A small affair..... Day 290+

I am having a love affair while Bill is gone.. do not be shocked... I know many of you have one too. Mine is with this black and silver gorgeous dutch man. I love the dutch!!! My man beacons me with a blue glow at times. He awaits for me to decide if I want small, medium or big..... get your minds out of the gutter!!! I am talking about my KEURIG coffee maker. This is one appliance that I will thank my husband for immensely when he returns home. Without this beautiful Dutch man, I would be coffee less. You see, making coffee using grounds and filling water daily and pouring from a pot.... that is to much manual labor for me. I was blessed with my newest love just before the holidays. My husband knows me so well. He knew making coffee in a pot was right up there with doing the laundry. A necessity of life but one I would love to refrain from. He knew that for me life without him and without  my warm luscious cup of coffee would send me over the edge. He knew that the beast within me would attack this home without at least one of my favorites in life being present. Thank you for being so kind Bill, you granted me peace and serenity in the form of an appliance...now lets just hope it lasts the whole deployment.


Bill- I am happy to hear you are getting my pkgs in the mail...you realize I have now sent two.. this is a big step for me. You know how I love the post office. I have items here getting ready to ship.. sorry but one is not a single cup Keurig machine... I am the jealous type.. I do not share!!! LOL
Keep the helmet and flak on at all times. Thanks for sharing the pics so I have proof and do not need to send the cat over. He is alive and well awaiting your return.

perspective........Day 291+

Today is Sunday, I sit and reflect while the kids are at Sunday school class. It is a time when the house is quiet and the coffee is hot. In these moments I think of just how lucky I am to have the life I do. I  am married to the most wonderful man and have four beautiful and amazing kids. Today, my eyes welled up not in sorrow but in joy. I am lucky and today was a good day to reflect. To think about all the positives in my life that outweigh the giant negative one.... you know the fact that Bill is not here right now. My negative today seemed pale in comparison to some... some wives and kids out there are not getting their husband or daddy back, their daddy and hubby has been placed in heaven. Today I remain thankful for my wonderful life and the going to pray that those who have lost their loved one find peace in their hearts.  I bring this sad fact up because on occasion I visit a caring bridge site of a dear friend and Tony's godfather. He passed away over 123 days ago.. I know this number because his wife counts up as I count down. I can only read her thoughts and pray... that she feels Joe in her heart. I know he loved her as immensely as I love Bill. I know that they were blessed to have what time God gave them. For you D---- I will celebrate each day I have with Bill and try to not complain about his absence. I will try but I also know that you know me well enough to laugh at that comment. You need to know that you inspire me daily and we love you.
Happy Birthday Joe Lucia... belated yes (March 7, 1968)... but I know that the rains today are you washing down the floors of heaven after one kick ass party!


Hug the ones you love and cherish every moment you share even if you share via phone and skype. They are still moments.

Bill- Keep safe... I need you home. I need you with me and the kids. There is no other option. That said... helmet and flak at all times.. who cares that it is over 88 degrees and you will be sweaty. Stinky may keep you safe!!!!!

the projects have commenced...............Day 294+

The phase two of deployment is running smoothly for me. I am on autopilot and I am cruising along. That is when I  got hit in the head by the the project nazi ... This is that insane little person that runs around in your head telling you that you should be completing something BIG!! After all,  your husband is far away working ungodly hours and you are doing what? Yep... this person showed up on Friday last week and has not left yet. If you are my friend and neighbor... you will come soon to help me squash him. I refer to this as a him, because a women would not ever find these things as fun!

Friday was a beautiful day and this should have tipped me off., some call it spring fever...  I call it battle of the project nazi. I had plants bought and digging to do. I told myself I was only going to dig in some bushes...that resulted in about 6 hours of full fledged replanting of pots and plants in my garden. I could not stop, the PN (project Nazi) was yelling for me to go on. I raked up all the pine needles in the front garden and am ready for mulch now. I planted over 3 flats of flowers, dug up 4 dead bushes, potted strawberries, and planted replacement bushes. Neighbors  showed up for happy hour and I entertained them with my raking and digging skills. How much fun am I? I was on a mission and it had to be completed. I know Bill is happy to be where he is.. he hates the PN too!
Fast forward to yesterday.... beautiful 80 degree weather, kids out of school early... great day to play!! Nope... the PN is still winning the battle in my head. I dig up 27 large stepping stones that have been in place for a good 15 years. I could not see several of them as they had dropped into the earth only to be claimed by my craziness. They are a good 20lbs each if not more... today they feel like 50 lbs each..my arms are screaming! I dig all these giant stones up and move them to the house and a patio is built. Yep all in one day... ok so the last row needs to be leveled out today. My mind is winning today because I do not hear the PN screaming at me to finish ..... I wonder if this will be left for Bill as a token of our need of him. I will take pics today and get them posted here so you can see the destruction..aka patio. Now, when you dig something up that is large, a hole is left behind. Yep, I am now the proud owner of dirt hole stepping stones. They line up all they way to my mailbox. I now not only need to level the patio, I need to go find a truckload of dirt to fill the holes in. I never said my PN was smart. I assume that the PN will return this afternoon and I will be driving Bill's truck to the dirt pile and yes...loading my own dirt into the truck and then unloading at the house. The weather man just said rain is on its way... I am not looking forward to small swimming pools in my backyard for the kids to play in. The PN is coming.. I hear him running in my head and screaming at me now!!!!!!!!!!!

 patio almost done.... last 2 rows getting worked on leveling.. but I was done for the day

 holes where stones once were

patio as I started laying the stones

 pic of the dead bushes I dug up

 one of the 3 window boxes I did

Bill,
Be sure to come home... your R&R dates may not be soon enough.. your home is under attack the PN is here and wielding a full assault on my head! Lord help me and your children... you know he will soon have his hand on them to participate in this fun!
Bring your helmet and your shovel.... one too wear and one to hit me over the head with!
Stay safe and stay strong.... come home soon. Crazy is running around here now.