Here is the moment we've all been waiting for!!!
1.5% left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For those of you that know the basic percentages for a DOM, you know that there is practically no time left. I've had to resort to Tylenol PM in order to get any sleep. My mind is racing, my stomach is in knots, and I suddenly feel like there isn't enough time in the day to get everything done that I need to.
But none of that really matters does it? Because DH is coming hoooome!!!! It's amazes me that a year has come and gone, but it did. I think I'm still in shock. Could this deployment really be ending??? Believe it or not, it is.
Ah yes, the end is near :)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Reflection
As this deployment comes to an end, it's made me reflect on the past year.
Deployments are never fun. I think that goes without saying. However, they are memorable. For better or for worse, it's an experience you will never forget. It's something that shapes you, changes you as a person whether you were overseas or "left behind."
These past few weeks have just about killed me. It is the VERY last bit of this deployment and it started to frustrate me, anger me, drive me insane. I began to wonder how on Earth I could have possibly survived 11 months when I can hardly get through 3 weeks. But as I see and hear about other people beginning a deployment, it has reminded me of this past year. The start of their journeys have reminded me of mine.
Of course things always look better in hindsight. Still, I can almost look back on this year with fondness. It was a year that I learned a lot about myself and DH. It was a year that I learned how much I could handle, how independent I could be, how strong I am. It taught me to be self sufficient, to rely on myself for entertainment, to find peace in the simple things because there wasn't much peace left.
Optimism kept me sane. At times I was blindly optimistic with the hope of early homecomings, and hours-long Skype dates. But sometimes being blind isn't so bad. Sometimes we need to close our eyes to the reality of life in order to cherish hope. Hope kept me alive.
No, he didn't come home months early. But we made it. Whether I made it by living off of the hope for better things to come or by simply ducking my head and running through the days that I didn't want to remember, doesn't matter anymore. I made it.
We made it.
Deployments are never fun. I think that goes without saying. However, they are memorable. For better or for worse, it's an experience you will never forget. It's something that shapes you, changes you as a person whether you were overseas or "left behind."
These past few weeks have just about killed me. It is the VERY last bit of this deployment and it started to frustrate me, anger me, drive me insane. I began to wonder how on Earth I could have possibly survived 11 months when I can hardly get through 3 weeks. But as I see and hear about other people beginning a deployment, it has reminded me of this past year. The start of their journeys have reminded me of mine.
Of course things always look better in hindsight. Still, I can almost look back on this year with fondness. It was a year that I learned a lot about myself and DH. It was a year that I learned how much I could handle, how independent I could be, how strong I am. It taught me to be self sufficient, to rely on myself for entertainment, to find peace in the simple things because there wasn't much peace left.
Optimism kept me sane. At times I was blindly optimistic with the hope of early homecomings, and hours-long Skype dates. But sometimes being blind isn't so bad. Sometimes we need to close our eyes to the reality of life in order to cherish hope. Hope kept me alive.
No, he didn't come home months early. But we made it. Whether I made it by living off of the hope for better things to come or by simply ducking my head and running through the days that I didn't want to remember, doesn't matter anymore. I made it.
We made it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Happy Anniversary to Me
Today is my two year anniversary.
It is definitely bitter-sweet. Of course I'm thrilled that we have survived two years of marriage (especially since 19 of those months were spent apart). However, it's bitter because not only is my husband still deployed, but I haven't been able to talk to him today.
The good news is, this weekend marks 2% until DH begins his journey home from Afghanistan :). That is tremendously exciting news in the world of deployments. It is *almost* finally over!
In other news, I've decided to go to The Melting Pot for my 21st birthday on August 6th! I've never been to The Melting Pot or any fondue restaurant so I'm super excited. I think it will be a fun, unique way to spend my birthday.
I also got my Japanese Straightening Perm! I mentioned awhile back that I was planning on getting one and I finally did it. I am VERY happy with the results. Never in my life have I been able to hop out of the shower, brush my hair, and go. If I did, I ended up with a wavy, frizzy, poofy mess.
Yesterday (after not being able to wash my hair for 72 hours - gross!) I washed my hair, hopped out of the shower, brushed my hair, and went. And you know what? It came out great! It wasn't frizzy, poofy, or the least bit wavy. Below is a picture of what it looked like after it dried. It's a miracle!
Although today itself isn't such a great day, great days are just around the corner! Hold on tight, this deployment rollercoaster is almost over!
It is definitely bitter-sweet. Of course I'm thrilled that we have survived two years of marriage (especially since 19 of those months were spent apart). However, it's bitter because not only is my husband still deployed, but I haven't been able to talk to him today.
The good news is, this weekend marks 2% until DH begins his journey home from Afghanistan :). That is tremendously exciting news in the world of deployments. It is *almost* finally over!
In other news, I've decided to go to The Melting Pot for my 21st birthday on August 6th! I've never been to The Melting Pot or any fondue restaurant so I'm super excited. I think it will be a fun, unique way to spend my birthday.
I also got my Japanese Straightening Perm! I mentioned awhile back that I was planning on getting one and I finally did it. I am VERY happy with the results. Never in my life have I been able to hop out of the shower, brush my hair, and go. If I did, I ended up with a wavy, frizzy, poofy mess.
Yesterday (after not being able to wash my hair for 72 hours - gross!) I washed my hair, hopped out of the shower, brushed my hair, and went. And you know what? It came out great! It wasn't frizzy, poofy, or the least bit wavy. Below is a picture of what it looked like after it dried. It's a miracle!
Although today itself isn't such a great day, great days are just around the corner! Hold on tight, this deployment rollercoaster is almost over!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Is it Just Me?
Or is time draaaagging. I'm pretty sure it's just me - and possibly everyone else in the homestretch of a deployment.
Well, July has finally arrived. Woohoo… Do I sound less than enthusiastic? Don't get me wrong, I am so happy that July has finally arrived. It's just that now, July isn't my month -_-. I am angry, sad, frustrated, and essentially at the end of my rapidly fraying rope.
But let's look on the bright side. I only have to finish off this month and then we are X days from DH being home :). For the sake of my sanity, we'll still say that July is "my month."
I swear this last month feels like it's taking years. Back in the day (as in, every month leading up to month 11) a couple weeks was nothing. I flew through this deployment with single-minded optimism. Month 11? My optimism has flown out the window or I just may have run out. Not quite sure which.
I'm just tired. I am tired of sleeping alone, killing spiders alone, dealing with my sciatica alone, taking out the garbage alone, cooking alone, eating alone, being scared because I'm alone, cleaning the yard alone, walking Jack alone, and numerous other things that I have done alone for 11 months.
I know that deployments end. It's just a matter of when.
Well, July has finally arrived. Woohoo… Do I sound less than enthusiastic? Don't get me wrong, I am so happy that July has finally arrived. It's just that now, July isn't my month -_-. I am angry, sad, frustrated, and essentially at the end of my rapidly fraying rope.
But let's look on the bright side. I only have to finish off this month and then we are X days from DH being home :). For the sake of my sanity, we'll still say that July is "my month."
I swear this last month feels like it's taking years. Back in the day (as in, every month leading up to month 11) a couple weeks was nothing. I flew through this deployment with single-minded optimism. Month 11? My optimism has flown out the window or I just may have run out. Not quite sure which.
I'm just tired. I am tired of sleeping alone, killing spiders alone, dealing with my sciatica alone, taking out the garbage alone, cooking alone, eating alone, being scared because I'm alone, cleaning the yard alone, walking Jack alone, and numerous other things that I have done alone for 11 months.
I know that deployments end. It's just a matter of when.
Monday, June 20, 2011
DOM Check!!
2 posts within 2 days?! I know, it's hard to believe. Almost as unbelievable as my DOM.
9% to go!!!!
We are in SINGLE DIGITS!!!!
Unbelievable right? I never thought I'd see the day. In fact, I never thought I'd see the day that May arrived, or June, or single digits, or July (but that has yet to be seen).
Well folks, there you have it. Proof that the end does exist, or at least the homestretch.
9% to go!!!!
We are in SINGLE DIGITS!!!!
Unbelievable right? I never thought I'd see the day. In fact, I never thought I'd see the day that May arrived, or June, or single digits, or July (but that has yet to be seen).
Well folks, there you have it. Proof that the end does exist, or at least the homestretch.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
I'm Alive!
I thought about posting a new blog post about a week ago, but I was not in the best frame of mind at the time. I was under the impression that I would die before this deployment ended. We are definitely in the home stretch now, but the days were dragging for awhile there.
I am happy to announce that everything is back on track now. I have booked our flight and hotel for Vegas!!! Wooooo! We will be staying at The Signature at MGM Grand in a one bedroom suite! I cannot wait, I'm so excited =D. And it was very inexpensive (due to a promotion that reduced our room rate by 20%). Sooo glad I put forth the effort to save a bunch of money during this deployment so we could have a nice block leave vacation.
Let's see.. What else?
Jack has worms =(. I took him to the vet yesterday to get his annual shots and found out he has whipworms. Not a good thing. But not to worry, he has meds and heartworm prevention which will prevent him from getting worms after he's finished his medicine.
I have a lot to do before DH comes home. I need to tan (yes I actually have to put forth effort to make this happen), find a nice top for homecoming, buy heels to go with my birthday dress and my cocktail dress for DH and I's fancy dinner in Vegas, workout (somehow I'll manage this despite my ruptured disc), and get my hair done.
Which reminds me… I booked my Japanese Straightening for July 16 with the owner of Lee's Salon, and I'm having my hair highlighted/ lowlighted at the same salon on July 30. Super excited!
Oh and I have started a new series. As I have mentioned before, I am a HUGE fan of Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series and of Karen Marie Moning herself. I have even joined her message board to find other KMM fans such as myself.
Through their recommendations, I have found Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniel Series. It is such a great series. From every review I've read, the first book Magic Bites, was the slowest of all of the books throughout the series. It has been unanimous among readers that the series continues to get better and better with each book.
Since I read Magic Bites and enjoyed it, I'm excited to read the rest of the books. It is similar to KMM's Fever Series in that it is Urban Fantasy and the dynamic between the Hero and Heroine is amazing! I cannot wait to see how their relationship (which is more of a tolerate/hate relationship at the moment) progresses.
I'm very happy to find another series/author that really knows how to bring realism to a fictional relationship, and create characters that readers can fall in love with. That is what made KMM's Fever Series phenomenal.
I am happy to announce that everything is back on track now. I have booked our flight and hotel for Vegas!!! Wooooo! We will be staying at The Signature at MGM Grand in a one bedroom suite! I cannot wait, I'm so excited =D. And it was very inexpensive (due to a promotion that reduced our room rate by 20%). Sooo glad I put forth the effort to save a bunch of money during this deployment so we could have a nice block leave vacation.
Let's see.. What else?
Jack has worms =(. I took him to the vet yesterday to get his annual shots and found out he has whipworms. Not a good thing. But not to worry, he has meds and heartworm prevention which will prevent him from getting worms after he's finished his medicine.
I have a lot to do before DH comes home. I need to tan (yes I actually have to put forth effort to make this happen), find a nice top for homecoming, buy heels to go with my birthday dress and my cocktail dress for DH and I's fancy dinner in Vegas, workout (somehow I'll manage this despite my ruptured disc), and get my hair done.
Which reminds me… I booked my Japanese Straightening for July 16 with the owner of Lee's Salon, and I'm having my hair highlighted/ lowlighted at the same salon on July 30. Super excited!
Oh and I have started a new series. As I have mentioned before, I am a HUGE fan of Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series and of Karen Marie Moning herself. I have even joined her message board to find other KMM fans such as myself.
Through their recommendations, I have found Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniel Series. It is such a great series. From every review I've read, the first book Magic Bites, was the slowest of all of the books throughout the series. It has been unanimous among readers that the series continues to get better and better with each book.
Since I read Magic Bites and enjoyed it, I'm excited to read the rest of the books. It is similar to KMM's Fever Series in that it is Urban Fantasy and the dynamic between the Hero and Heroine is amazing! I cannot wait to see how their relationship (which is more of a tolerate/hate relationship at the moment) progresses.
I'm very happy to find another series/author that really knows how to bring realism to a fictional relationship, and create characters that readers can fall in love with. That is what made KMM's Fever Series phenomenal.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
DOM Check!!
**Drum roll**
300!!!!
300 days since DH officially left our home for an entirely too long deployment. 300 days since I've seen him walk through the front door after work. 300 days since I've had to wake up at 0500 (aka: way too early) to take him to work. 300 days since I've completely relaxed. 300 days that I've had to live alone, sleep alone, eat alone, and do everything without my other half.
I've waited for this moment for 300 days and I can't believe it's actually here. This (besides homecoming) is the biggest milestone in the deployment.
Goodbye quarter mark, goodbye halfway mark, goodbye three-quarters mark. Hello finish line!
300!!!!
300 days since DH officially left our home for an entirely too long deployment. 300 days since I've seen him walk through the front door after work. 300 days since I've had to wake up at 0500 (aka: way too early) to take him to work. 300 days since I've completely relaxed. 300 days that I've had to live alone, sleep alone, eat alone, and do everything without my other half.
I've waited for this moment for 300 days and I can't believe it's actually here. This (besides homecoming) is the biggest milestone in the deployment.
Goodbye quarter mark, goodbye halfway mark, goodbye three-quarters mark. Hello finish line!
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