Actual Conversation

You might have noticed that I have not written much about the husband’s IA experience.  Frankly, I didn’t want him left on some hilltop in Afghanistan.  I’m not sure my comments and opinions on my own personal blog have that much influence, but a girl can never be to careful.

Now that he is home I’m feeling a little more vocal about the crazy and unbelievable comments I have heard.

This one I just had to share.

(Speaking over a puka to Master Chief #2)

Master Chief 1: Where is Chief So-and-So?

Master Chief 2:  He is in Iraq.

Master Chief 1:  When does he come back?

Master Chief 2:  Next month, why?

Master Chief 1:  Because Captain Schmuckatelly wants to know why he is getting returned emails saying “Chief So-and-So’s email box is full”.

Senior Chief Grumble Grumble:  If he knew where the *@!* his people were he would not have to ask that question.  What a dumb *@* !!!

BTW Captain Schmuckatelly is Chief So-and-So’s Commanding Officer and Master Chief #1 is the SEA.

I need that Broadside guy or Jenny Spouse to draw me some cartoons.

I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to my dad and my wonderful husband.

I only have one living Grandfather, so I must say Happy Fathers Day to him as well.  I am very close to my grandpa and wish we lived closer!

Today DH had one of his buddies stop by overnight.  He just got home from Afghanistan (where they met) and he is driving cross country.  We are one of his stops.  They are on the porch hanging out and smoking cigars happy as clams.

Tonight I have my DVR taping Design Star and Army Wives.

We grilled steaks tonight, leave it to me to go shopping today for the steaks.  The commissary was completly out of rib-eyes….we had to go to Walmart.

Here’s the latest post I made over at the mymilitarylife blog.  It has a unique article from USA Today talking about male mil-spouses. 

In other news, LilK’s soccer camp finished last week.  It was a grueling week, plus we were a host family for the British soccer coach.  The camp was put on by Challenger Sports with all British coaches. 

Ok Design Star is about over, so I can watch it fast forwarding through the commercials.  *Cheers*

 

Hydrangea from the backyard

See more photos on my new post at http://mymilitarylife.wordpress.com/2008/06/01/happy-birthday-cupcakes-and-more/

Do you really think we’ll see a bear?!

We have been on a much needed vacation.  We picked the Smoky Mountains and stayed in a 2 bedroom condo that was nestled in the mountains about 30 min. from anything.

Our first day in the mountains included sightings of 2 deer, 1 raccoon and 1 bear. We had a picnic lunch, hiked to a waterfall, had a cold beverage at the Hard Rock Gatlinburg and I did not check my email once.

I used my little iFlip to video all sorts of stuff and just figured out how to upload them to YouTube.  I like the iFlip because it is so easy to use and download the video vs. have mini DVDs everywhere and never actually watching the videos.  I plan to upload several more videos, so be sure to subscribe to my YouTube page and you’ll get an email when a new video is posted.  (I think that is how it works!)

I finally figured out how to post on YouTube…..our first “upload”….how cool!

Return & Reunion

Since the husband came home I have been terrible about posting. Im reposting this entry from over at the mymilitarylife blog with his homecoming details. We have been busy getting to know each other all over again. He says when he went through Warrior Transition he was told “that “everyone” will think you have PTSD so be careful to not “take over” when you get home and ease into the home routine”…..I thought that was interesting to say the least. Anyway….here is an update:

Homecoming:

I have finally come out of the clouds and have landed safely back into “reality”. My writing has taken a back seat to evenings spent catching up on 7 months of missed conversation, cooking real dinners, his TV shows, his Netflix picks and his favorite restaurants. Isn’t it funny how that happens when they get home. The boys have spent lots of one on one time in between soccer, boy scouts, motorcycle rides and the new Wii. I thought it was time to catch up on the details of this unique homecoming.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about our last phone call from “over there” and how strange it was knowing that he was “really” on his way home. I hate to admit that I wasn’t letting myself get too excited until I knew he was in Kuwait for fear the Navy and the Army would change their minds and keep him in country.

In my last post I talked about planning for R&R and I was told to plan for a HOMECOMING.

When was the last time you heard of that happening?? (more details of why that happened in a different post)

I think when he finally landed in the States he had been traveling for over 72 hours. I feel for the guys whose wives plan trips immediately upon their arrival. I’m so glad I sought the advice of several wives on this subject….who knew it would take FOREVER to get out of “over there”. Plus, since it is so close to summer it makes sense to wait till then for any road trips. The only requests he gave me for his homecoming were: his favorite meal, his favorite beer, something from his favorite store in the mall (VS), and no parties….oh and me off work for a week.

I was able to pull all of that off with not too much effort. What was different about this homecoming than ones of the past?

1. It was in a airport vs. a pier so we stood out like crazy.

2. My neighbors thought I was crazy when they saw me with 50 plus mini- American Flags that I put on every other driveway from my house to the entrance of the subdivision. After asking “Can I put a flag by your mailbox, my husbands coming home from Afghanistan tomorrow”, it was finally starting to sink in. The more I said “it” the more emotional I found myself, so after about the 7th house, I quit asking and just starting putting the flags in the ground anyway.

Michael Buble - Amazing in Memphis!

This past Sunday was my “date” with Michael Buble, a Christmas present from the husband. Can I just say, it was so worth the hassle of getting there, the $$$ tickets and staying up till midnight on a “school night”. I was so tired this morning….the time change did not help.

He brought the house down with this song. He really knows how to connect with the crowd.

Ticker

While surfing around some of my favorite blogs I found this ticker over at Cristin’s and thought I’d add one.

Im not sure I necessarily like being reminded how long Craig has been gone, so I decided to make it a post vs. at the top of my blog.

Having this ticker mostly makes me realize we are on the fast downhill to his return.

Valentine’s Day Flowers

Light Pink Lilies

As you can see, most of the flowers in this photo are still in bud form. I had blooms for 2 weeks! I love flowerbud.com

Jon and Kate plus 8, Eli Stone and a movie review

I can’t wait until Spring arrives. We are still having drizzly cold rain here……although today was in the 60’s. I read Tuesday we might have snow?!

Anyway—to keep me occupied with some mindless entertainment, I have discovered two new TV shows that have been filling up my DVR, along with American Idol.

I discovered this Jon and Kate plus 8 show on Discovery Health about 2 weeks ago. I’ve seen about 4 or 5 episodes so far and I just love this little show. Once we babysat 2 other kids, one of which was 3 or 4. The husband and I were worn out after 2 hours. I think we forgot how much it takes to entertain and keep an eye on these fast moving little ones. The sextuplets are 3 1/2 and for me, the 3’s were much harder than the 2’s. At 3, they are climbing, and all over the place if you are not careful. I have a photo of my son standing on the back of the couch using a plastic kid sized rake as an air guitar.

If you haven’t seen it, you are in for a treat.

Next on my DVR is Eli Stone. I’m enjoying this quirky show. Although, people have been telling me it’s a lot like Ali McBeal….which I never watched.

Johnny Lee Miller is really good in it, and Ive never seen him in anything else….so I’m not sure where he came from.

In a quick movie review, last weekend I went to see Vantage Point with Dennis Quaid. I have to say it was “OK”. I give it 3.5 stars. It had some exciting parts, but after the “4th or 5th” vantage point, that part was getting kind of old. The end was also (not to give anything away) wrapped up a little to nicely for my liking. I say wait and get it on Netflix.

Go Vols!

What an exciting game!!! If you’ve followed my posts, you know I’m a Gator fan and love the SEC. Living in Memphis and following the Tigers, I so want to love them…..BUT they are in Conference USA. I felt they were overrated coming into this game. I’m so happy the Vols won! We’ll see how things play out in the tournament.