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"

Thanksgiving

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! 

After my dad's passing, I knew how important it was to keep my mom moving and somewhat distracted during these first holidays without him. So, I loaded my husband and the boy and we headed to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. I find it ironic that I would have moved heaven and earth to be with my mom this year, when I didn't put that much effort into going there when my dad was still around. I feel very guilty for that, but am trying to deal with it.
We were so lucky that two of our girls were able to join us. One of them is... Jackson's mom!  Yes, my daughter who lives in Hawaii and is the mother of my grand baby was there. Needless to say, I was one happy Grandma to have that sweet baby around for a few days.
Those grand babies are the best!
Here are a few photos of the sweet boy.

I absolutely loved taking care of him. I hope I was able to give mom a well deserved break. That's what I told myself.. that I was helping her out by monopolizing him.

Rolling around on the floor making him laugh. He makes me smile.

 

While we were there, we got to spend time with my sister and her college aged daughter, my niece. They live just down the road from my mom. My niece didn't grow up with a father around. My dad was the closest thing to a father she has ever had, and his loss has affected her as much as any of us. She is struggling to get through these tough times too. All she wanted, while we were there, was to get the decorations out and decorate my mom's house like they have in the past. I helped her get it done.

A photo of my mom's tree when Kirsten and I finished.

This is how we listened to Christmas music as we decorated the house. This girl is retro in every way. She was truly born in the wrong time. She LOVES listening to records like this.

Of course my mom still has all her old records. I listened to these as a child. It was so much fun.

I have convinced the three ladies, my mom, sister and niece, to come to my house for Christmas. I absolutely can't wait!

Dixie

I mentioned in my last post that we had adopted another dog.

A few short weeks after losing our second dog, I realized I was just miserable without a dog. Who would have thought?  I really thought having no dogs to tie me down would be liberating, but I was wrong.
After losing my dad in April and both dogs not long after that, I was experiencing a huge sense of loss and depression.
Nick convinced me to go on and look for another dog.
We started at the Tacoma Animal Shelter which just made me cry. We walked through that place the first time and I felt so sad looking at those dogs without homes.
To make a long story a little shorter, a few weeks after our first visit, we saw this little dog who wasn't barking and looked so sweet. I had already decided I'd like to have another dachshund and she was it.
After inquiring about this little dog, I found out she wasn't available yet because she was awaiting a teeth cleaning. I followed up on her for a full week and as soon as I found out she was finally available, I grabbed Nick and we flew over to the shelter to get her.
I have enjoyed this sweet little dog and have loved watching her come out of her shell as she's gotten more comfortable with us.
Here are a few photos of Miss Dixie.

This was taken the day we brought her home.

I took her to the groomer to have her trimmed up since I know NOTHING about a long haired dachshund, and they put this bow in her hair. (Nick HATED that) She kept it in about an hour and then it was gone. How cute is she?

This is where she is most of the time. On back of one of the couches in the house. She can see out the window that way and is the queen of the house.

I have enjoyed this little dog so much. It's amazing that I was able to rescue her but she has given me so much in return.

Cleo

I know it's been a very long time since I've been around. It's been a rough few months for me.

Three weeks to the day after losing our lab, Max, we lost our little sassy Dachshund, Cleo. 

I have to say, after losing my dad in April, losing Max in August, having that second dog die was almost more than I could take.

I'll back up a little and give more information.

Max was put to sleep on a Sunday night in August. One week later, Cleo started coughing. I couldn't imagine that she would have kennel cough, because she just had not been exposed. I made an appointment at our vet's office and after two sleepless nights of her coughing, I took her in.

I knew Cleo had a heart murmur, it had been diagnosed about a year or two ago. The vet tells me that with the heart valve not quite closing, she was probably getting a little fluid in her chest and put her on a diuretic to help relieve that fluid. He told me to give her a half pill twice a day. We did that and she stopped coughing!

Two weeks later, she started coughing again. Sunday night...once again. I was up with her during the night because she was very restless. It wasn't like before when she would cough and just lie back down and go to sleep. This time, every time she coughed, she would move to another place to try to sleep. Finally, at 1:00 a.m. I was exhausted and went upstairs and left her in the living room to roam. She followed me up in about 20 minutes. At around 2:00 a.m. I heard her go under our bed and start wheezing.

Nick awakened at that point and asked about her. I told him the story and we went looking for her under our bed. She had found a duffel bag Nick had stored under there and made it her bed. When we pulled the bag out from under the bed, she was lifeless and her breathing had a gurgling sound. She had pooped herself and I knew then, we were close to the end.

Nick picked her up and she was so limp. I wrapped her in towels, took her collar off and we loaded her into the car.

I was hysterical, I won't lie. I was truly wailing and thinking of having to call my sweet daughter away at school and tell her about her puppy.

I sat in the back seat with her as she took her last breaths just a few minutes later. We arrived at the vet clinic so they could confirm she was gone and left her there to have her remains cremated and scattered on the mountain with Max and the other beloved pets lost.

I thought it would be liberating to have no pets for a while, but it's been just awful. I need someone to get up in the morning and take care of. I need someone to greet me and need me when I get home. Nick will be deploying again in the next few months and I truly can't see doing this alone.

So, I we did adopt another dog. I will write more about her later. Today's post is about this dog.

She was a sassy little dog that drove me crazy. But she had great personality.

The day she stopped breathing she had a wonderful time. She had a walk, a bath, and a steak bone after our dinner. We started spoiling her quite a bit after we lost Max.

I will miss this silly, barking little dog.

Max

Almost two weeks ago, we lost our sweet lab, Max.

Max was 13 years old and was a pound puppy. Nick had him when we got married and he's been with me through two deployments.

Needless to say, it's been a sad couple of weeks at our house. I miss Max every day.

I like to think of sweet Max playing with my dad now, who only ever called him "Rover" 

Chocolate Tour

While the kids were visiting, my daughter-in-law, Meghan, celebrated her birthday. I know Meghan loves all things chocolate, so when walking around Seattle several months ago, and seeing advertisements for Savor Seattle's "Chocolate Indulgence Tour" I knew that was the birthday gift for Meghan.
I booked the tour, took Meghan and Callie and hit the road. It was fabulous!  It was a one mile walking tour in downtown Seattle and took two hours. It was so much fun.

The tour group gathered in the Mayflower Park Hotel. Once we put on our lovely headsets, so we could hear our guide as we walked, we headed to the hotel bar. It wasn't open yet, it was only 11:00 AM, but the bartender was there and he mixed us up a yummy chocolate cocktail.

You really have to love a tour that starts in the bar. And who wouldn't want a chocolate cocktail?

The drink was called "The Seattle Flatliner"  It was GOOD.

Next stop, The Chocolate Box

At The Chocolate Box, we had sipping chocolate. It's like hot chocolate on steroids. SOOOO rich and good. This particular sample of sipping chocolate had a homemade strawberry marshmallow down inside. YUM.

The Dahlia Bakery was next on our tour. Here we had the most delicious coconut cream pie...made with white chocolate. Oh my! It's a good thing it was a small sample.

Pictures out of order here. This sign was over The Chocolate Box, where they also had a wine bar. What's not to love?

I have to admit, I can't remember the name of the bakery where we got the delicious cheesecake. It was right across the street from Pikes Market and they put a birthday candle in Meghan's piece. So sweet.

Next stop was KuKuRuZa gourmet popcorn. I was so looking forward to this place. I love popcorn. I love salty and sweet together. This was heaven. I didn't get photos of the popcorn or the inside of the shop. I admit, I was very busy sampling. I brought home the Hawaiian Salt & Caramel popcorn. Well, I brought some of it home. I ate a lot before I got there with it.

Last stop was Fran's chocolates. This place looked like a jewelry store but with chocolates instead of precious jewels in the glass cases.

I treated myself to the Gray and Smoked Salt Caramels. I have one every few days. It's so good I almost can't stand it.



We had such a good time on the tour. I failed to mention the tea shop we stopped at. I wasn't impressed with chocolate infused tea.... just my opinion.

If you're ever in the Seattle area, Savor Seattle has several foodie tours. I'd like to take Nick on the brewery one. He loves beer and would love that one, I bet.

No one paid me to take this tour or write about it. I bought my own ticket and my opinions are my own!

Kids and the 4th of July

Since I'm so far behind, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that I'm just now writing about our 4th of July.
We had kids fly in on the 3rd of July. JD and his wife Meghan, and our daughter Callie. Callie visited us in January, but JD and Meghan had not been here yet. Since they are all sweltering in the Texas heat, they were more than glad to be here in the Pacific Northwest where the weather is JUST NOW getting warm.

We had absolutely fantastic weather while they were here.
These kids spent a 4th of July with me in Hawaii a few years ago when Nick was deployed. It was the first time JD and Meghan had ever been on a military installation for Independence Day. They loved it. They loved the cannons, the tribute to the states, the music, fireworks and the overall atmosphere. I can't blame them. There is nowhere I'd rather be to celebrate Independence Day than with our country's heroes.
Needless to say, they were so excited to spend this holiday with us here.
The day started with a parade. Nick's brigade supports a local town outside of our installation. It's a very small town but they had a parade on July 4th. Because Nick is the commander, he got to be in the parade. Guess who got to ride with him?  That's right, me!  The second car in the parade was the Command Sergeant Major. His wife isn't here with him yet, so the girls rode with him and they loved it!
Here are a few photos of the parade that day.

Soldiers of the Brigade carrying the colors.

There we are! Our 15 (well, more like 5) minutes of fame.

Getting ready to get started.

Pretty girls in a cool car.

They LOVED playing Miss America in the parade.

I'm afraid none of us were as popular as the Stryker vehicle. It is pretty cool.

Soldiers giving out candy. The kids loved it.

Here is Callie and me waiting for it to get dark and for the fireworks show to start. They gave out these funky glasses that are supposed to enhance the whole firework watching experience. I found they made me dizzy. It could be because I'm old. I'm not sure.

It was a great day. I'm so thankful to have shared this day with the kids. I only wish more of them could have been here.

I will share more of their trip in a later post.

Catching Up

I am so far behind in blogging that I don't even know where to begin. I wonder though, is anyone even out there anymore?
I went to visit my mom several weeks ago and attended a park bench dedication in honor of my dad who was a volunteer in this park.

My dad, and the other Master Gardeners in their little town, met once a week to plant, weed and do general maintenance on a beautiful city park. So, the gardeners donated this in memory of my father.

It was a beautiful summer day and was one that my dad would've enjoyed.

Here is the inscription that dedicates the bench to my dad.

My mom, sister and me enjoying the day at the park.

We all shed a few tears as the group took turns speaking of my dad. There were several laughs that morning too. My dad was a joyous man and would have wanted us to laugh. The funniest part was when the guy speaking said "It's ironic that we are putting a bench out here for Paul, because the man never sat down."

He's right. My dad was a hard worker. I learned so much from him. My love of the outdoors, growing things and playing in the dirt and my strong work ethic. Most of all, I learned that life is full of joy and should be enjoyed with those you love.

In the next few days, I will try to post more of the things that have been going and that have been neglected. I am also going to try to catch up on reading some of my favorite blogs! I've missed you guys!!

Madame President

Yesterday was the last spouses' club luncheon of this year. As I have mentioned, I have been selected to be next year's club President. Why, you ask?  Because the Commanding General's wife asked me and I didn't have the guts to say no.  That's it in a nutshell. And.. I'm always up for a challenge.

We started our luncheon with the "passing of the torch" if you will.  Only we passed flowers. .. roses to be exact. The outgoing president gave a white rose to each of the current board members. The incoming president (me) gave a pink rose to the new board members. I received one white rose as outgoing membership chair, and one pink rose as incoming president. Not sure how I ended up with a vase full of roses, but they were stuck in my bag when I finished yesterday.

I am not complaining.. I do love fresh flowers in my house.

This collection is the contents of a gift bag the outgoing president gave me. Here are each of the items along with her explanation of them.

Claudia told me that when she took over the presidency, she was given a candy bar with nuts in it, because you had to be nuts to volunteer to be president. She gave me a whole jar of nuts...what do you think that even means??

Next was a packet of Motrin, for the headaches that are sure to come, and Tums for the stomach acid.

A bottle of stress relief bubble bath. This I will use, for sure.

Booze...this goes without saying, right?

She ended the little presentation by giving me this bag of chocolates and wishing me nothing but "Bliss" with my presidency.

After the luncheon and the fun Bingo, I met with Claudia to get to the more business side of things. Wow, can you say "overwhelming"?  This is my dining room table this morning. The binder of paperwork that just scratches the surface, my two calendars because one ends at the end of June, a pair of sunglasses someone left at the luncheon that ended up at my house, a new binder that I've started for next year, the AARs (After Action Reviews) from all previous board members on how their year was, and a set of keys that would choke a horse. Seriously. Check this out:

These are all for one building. How can one building have so many locks?  I love the key chain she passed on that says Army Wife. It's not clear here, but I do love it.

So, let the ride begin! I'm taking notes, reading reports and getting ready for my first meetings. I have a feeling the chocolate and alcohol in this gift bag doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what I'll consume this year.

Thanks, Claudia, for a fabulous year. You have left big shoes to fill, but I will do my best :)