Monday, July 16, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
I Did It Again!!
Seventeen years ago Michael left for Desert Storm. He stayed on ship for the first months and then they went to land. He called me from where they were at and he says to me:
"I'm so close to it I can hear the bombs dropping"
"Really? You know Kevin did ........."
Um, can we back up. Bombs?! what?! Close?! Oh honey are you going to be OK? I love and miss you so much. Be careful and I'll be praying for you. Oh no not me. I have for years called it survival mode. Also, known as denial and or stupidity. But that was ~ 17 years ago.
Let's move forward in time.
July 11, 0615: Hey! I made it. It was a long trip, but I'm safe. I really can't talk long
it's 2215 here and the guys that picked me up are waiting on me. Oh,
I don't know if you've heard but there's a Typhoon heading this way.
OK, I'm glad your there. Thanks for calling. I LOVE you. Get some
good sleep.
As I'm driving to work I'm going over the conversation in my head and grinning like a fool because he called me. Then I realize, I did it again. A Typhoon?! A what? huh? Are you ok? what's that mean? So all day at work I'm at the computer as often as possible looking at the weather. I never could get on a good site that would tell me exactly what was happening.
Then behold, today I went to Just Laugh's site and there was the satellite picture of the Typhoon.
The real irony of all this is the day before Michael left he went to the gro. store and filled my utility room to the brim with all manner of canned goods and water---in case of a natural disaster.
At the time I shook my head and clucked my tongue. On the inside though my heart was swelling to bursting. While I may not completely understand, I do know that my husband loves us tremendously and takes very seriously his role of protector and provider.
"I'm so close to it I can hear the bombs dropping"
"Really? You know Kevin did ........."
Um, can we back up. Bombs?! what?! Close?! Oh honey are you going to be OK? I love and miss you so much. Be careful and I'll be praying for you. Oh no not me. I have for years called it survival mode. Also, known as denial and or stupidity. But that was ~ 17 years ago.
Let's move forward in time.
July 11, 0615: Hey! I made it. It was a long trip, but I'm safe. I really can't talk long
it's 2215 here and the guys that picked me up are waiting on me. Oh,
I don't know if you've heard but there's a Typhoon heading this way.
OK, I'm glad your there. Thanks for calling. I LOVE you. Get some
good sleep.
As I'm driving to work I'm going over the conversation in my head and grinning like a fool because he called me. Then I realize, I did it again. A Typhoon?! A what? huh? Are you ok? what's that mean? So all day at work I'm at the computer as often as possible looking at the weather. I never could get on a good site that would tell me exactly what was happening.
Then behold, today I went to Just Laugh's site and there was the satellite picture of the Typhoon.
The real irony of all this is the day before Michael left he went to the gro. store and filled my utility room to the brim with all manner of canned goods and water---in case of a natural disaster.
At the time I shook my head and clucked my tongue. On the inside though my heart was swelling to bursting. While I may not completely understand, I do know that my husband loves us tremendously and takes very seriously his role of protector and provider.
Where Have I Been?
I've been to London to visit the Queen.
Yea right!
Let's back up to Friday July 6th. I worked all day and then we drove to Disney Land. We stayed the night in a very nice Motel/Hotel.
Saturday: Off to Disney Land and California Adventure Land. We all had a great time. If we had it to do over again we'd let the kids bring friends that liked to ride roller coasters and go to California Adventure land first. We'd also drive over early the morning of our adventure and stay the night there after playing all day. That wasn't possible this time because I was on call Sunday.
Sunday: I worked for 10 hours. I was NOT a happy camper. I just kept thinking I have to work Monday AND I'm on call again. This was a huge big deal to me because Michael was leaving Tuesday. So after stewing for most of the day, I finally picked up the phone called my friend/boss and told there was just no way I could do it. Not only was I not going to be on call Monday I wasn't coming to work at all! She was very understanding and gracious. When I finally left work I met Gab and Michael at a friend's house for dinner. Very nice relaxing time.
Monday: Michael and I ran errands and packed and visited. Michael spent some time with the kids. Busy day. I managed to pick up the house and cooked a really nice meal for all of us.
Tuesday: up at 0230 to get Michael to the airport. Kevin was still up so he helped Michael load the car and said good bye. He chose not to go to the airport. Gab and I took him and said goodbye. We did really well. I did choke up but I kept it back. Then I took Gab to a friend's house and I went to work. I was on call again as well so it was a very late, long day for me.
Wednesday: To work for me. Gab and Kevin stayed home so the furniture could be delivered. Oh, it was SOOO nice to come home to the smell of new leather. I sank down and didn't move again for hours.
Thursday: 0045 Gab and I had a major blow up. Not fun. We finally went to bed. I was up at 0500 and off to work again. The bus schedule and fare were left on the table and the car keys went to work with me. She was not happy with my decision but I stood my ground. I got home at a decent hour tonight and both Gab and Kev were home all evening with me. I enjoyed it.
Friday: That's today. Work. Gab drove herself to her orthodontics appt. with a friend. Here I am finally at the computer. Sounds so boring to type it all out in this manner. It does give you a feel maybe for what life has been like the last week.
This post reminds me of when I was in the 6th grade. When my mom would come home from work I would follow her around the house and tell her about my day. I don't remember her ever just sitting down and listening. She had things to do. Now as a working mom I completely understand. Anyhow, I didn't just hit the highlights of the day. I would start with the first class of the day and tell her something that happened and wouldn't stop until I had gone through the whole day!
Yea right!
Let's back up to Friday July 6th. I worked all day and then we drove to Disney Land. We stayed the night in a very nice Motel/Hotel.
Saturday: Off to Disney Land and California Adventure Land. We all had a great time. If we had it to do over again we'd let the kids bring friends that liked to ride roller coasters and go to California Adventure land first. We'd also drive over early the morning of our adventure and stay the night there after playing all day. That wasn't possible this time because I was on call Sunday.
Sunday: I worked for 10 hours. I was NOT a happy camper. I just kept thinking I have to work Monday AND I'm on call again. This was a huge big deal to me because Michael was leaving Tuesday. So after stewing for most of the day, I finally picked up the phone called my friend/boss and told there was just no way I could do it. Not only was I not going to be on call Monday I wasn't coming to work at all! She was very understanding and gracious. When I finally left work I met Gab and Michael at a friend's house for dinner. Very nice relaxing time.
Monday: Michael and I ran errands and packed and visited. Michael spent some time with the kids. Busy day. I managed to pick up the house and cooked a really nice meal for all of us.
Tuesday: up at 0230 to get Michael to the airport. Kevin was still up so he helped Michael load the car and said good bye. He chose not to go to the airport. Gab and I took him and said goodbye. We did really well. I did choke up but I kept it back. Then I took Gab to a friend's house and I went to work. I was on call again as well so it was a very late, long day for me.
Wednesday: To work for me. Gab and Kevin stayed home so the furniture could be delivered. Oh, it was SOOO nice to come home to the smell of new leather. I sank down and didn't move again for hours.
Thursday: 0045 Gab and I had a major blow up. Not fun. We finally went to bed. I was up at 0500 and off to work again. The bus schedule and fare were left on the table and the car keys went to work with me. She was not happy with my decision but I stood my ground. I got home at a decent hour tonight and both Gab and Kev were home all evening with me. I enjoyed it.
Friday: That's today. Work. Gab drove herself to her orthodontics appt. with a friend. Here I am finally at the computer. Sounds so boring to type it all out in this manner. It does give you a feel maybe for what life has been like the last week.
This post reminds me of when I was in the 6th grade. When my mom would come home from work I would follow her around the house and tell her about my day. I don't remember her ever just sitting down and listening. She had things to do. Now as a working mom I completely understand. Anyhow, I didn't just hit the highlights of the day. I would start with the first class of the day and tell her something that happened and wouldn't stop until I had gone through the whole day!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Bless Your Heart!
When we lived in Pensacola a Dr. told me that in the South you could say anything about anyone as long as you began the statement with; "Bless your heart". Well, this just cracked me up because I am from the South and happen to say bless you heart quite a bit.
The other day at work I was sharing this story with a couple people that I work with. My example was: "Bless her heart, she's just the ugliest thing that ever walked." Every one laughed and for the past few days one of my co harts would just random look at me and say, "Bless your heart."
Today I did find my husband and we did all my errands together. It was a wonderfully relaxed, productive day. One of my stops was at the hospital. While I was there I found this bag with my name on it. In the bag was a gift from another girl that I work with. It is a yearly calendar; one where you turn the page for a new verse and saying for each day. On the cover it said: Bless your Heart. I cracked up!! It was a very serious gift that was just perfect for the moment. Made me laugh obviously because of the running commentary on Bless Your Heart.
So, you guys have a great day and Bless your little 'ole hearts!
The other day at work I was sharing this story with a couple people that I work with. My example was: "Bless her heart, she's just the ugliest thing that ever walked." Every one laughed and for the past few days one of my co harts would just random look at me and say, "Bless your heart."
Today I did find my husband and we did all my errands together. It was a wonderfully relaxed, productive day. One of my stops was at the hospital. While I was there I found this bag with my name on it. In the bag was a gift from another girl that I work with. It is a yearly calendar; one where you turn the page for a new verse and saying for each day. On the cover it said: Bless your Heart. I cracked up!! It was a very serious gift that was just perfect for the moment. Made me laugh obviously because of the running commentary on Bless Your Heart.
So, you guys have a great day and Bless your little 'ole hearts!
Not an Easy Time
I have written a thousand blogs in my head. But can't seem to find the time to get to the computer. I can read from work, but writing or commenting is difficult.
Seems that we are short on staff and two girls still got to take vacation so that leaves just the 2 of us to take call. Every other night and the holiday isn't fun. Esp. since Michael is leaving for Oky on the 10th. It won't last and I did get my vacation, just the timing really stinks!!
Then there is the issue of how I am struggling so hard with this. I have been quite shocked at how I am handling things. When he went to Desert Storm I had just delivered Kevin. Well not just delivered, he was all of 6 weeks. Gabrielle was 13 months. There were relatives swarming the place in shifts; what with Michael leaving and a new grandkid in the house there would have been no keeping them away. I never would have wanted to. The point is I was kept busy and surrounded with family. He was gone before I had time to blink and then I had no choice but to kick into survival mode.
This time my kids are 17 and 18. I'm working what seems like all the time and struggling with old anger issues. I know that when the time comes I'll kick in the old survival mode method. In the mean time I'm praying to hold the tongue and tears in check so that I can actually enjoy this wonderful gift of a man that God has given me.
Now, on that note I have to go find him! He left to take Gab somewhere this morning and has yet to return home. That 45 min trip has turned into about 3 hours. This is typical of my husband so I'm not worried so much as frustrated. I actually managed to have the day off, though on call and was hoping to spend it with him. I thought I had communicated that with him; obviously not very well. :)
I'll be back with a smile eventually. I only air my dirty laundry because a know there is a slew of you out there that kind of sort of like me or at least see that I could stand to be up lifted in prayer. I have been lurking; your post have made me cry and laugh and have kept me connected with reality. Thank you ever so much.
Seems that we are short on staff and two girls still got to take vacation so that leaves just the 2 of us to take call. Every other night and the holiday isn't fun. Esp. since Michael is leaving for Oky on the 10th. It won't last and I did get my vacation, just the timing really stinks!!
Then there is the issue of how I am struggling so hard with this. I have been quite shocked at how I am handling things. When he went to Desert Storm I had just delivered Kevin. Well not just delivered, he was all of 6 weeks. Gabrielle was 13 months. There were relatives swarming the place in shifts; what with Michael leaving and a new grandkid in the house there would have been no keeping them away. I never would have wanted to. The point is I was kept busy and surrounded with family. He was gone before I had time to blink and then I had no choice but to kick into survival mode.
This time my kids are 17 and 18. I'm working what seems like all the time and struggling with old anger issues. I know that when the time comes I'll kick in the old survival mode method. In the mean time I'm praying to hold the tongue and tears in check so that I can actually enjoy this wonderful gift of a man that God has given me.
Now, on that note I have to go find him! He left to take Gab somewhere this morning and has yet to return home. That 45 min trip has turned into about 3 hours. This is typical of my husband so I'm not worried so much as frustrated. I actually managed to have the day off, though on call and was hoping to spend it with him. I thought I had communicated that with him; obviously not very well. :)
I'll be back with a smile eventually. I only air my dirty laundry because a know there is a slew of you out there that kind of sort of like me or at least see that I could stand to be up lifted in prayer. I have been lurking; your post have made me cry and laugh and have kept me connected with reality. Thank you ever so much.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Pictures
Us...Forever!
Happy as a clam...seal.
King of the Beach. Male Elephant seals.
We are Family.
Daring aren't I.
Seals
The squirles were everywhere!
Advise Please
When I view my blog I see lots of words! I mean my post are like books. The kind where when you click on it you think I'll read this later when I have more time! So here's the question: do I need to change my format? Make lots of little blogs or just learn how to say it short and sweet?
Remind me to tell you guys about the book: Living with Eeyore. Great stuff!
Remind me to tell you guys about the book: Living with Eeyore. Great stuff!
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