Memorial Day

Memorial Day has never meant more than it did this year, knowing that there are days set apart out of the year especially for military members, a day to sit back and appreciate years of sacrifice that they have gone through, and their families, and I feel lucky. Lucky that I can count on a phone call at least every week, instead of waiting for letters, lucky that there is such thing as the internet, and though he doesn't have constant access, I can look forward to hearing from him now and again that way as well. People talk about the sacrifice that families make, and a few have even said thank you to me, and I feel I dont deserve it. Im just a spoiled girl who's husband has only been gone 5 weeks, not near as long as army families or even the other guys from our own squadron that are deployed, so I appreciate the thanks, but really I haven't learned the definition of sacrifice quite yet. I know it'll come, but for now, thank the service members.

I had a wonderful weekend, even without Greg. That actually took me by surprise a bit. Yesterday I called up the few people I know from here and had them all meet me down at our apartment complex pool and we spent the day getting burned and talking and laughing and swimming. Saturday night I spent with good friends out at Chilli's, and today, I worked this morning and spent the whole evening with some more people from around the town. It truly was a relaxing weekend and made me wish I had started calling people sooner when I felt lonely. Friends really can make all the difference.

My goals for this week are to try and get my next test done in my class (Contemporary Business) clean the apartment (haven't done that in quite awhile..) and finish the few loose ends I have left for wedding stuff. Mostly just labeling what is what and packing things up, shipping my dress to my mom, etc..

I am so excited to be home again! Swim and fish in the pond with the family for the first time. Camping with Greg's family, the wedding, seeing friends I haven't seen in ages, enjoying the "cool" Wisconsin weather. Anything is colder than TX.

I am at a point in life where I am really really happy. I have a wonderful husband, we have goals as a couple, I have my own things to work on, I have a decent job, we have health insurance, and we dont have to struggle very often. Even though I still find things to stress out about, they are usually able to be fixed with minimal effort and time. I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the whole world.

Sucess!

My to do list is dwindling by mass amounts everyday! It feels so wonderful to actually get things done. I'm over halfway done with my first semester in the accounting program. Mostly thanks go Gregory keeping me up waiting all night, I spend my time waiting working on classwork. Its actually a great system. I managed to finish another class last night!

As far as the wedding goes, I only have 3 things left! Well to order anyway. Just need to get Greg's outfit, groomsmen gifts (already have them picked out!) And I need to find the perfect toasting glasses for me and him. I've got the schedule drawn up and printed out, emailed, etc. Found the Limo today, got the hotel rooms booked a few days ago. It just feels so refreshing to actually get things done.

I've also been working on making some concrete goals lately. Short term and long term goals. I want to have an emergency savings fund set up by July 2011, and also all of our credit cards paid off by then as well, which actually we're halfway done already, but we'll see where we stand after the wedding. I'd also like to start a CD (certificate of deposit) as a future kid fund in the next 6 months.

Long term goals are more fun. I'd like to have my associates in Accounting by December of 2012. I'd like to have my Bachelors in Business Administration by December of 2014. Around the same time, I'd like to have my first child, and have a second and last one by 27. I want to own a cafe someday before 45. I'd also really like to try and run a marathon in my life, and hopefully Greg would take on that goal with me. I know running is hard on me, but thats kinda why I really want to do it. I want to prove that just because I have scoliosis doesn't mean I can't run. Running will make my body stronger and hopefully make the simple things not as frustrating. If it doesn't happen though, I wouldn't be incredibly heart broken over that one.

I'd really like to find more opportunities to volunteer in my spare time. It always feels good to give back, and give someone else help when they really need it. There have been plenty of people in my life who have helped me out when i've needed it the most.

I'd like to thank all the support I have in Texas and back home. Without all of you I would be a complete wreck all the time. Thank you for helping keep my mind off Greg being gone and helping me focus on the upsides of life. <3

Another Day, Another Dollar

Not much has happened lately, I haven't heard from Greg since he made it to his destination. Its hard, very taxing on a relationship not knowing if he's doing alright, if he needs anything, just hoping that he's hanging in there. But I know he'll call as soon as he gets the chance to. Its funny when you're completely alone, you find out who really cares about you. There are those friends who only call when they need you, and are nowhere to be found when you need them. And then there is friends and family who calls and checks in whether you need it or not. It is nice to know people back home are thinking about me. Keep me and my husband in your prayers, we could use the extra help staying strong lately.

The cats have begun to start behaving again. Not tearing into every little thing they can. They're so cute, and pretty good snugglers on all those lonely nights lately. But as I said not much has gone on here, so here I end. Love you all!

Lets add fritos and tortillas to the list of the things the cats have gotten into while I am sleeping. Lemme tell ya, I'm one step closer to not owning cats. There is I reason I do not have a baby, and they're getting awfully close. Whining all the time, getting into things they shouldn't, keeping me up at night. I mean its ridic.

Greg has still not made it to his destination, he's off playing around Europe having fun and sight seeing. Which is nice, I know he's having fun and doing things he's never done before so I am happy for him. Would be nice if I heard from him a little more since I know he's not busy.. but who wants to call their wife when there are plenty of things around they've never seen before? I'm trying to not be worried or annoyed.

The airshow is this morning, and hopefully I'll make it out. In a little more pain this morning than normal, but that could be due to the fact that I am out of pain killers at least until Monday. So if I dont make it out there, I wont be totally crushed, since I should probably still be resting anyway. Well thats about all thats gone on soooooo. Love you all!

Just Call me Kitty Kat

You know awhile ago my sister was having issues with her pup eating anything and everything. At the time I laughed, because, lets face it, I didn't think cats did that sort of thing. Well the last week has turned that whole belief upside down. It started with little things. Trying to get into the pizza box, nothing new. But then one night while we were sleeping, I had left chicken on the counter to thaw. 4 breasts in a package, and one lone one left in a bag. They took that bag, and devoured the chicken breast and all juices. The bag was sucked dry and not a drop of juice anywhere. No evidence that a piece of chicken ever existed in that bag. So we threw the empty bag away, took away their food for the morning (not that they cared- they were incredibly full and not even whining for food..) and we went out that afternoon on a trip to Hobby Lobby. While we were out, they got into the saltine crackers, the vanilla wafers, and anything else by those two that was in a plastic package on the pantry shelf. Slightly ridiculous. Now today. Lee woke up this morning to find half eaten tortillas all over the kitchen. Tortillas? Really? Of all the weird things for a cat to take... Tortillas?! I will never understand our crazy kitties, and I try to love them anyway.

Abbi has discovered a new game. She wants attention, constantly. Not just for ten minutes like usual. She wont leave the room I'm in, and usually lays next to me. She also has started biting me. I'll pet her, she bites me after awhile, i smack her head, she snuggles closer. I dont get the game, but its a game all the same.

And thats all I have to say about my babies. Love you all!

After the Page Turn In Our Book of Life

So Friday was a huge day for us. Greg finally shipped off, in the middle of me being knocked out for surgery. The good part about it was, being at the hospital I refused to cry because I was afraid the doctors would think I was freaking out about the surgery, not that my husband just got shipped off to Afganistan. So there were no tears, even though I still feel like crying, I'm able to keep myself together pretty well by trying to focus on other things. The wedding, not sitting on my tailbone, scrapbooking, and trying to not kill my cats for the various silly things they have started doing.

For anyone that didn't know, I had a pilonidial cyst on my tailbone (usually where they are found) that had to be lanced about a month ago, and they told me it would be better to remove it then end up in the hospital emergency room over and over again when it flares up. So on Friday morning, I had it removed. I'm not alone, my mom came down and is here until Wednesday to help out, which is incredibly nice. I'm doing alright. Sometimes I feel like the Rascal Flatts song, Stand. "I feel like a candle in a hurricane, just like a picture with a broken frame... Alone and helpless like you've lost you're fight, but you'll be alright I'LL be alright." Just kinda how things are in my head right now.

And yes Greg is on his way to Afganistan, its not a very long trip, He shall be back before the wedding, so dont anyone freak out! Its our first time being away from each other for more than 3 weeks since we got married, but I expect it to be a fast trip. I'm off of work for the next month, so I plan on sending him letters and packages and lots of love from home. Just message me if you need his address!

Everything seems to be holding itself together just fine right now, but check back in on me in a few weeks. I'm doing ok now, just a little scared that this will get harder. Love to all our friends and family!

Ketchup

Its been awhile, I know I'm really horrible at writing in this thing, but I'm gonna start working on that. The past month has been pretty fun and crazy all at the same time. I managed to sneak home for a week and see the family, the inlaws, and even made a pitstop in Madison so see old friends. I'm still selling panties at VS.. No news there, but the color pink is starting to grow on me.

Greg's been doing really well at work. Been on a few trips lately. Once to Washington, North Carolina, Colorado Springs, and Utah. He'll be deploying soon, but only for 8 weeks so we're busy getting everything taken care of that we need to. Making budgets, savings plans, goals for big purchases we want to make in the coming year. The wedding, and another vehicle mostly. Its a big debate on what vehicle we'll end up getting. Our family is a Chevy family, and if I had my way we would end up with the new Chevy Equinox. He really wants a truck, a Ford Ranger or some other you know manly thing. I think our compromise might end up being a Jeep of some sorts since he loves his moms Jeep, and I think its an economically smarter choice than a gas guzzling truck. We'll see how that all works out.

The wedding plans are coming together very nicely. We have almost everything picked out, now we just have to take care of reserving things, down payments, or buying the last little bits that we need to. I'm so excited to be able to share that very special day with family. I'm sorry we didn't do it the first time around, but this way we've been able to save up for the day we really wanted to have, and we knew we were gonna be together, so we just went ahead and made that commitment. It just felt like the right decision.

We finally got a bed! We've been sleeping on an air mattress, even though it was one of those double thick ones, its way more comfortable having a real bed to sleep on. Its made of memory foam, and we cant get over that we can get out of bed without waking the other one up. Such a great feeling. Last night had to be the best sleep I have ever gotten. :) The kitties even love it! Leo of course takes over while we're gone, napping on our pillows, but Abbi has her own world underneath. She likes to hide behind the bed skirt watching and waiting for you to walk past, and then she pounces at your toes! I dont know whats with her and toes but she loves them!

I'm planning another trip home, though exactly when this will be is still up in the air. I was hoping for the last couple days in April, stopping in Madison for the weekend, and then heading home. I'll keep everyone up to date as to whether or not that really happens. And lastly, for anyone that heard, yes I was in the hospital last weekend. A week ago today actually. I had a pilonidial cyst. Its a cyst located between your tail bone and the surface of the skin, its incredibly painful, but easy to fix. They just drain it and send you on your way. They recommended that I have the pocket surgically removed, and I have an appointment on Monday with my regular doctor to find out if thats the right option for me or not. All in all, I'm all fixed up and feeling 100% again.

Lots of love to everyone! We miss you!

Gwennels and Greggles