Today started out like any other day. I woke up, dragged myself from the bed, and fed the many critters we have here. The morning air was nice in comparison to the heat of the day we have for the afternoon feedings.
Everything was going great. I even made a pot of coffee today. Not really a big deal, but lately the heat has caused me to stop craving hot coffee in the mornings.
So, the coffee is brewing, the birds are singing, the sky is blue, and I am making pancakes for the children as they sleep away the early hours of the day. As the coffee pot reaches the end of it's brewing cycle, I reached for the cabinet where we keep our collection of coffee mugs. This is where my day took a slight detour.
In the mornings, I tend to have tiny discussions with myself over which cup to use. I understand that for most, this is a non-issue. For me though, my mood for the day plays a BIG role in what cup I drink coffee from. You would really be surprised to know the depth of thought and meaning to each cup.
One cup I still have, I borrowed from a friend, whom I admire and think of as I drink from it. I like this one on the mornings I need to remember that I have good friends and today is going to be a great day.
Another, I was given while working at a place that I loved, and had to leave far to soon. This particular cup inspires thoughts of future success and furthering myself so not only will my family be proud of me, but I can be proud of myself. I use this one on the mornings when I need to be reminded that it is okay to want something for myself too.
The Looney Toons cup I have that has my name on it, was bought for me by my children and my husband while on a get away to Fiesta Texas. On mornings when I feel like I need a vacation, this cup is perfect. I remember how happy my kids were that they got to buy me something from that theme park.
I have two cups that come in handy when I am having days that I feel strongly about our Army life. One says "Army wife, toughest job in the Army". This cup, well let's just say I use it when I am less than THRILLED with the Army. As you can imagine, this cup gets used A LOT during deployments! My other Army cup says "Proud Army Wife". I use this one more so when my husband is home and near me. I love for him to know I am so very proud of him and his service to our country.
On this morning however, I wouldn't feel like using one of my many "mental" cups. Instead, I found myself reaching for one of my husband's. This morning, I needed to drink from his cup because his lips were last there. In some weird way, drinking from his coffee cups feel like stealing a kiss. So, my guilty and somewhat twisted confession of the day is that in a desperate to be close moment, I drink from my husband's coffee cup.
Honey, I miss you something awful. For now, your cup will do, but I look forward to kissing you...
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
It wouldn't be a REAL deployment...
In life, I have always believed that when you go through rough times, you are being tested. In my life, these "tests" seem to stack up one on top of the other the moment my husband's boots leave the house.
Less than 30 days into this monster deployment, and I have already had to prove my abilities in resourcefulness time and again.
My first real challenge came in the form of a goat getting his head stuck in the fence. Nothing is more fun than being scolded by a neighbor because I was in the house and couldn't hear the goat hollering. I guess that neighbor's walls are much thinner than mine. Of course this is the same neighbor who said he rang my doorbell. I was in the house and had nothing on but my computer. 10 ft from the door and I didn't hear the bell ring. Oh wait... maybe it did and I just tuned it out. Oh yes, and my kids, the ones that run to the door like a pack of chihuahuas unleashed every time someone knocks or the door bell rings, also had the audacity to ignore the bell. You know, it has always been my goal to leave one of our PET goats hung in a fence to suffer. (I say this 110% sarcastically.)
Anyhow, after a few more days of pondering what to do, I got it! (I did have some inspiration from another neighbor across the street! One that was a lot more understanding and HELPFUL!) I went to Wal-Mart and bought a wooden plunger for $2.17 and a roll of Gorilla tape. What on Earth could I be doing with this you say? Well, I cut the wooden handle in half. This made it the perfect size for a "goat hat". I taped the stick good, then placed it under the goat's horns, attaching it with the Gorilla tape to the horns. Now, my little goat looks like a practice roping bull. The cool thing, he can't get his head through the fence! Take that scolding neighbor!
I do have to mention here how badly I felt for the goat. When I put the "goat hat" on him, he didn't understand what was going on. He looked like an embarrassed little boy. He tipped his head, ran and hid in the shelter, and like a cat trying to get his collar off, scratched at the hat. I literally had to go into the shelter and pet and love on him to convince him that it was okay. His pride was so hurt. He just put his head in my lap as if to say "Why? Why do I have to wear this?" Now though, it has just become an extension of him, and he doesn't notice anymore. Sometimes in life, we have to do things to protect those around us. His pride is not nearly as important as his life. I would rather he look funny, than to find him sick or dead from being stuck in the fence in the heat of the Texas sun.
Adventures In Deployment Tests #2, A Newly Planted Tree
The only thing goats like better than grass, is trees. My husband and I had worked to wrap all of our new trees with wire before he left in order to prevent the goats from eating them. Well, one tree didn't get the posts it needed to hold the wire upright. For a long time, the wire simply being there was enough to dissuade them from attacking it. Not anymore! They are 20lbs heavier and better climbers. They figured out that they could stand on the wire, and mush it down to get to the tree. Ever try convincing goats to get down and stop eating... Let's just say, I learned where the term "stubborn old goat" comes from.
It is 8PM, the Texas sun is setting, the mosquitoes are biting, and I have to devise a plan to protect this tree. My kids were helping by corralling the goats away. After failed attempts
with twine and the ground being too hard to get tent posts into, I began looking for other "tools".
Now dark, we go through 2 flashlights...and the mosquitoes are STILL biting! Then, I remember the pop up tent toys my kids once had. The design is simple to understand, I need something to push the wire apart and keep it taught. POLES! I need POLES!!! It was time for a slow walk through my husband's garage. After all there had to be SOMETHING in there. He saves every spare piece of wood or craft he works with.
I FOUND IT! I FOUND WHAT I NEEDED! An old flag pole, and an old curtain rod. The idea was simple! Build an "x" on the inside of the wire, with the ends of the poles pushing against the wire to keep it strong and from bending in. What would I use to keep the ends of the poles in place? Well, test #1 had some leftovers. GORILLA TAPE! Voila! At least I thought...
The very next day, my cute little girl goat figured out that she could "shoulder" the wire over close
to the tree. So, yeah the wire wouldn't bend in around the tree, but they could push it closer to the tree. In essence I built them a movable ladder to get to the top.
What to do now? PINS! PINS IN THE GROUND TO HOLD THE WIRE IN ONE SPOT! Easy right? Where do you get pins at 8PM at night. (Notice how they wait until it is too late for a trip to the hardware store?) This answer was actually easier than the rest. I found some spare wire and cut pieces to bend into "U" shapes. I used them to tack down the wire so that it won't move. BRILLIANT!
Of course I am just waiting for the day that the goats figure out how to fly or sling each other over the wire...
The Refrigerator Test
A deployment wouldn't be a deployment without something expensive breaking. Saturday night, my refrigerator quit. I had just had a discussion with a friend about how I was praying it would hold until my husband's R&R at least. Apparently the fridge had other ideas. At 2 AM I am throwing everything I could fit into my husband's mini fridge. Not a whole heck of a lot fits in there by the way, but you would be amazed at how I
packed it.
Yesterday, I did go suck it up and buy a new one. OUCH! That was money I wasn't planning on spending. After coming home, and taking a nap, I got used to the idea and let go of my "money pains". (Those that know me, know I don't spend money well. Big purchases make me ill.)
I don't know what made me do it, but I decided to plug the old fridge back in. Guess what... the compressor was working again. WHAT?! I just spent all of that money, and the old fridge is going to work? NO WAY!
I have condiments and veggies in an ice cooler, and the fridge is going to work? What kind of a cruel universe is this?
My only saving grace was Google. I decided to look at parts for my fridge. I found that the "main board" needs to be replaced. For less than $200 I can fix this fridge. However, I have already ordered the new one and set it up for delivery. If I were to cancel it now, I would have to pay a 15% restocking fee. NO THANK YOU!
So my plan now, is to store the old fridge in the garage. I plan to save it as a post deployment "test" for my hubby. After all who doesn't need an extra fridge every once in a while?
All I know is being tested sucks, but in the same sense, they remind me that I CAN do this! Anytime I am tested and I come up with a solution, I feel stronger.
I know that I am not the only Army wife that is tested. I know that I am not the only Army wife that kicks the crap out of these "tests".
We are all way more than Army strong, we are Army WIFE strong, and we are PROUD of it!
Less than 30 days into this monster deployment, and I have already had to prove my abilities in resourcefulness time and again.
My first real challenge came in the form of a goat getting his head stuck in the fence. Nothing is more fun than being scolded by a neighbor because I was in the house and couldn't hear the goat hollering. I guess that neighbor's walls are much thinner than mine. Of course this is the same neighbor who said he rang my doorbell. I was in the house and had nothing on but my computer. 10 ft from the door and I didn't hear the bell ring. Oh wait... maybe it did and I just tuned it out. Oh yes, and my kids, the ones that run to the door like a pack of chihuahuas unleashed every time someone knocks or the door bell rings, also had the audacity to ignore the bell. You know, it has always been my goal to leave one of our PET goats hung in a fence to suffer. (I say this 110% sarcastically.)
Anyhow, after a few more days of pondering what to do, I got it! (I did have some inspiration from another neighbor across the street! One that was a lot more understanding and HELPFUL!) I went to Wal-Mart and bought a wooden plunger for $2.17 and a roll of Gorilla tape. What on Earth could I be doing with this you say? Well, I cut the wooden handle in half. This made it the perfect size for a "goat hat". I taped the stick good, then placed it under the goat's horns, attaching it with the Gorilla tape to the horns. Now, my little goat looks like a practice roping bull. The cool thing, he can't get his head through the fence! Take that scolding neighbor!
I do have to mention here how badly I felt for the goat. When I put the "goat hat" on him, he didn't understand what was going on. He looked like an embarrassed little boy. He tipped his head, ran and hid in the shelter, and like a cat trying to get his collar off, scratched at the hat. I literally had to go into the shelter and pet and love on him to convince him that it was okay. His pride was so hurt. He just put his head in my lap as if to say "Why? Why do I have to wear this?" Now though, it has just become an extension of him, and he doesn't notice anymore. Sometimes in life, we have to do things to protect those around us. His pride is not nearly as important as his life. I would rather he look funny, than to find him sick or dead from being stuck in the fence in the heat of the Texas sun.
Adventures In Deployment Tests #2, A Newly Planted Tree
The only thing goats like better than grass, is trees. My husband and I had worked to wrap all of our new trees with wire before he left in order to prevent the goats from eating them. Well, one tree didn't get the posts it needed to hold the wire upright. For a long time, the wire simply being there was enough to dissuade them from attacking it. Not anymore! They are 20lbs heavier and better climbers. They figured out that they could stand on the wire, and mush it down to get to the tree. Ever try convincing goats to get down and stop eating... Let's just say, I learned where the term "stubborn old goat" comes from.
It is 8PM, the Texas sun is setting, the mosquitoes are biting, and I have to devise a plan to protect this tree. My kids were helping by corralling the goats away. After failed attempts
with twine and the ground being too hard to get tent posts into, I began looking for other "tools".Now dark, we go through 2 flashlights...and the mosquitoes are STILL biting! Then, I remember the pop up tent toys my kids once had. The design is simple to understand, I need something to push the wire apart and keep it taught. POLES! I need POLES!!! It was time for a slow walk through my husband's garage. After all there had to be SOMETHING in there. He saves every spare piece of wood or craft he works with.
I FOUND IT! I FOUND WHAT I NEEDED! An old flag pole, and an old curtain rod. The idea was simple! Build an "x" on the inside of the wire, with the ends of the poles pushing against the wire to keep it strong and from bending in. What would I use to keep the ends of the poles in place? Well, test #1 had some leftovers. GORILLA TAPE! Voila! At least I thought...
The very next day, my cute little girl goat figured out that she could "shoulder" the wire over close
to the tree. So, yeah the wire wouldn't bend in around the tree, but they could push it closer to the tree. In essence I built them a movable ladder to get to the top.What to do now? PINS! PINS IN THE GROUND TO HOLD THE WIRE IN ONE SPOT! Easy right? Where do you get pins at 8PM at night. (Notice how they wait until it is too late for a trip to the hardware store?) This answer was actually easier than the rest. I found some spare wire and cut pieces to bend into "U" shapes. I used them to tack down the wire so that it won't move. BRILLIANT!
Of course I am just waiting for the day that the goats figure out how to fly or sling each other over the wire...
The Refrigerator Test
A deployment wouldn't be a deployment without something expensive breaking. Saturday night, my refrigerator quit. I had just had a discussion with a friend about how I was praying it would hold until my husband's R&R at least. Apparently the fridge had other ideas. At 2 AM I am throwing everything I could fit into my husband's mini fridge. Not a whole heck of a lot fits in there by the way, but you would be amazed at how I
packed it.I don't know what made me do it, but I decided to plug the old fridge back in. Guess what... the compressor was working again. WHAT?! I just spent all of that money, and the old fridge is going to work? NO WAY!
I have condiments and veggies in an ice cooler, and the fridge is going to work? What kind of a cruel universe is this?
My only saving grace was Google. I decided to look at parts for my fridge. I found that the "main board" needs to be replaced. For less than $200 I can fix this fridge. However, I have already ordered the new one and set it up for delivery. If I were to cancel it now, I would have to pay a 15% restocking fee. NO THANK YOU!
So my plan now, is to store the old fridge in the garage. I plan to save it as a post deployment "test" for my hubby. After all who doesn't need an extra fridge every once in a while?
All I know is being tested sucks, but in the same sense, they remind me that I CAN do this! Anytime I am tested and I come up with a solution, I feel stronger.
I know that I am not the only Army wife that is tested. I know that I am not the only Army wife that kicks the crap out of these "tests".
We are all way more than Army strong, we are Army WIFE strong, and we are PROUD of it!
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