Active Duty Members (and others)... REMEMBER to thank your Spouses!

I am currently in the middle of unpacking our new home. Our HHG (household goods) arrived yesterday and the Express arrived this morning. As I wade through paper, boxes, bubble wrap, tape and all the assorted packing stuff, I want to remind our Active Duty, DoD, DoDEA, and Civilian Contractors to thank your spouses. We knowingly sacrifice our careers, uproot our lives every 3 years (give or take), regularly supervise the packing up of houses and lives and on the other end in a new home, town/city, base, and perhaps even new country unpack, wash dishes/clothing/bedding, clean, and put away much of the house. Don't forget to thank us. We work very hard and sometimes need a little extra thank you (and perhaps a hug).

Update: August 2013

It's been quite a while since I wrote. Between Izac's deployment, the loss of our dog, and then the move to our new home I have been a bit overwhelmed but I am going to make an effort to write at least once a week to keep things moving. Keep your eyes peeled. :)

SAT Prompt 2: Are there always other views?

Some people believe that there is only one foolproof plan, perfect solution, or correct interpretation.But nothing is ever that simple. For better or worse, for every so-called final answer there is another way of seeing things. There is always a “however.” Assignment: Is there always another explanation or another point of view? If you live with an attorney the answer to this is a resounding YES. They can find another point of view for EVERYTHING! The positive to this is that I am now more aware of the other side of things. I automatically try to think of the other side or another point of view in order to anticipate what he will say. I do not necessarily have to agree but I like knowing different sides to situations.

SAT prompt 1: Do we need other people?

I have been tutoring a student to help prep for the SAT. This is one of the prompts: A better understanding of other people contributes to the development of moral virtues. We shall be both kinder and fairer in our treatment of others if we understand them better. Understanding ourselves and understanding others are connected, since as human beings we all have things in common. Adapted from Anne Sheppard, Aesthetics: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art Assignment: Do we need other people in order to understand ourselves? I think that yes we do! As a military spouse it is more clear to me now how incredibly important it is to develop an understanding of others in order to understand ourselves. Very often we live in a self-imposed bubble that doesn't allow us to feel or see as we should. We wake up, go to work, do what must be done, and when things do not work out we think how horrible it is and no one knows what it is like. THEN we get an opportunity for our bubble to expand or briefly disappear, and in that moment we can see and experience other people's lives. When you see that someone else has it much worse than you do your lens through which you look at your life is changed and your bubble is bigger. As we grow and experience and meet new people we develop a sense of who we are and write the definition of us. What you are now may not be what you are in the future. Each person you meet can change your life if you take the opportunity to SEE them, better yet get to know them. At the same time you are adjusting the lens that they in turn look at the world with. Each person you meet gives you an opportunity to know them and yourself just a little bit better. My life as a military spouse means I get the opportunity to meet many people and adjust my lens of life. I look forward to each opportunity that I will get.

Busy Busy Busy

With a deployment I have been given tons of advice on what to do during this time...Right now I am trying to stay busy. This is not as hard as you would think. With the addition of chores that he normally does and my self set goals to complete all craft projects started during his previous deployments I find there is plenty to do. Now to get the motivation...I know I can do it but need to find the best way to have it happen. Updates to come. Now should I scrapbook, paint, sew or a little of each?

Sometimes you just have to cry

So I have joined the ranks of military wives whose husbands have deployed. I am 6 weeks in and I feel like it is going to last forever. I'm so tired and grumpy. I really need a hug and friends hugs are not enough. I think tonight is just a rough night in a long line of rough nights. I'm worn out mentally, emotionally and physically. I'm stressed and just don't have the energy or drive to do something about it. I feel like I am spending so much time telling myself and others that I am ok and things are normal and they are not. Part of me is missing and I do NOT like it. I'm scared and at times I feel alone. I know in my head I am not alone but that message doesn't always get to my heart. I must have faith that he will return safely. I look forward to that return but it seems a long way off. SO for tonight, I will mope, perhaps cry and then tomorrow will be a better day. One day closer to his return. One day closer to my heart and soul being complete.

WOW...I am super behind

It seems that life can sometimes get in the way...I will make my best effort to do this more. I have a dozen entries that I started but did not post so be ready!!