Day One Hundred Ninety-Three.

Jason and I are big Netflix fans. We usually watch two movies each weekend if time permits. Sometimes it is two comedies or it is one choice from both of us as to what we want to watch. I thought when he left I would watch all the romance movies he can't stand and check out some TV shows, but I have now put my subscription on hold three times. I don't feel like I have the time during the week and on the weekends it just doesn't seem the same without my husband to watch them with. I also said when he left I would save all the new comedies that came out for us to watch together when he got back. As time goes on my list is getting bigger and bigger and we often discuss what movies we have to watch in the fall. It is almost like another thing to look forward to when he gets back. We have hours of movie time to catch up on! Maybe we can knock a few out next month though. :)

Anyone else a Netflix fan?!

Day One Hundred Ninety-Two.

Monday is still no fun.

I think it should be added to the weekend.

Day One Hundred Ninety-One.

I am not one of those wives who cant breathe without my phone. I don't always have it on me or freak out when I cant find it for a split second. I don't expect too many phone calls and I can give a sincere thank you to Jason for that because I don't panic when my phone isn't with me at all times. Today was one of those days where I heard it ringing and figured whoever is calling I will just call back later. I had a feeling though that maybe I should get it. Good thing because when I looked at it the number was one of those call from Iraq fun phone numbers. Yay! The internet is out again where he is...surprise? No not so much. I cant believe we pay as much as we do per month for it really. Anyways, that is another story for another time haha. We were able to talk for almost a half an hour and it has been awhile since we have had a phone conversation. It was refreshing to hear his voice and discuss life for a little while. He told me a little about his schedule making his leave a little more of a reality in the near future. I think as time gets closer we get more excited, but since we are both so busy right now it still feels surreal that we will see each other soon.

In other deployment news am I really that close to 200 days?! Pfft I think so. :)

Day One Hundred Ninety.

I have a million reasons why I love my closest friends, but one of the reasons is that we share excitement together. We count down until our husbands return, we get excited for one another when something good happens, and we celebrate great news with one another knowing the other will be just as excited for us. Originally my friend's husband was suppose to have leave right around the same time as Jason in the spring. A few months ago his leave was bumped up and since then we have discussed the start of Jason's soon after Steve's leave. So today was that awful day for her where R&R ends and you have to say goodbye again...yuck. As sad and emotional as she was she sent me a small message with a little smile face that said, "It is your turn now." What an amazing friend to still share my excitement on a day like today.

It feels like just last month I calculated the weeks until R&R the night after Jason left and cried. I cried knowing I would never make it that long without him or even make it to the next week haha. I felt like a lost soul without any hope that I could do this. Now here I am! Could it be it is really my turn in my group of friends for R&R? Is it actually almost here? I think maybe so. I have ALMOST survived what I thought was the unthinkable 27 weeks ago haha. :)

Day One Hundred Eighty-Nine.

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

-Henry Ford

Day One Hundred Eighty-Eight.

A laugh for my husband...

At the end of work today I shut down my computer and started to gather my things to leave. I usually have my keys on my desk and I couldn't find them. I searched in the drawers, on the filing cabinet, back tracked to all the places I had been, and found nothing. A few hours prior to this I had left work for a few minutes to run an errand. I left my purse in the car since I didn't have much longer to be there. Well well well I guess I took the keys out of the ignition and put them in my purse before locking the door and getting out. So when I went out to check I could see the key chain dangling out of my purse on the floor. As a side note I would never leave my purse in clear view if my car wasn't parked in front of my window at the door of work. Anyways, I always carry a spare key now because I am famous for locking keys in the car. Just ask Jason because on more than one occasion he has had to crawl through the back soft top of the Sportage to get them haha. I have called a tow truck company more than one...maybe two times too to help me get the keys out of the Xterra. As I stood there thinking what I would do next I remembered I also left a spare key at the house. Lucky me! So I had my brother drive me to the house to grab my key and bring me back. He really enjoyed hearing that I carry a spare key now to avoid this situation, but managed to lock both in the car. If it was safe I should probably keep a spare key everywhere haha.

As a side note please tell my Wii Fit it completely sucks. I haven't used it in three weeks and have worked hard at the gym and tonight after my run I stepped on to weigh in and it said "Uh oh!" lol I gained two pounds. Yay! Please remind me that muscle weighs more than fat and that is the only thing I have truly "gained." I am about to see my husband gezz.

Day One Hundred Eighty-Seven.

Last night after work I started a massive amount of laundry. I have been hoping to do it during the weekend, but I am afraid with work and some other plans I do not have anymore free weekend time before Jason. So I finally began to tackle the clothes I have bought him over the past six months and the things I brought with my from Alaska that he could wear. When I originally packed his stuff for R&R I had his shorts, sandals, tshirts, etc thinking we were going somewhere warm. HA! Now we are not heading somewhere warm like Florida, but instead the place we are going is expecting snow this weekend. Will it ever warm up? So in the mean time I bought him a sweatshirt and a few long sleeve shirts and some new jeans for our trip. Anyways, as I unpacked his stuff and began sorting the laundry Emmie joined in. At first she was smelling the clothes but before I knew it she was running off with his socks. Once I got that back it was the tshirt and like the good dog she is a pair of his underwear. Could it be when she discovered the items she was smelling daddy haha?! We didn't plan this trip to include Emmie so sadly she will have to be left behind, but I know last night in that pile of laundry she was smelling a familiar person.

Now I am officially in the middle of it, but doing laundry this week seems a little exciting. I haven't done laundry for more than one person in half a year and now that I am doing it for two it must mean I am about to see someone special. :)

Day One Hundred Eighty-Six.

Things I am looking forward to in two weeks...or a little less:

-Sleeping in late
-Sharing the bed
-Coffee in the morning while we talk about the world
-A couples massage and dinner at The Melting Pot
-Emmie's reaction the day she gets to see Jason
-Benihana and the overnight casino trip
-Fun dates
-Lots of love
-Hours of watching the Colbert Report in bed
-The butterflies the day of his arrival
-The million emotions when I first see him again
-and having my best friend within an arms reach for a little while <3

Day One Hundred Eighty-Five.

Hurray an award! Thanks to Megan at Army, Alaska, Life and from High Heels & Combat Boots for it. :)

Now for 7 Things I Love..

1. My husband of course. I think if you follow along you know how dedicated I am to him and vice versa. He is my rock and my best friend. The most selfless, caring, compassionate person I have ever met AND I get to call him mine. :)

2. Emmie. Yes my dog is number two ha. Dogs provide a companionship that is unlike any other. They are there for you wagging their tail and barking in excitement when you come home no matter what kind of day you have had. Emmie has provided me a lot of comfort on crappy days and even when the day is great she gives me something to look forward to and something to laugh at.

3. My family. I am very lucky to have a close family on both my side and Jason's who is nothing but supportive and is always there for us. They have been an amazing source of support when I need it and although I know none of them truly understand everything they sure try to.

4. Traveling. I love road trips in the car, but I also love seeing new things or vacationing in new places with the mister.

5. Cooking/baking. I love both.

6. Working out. I would have never listed that a few years ago, but it is part of my routine now and I love it. I actually look forward to it and if I don't I feel great afterwards when I am able to fit it in my day.

7. My BlackBerry. I know I know but the thing is amazing. I can instant message on the go, check the news, talk to my friends who also blackberry on messenger, play games, cure boredom, and even blog. I don't think I would love it as much if Jason was home, but for now I sure do.

Ok now for seven people to give the award to:

• More Than An (Army) Wife How could I not give it to her?! We have the same countdown :)

• Jamie at Look on the Right Side because I think she is pretty fabulous and makes me laugh whenever she posts.

• I know JLC at French Kiss as been tagged, but I am tagging her too! After all she deserves it from driving away to pick up her husband on R&R with the gas pump still attached to the car lol.

• Kristen at Steady As We Go for her amazing attitude and for having the red hair too haha ;)

• Kiki at Impatiently Waiting

and the other two will be from the first two comments received. Enjoy!

Day One Hundred Eighty-Four.

I have read a lot of military related books and so far I have felt most of them have done a good job at relating to the situation or making me feel like my life is completely normal haha. However, today I finished 365 Deployment Days and I have to say I really wasn't impressed.
I believe the author had good points on what deployment does to you and how you feel during, but I was very sad at how often she said she felt her marriage was over. She said she felt detached from her husband and was pretty sure she could go about life without him. I know how it feels to feel disconnected or detached after not having much communication, but never have I thought of continuing my life like that when Jason comes home or has the thought crossed my mind that my marriage was done. I was sad to see Sara so often say her marriage was. I can understand some women may feel this way, but I almost felt like to her husband it had to be a blow.

Deployment takes a toll no doubt, but is one that I think develops into personal growth and growth within a relationship. I would be heartbroken to think my feelings when I feel disconnected would lead to thinking my marriage was over like she so often did.

Has anyone else read it?!

Day One Hundred Eighty-Three.

Work at 6:30am on a Saturday....completely lame.

Inventory is no fun.

Long day and it is just about to end.

More tomorrow! :)

Day One Hundred Eighty-Two.

Six months ago...

We said goodbye...

He got on that bus...And he forgot to take Emmie!

HALFWAY

50%

1/2

Yes!

Day One Hundred Eighty-One.

I wouldn't say I am a dating expert because I haven't dated in close to four years. However, my dad's best friend likes to think so. I am not so sure what this new thing is as far as texting after a date instead of calling, but heck a fifty year old knows that in today's world that is what you do. This girl though? Not a clue. Craig is a guy who I have known since I was young. My dad met him when we moved to Michigan and our families became close. This was before Craig lost his stepson to cystic fibrosis, had a stroke, and his wife left him...lots of baggage there. Today though Craig is a man of the internet. He is dating his future girlfriends from dating websites.

On Saturday Craig begin asking me certain things about dating. One of those questions was (you would have to know Craig after his stroke to not be surprised by this) how to ask a woman if she was heavy? haha. It doesn't stop there though Craig has now asked what fruit compared to a body woman's shape (apple, pear, banana) means, how to ask where she would like to go on a date to, map directions to the location of the potential date, if it would be okay to text her, and even what it meant that she sent him a Saint Patrick's Day card on Tuesday.

Craig is just hitting the dating ropes and he has been leaning on me for dating advice, but little does he know that I have no idea myself. I just hope he doesn't scare this woman off Saturday after all he has what he thinks is a great coach to get him that first date haha.

Day One Hundred Eighty.

180 days?! Hmm someone is pretty darn close to halfway huh? :)

I like the idea that when Jason goes back after R&R we wont have to go as long as we already have with the first part. I think keeping that positive thought when the time comes to say see you later again it may really help.

There must be a lot of goodbyes to have to always consider them haha. Right now though I am excited for the reunion. Less than twenty days until that event. Eeek!

Day One Hundred Seventy-Nine.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I went to dinner tonight with my family and lately the topic of discussion has been my brothers new girlfriend. My parents and I have only heard stories and have seen pictures although we have never met her my brother seems very happy. Tonight he mentioned her meeting us finally, but he said it really wouldn't be like she was meeting the whole family since Jason isn't here. Awww. Hopefully one day she will be able to meet him too, but it made me smile when he said that

I am going to try to call it a night early. I feel like the week has already been so long and yet it isn't even half way over!

Day One Hundred Seventy-Eight.

"The crisis of yesterday is the joke of tomorrow."

- H. G. Wells.

Day One Hundred Seventy-Seven.

We found out the day Jason potentially leaves to come home from Iraq and it is later than I was hoping for or really wanting. I cant help but feel disappointed because it has been such a long time since I have seen my husband and adding another week + seems like so much more at this point. Not to mention having to call about the condo and everything else tomorrow and see if we can push it back.

I am trying to be positive and seeing this as the later he comes the less time apart on the other side when he leaves but I am just sad. I am SO ready for R&R. I cant wait to see my husband and have a real conversation that isn't interrupted or cut off. I want to lay in bed and discuss life and everything going on in our own. I cant wait to feel like a conversation has been fulfilling before it ends. Most of all I cant wait for that first sight of him and to feel him again as he wraps his arms around me.

Hurry up hurry up hurry up.

Day One Hundred Seventy-Six.

Today was a great day. I spent the day with my dad and haven't done that in so very long. We had lunch together, went to the casino, out to dinner, and went to see a live band. It was a good time and nice to spend quality time with him like that. I know when I leave again those are the things I miss most about family. I better get them in while I can. :)

Day One Hundred Seventy-Five.

I have never been one to really push myself at the gym or working out. I have been lucky to be on an average size as far as weight goes without much exercise to maintain it. I never calculated calories or watched what I was eating, but now something is catching on. I would go to the gym and do a little bit in the cardio room and some of the weight machines and call it good usually. Now I go and push myself a little harder or mix it up more than I did the day before. I have been going to the gym four times a week and working out one to two days a week at home. I am watching what I eat as far as calories go and making sure I am getting a variety of food groups. I am not depriving myself of things I crave though haha.

I feel amazing. It has taken almost two months to get to this point, but I feel like I can make goals as far as working out and pushing myself and actually be able to reach them now. I think this is only the beginning because I am actually starting to really enjoy the gym and working out at night and the way I feel after. I have a long way to go as far as fitness goals that I would like to reach on toning my body but I am confident. I ran tonight further than I have in so long and I felt amazing. I love being able to do more and more each week. I think it is what keeps me wanting more.

I also hope when Jason gets back we can go for jogs together and/or workout at the gym more often as something we enjoy doing together. It gives me a little somehting more to look forward to. :)

Day One Hundred Seventy-Four.

Answer Answers Answers!

How much longer until R&R?

R&R is less than a month but more than two weeks from now. Some time in the close future. I am sure my excitement as the day comes will totally give it away though. ;)

What state are you living in now?

Right now I am in Michigan. I will be here for a few more months before going back to Alaska. Jason’s family is two hours south of where I am at and I am with my family in a more northern part of the state.

How is Jason doing?

Great! As far as I know he is doing his job and enjoying it. Obviously Iraq isn’t ideal to anyone, but Jason never complains. If he ever does he probably is doing it in his head to himself haha.

Do you and Jason have any nicknames for each other?

We have no nicknames that aren’t the typical kind. He likes to use Boo Bear or anything with Boo in it to make me laugh. I can’t handle the “snuggle bunny” nicknames without laughing. A few years ago we played Scattegories and he wrote “Boo Bear” as a nickname for the letter B. When I laughed at him and said no one wants to be called that he responded with, “Ok Boo Bear.” Sooo now it is the running joke between us. I refer to him as the mister or my favorite, but never do I call him those things around the house. Ill sign letters or emails with “I love you mister,” but that is about it.

So when are you guys going to have a baby?

Hmm?! Probably in the not so far maybe close future haha. We have discussed the potential of starting a family, but have decided when the time comes to keep quiet. I think the best part of starting a family is the excitement between the two people trying. I would love to hold out with telling anyone until after the first trimester, but we will see how far that goes too ha. I think we will leave the conceiving part, the gender, and the name all a mystery to everyone as well. I will say this though it is not this year ha.

When are you going to visit me?

Jessica Flamingo - Maybe I can come down when Mason is born after things are less hectic, but for sure we wont be as far apart as we are now for very much longer. One day maybe Matt and J will actually be stationed in the same place. That would be the greatest! :)

Day One Hundred Seventy-Three.

On my way out the door this morning I fell on the ice with my purse in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. I thought for sure right there the rest of the day would continue in that path.

I was pleasantly surprised when work was slow, my annoying coworker didn't bother me as much today, I was able to slip out for twenty minutes to go to the tanner, and I finally was able to chat with Jason. Not so bad for a Wednesday.

In honor of my ankle hurting from my ass busting move this morning I skipped the gym and ate ice cream with my mom while watching Intervention. Nothing I normally do or get to do on a busy week day but it was so enjoyable. I loved hearing from Jason finally too that always lifts my spirits and makes the rest of the day so much better. :)

Q&A tomorrow.

Day One Hundred Seventy-Two.

I didn't sleep well last night.

I didn't get everything accomplished at work today.

I didn't get my laundry finished.

I felt bummed for a little while over lack of communication lately.

Too many people were at the gym ha.

I just feel like today has been an off day.

Hopefully the middle of the week brings a better day. :)

Day One Hundred Seventy-One.

I tossed and turned last night in bed until well after midnight. When the clock finally hit midnight I stopped looking knowing I would calculate the amount of hours left to sleep. So when I finally fell asleep I must have slept like a rock. I missed my alarm, I missed the alert I have for when Jason signs on, and I missed messages for him. I was super bummed.

Daylight saving time sucks.

Q&A later this week. Anything else?! :)

Day One Hundred Seventy.

Back to reality tomorrow!

I have so much to accomplish and one of those things is booking my ticket back to Alaska!

I have been staying with my family since a few days after Jason left. Once he goes back from leave and I have a minor surgical procedure I will be heading back. I still have some time here, but I am excited to get back and see my friends I have missed so much. I also cant wait to sleep in our bed and be surrounded by our things. Hopefully before I know it fall will be here!

QUESTIONS for me?! Ask them so I have more to blog about! Anything you want to know about me, my life, my hubby, anything that doesnt violate OPSEC I am willing to spill ;)

Day One Hundred Sixty-Nine.

Today was a great day. I always enjoy spending time with my in-laws, but they make me feel closer to Jason from stories and laughs. We spent the afternoon just talking and looking at pictures and then went to dinner. It was relaxing and Emmie went too. My in-laws love seeing Emmie and spoiling her with treats haha.

My thoughts on the long drive back usually overwhelm me with thoughts of Jason and being alone. However, this time I was thinking about that drive there. I will be picking up my husband on my next trip! Ahhh :)

Day One Hundred Sixty-Eight.

I have so much I want to discuss as far as finances and United Concordia, but it has been a long exhausting week at work and life in general. I have been busy this week getting more hours in and starting inventory there. I also have been trying to figure out money as far as loans and payments towards medical and for schooling so I can finally finish my other degree. On top of that I have been trying to transfer over automatic payments to a new credit card since our other one had a security breach. Wow what a fun week! If it is not one thing it is another for sure.

Tomorrow I am heading to my in-laws house for the day. They are in the middle of packing and moving so I will probably help out with that and hopefully go see the new place. It should be a nice time. :) Yay for the weekend!

Day One Hundred Sixty-Seven.

United Concordia and their "benefits" suck.

That is all.

Day One Hundred Sixty-Six.

"Love is not a matter of counting the years... But making the years count."

Michelle St. Amand

Day One Hundred Sixty-Five.

The one question I use to cringe at being asked the first few months of this deployment was, "How much longer?" No matter how that question was worded I never liked it. Now though I find myself starting to enjoy it. Maybe it is R&R around the corner and being able to say "He will be home in September, but in a few weeks I get to see him." I love that people remember me and the situation enough to ask because they know he is overseas. I also enjoy when they say "we" like the lady who gave me my massage last week who asked how many more weeks do we have until leave. Today at the gym or even at work it was the same question. I feel like I am answering it on a daily basis and at this point I don't mind. Once we hit the halfway mark in a few weeks it is all climbing downhill from there. Could it be that deployment no longer seems unbearable?!

Just a few more weeks. Less than six longer that than two...somewhere in there. :)

Day One Hundred Sixty-Four.

The minutes on the clock are just ticking today. They don't seem to want to go by fast or rush to 5:00pm. I feel like I have been sitting at work for so long. Whenever the work week starts I have a hard time motivating myself to want to stay at work or go to the gym after. Of course I end up doing both, but by the time I end up making it to bed on Monday night I always feel exhausted.

I don't go right from work to the gym because it is ridiculous how many people do. I too want to get it over with as soon as I can, but it is prime time and the cardio room has a sign up board for machines. If I go home, take care of Emmie, have dinner, and pack my gym bag by the time I get there between 7:30pm and 8:00pm only a few of us are left. By the time I shower and get home it is well after 9pm. The hardest part of going later is motivating myself to get back in the car and drive there haha.

This post was a complete ramble. :) Hurry up 5pm.

Day One Hundred Sixty-Three.

Things I love about March:

-Being Irish
-Green beer
-Maybe less snow?
-Halfway
-Oh and one more month until fifteen days of the mister.

Maybe March will feel like a complete accomplishment. :)