Whirlwind

My last post was in February. That was just a month after my husband deployed. Here we are, the first week in September and we are planning for re-deployment. I can't believe we are on this end already.

In some ways, the time has flown by. At other times, I thought the days and weeks would never end.

I think staying busy has made the time go quickly. I looked back at my calendar just now and counted up some of the things I've done.

I attended 33 ceremonies, three formal balls, went on four trips and participated in so many receptions, parties, welcomes, farewells and meetings that I can't even count them. It makes me exhausted to look back at the scheduling. I also graduated two of our kids from their schools.

Our re-deployment window is coming up within the next six weeks. In that time, I have two more formal events to attend, meetings, appointments and ceremonies. Not to mention the personal appointments I'll want to take care of before I see my love. Hair, nails, waxing and shopping for the perfect homecoming outfit. Whew! It will be here before I know it.

Nine month deployments are definitely better than 12 or 15 months, but not having that break in the middle for him to come home has made it seem so much longer. My hope and prayer is that this is our last one and that all our Military Families can look forward to time at home with their loved ones.

New Stuff

I have a few new things that I have been wanting to share. 

I mentioned in my last post that Dixie the Doxie doesn't sleep with me. Here is one of the reasons why.

 

I have been wanting new bedding for ages. The last new set we had was when Nick and I got married 8 and a half years ago. I loved it at the time, but my taste has changed and that old set was looking a little rough.

I absolutely love this. I take so much time making my bed every morning so it looks just like the photo on the cover of the package.  Okay, it doesn't look just like the photo. I'm afraid I'm just not that good at arranging the pillows and my sheets are wrinkly. I'm not ironing sheets.

 

 

This little pillow came from our Spouses' Club's gift shop. I love it and I think it goes wonderfully with the new bedding.

 

Right before Nick left, we bought new dining room furniture. We have been looking at furniture for years...literally. I can never find anything I like. I know I frustrate the poor man to pieces, but, seriously, I have to love it if I'm going to spend a chunk of money..right?

We found this set. And I love it. Truly.

The china cabinet has lights in it. I rarely turn them on, but they are there if I want to.

 

 

This little buffet is one of my favorite pieces. I love the lines on it. If I ever have a dining room too small for all the pieces, I could easily use this as a console somewhere.

This table is fabulous. It's big and heavy and so grown up. I have six chairs now and two on order. There is actually another leaf that can go into the middle of this table so it can be really big. I have always wanted something I could put all my kids around. This is almost big enough!

This piece sits on my buffet. My friend Shelly made it and I love it! I do fancy myself the queen, and since the Engineers have a castle as their logo, I think it fits!  I want a sign with this on it too. I will probably hang it in my kitchen.

 

I'm probably maxed out on new stuff for a while. Although, I must admit, when Nick is deployed I participate in a little more retail therapy than usual. Well, I'll be maxed out right after I find new window treatments for the bedroom. That's what that extra deployment money is for, right?

Me and My Shadow

I wrote a few months ago about my new pup. After losing the other two so suddenly and close together, Nick decided I needed a buddy to get me through the deployment.
So, we have Dixie.

The dog who thinks she's a cat. She absolutely loves to sit on the back of this sofa and look out our second story window.
We adopted Dixie from our county shelter. She had been picked up as a stray. For the first time in my life, I have a dog that belongs to ME. Not my husband's dog, or my kids' dog, but mine. This sweet girl follows my every step. When I pull back the shower curtain, she's on the rug. When I go to the bathroom, she either sneaks in with me, or is sitting right outside the door when I open it. She is my little shadow.

I am enjoying this sweet dog so much. When I watch TV, she is right up with me. The only time she isn't with me is at night. I don't let her in my bed..for two reasons. Nick has a thing about having a dog in the bed. But, he's gone..right???  I don't think it's fair to either of them to let this dog in my bed for 9 months, then put her on the floor. It would take adjustment on her part and a few sleepless nights on ours. The second reason is this I recently bought new bedding. I will write more about the new bedding soon. I have other new things to share!

So, she sleeps in a sweet little bed so close to my bed that I can reach down and touch her. She prefers it that way.
This is my deployment buddy and beyond. I can't believe how much I love this dog already :)

This is Dixie with me the day we brought her home. We connected right away!

This is Dixie after a trip to the groomer. She didn't like the bow and immediately took it out. I have a new groomer now that gives her a bandanna. Today she has a Valentine bandanna from our friend at the groomer.
Dixie and me...til the man comes home. She's a perfect little shadow.

Week One

It's been a week tonight that I kissed my husband and said good-bye to him.  I have done very well this week and have remained positive.

I made a set schedule and kept busy, was productive at home on the days I had no other activities and have been feeling very good about everything.  Every night I mark another day off the monthly calendar and every morning I flip the blocks around on the daily calendar to mark another day.

Tonight, as I finished up and turned the lights out in the kitchen, I looked at the clock. 8:26 p.m.  At that moment it had been almost exactly, to the minute, a week since I'd seen Nick. For the first time during that week, I felt overwhelmed at the weeks that stretch out before me.

I forgot my own advice for just a moment. I always tell people, "Don't look at the whole chunk of time, it's too overwhelming. Instead, take a month at a time, plan something to look forward to during that month, and it helps." 

I'll be okay. It's just a weak moment. I have lots of good friends and activities to keep me distracted. I have surrounded myself with things that make me feel good.

 It's only nine months, right?  It's not 12 or 15 months anymore. Don't mind me, I'm just having a poor me moment. I'm going to bed and will awaken refreshed and ready to face another week.

I'd love to hear from others what makes deployments less painful. Keeping busy? Distracted? Counting days? I'm open to suggestions!!

My Own DONSA

I know I say this every time I wander back over to my blog, but WOW, I can't believe it's been so long.
I knew exactly what I wanted to say, then I realized my Christmas background was still up and I hadn't posted since Thanksgiving. Oy!
To say the last 6 weeks or so have been crazy would be an understatement.
Between Nick being gone most of the holiday season, the Spouses' Club's events, our own Holiday Reception I planned completely without the man's help and the kids' visits, I was worn out.
The holidays were bittersweet for me. I thought my mom and sister would come out, they canceled and did not. Like I said, Nick was gone for much of December and I was a little out of sorts about that.
I enjoyed having the kids here and spending time with them.
Now all the kids are gone home, Nick has left for yet another deployment and I'm turning over a new leaf with the new year.
First on my list was to take care of me.
First order of business on taking care of me, was to schedule a day off. Here on our Army post a day a Soldier doesn't work, but isn't a holiday is called a DONSA (Day of no scheduled activities) So, today is my DONSA. I marked it off my calendar, told everyone I was unavailable, and am still in my PJs having coffee.
My DONSA doesn't mean I won't do anything today, it just means I pick what I do and there is no pressure to finish it.
I have to tell you... it feels GOOD!
So, all you busy people, schedule yourselves an occasional DONSA.  I would love to hear what you do on your "Day off"