Accomplishments

It has been 1608 hours since Gregory left and my list of accomplishments is piling up. I can figure out what is wrong with my car and either fix it or find someone who can. I have built a desk and a dresser. Kept track of all our finances, with both of us spending money thousands of miles apart, that is a real feat. I've finished the wedding plans, ordered almost everything we need, made programs, all the wedding flowers are put together thanks to me! No help at all! Ribbons and everything! I've made numerous decorations for the house, had surgery, kept my job, and managed to stay sane. I gotta say, who ever said a woman needed a man by her side? I'm just happy to have a man in my life who loves me as much as I love him. We adore each other and its wonderful. Even if we are thousands of miles apart, and return dates get pushed back a week and a half, we're both strong enough to handle it. I love my hubbins. :)

I cant wait to come home!!

Home Stretch

As I get ready for a hectic week ahead of semi annual and all its intensity, I'm taking a minute to pause, smile, breathe, and really be happy. Greg will be leaving Afganistan in the next few days, and I must say I am so relieved. The attacks on the base have been heating up, and with that every day I worry a little more. Its hard being apart. Very hard, but it will all be over soon.

Next Saturday I pick up one of Greg's co workers girlfriends, and also a good friend of mine at the airport and then its just a matter of hours and days until they return home to both of us. Until then however, I have roughly 40 hours to put in. I know all you people with real jobs, 40 hours is nothing, but this little girl usually works between 8 and 12. So yes, a big week for me.

We have some exciting trips coming up! No specific dates set yet since they're based on when Greg makes it back, but i'm excited. I'm hoping to go to Dallas for a 2 day trip, see the zoo, go to 6 flags, and stay in a nice hotel. Maybe even see the aquarium too. Then a few days later we're heading to San Antonio and going to stay at Lackland, AFB. 6 Flags again (we got season passes for Greg deploying for free, might as well take advantage!) Then Sea World we also get in free for being Military, The riverwalk, and hopefully the Warped Tour since neither me or Greg has ever gone to one.

The kitty cats are doing alright. Still bratty as always! I dont know what else to write about for now so Love to all~

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!