Let me introduce myself.....

The value of identity of course is that so often with it comes purpose. ~Richard Grant

I have been doing some soul searching, looking for my life’s purpose.  I want to share with you what I have found out about myself.

I am….

I am a child of God who has been saved through the blood of Jesus Christ.  He is the only Judge I’m concerned about.

I am a daughter who has learned about hard work and the importance of family.

I am a wife who is loved even when I’m not lovable.

I am a mother who tries to bring my best every, often fails but always tries again the next day.

I am a friend who tries to be loyal.  Who will stand shoulder to shoulder with those who need me.

I am fiercely protective of my family. This includes my extended family and anyone that I consider family.

I hate injustice and try my best to speak up when I feel someone is being wronged.

I will tell you when I think you are wrong.

I’m not book smart but I’m experience smart.  So, I don’t need you to make me feel like I’m stupid.

I am a military spouse; it’s a blessing, not a curse.  It doesn’t define me though.  I’m much more than that.  I don’t wear his rank.

I believe there is good in everyone.

I love a good cup of coffee in the morning and a good glass of wine in the evening.

Bailey’s brings back a lot of good memories.

I am called to be where I am right now but that calling may change.

I love lighthouses.

I may have A.D.D.

I am passionate.

I wear my heart on my sleeve.

I prefer dark chocolate.

I believe Reese’s peanut butter cups are the perfect candy.

I want to make it to all 50 states before I die.

I want to be like my grandmothers when I grow up.

I want to learn to quilt, play guitar and make my own wine.

One day I want to own my own construction business with my husband.

I believe Idaho has some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. And if God sees fit maybe I’ll get to live there again.

My dream is to have a vacation home on a lake in Idaho, in the mountains where my boys and their families can come for the holidays.

I am a chameleon and can be whatever the situation calls for.

I don’t have a fear of heights but have a fear of falling.

I use to be an x ray tech but I doubt I ever will be again.

I try to find the joy in all circumstances.

My boys will be my greatest accomplishment.

I now wish I would have become an architect and it thrills me that my son wants to be one.

One day I’ll ditch my SUV for a sports car.

I want a 55 Chevy Nomad.

I still don’t think I’m a grown up.

I love leaving positive comments in establishments.

I still have friends I’ve known since Kindergarten but I have new friends that feel like I’ve known them all my life.

I hate the phrase, “You need to change your attitude.”  I like my attitude just the way it is.

Sarcasm is a gift.

A good sense of humor is my spiritual gift.

I believe there is power in music.  I like anything from Christian music to AC/DC.

I have very little tolerance for stupidity.

I collect quotes.

I’m not afraid to say I’m sorry when I’ve messed up.  Apologizing is a very brave thing to do. 

I say goodnight every night to my best friend because she’s in heaven.  As much as I miss her I know she’s finally free of all her ills.

I think my sister is funnier than and more creative than me.

Volleyball is the best sport on earth followed by NFL football.

I love the Colts.  I’ll cheer for the Saints, the Packers, the Butler Bulldogs, Boise State, and maybe Purdue and Ball state but I’m not holding my breath.  NASCAR intrigues me.

Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the entire year.  I love Christmas mornings.

Teachers and coaches have been some of the most influential people in my life.

I didn’t use to like the color pink.

I’m anything BUT a Princess.  I think I’m special, not better.

I am a secret iCarly fan.

Some of my favorite shows are the Middle, Modern Family, and Burn Notice. And I miss Friday Night Lights.

Sweet Home Alabama is my all time favorite movie.

I love musicals.

I don’t really know what I want to do when I grow up.

One day I will write a book.

I don’t argue politics or religion.

I respect people who respect me.

I own a gun permit.

Blue is my favorite color followed by grey.

A simple hot fudge sundae is my favorite ice cream.

I think what people do speaks louder than words.

I like to ride around with the music turned up loud.

I believe my situational awareness is above par.

I take the best parts of the people around me and incorporate them in my own life.

Forgiveness is my biggest weakness.

I’m not easily offended.

I am better than I once was.

I have a tendency to be lazy or to be ahead of the curve, there’s no in between.

I’m okay with not conforming.

The character trait I admire the most in people is integrity.

I am a bad judge of first impressions.

I wish I weighed 20 lbs less.

I still get nervous watching the movie Hoosiers.

I’m not good at using a glue gun, cooking with yeast, sewing or ironing.

I don’t like tomatoes but I love salsa.  Mushrooms make me cringe!

And as you know I hate math.

I’m sure there are a couple more hundred things I could add to this list but this is a good start and I’ll add to it from time to time.  What’s important is that your list is different and that’s what’s cool.  We are none the same, thank goodness, how boring would this world be if we were the same and had the same views and beliefs.  Life is about figuring out who you are and embracing it….and that’s what I’m learning to do.

A tribute to my favorite veteran........

Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid.  They have earned our undying gratitude.  America will never forget their sacrifices. 
                                                                                                  Harry S. Truman

This is Andrew J. Cairns when he was in the Army.  I like to refer to him as Grandpa Andy.  Andy enlisted using his brother's birth certificate because he himself was not old enough to enlist....at least that is how the legend goes.  When I asked him about it once, he just laughed and smiled, saying "Things were different way back then."

Andy would serve in a variety of duties as an MP.  He served Stateside guarding war trains and also in Africa and Italy.  He received a Purple Heart, of which the family did not learn of until the last few years of his life.  9 months previous to his death I asked him about receiving his Purple Heart.  He was humble and modest about it but told me the story.  He had never told anyone because he didn't feel as if it was a big deal. That was Grandpa....

I miss Grandpa, he died this past year and there's not a day that doesn't go by that I'm not reminded of him.  He wasn't my real grandfather, he was Chris's but we had a bond, one in which he acknowledged me as his own.  He was everything a grandfather should be.  The flag that draped his coffin and was presented to my husband sits on my entertainment center.  It's a daily reminder of him and his legacy.  My husband and my boys are Grandpa's legacy.  I see him through them.

Grandpa rarely talked about his time in service, he was a humble man.  He spent his life working and owning his own construction company and then working for the Corp of Engineers until he retired.

Grandpa was the real deal, a son, a brother, a husband who loved dearly, a father who loved and lost, and a grandfather who inspired his grandchildren and  great-grandfather that left an impression.  It's one of the reasons his grandson decided to earn a degree in construction AND join the military.  But also we remember him as the quiet soldier and always the proud Veteran.  This Veteran's Day takes on a whole new meaning.  He is no longer with us but his legacy lives on.......

Honor a Veteran in your life.  Happy Veteran's Day.

Bump, Set, Spike!

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious." --Vince Lombardi

When I was 15 I joined a team, a group, a sisterhood of sorts when I stepped into Hell Week. It was the one week in the summer when everything else was put aside.  When twice a day, I gave everything I had to a game.  I'm a huge fan of Friday Night Lights, the movie, the tv show, the atmosphere.  But years ago I lived for other nights, game nights.  I lived for volleyball.  I trained all year long, all the other sports I played were for the volleyball season.  In less you were in that gym, you may not understand and it's hard to describe.

My coach was Tom Finicle, not a guy that at first glance you would be intimidated by.  But he could yell and he could motivate.  He motivated with balls being thrown at your head at speeds paralleled with major league pitchers.  He motivated with wind sprints, running laps and if you were lucky you got to carry a medicine ball while you ran.  He motivated with inspirational quotes on t shirts, old ball skins, and letters sent to players during study hall.  He hated failure but he also hated winning when you hadn't won by playing your best.locker room until he stopped his ranting. 

The volleyball teams were always successful and I guess that fueled the hard work.  You knew you were on a winning team.  We were as respected as the boys' football team.  It also meant that certain things were expected of you especially as a senior.  As a senior you were expected to lead the underclassman and if they screwed up the seniors were held accountable.  We fought amongst ourselves but we also fought for each other.  One time during a game against an opposing team, I saw an ex-boyfriend.  He was there cheering on his new girlfriend on the other side of the net from me.  I pointed this out to a friend in the front row, who had a wicked spike, and a bad temper.  She asked for the next ball and when it came to her she spiked it into the chest of the 'new girlfriend' and she left the game in tears.  He approached me after the game and asked if that was intentional....I of course had no idea what he was suggesting. Anyway, we took care of each other.

1991 Seniors

You know how I hate Math?  Well, I wasn't very good in school at all, but Volleyball was my motivation.  I trained in the class room so I could train in the gym!  I wish I had that same body and was in that good of shape and could still wear spandex like I did back then!  It wasn't all bad stuff.  We had great camaraderie.  We were friends off the court.  My favorite thing was to have random sleepovers.  At the end of the game, in the locker room we would start planning.  Our parents usually obliged.  They were very supportive and were friends in the stands.  It was great to be part of a team, a successful one at that.

So what did I learn from Volleyball and Fin......A couple years ago I poured out my heart on paper and shared some of this with Fin, I thought it was important for him to know what Volleyball did for me.

What I learned...

*to curse....I know it's not nice but I remember during my 100th windsprint of the practice that I uttered my first curse word, but it was a long time ago. ;)

*weight control and the importance of exercise......I never wanted to run with the medicine ball and I made it thru 3 years without doing so until the last practice my senior year.  I can still hear Fin yelling....

*it takes an entire roll of tape to wrap an ankle......That ankle thing I'm dealing with started because of VB.

*how to mouth off......enough said.

*hard work pays off but not in ways you think....I'm not talented by nature, everything takes work.

*how to stick up for what is right....because at one time a Coach stood up for me.

*discipline......it was drilled into me.

*when the going gets tough the tough gets going......VB training was perfect training for my life as a military wife.  Sometimes you get bombarded with balls such as deployments, moving, or having babies without your spouse present.  You experience the highs and the lows.  And more than once you face your fears and learn what you are made of.

You see, volleyball was more than a game.  First of all, we were a sorority.  We had an understanding.  It was a sisterhood that to this day over a 25 year history of playing for Finicle still stands. 

Volleyball prepared me for the game of 'Life'.  I of course didn't realize this until about 20 years later.  Volleyball and life in general are interchangeable.  I'm grateful for the lessons it taught me while doing thru some of the hardest years of my life.  Some people say that sports are just that, sports.  But I think for every coach out there they need to understand that it's more than just a sport, they are preparing these kids for the big game of Life: winning, lose, success, failure, hard work, pride, discipline.  Tonight the VolleyKnights played in the semi-finals, no matter the score or the outcome, I am a part of that legacy.  It was and still is one of my finest hours, but then again I guess you'd have to have played the game to understand.






 

It's all routine in this house.......

Children are unpredictable. You never know what inconsistency they're going to catch you in next. ~Franklin P. Jones

Recently, I watched my wedding video.  At a wedding shower, I claimed I wanted 5 kids and wanted to own a flower shop.  Wow!  Was I wrong about both of those things?  For starters, I know nothing about flowers or plants, my thumb is black.  And secondly, 5 kids.....what was I thinking?

I guess what I should have been was an orthopaedic doctor or a doctor period but I think that involves Math and you all know how I feel about Math!  These kids have tested my patience but they have tested my resolve.....let me give you the run down.

All three were born with a dimple at the end of their spines that had to be ultrasound.  All three were cleared.

Trevette was healthy until he was 18 months of age and then BAM he was sick.  2 years of intensive medical care concluded he had full blown asthma.  Today it's not an issue.

Trevette had 2 surgeries to remove his adenoids and tonsils.  One additional surgery repaired numerous cavities he had caused by allergy medicine.

Guthrie spent the first 4 hours of his life in the NICU. He did not cry when he was born. Now that I know him it may have been that he was just too lazy to cry.

We went for quite some time before we faced a medical issue.  Trevette decided to have a seizure (the first one we knew of) on a cross country flight from Boise, Idaho to Chicago.  I was never so freaked in my life.  Fortunately we were on a United flight with a neurologist and 3 very good flight attendants.  United accommodated us with food and tickets.  Of course we got to get off the plane first with 200 strangers staring at us.  And I must say having half of the Chicago Fire Dept waiting for you as you deboard a plane is an experience.  Did you know that they stop airplanes taxiing when an ambulance is present?

Our next crisis was just that when on a May day, Superman, Cohen decided watching a trash truck go by the house was not exciting enough and he fell out of a second story window.  There's a point in a crisis where you say to yourself, "This is going to be a bad day."  I said that to myself as I called my husband to yell at him for leaving the window open and then he calmly told me to call 911.  I didn't want to call 911, it was going to ruin my day!  I placed the call and moments later heard the town fire siren bellow and then minutes later I could hear the ambulance sirens as it came nearer.  There is something surreal about an ambulance backing up to your door and having your dining room table used as triage.  Once again I found myself in the back of an ambulance.  By the way, you all look funny when you're driving behind an ambulance.  Long story short, Cohen was life flighted to a trauma center, that was a new experience.  I'll never forget that feeling of being led up to the helipad and the looks of concern I received.  There's something surreal about paramedics giving you updated medical reports in  your head set. In the end, he was fine and had a follow up that revealed narrowing of the spinal cord but has no ill affects of it today.

We went a couple more months and another call to the paramedics was made when one of T's seizures was not so routine.  Having 7 grown men in a small bedroom was quite a sight. 

We went naively about with our lives until one Halloween Day when a dog attacked Guthrie as he slept on the floor (not my dog, not my house).  It was a day that I counted on a good friend.  My husband was thousands of miles away.  Guthrie had many staples, one surgery and still bares the scars.  In the process I found out who I can count on and who my friends are.

A few months later, Cohen had dental surgery and then 4 days before moving we called the paramedics when he whacked his head and we couldn't stop the bleeding.  An ambulance ride and staples and Humpty Dumpty was back together again.  It's a funny thing when paramedics recognize you!  I hear since we left San Antonio and Dover that they have laid off medical personnel.

I was living blissfully in Rhode Island, proud of myself for having no ER visits when a morning call from the school nurse brought me back down to earth.  Guthrie had fallen off the playground equipment and broken his arm.  A cast?  This was new to me.

3 days later, count them, 1......2......3 days later, the same school nurse called to tell me Trevette had been injured.  He broke his nose. Good friends were there to answer my call for help and to laugh with us when they brought a huge roll of bubble wrap.  It's coming in handy.

Here I sit waiting for a call from Ortho.  I'm just glad I'm in a new state where they don't know my history or my name......yet. My friend Julie and I really should share a parking spot at the E.R.  I don' t like this drama, these life interruptions.  Thank you for my family and friends who shake their head, give me their condolences and then humor me!......Oh! and they don't judge me!  Life is never dull.....yet it's very routine for this house.  Good thing I have a good sense of humor!  But in reality I'll take the bumps and bruises any day......

Grandmas are the sweetness of life......

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani

I know we all have the best grandmother in the world.  My grandmothers Julia and Louise were two of the best.  I accredit this to their maturity (both were older when they had my parents).  They had lived through the Depression and each knew heartache. I spent a lot of time with both as they were my main caregivers growing up.  I loved being sick because it meant a day with them.

My grandmother Julia Margaret grew up in a modest upbringing.  It was mixed with farmers and rich aunts.  At one time she worked as a school cafeteria worker, an occupation both of my grandmothers held.  Grandma Julia recorded her life from her Freshman year in high school until her death in 1985.  Those journals gave me much insight to who my grandmother was.  I was 12 when she died and I only remember the happy go lucky Grandmother.  I've laughed and cried with her in those journals.  In 12 years she taught me much but 26 years later she's still teaching me.  I guess I've become reminicent because in a month my cousin will marry his love and Grandma's family will be there to celebrate.  It's a good time to remember her.

What my Grandmother Julia has taught me....

• The fine art of washing dishes.  Yes, there is a skill to it and it requires a lot of laughter.  My grandfather always wondered what we were laughing about at the kitchen sink.
• Nothing beats cold sheets on a hot summer night
• How to make a proper shoe fly sandwich and that a peanut butter and jelly sandwich tastes better when you cut it into triangles.
• How to play Chinese checkers and the peg game (the one you play when you go to Cracker Barrel)
• How to play the organ.  She always had a small electric organ in the attic.
• She's the first person who ever gave me a cup of coffee.  I still have the cups she served me in.
• That the extra crust from making a pie is the best part with a little butter and cinnamon.
• Adventure was everywhere whether it be the laundry mat or a walk to the creek. She had a great imagination.
• Hard work and laughter go hand in hand.  I never remember her taking anything too serious.
• Laughter and a sense of humor look beautiful on a person.
• Blood does not make family.  I have 2 cousins that were step cousins but I've never thought of them like that.  Grandma told me one time that she didn't care, they were her grand kids and she would never refer to them as her step grandchildren, her grandchildren they were.  I hope they have always felt that way.
• Complaining is unattractive.  She NEVER complained.  She didn't feel well the 2 months leading up to her death.  The only way we ever knew this was when we read her diary after she died and she mentioned not feeling well.  She died 2 days after my 12 birthday unexpectedly of a bad heart.
• I'm sure there are a million other things I've learned from her.......

I miss her, I didn't realize how much.  The one thing I do have is my mother, who every day reminds me more and more of my grandmother. I'm glad my boys have her. I know I'll be a good grandmother because I had good role models.  I know Grandma has been watching me for the last 26 years, I hope she's proud.





I've never been good at Math....

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. ~Eric Hoffer, Reflections On The Human Condition


Talking to a friend who has started a Facebook page insisting that Math is fun and talking to my boys about their Math got me to reminiscing about Math......

I hate Math.  I have hated it since I was a kid.  The first real math teacher I had was Mr. Hanlon, he was a good teacher and later my track coach, which would prove useful.  My second Math teacher was Mr. DuBois and he was my favorite Math teacher.  He was also a personal family friend which also proved useful because he had more patience with me than most teachers.  Soon after the boys' high school basketball county tournament in January Mr. DuBois was fired.  He was fired because of a record of wins and losses but I ended up with the biggest loss.  In the middle of the school year, the only person that made Math make sense was gone.

The years moved on and Math was still stupid to me.  Most of this was because I just didn't get it.  Then my Junior year, Algebra 2 class and I was lost....but then......but then, there was this cute kid sitting next to me.  "Do you understand this?" I asked.  "Yeah, it's easy," that's all it took.  Starting then we met before school several times a week for him to calmly tutor me in the fine art of Math.  I soon found that I still didn't understand Math but my tutor was cute so I didn't mind Math so much!

The next time I found myself in a Math class was Trigonometry my Senior year and guess what?  No...I was still very confused.  In the early days of the class I was trying desperately to grasp the hows and whys of this class.  The teacher was also my basketball coach so he knew that if I was going to play on the team I had to pass this class.  So I began to ask him questions during class one day.  The next thing I know he tells me in front of the whole class to stop asking so many 'stupid questions'.  I was done with Math.  I slammed my book shut and said, "Fine!  So long as I'm in this class I will not study for another test or quiz and I won't do the homework.  If you have given up on me than so have I!"  I earned a one way trip to the Principal's office.  Now the good thing was that I worked in the office during my study hall so we were pals.  The short version is by semesters end I was out of that class, I passed with a D, and this started a long life of mouthing off.  I should have gotten a foreign language credit from Math.

Don't get me wrong, I have a fondness for Math.....I got a husband out of it! 1+1=3

Talking about the Big D and I don't mean Dallas.....

Anyone can see the adversity in a difficult situation, but it takes a stronger person to see the opportunity.........Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.

The cat is out of the bag.  When you start posting things about Anthrax shots, people, mostly other military wives know what that means.  Cue the music, it's deployment time.

I am bound and determined to find 100 positive things to name about deployments.  I'm not sick or twisted, it's just that I think we don't need another post about how bad it is, we get it.  This is my 6th rodeo.  I wish Chris would add up all the days he has been gone.  Anyway, I don't need pity, I need your understanding, your encouragement, and your prayers, and most of all I need your humor to get me thru this.  So here we go, I may need some help....Chris Drummond, where are you?  Angie Drake, I know you got some ideas!  Let's get started.....

1. Independence
2. The t.v.remote all to yourself
3. Free food from sympathetic neighbors
4. Free alcoholic drinks from sympathetic neighbors, where are you Lakes?
5. Chick-movies every night.
6. A profound sense of accomplishment
7. Free excuse when you forget to do something or don't want to do something.
8. Solitude (I know some don't like the solitude or too much of it but I enjoy staying up late, my husband is the time keeper in my house.)
9. 'My spouse is deployed' opens up a secret vault of free or discounted services.
10. Better Christmas and birthday presents due to the guilt of the deployed spouse not being there.
11. What better way to reconnect with your spouse by not taking for granted a 3 minute phone call or a quick email waiting for you every morning.  More is said in those quick moments than hours on a couch.
12. Less Laundry
13. Less dish washing
14. You're thee adult of the house, and you are always right!
15. Less farting or burping....
16. A great appreciation for your spouse.
17. A renewed sense of pride
18. Discovering new things about yourself that you didn't know before.
19. You get to eat out more, at least I do!  I use it as an excuse.
20. Great time to get in shape to surprise spouse.
21. Time to work on hobbies.
22. Shopping without the hassle of explaining to spouse!  I'm talking about the new outfit, or shoes kind of budget, not the new house or car type of shopping.
23. Many businesses offer free products or meals to the families of deployed members.
24. Free camps for the children of deployed members
25. It's a good way to find out who your friends are!
26. The sleep number bed can be set at 45 on BOTH sides!
27. I can now stay up burning the midnight oil without someone asking me if I'm coming to bed.
28. More hot water
29. First point of order, clean out the closet....he doesn't need all that space.
30. Eating in front of the t.v. is now acceptable.
31. Everyone around you expects less from you.
32. No more of the toilet seat being left up.
33. I now have the choice of not one but two sinks in the bathroom.
34. Movie marathons will be happening again.
35. Time to get organized!
36. The DVR is all mine!
37. I can finally maybe win at least one board game in this house.
38. Although my Wii partner won't be around, I will have more time to practice.
39. No obligatory office functions.
40. Skypping again!
41. All pictures of him will now be of him in a uniform, need I say more.
42. I'll be reintroducing chocolate chip pancakes.
43. Conquering my fears.
44. Time to learn a new hobby.
45. Shopping is therapeutic.
46. More frequent coffee dates with my girlfriends.
47. I get to see my boys be proud of their father.
48. I get to witness my boys telling their father they love him.
49. NOTHING gets taken for granted.
50. We always learn something new after he's been to new places.
51. Unique souvenirs.
52. We are in a special class of people who don't get to live this life.
53. Care packages from sympathetic friends....
54. We'll be forced to be a team here at home.
55. These kinds of things do bring us CLOSER.
56. Spiritual growth.
57. New goals to accomplish.
58. New skills learned.
59. The opportunity to read the Bible all the way thru, this is the year.
60. Soul searching.
61. Time to finally write.
62. All the covers to myself.
63. An excuse to drink a good glass of wine each night.
64. The likelihood of more people coming to visit to keep me company.
65. Spring Break in Texas!
66. The dog all to myself, maybe he'll actually realize I do ALOT for him.
67. Less gas used.
68. Smaller grocery bill, I may have said this once but it's worth mentioning again.
69. A good excuse for regular manicures.
70. Perfect time to try new recipes.
71. No late night phone calls from work.
72. No uniforms to iron.
73. No reason to make liver and onions.
74. No one to comment on my late night snacking.
75. One last family vacation before he leaves.
76. I get the boys all to myself.
77. I finally get to wear all his comfy sweatshirts.
78. I get to set the thermostat.
79. A chance to try new hairdos before he gets back.
80. I pick the ice cream flavor now.
81. Good content for an outstanding and moving video slide show.
82. Since he'll be deployed when he gets promoted, it means I don't have to pay for a party for a bunch of people I don't even know.
83. No size 14 shoes laying around for me to trip on.
84. More time to blog, search Pinterest and chat on Facebook.
85. He gets to see parts of this world most of us can only imagine.
86. Maybe read a good book.....maybe.
87. I get to pick the movies.
88. A good excuse to call someone I haven't talked to for awhile.
89. I now have three vehicles to choose from....one being the Jeep....uh make that two.
90. Makes for great Christmas letter content.
91. Will singlehandly save the U.S. Postal System.
92. Tax free income and extra pay!
93. It could be worse, it's only 6 months, others have it worse.
94. I've done this before.
95. Non elaborate meals are back on the menu.....grilled cheese sandwiches, corn dogs, cereal, chips and salsa and cereal may be on the menu.
96. No need to get all dolled up.
97. The lessons my kids will learn will be invaluable.
98. An opportunity to answer God's prodding to start a Bible Study for military spouses.
99..............Life goes one, whether he's here or not....it'll be different but it's temporary and I can deal with that.
100. Homecoming; I feel sorry for the person who has never tasted the sweetness of the homecoming of a loved one.

I'm not a fool, I know there are plenty of things that I'll miss and he'll miss while he is gone.  Dwelling on them will not help either of us.  I know God only chooses the strong to endure such separations so I count myself as one of His chosen.  We'll be fine.  It's a temporary inconvenience and keeping that in mind will help me get through the next 194 days....or so.  I have promised myself to be wiser, stronger, bolder, smarter, more confident.......I'm gonna do it better this time, not because I want to but because it's better than the alternative.  I have three guys here at home that are relying on me and younger wives watching to see how I'll respond.  It doesn't mean I'm not scared, it doesn't mean there won't be times when I'm not lonely or down but I've decided to make the best of it, to let go and let God hold on to me.  Let the journey begin.....

Welcome to Missyissippi

A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm. ~Henrik Ibsen

Recently I suggested that I should create my own town.  I've watched my kids play SimCity, it's not that hard.  I want to create my own town to keep out those people who bring me down, make me feel inadequate, or are just plain stupid!    I actually thought it'd be a town with a population of one but I soon discovered other  folks liked the idea or had also thought of doing the same thing.  It would be by invitation only and some people might be surprised that when they went to their mailbox it would not contain their invitation.  One criteria is a must and not possessing it will get you kicked out of my town in pretty short order and that's a good sense of humor.  We're gonna laugh in my town, we're gonna have a good time, and you know what we're gonna be nice to each other and we're not taking anything too seriously!  You're welcome to join us.  As you see there are still some openings.....pack your bags and your sense of humor.  And remember in my town we use M&Ms for currency.......Now what shall we name this town?

Friend                                                         Job                                              

Myra H.                                                       Baker, specialty: wood fired oven
                                                                       baked pizzas

Vacant                                                        Candlestick maker

Jennifer T.                                                   Lounge singer, former DWS
                                                                       contestant and town celebrity

Troy T and Michael G II                                 Security (please pretend you're  
                                                                       of them.)

Emily M.                                                      Lifeguard...Baywatch part 2

Sue H.                                                         Grandma's Daycare

Tracey L.                                                     Petsitter and wine provider/drinker

Margaret H.                                                 School nurse, herbal expert,
                                                                        inspirational cheerleader

Karen C.                                                      Chipotle.....need I say more?

Yari M.                                                         Self-Pro claimed Mexican't.......but
                                                                                                       she's fun.
Irene                                                           Diversity expert and resident
                                                                       Mexican and quilter

Lynda H.                                                      Princess Parade Coordinator
                                                                       (every Friday, mandatory)

Pamela S.                                                    Because everyone needs another
                                                                        weird friend ;)

Lisa F, Chris D, and Julie W                           Jamestown!, that's the only reason
                                                                         they need!

Andrea V.                                                     childhood friend,everyone needs 1
                                                                          and yoga teacher

Kristy G.                                                       Will check to make sure everyone
                                                                           brought their sense of humor

Tara G.                                                         She will inform folks if they have
                                                                          been invited/uninvited

Jim D.                                                           Store manager, Princess jet
                                                                          mechanic, bouncer, and
                                                                            on call pastor (I may need
                                                                            him at a moment's notice)

Evelyn G.                                                     Jim's keeper and pecan maker! 
                                                                        (even if she's an Eagles fan)

Charles G.                                                   tiara polisher

Lisa C., Eleilia P. and Jennifer B.                    because they asked

Julie B.                                                        sportscaster and Nick Swisher fan
                                                                       club president, and my Cousin!

Rhonda C.                                                   She has wine!

Rachel D.                                                    Resident blackmailer

Angie D.                                                      Political advisor, babysitter, wine
                                                                       vintner

Scott D                                                        Brewmaster

Mariela                                                        Puerto Rican adviser, love the
                                                                       diversity!

Ginette S. and Kayla                                    She's the sweetest person I know!

Don S.                                                        Garbage Man and town Jester

Nancy A.                                                     Womens' fire dept chief

Michael B.                                                   Escort for his dad, he's family!

Denise D.                                                    Niceness control officer

Bonni C.                                                      Princess's personal photographer

Kathryn                                                      Wedding, funerals, baptisms
                                                                      she's declared a death free zone

Sean Fisher                                                 Sean Fisher, that's enough

My sister and Bro-in-law                               Village idiots, that's what they
                                                                        wanted!

Amanda J.                                                   Pub owner, Scottish expert!

Marisa O.                                                     who else is going to drink wine
                                                                          with me?

Angela P.                                                      Mother of the bride!

Chris D.                                                       Princess clothes designer

Cari L.                                                         Decorator extraordinaire

Lori. O                                                         Owner and proprietor of the the
                                                                        town clothing store

I need a chef and someone to brew a mean cup of coffee....anyone?


There are many people missing from this roster but I can add them as soon as they let me know what they would like to do.  I hope I didn't forget anyone. The point is I wish I could pick who I live near.  I wish I could only say hello and would never have to say good bye.  Until I am a multi-millionaire with that kind of power, I'll just have to deal with those who try my patience, who make me feel less valued than I know I really am and I'll continue to make new friends and keep the old. 

Home is where your horse is......

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in. 

Robert Frost

So my sister called today, you know her, she's the smart one....anyway she asked for pictures of my house here in Florida.  I wonder if that means she never plans to visit?  She's in the middle of building a home, so I don't envy her right now, except for the being smart part.

So here are a few pictures.  I don't expect anyone to look at them.  And please don't think I'm showing off or bragging, it's a nice house, the nicest one I've lived in.  Is it my forever home?  No....I can't see mountains from my porch.  Anyway, we are blessed and are setting a goal of spending 2 Christmases in this house, it's a lofty goal.

Let's start at the front door.....

The view from the street, I got hit soon after, I'm okay....

The boys sitting on the front porch, the first time we pulled up to the house.

Step on in, don't mind the mess....

Living Room

Cohen's room, a work in progress

G-train's Room and the last time it was this clean

His room also doubles as the tv room.

T's room the day the bed making angels came and made his bed.

T's room

Back of house, deck and lanai

back yard looking toward our landlord's backyard

Lanai....a disturbed Crash, apparently I woke him from a nap

A dining room large enough for my 8ft table

Kitchen looking toward eat in area

A kitchen not worthy of my cooking skills

Laundry room

The garage, half full with rummage.....and the dreaded Jeep (it's currently broken, Surprise)

The shower, I've had rooms this big

Double sinks, walk in closet to the right, no need to see the toilet room, it's a toilet!

Awww, my favorite feature!  The magic happens here!

And finally the master bedroom, it's not completed yet, still need to hang stuff and rearrange.

And lastly, the community pool, 2 doors down....comes with a pool boy!

So that's our house in a nutshell.  Thanks for stopping by electronically.  We invite ya'll to come and visit....especially if you live in Indiana, Chicago, Idaho, or Rhode Island in the winter.  See ya'll soon!