they seem to be having a bit of an identity crisis right about now. My tickets said Northwest, but the plane we boarded said Delta. Who knows? All I know is I arrived at my destination HALLELUJAH!
Part A-Thank you Northwest Airlines for changing THREE tickets to accomodate my husband's supposed arrival time WITHOUT charging me a penny. Even though the husband did not arrive at the time initially given, we will roll with it...it's the miitary.
Part B-Thank you fantastic flight attendants on the flight from Indy-Minneapolis who entertained my children, allowed me to use the "lavatory" ALONE and gave us some coupons to use for lunch at the airport between flights. Mahalo, gracias, danke sien?
Part C-Thank you mind reader on the flight from Minneapolis-Honolulu who realized when I was holding my head in my hands that I needed just a moment to collect myself. I appreciate you beckoning another flight attendant to deliver me a beer STAT! It may have been the tastiest beverage I've had this millenium!
We made it to Honolulu safe and sound, I didn't even have to lop off any appendages from the boys! We arrived to our house, dropped our bags and hit the road to visit our good friends the Parms in Paradise...she's over there along the sidebar, I'm too tired to do the linky thing :) We visited for a bit and the kids played like they had just seen each other yesterday. On the way home we made a pit stop for some milk, cereal and juice since there is NOTHING edible in our house. All I could muster was a quick trip into the mini-mart, I'll save a grocery trip for later....much LATER!
I got the boys to bed and they were so excited to play with all their "new" toys :) I think they finally gave up around 10pm HST...which would be 4AM for our bodies! At 430am HST Magoo was next to me wanting breakfast. I managed to fend them off 'til 730am. They ate and have been playing ever since, haven't really heard a peep. I'm just trying to get things put away and have the house look somewhat clean...organized....picked up??? before DevilDoc arrives. I still have no idea when that will be, but we'll be ready.
On the agenda for today...not a gosh darn thing. Wherever the wind takes us I suppose. I believe a nap will be in order before we do anything though, that's for sure. I'm thinking Dole Plantation, maybe Killer Tacos?! Oh, and we're picking up our Nani-girl from Miss Cyndi later on!!!
Showing posts with label deployment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deployment. Show all posts
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Remember this?
Man, it doesn't take much to put me back in that place....I can smell the salty air coming off of Kaneohe Bay and feel the crisp wind against my skin. The uneasy conversations going on all around us, trying to avoid the inevitable. Listening to everyone say their goodbyes and cry their tears, hearing "I'll be home soon!" and KNOWING that there is NEVER a guarantee. Devil Docs immediate unit has been blessed...they are returning as a complete unit, no one was lost. I almost feel guilty, because there are so many other units who come back without everyone :(
So, the boys and I are preparing to head to the little dot in the middle of the ocean for one last time. It will be bittersweet. I will so miss my friends, our school, our little piece of paradise. At the same time I will be so glad to have my family together again. A range of emotions.
We plan to eat malasadas, Dole whip, Shrimp truck, Longhi's...maybe some Kobe Steakhouse for good measure! I'm not sure what kind of connectivity I will have, the cable, etc. was turned of when we left so I'll have to try and "borrow" from the neighbors.
I can't wait to replace that picture up there with happiness.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Questions to keep to yourself
borrowed/lifted/stolen from someone else.
"Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"
This one ranks in at number one on my "duh" list. Of course we're afraid, you dimwit. We're terrified.The thought constantly lingers at the back of our minds - but thank you so much for reminding me yet again. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.
"I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."
Though this is really annoying, I feel bad about mentioning it because I know that it is intended to be a compliment. Still, it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious, light-sleepers who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we got asked to take on a challenging life and we rose to the challenge.
"He's in Iraq/Afganistan? I'm sorry."
This comment, while meant to be helpful, is annoying! My husband is doing exactly what he wants to do. He is making a positive difference in the world, training the Iraqi military, and helping children who dream of growing up in a world free from strife. This is his job, this is our life, and this is how we choose to live it. We choose to live this life because of our ideology.
"Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?"
Don't you watch the news? No. They don't get to come home for any of these things. No, they often don't get to teleconference as much as people assume we get to for special events. Please don't ask again.
"What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?"
For one, try to keep my sanity. Maybe there is a military wife out there who gets bored when her significant other leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, we find ourselves having to fill the shoes of two people--husband and wife. On top of that we have to keep strong in public and ourselves in private. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored.
"How much longer does he have until he can get out?"
This one is annoying to many of us whether our guys are deployed or not. Most of our men aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. The military isn't a slave program they are sold into, it's a choice. Sorry to break it to you but many of them keep signing back up again and again because (gasp!) they love what they do.
"This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it."
I'm sorry, just how do you get used to watching your man go off to war? It's not a little business trip. There are bombs, bullets, and some very bad people who are bent on killing. My man and his guys are the barrier that keeps them from coming here and trying to kill us. Sure, we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets easy and the bullets and bombs don't swerve around our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away. It's not exactly conducive to easy sleeping. We learn coping skills. We never get used to it.
"Well, this is what you signed up for when you married him."
This is probably one of the most unthoughtful and brazen things you can say to a military wife. Not only that but it is the most common "insult" military wives come across. Firstly, thank you for showing a lack of common sense and compassion. By no means does a military wife faithfully commit to the lifestyle not expecting her husband to go to war and for his life to be put in extreme jeapordy however, how does that make us more or less prepared to receive his deployment orders? To tell him goodbye for 6, 13, or 15 months, or maybe forever? How does that prepare us for the random and unexpected battles we will face alone while they are away? We as military wives do not ask much from anyone, let alone civilians who have no idea what the life is like, but you can show a little compassion and support for us. We are the ones left behind as our husbands go to war. We are often more alone than you could ever know--show a little compassion and respect when you talk to us.
"My boyfriend had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
This one is similar to the one above. Do not equate your boyfriend's three week with a 7-10 month deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious trip length difference, nobody shot at your boyfriend or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your boyfriend could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for comparing a combat deployment to a business trip.
"Don't you miss him?"
No, not really... What do you think?! Of course we miss our men. If we didn't, we wouldn't be together!!!
Blogger note: I did not write this, I just wanted to post it.
"Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"
This one ranks in at number one on my "duh" list. Of course we're afraid, you dimwit. We're terrified.The thought constantly lingers at the back of our minds - but thank you so much for reminding me yet again. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.
"I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."
Though this is really annoying, I feel bad about mentioning it because I know that it is intended to be a compliment. Still, it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious, light-sleepers who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we got asked to take on a challenging life and we rose to the challenge.
"He's in Iraq/Afganistan? I'm sorry."
This comment, while meant to be helpful, is annoying! My husband is doing exactly what he wants to do. He is making a positive difference in the world, training the Iraqi military, and helping children who dream of growing up in a world free from strife. This is his job, this is our life, and this is how we choose to live it. We choose to live this life because of our ideology.
"Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?"
Don't you watch the news? No. They don't get to come home for any of these things. No, they often don't get to teleconference as much as people assume we get to for special events. Please don't ask again.
"What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?"
For one, try to keep my sanity. Maybe there is a military wife out there who gets bored when her significant other leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, we find ourselves having to fill the shoes of two people--husband and wife. On top of that we have to keep strong in public and ourselves in private. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored.
"How much longer does he have until he can get out?"
This one is annoying to many of us whether our guys are deployed or not. Most of our men aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. The military isn't a slave program they are sold into, it's a choice. Sorry to break it to you but many of them keep signing back up again and again because (gasp!) they love what they do.
"This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it."
I'm sorry, just how do you get used to watching your man go off to war? It's not a little business trip. There are bombs, bullets, and some very bad people who are bent on killing. My man and his guys are the barrier that keeps them from coming here and trying to kill us. Sure, we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets easy and the bullets and bombs don't swerve around our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away. It's not exactly conducive to easy sleeping. We learn coping skills. We never get used to it.
"Well, this is what you signed up for when you married him."
This is probably one of the most unthoughtful and brazen things you can say to a military wife. Not only that but it is the most common "insult" military wives come across. Firstly, thank you for showing a lack of common sense and compassion. By no means does a military wife faithfully commit to the lifestyle not expecting her husband to go to war and for his life to be put in extreme jeapordy however, how does that make us more or less prepared to receive his deployment orders? To tell him goodbye for 6, 13, or 15 months, or maybe forever? How does that prepare us for the random and unexpected battles we will face alone while they are away? We as military wives do not ask much from anyone, let alone civilians who have no idea what the life is like, but you can show a little compassion and support for us. We are the ones left behind as our husbands go to war. We are often more alone than you could ever know--show a little compassion and respect when you talk to us.
"My boyfriend had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
This one is similar to the one above. Do not equate your boyfriend's three week with a 7-10 month deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious trip length difference, nobody shot at your boyfriend or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your boyfriend could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for comparing a combat deployment to a business trip.
"Don't you miss him?"
No, not really... What do you think?! Of course we miss our men. If we didn't, we wouldn't be together!!!
Blogger note: I did not write this, I just wanted to post it.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
We got goodies from DevilDoc!
Yesterday Pookins got a letter in the mail from DevilDoc with a cute note in "kindergarten" vocabulary and a couple pictures that he drew. Pookins was very excited and even went up in front of the ENTIRE school to share his letter!
Then, this morning when I opened my email we had a message with LOTS of pictures! Our school had sent over boxes of candy as part of our philanthropy event "Operation: Candy Drop" and I had also sent a Thanksgiving themed box.
I think they were a little bit excited?!
And here is the Thanksgiving set up I sent to him; the little pilgrim on the wall was included lest you think he packed that on his own :)
Love the protection *wink*
And his new digs...
Which is a substantial improvement from his old digs!
And I'm pretty sure he threw this one in just to spite me, because I HATE it when he is in an aircraft (helicopter to be specific!)
Then, this morning when I opened my email we had a message with LOTS of pictures! Our school had sent over boxes of candy as part of our philanthropy event "Operation: Candy Drop" and I had also sent a Thanksgiving themed box.
I think they were a little bit excited?!
And here is the Thanksgiving set up I sent to him; the little pilgrim on the wall was included lest you think he packed that on his own :)
Love the protection *wink*
And his new digs...
Which is a substantial improvement from his old digs!
And I'm pretty sure he threw this one in just to spite me, because I HATE it when he is in an aircraft (helicopter to be specific!)
Friday, October 31, 2008
One a day for DevilDoc
Okay, so I am trying to take at least one picture of the boys everyday (together or separately) so that DevilDoc can see them changing...here are the first few days of the installment 2-1-0
October 23...eating their first of many skittles
They eat one skittle everynight that DevilDoc is gone!
October 24...reading birthday cards
After a looooong day on the set of LOST
October 25...turning 6
Helping decorate the cake
October 26
It's daddy calling...
Just a pookins...
October 27
One jar of skittles
October 28...more skittles
October 23...eating their first of many skittles
They eat one skittle everynight that DevilDoc is gone!
October 24...reading birthday cards
After a looooong day on the set of LOST
October 25...turning 6
Helping decorate the cake
October 26
It's daddy calling...
Just a pookins...
October 27
One jar of skittles
October 28...more skittles
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Time to say "see ya later"
The day crept up on us. The clock was our nemesis. It was time for him to go.
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