Day Three Hundred Fifteen.

"Be thankful for what you have. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."

-Oprah Winfrey

Day Three Hundred Fourteen.

It has been over three hundred days of him being gone and I still feel just as giddy when I hear "At Last" play when he calls. I love that no matter when he calls nothing is ever awkward and we always have a conversation like he has only been gone a few days. I am truly blessed to continue the connection we have without the interruption of a year apart. I just cant wait for those conversations to be in person.

Day Three Hundred Thirteen.

Now for a little fun...

When do you think Jason will be home?! I may just throw in a little gift for the person who is closet to his homecoming date or right on time when he does arrive.

Oh heck I will throw in a gift!

So get guessing :) Tell me WHAT DAY you think Jason will be home. No guesses can be changed as time gets closer and only one guess per person UNLESS:

You refer another Blogger to follow me

-OR-

You post about this guessing game!

That gives everyone three possible guesses. If you do the two extra please provide me with the link and/or person referred with your next guess. All dates must be submitted in a comment to me by August 3rd.

A tie will be broken if more than one person guesses the same day by then having all finalists submit a guess for what time he arrives in that day.

I promise a fabulous SURPRISE prize for my end of deployment winner! :)

Day Three Hundred Twelve.

The best part of today was finding out where I would be meeting Jason at when he comes home. It may have been an obvious factor on where it would be at, BUT seeing "you will be meeting your soldier at the..." was a little exciting. Still no "official dates" although right now it is looking like just five more weeks until I spot him in a big crowd of ACU's. Ahhh<3

Day Three Hundred Eleven.

Do you know a rain dance?! Go ahead and try it out! :)

The wildfire smoke has been continuous for the past two weeks and without rain and one fire only being less than 25 miles south of town the smell is horrible. It literally rains ash at night. At first the smell of a big BBQ wasn't so bad a few weeks ago and now it is just a headache. The southern part of Alaska has been getting the rain but we really need it now. Hopefully soon it will be in the forecast because this girl needs some fresh air!

Day Three Hundred Ten.

Some days I wonder why I am even a part of my FRG. I am one of those lucky ladies that lucked out with one that lacks in the communication department, has few meet ups (like the two since the guys deployed), lots of drama and leadership like duck, duck, goose. I wont even give examples of how lame the FRG has been although I will say that no matter how much I do want to step down sometimes from my role in the group I always continue to push myself to stick it out to support my husband. I volunteer and donate a lot of my time (and like today money) whenever I get the chance if I know it will better the soldiers, company and/or families. Usually I am paid off with a little thank you or in my lucky times a certificate my husband likes to laugh at. However, times like the one this evening make me feel the most rewarded. After our battalion picnic one of the wives asked me for a call list leading into a conversation about flights and homecoming dates. I really had no information to give her but at the end she said, "You're awesome I asked a couple wives but no one ever gets back to me so I was like I will just ask Mrs. ***** she always gets back to me." When I thanked her and told her I knew how frustrating it can be sometimes she just simply told me, "You rock." I haven't heard that phrase in a long time but I will take it since I know I can be pretty awesome some days haha. ;)

Day Three Hundred Nine.

An I miss Jason kind of night.

Sigh.

Day Three Hundred Eight.

The weekend is full of early mornings. Today I got up early to meet some friends for breakfast before heading to the mall to check out the sales. I thought a few times when the alarm went of how nice it would be to have someone turn the shower on, get me a cup of coffee and take Emmie out and the thought of just going back to sleep for a few hours for sure crossed my mind at that point haha. I was glad I went though and had a good time besides that J called on my way which made the day start out even more fabulous. Tomorrow morning I am going to the two hour parade they have here every year. It is a bit ridiculous to be so long but we went last year while the guys were at NTC and it was enjoyable so hopefully this year will be too. Sunday I have church, the governors picnic and our battalion picnic. Lots going on!

The best part of today? When I asked Jason if flights have changed yet (keyword is always "yet" with the Army haha) and his response was, ""Nope just about a month." Ahhh hubby in just about a month?! Probably too good to be true but for now the Army is playing nice at its possibility. :)

Day Three Hundred Seven.

"The past is a ghost, the future is a dream, and all we ever have is now."

-Bill Cosby

Day Three Hundred Six.

The other day the doctor called to tell me my pap came back abnormal and that I had tested for a high risk virus that could be a chance of cervical cancer and that she wanted me to come in right away for a colposcopy and biopsy on the area. The only problem other than the news? I'm not in Michigan I am back in Alaska. She asked me to call the hospital here to talk to my PCM and see about faxing the results so they could see me. I was pretty much stunned because A. I have never had an abnormal biopsy and B. Cervical cancer, really? I called and left a message for my PCM and the nurse called back within twenty minutes. By this time I was pretty hysterical and she did a good job of calming me down and telling me the process and the fact that they wouldn't know until they ran tests on the area and that it could turn out to be better news. I called the doctor back in Michigan to give her the number after that. My nurse called again Monday afternoon to see if the clinic had called since she sent my results as soon as she got them being "high risk." She asked if I was having abdominal pain or headaches?! Great. At this point I asked nothing because I am scared out of my mind. So women's health called Tuesday morning to set up my appointment for August 3rd. I do understand the process will be pretty common for many women but the fact that she explained the surgery after the area was tested scares me too. Shit I'm just scared and trying not to question all that I have been asked or that has been explained to me. I am worried that I may test positive for cervical cancer and Jason is thousands of miles away and alone I will have to face it. I just am trying to stay positive that it is something less serious and if it does end up being cancerous it is caught at an early stage.

If it is not one thing it seems like it is another lately.

Day Three Hundred Five.

I received the last of Jason's things today that he sent home. Although the boxes are completely in my way in the hall I love bumping into them and seeing them as a great reminder that he will be home soon. On the other hand maybe I am also too lazy to figure out how to get them into the back of the storage closet and out of the way haha.

Day Three Hundred Four.

Mark your calendar because it is official. Today is the FIRST day I have actually felt like this deployment is going to have an ending. I finally feel it somewhere in there. :)

Less than 50 days? Maybe so. YES!

Day Three Hundred Three.

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."

-George Moore

Day Three Hundred Two.

I'm finally starting to feel better. As soon as I am 100% I would like to jump back into the swing of things by getting back to the gym, joining zumba and...thinking homecoming. :)

Ahh I did get a little good news from Jason today regarding positions coming home. It doesn't include any dates because none are set in stone and as a matter of fact we haven't even been given a time frame window. I know about what we are aiming at though and hopefully in six to nine weeks this is all over with. I cant even believe the end is nearing. What the hell am I going to wear?! haha

Also thanks for all the well wishes and concerns yesterday. As things progress and I know a little bit more I will fill you all in. :)

Day Three Hundred One.

I admit the past few weeks I have felt defeated with so much in my personal life going on. I don't care to explain much right now but yesterday I got a phone call from the doctor that I am a little worried about. If you are the praying type please feel free to slide me in there somewhere. :)

Day Three Hundred.

And with that we have 300 days.

:)

Day Two Hundred Ninety-Nine.

Yuck.

Last weekend I thought I was getting a cold because my throat was hurting. That quickly developed into my whole head hurting and what I thought was a cold turned out to be more like the flu. I felt so helpless today being too weak to take Emmie for a walk or to get to the store to get myself something. It is when you realize the most that you are all alone really. Then my best friend here called to check on me and offered to take Em for the night or get me some medicine. Before I knew it she was here with soup and medicine. I am SO thankful for her and I was able to keep some medicine down by sleeping after I took it. Now I am feeling a tad bit better but with one problem...I woke up from my "nap" at 10:30pm :)

Day Two Hundred Ninety-Eight.

Mom,

I cant thank you enough for all you have done for me in the past ten months. This whole deployment has been bearable because of you. Since Jason left you have received phone calls at all odd hours of the night, endured tons of tears and days I just needed a hug, listened to me complain (maybe bitch...a little haha) and most importantly stepped in for the friendship and bond I was missing when J had to go. You went to weddings, hosted my in-laws, took care of Emmie, helped me pack and unpack, move into a new home and above all along with dad you gave me a place to live and stay with family so I didn't have to spend a complete year alone. You are an amazing mom who just so happens to be my best friend too. Thank you for everything and for always being there for me and for making sure I always had the upper hand of this deployment even on my bad days. I love you Mom and already miss you!

Day Two Hundred Ninety-Seven.

Well she is gone. Tonight will officially be my first night alone in our new place.

More later.

Day Two Hundred Ninety-Six.

Enjoying the last night with my mom.

Sad face. After tonight I will be all by my lonesome until J returns. Blah.

Day Two Hundred Ninety-Five.

From now on when moving we are going to calculate vet bills in that for Emmie. No matter what she has proven each time when something changes she doesn't like it with colitis. I thought last night she wasn't feeling well and by the morning she was sick and again it was during the weekend when our normal veterinary isn't open (she tends to need her doctor after hours haha). I ended up taking her in town and they gave her an injection and a few prescriptions. I was able to get her to eat a little tonight and hopefully tomorrow she starts feeling a bit better. It was nothing like the colitis she got last time when Jason left and we went to Michigan. The girl just doesn't like change and she is good at proving it with a hefty vet bill to thank me when it does occur.

...and in other news my Oma appears to be slightly paralyzed on the left and we are still waiting on testing to be done but it does appear that she will be okay.:)

Day Two Hundred Ninety-Four.

My Oma had a stroke this morning and from what we know now it was mild, but more tests will be done and she is resting this weekend at the hospital. It has been another exhausting day but this time mentally. My mom and I have just been waiting on updates and that is pretty much all you can do 3,500+ miles away. As much as I love Alaska and us being stationed here things like this make it feel difficult it be so far away.

Day Two Hundred Ninety-Three.

Army Wives...check.

The Colbert Report...check.

Real Housewives...check.

Now is anyone else a Big Brother fan?

Day Two Hundred Ninety-Two.

Hello Heaven.

My mom and aunt came to Alaska with me two weeks ago to help me clean, unpack and get settled. They have been a huge help so to return the favor I took them to the hot springs the other day and hiking today. I thought we would do one of the nice trails at a local refuge and enjoy nature lol. The hike turned into a mile run around a loop to escape the swarms of mosquitos and get back to the nature trails through the fields. After being what seemed like ate alive by mosquitos we headed over to another area for a walk by the river and to take Em to the dog park. The whole thing didn't turn out as planned and with the heat and all the bites we headed to the store to get something to drink. We found the above slice of heaven in the beer section and if you are like me and love beer you must try the above. It for sure helps with bug bites haha.

I am catching up on blogs one at a time, but until my mom leaves on Monday I wont be able to upload many pictures and share the house with everyone. I want to spend this weekend with her before we have to separate again until next spring. :)

I hope everyone is doing well and welcome to my new followers while I was internet-less! :)

Day Two Hundred Ninety-One.

"Everything comes too late for those who only wait."

-Elbert Hubbard

Day Two Hundred Ninety.

I am officially sending the last piece of mail to J tomorrow morning for deployment number two. Yay! That must mean it is getting closer to a certain someone coming home. Ahh :)

Cable/internet comes in the morning and I am totally breaking the no electronics in the bedroom rule tomorrow night haha. I have so much to catch up on. I am hoping to read about a few homecomings, a certain vacation, a new start to a relationship, baby firsts, ice cream reviews, re adjustment periods, other moves rather than my own, new followers, pretty much you guys have become my own guilty pleasure haha. Can't wait to catch up!

Day Two Hundred Eighty-Nine.

What is a girl to do without cable and internet? Watch the first two seasons of Army Wives. Oh my gosh the drama haha. Anyone else watch?

Day Two Hundred Eighty-Eight

Happy 4th of July! Celebrating freedom because of our brave soldiers and firework-less thanks to Alaska's midnight sun. ;)

Day Two Hundred Eighty-Seven

I missed Friday night wine nights with my friends. Ahh and phone calls from J. :) Great night - bad neighbors. Lots to say later.

Day Two Hundred Eighty-Six.

As much as I love the surprise phone calls where you never know when you will receive one or the online conversations where my face lights up when the alarm goes off on my phone that my husband has got online I am SO READY for these twelve months to be over. The surprise of him calling to say he is getting off work early or the smile on my face when I hear the garage open early in the morning after he gets back from PT. The best things about him being home that is what I am truly looking forward to. Oh yes and toasting this thing goodbye. :)

Day Two Hundred Eighty-Five.

Does anyone elses husband pack half a roll of toilet paper, one napkin, vitamins, a toaster, a couple shirts, a bank card and a membership card together when moving? As frustrating as it can be it brings a smile to my face when I open boxes to see that miscellaneous mishap. His answer to his boxes? Well he was done packing first for a reason haha. I sure do miss him and all his craziness. :)