun. I don't sleep well and my appetite is gone. Thank god he is safe and stationary for the week.

340 days to go...

Day 9 Silent Sunday

I presume the plane actually got off the ground last night as it was intended to since I havent heard from my husband in 25 hours. Havent talked on the phone in 50 hours. Just praying he gets there safely. Hoping this place isnt as desolate as the information I have found on google makes it appear. If it is, then its going to be an even longer year than I imagine. Leashed to my phone so I dont miss a call or email. However, it is 2:00 in the morning there so I dont think I will hear anything any time in the next 4-5 hours.

Day 8 Staying Busy

I awoke to an email that my husband would be finally traveling.  I am trying to stay busy to keep my mind off of missing him so terribly. It doesn't work. I still think about him every second. So I am at the zoo with my niece and nephew when I receive an email... Flight cancelled until 8 am sunday morning and they get to sit at the airport all night long. Our soldiers defend our country and they get treated like crap. It is just unbelievable to me how disorganized the military really is. I have to remember why this deployment will benefit us in the end. He is paying off his bills over this next year and we will begin our life together debt free. But jeez.... he is sweating his ass off and being treated like crap for every penny. Thank god he retires next year upon his return.

Day 7 One Week Down

Well no call on Thursday :-(  Received a call about 30 minutes ago. Nothing new going on. Still sitting in the "litter box" as they call it. He is spending his time watching Smallville on DVD. Nine of them are supposed to leave tomorrow evening, including my husband.  I wish they would hurry up and travel so he has an address and a routine. I miss him terribly and the days seem to be dragging by.

But we officially have one week down... only 343 days to go!

Stationary, Day 6 cont.

Received a call @ 3:15 pm that they had gone to the airport and were told there were no flights available so back to Camp they went. Happy to know he is safe and stationary for now. Consider it a paid vacation. Wish he was home though. Ridiculous that they have our men & women over there for nothing and no place or use for them. He has no idea when they will travel to their next destination. If this wasn't happening to myself, I would never believe how unorganized our system is. Some people are clearly not doing their jobs. Waiting for my next call.

Day 6 Message in a Bottle

Early phone call while I was in the shower. They received their ititnerary. They would be hopping on planes in groups of 6-7 soldiers soon. So he is most likely in the air at this time, but to where I do not know. So the waiting begins... the knot in my stomach again... where is he? is he okay? where is he going?  I hate not knowing. He said he would send me a message to let me know he is safe.  And I wait....

Day 5 Destination??

Heard again from my hubby. Got to chat for about 15 minutes. They are to get their itinerary @ 2:00 pm on Thursday... mixed feelings. I don't like not knowing where he is headed. I am happy where he is at because he is safe and gets to a phone daily. However, he is bored beyond belief with no assignment. 345 days to go...

Day 4 Monday

I got to talk to my husband.. Yay!  They haven't done much since he arrived. Some paperwork and a couple of briefs. I am waiting anxiously to hear about his flight for the next day... "we don't know when we are leaving now".  And now that I have made myself comfortable with the change of destination... "i'm not being sent there anymore. I'm going to another place now." 

I am new at this military life. I have definitely learned a few things... they have no idea what they are doing and when they are doing it. They fly by the seat of their pants. Itineraries change last minute constantly. I have to ask why are we over there? It is overcrowded and they have no where to send the 100 or more soldiers that have arrived. Why do you need them if there is no room for them?  Seriously?!! They could be home at their regular jobs with their families instead of lying around doing nothing in 110 degree weather. Rant over...

Another line for the phone so our time is short. He did get internet though.. Hallelujah!

I rush back to my desk to immediately begin researching this new possible destination... never heard of the place. Very little information out there, but Thank you Jesus.. there is a USO - my lifeline!

Until tomorrow.... I love you my chief with all my heart!  I'm praying that you all know very soon when and where you are headed.

Day 3 - Overcrowding

I am so thankful for the daily phone call I get, however, short it may be. There are lines now for the phones. We get our hellos, I love yous, and how was your day.  I am up getting ready for church when I get my phone call.  Again so happy to hear his voice. But due to overcrowding he will probably not be sent to his original destination.  I immediately begin researching the alternative he has been given. Not so bad. They have a USO (thank god). I'm doing alright. Staying busy. My mind is always on what time is it there? What is the temperature? Is he sleeping? Is he awake? Are they actually working? Is he safe? 

Church had the best message that I so needed to hear.  Stop negative thinking and think about God's word.  I'm trying so very hard to stay positive. I know this journey will go by quickly, but until I know where my husband will be and he gets into a routine I just can't stop my mind from going in a million different directions.

I haven't slept well the last few nights. I'm hoping once he has reached his destination and a routine is set up, then I will be alright.

Day 2 - Thank God for the USO

I get a call at 2:15 am ... from Kuwait! Woohoo!! He is safe. There is a USO center where he is currently located and they have free phone calls and internet. Thank you Jesus! So happy to hear his voice from so far away. He traveled all night. His day had begun in Louisiana Thursday morning. They then flew to South Carolina where the USO had pizza and doughnuts for them. The girl scouts were passing out cookies. From there they flew to Maine and onto Germany. They were in Germany for a few hours before they finally arrived in Kuwait and had to unload all the bags from the plane. They sleep in tents. It is 110 degrees outside and desert everywhere.

I get a 2nd call at 11:30 am. He has tried to acclimate to the heat and time change. Been sleeping alot. They do have Mcdonalds, Subway, and a Coffee Shop.

I am so very grateful for the USO and the support and service they are providing our troops who are being sent far away from their families and put in tents... really?!! tents?!! It hurts my heart to hear about the conditions they are put in. For a war that I dont even believe in. 348 days to go...

Day 1 - Questions

It is day one of deployment. I want to try to write each day about my thoughts as we embark on this 350 day journey to the unknown. Day One clock begun @ 9:30 pm Kuwait time. They are 10 hours ahead of California. It is Friday morning for me and I am at work but at that time I did not know where my husband was.. in the air? on the ground? Is he safe? How will he call me? So many questions circling my mind. I miss him terribly. I haven't seen him in 8 days at this point. I'm used to being apart. We have had a long distance marriage from the start.. but this journey is going to be long. It will be the longest time we have spent apart. I know we can survive. I just don't like the unknown.