I send them off.

I haven't made a picture post in a while, so I've taken a few this week with the intent of sharing them with you and with Sean. So, pictures first, words after.

This is a beer my neighbor, Bryan, brought over for me. Him and his girl had gotten a 6-pack of these and just didn't like them at all. He knows I love coffee, and I love beer.. so here it is. I'll admit, it was strange at first.. but after the first one, I really started to enjoy the mix of flavors.


Oh, Elliott. He looks so intense here, but I think he was watching the camera strap as it was dangling. He's getting bigger everyday, my little guy.


This is most of the stuff I got for him at HEB over the weekend. Lots of snacks and drink powders, and instant coffee. I knew he wanted the coffee. He asked me for some specifically, but little did he know that I'd already gotten him some. I pride myself in knowing my husband well.

Well, I uploaded fewer pictures than I thought I would. But you get the gist.

Today went swimmingly for me. It's been one of the best days I've had since Sean left. I walked to Star Co. and talked to my boss. Not only is he going to put me back on the schedule, but he's asked me to create my own 'ideal' schedule and he'll do everything he can to give me exactly what I ask for! I guess he really wanted me to come back, to offer me that kind of choice.

After we worked that out, I hung out there for a couple hours. I drank some coffee and worked on my scarf. It was really refreshing, being outside, out of the house, and doing something productive. I hope to continue to motivate myself like I did today.

After said knitting, I made my way to the post office. 8 lbs of goodies, all in one flat-rate box. I only spent $12.50 sending it out! I came home just in time for the best thunderstorm I've seen in ages. All in all, today has been beautiful. I only expect it to get better, or at least plateau here.

Oh, right.

Joyous day, as we've found out Sean isn't going to Alabama. At all. Such is the army life - you grow accustomed to getting the run-around, getting faked out.

About 2.5 years ago, I knew nothing about the military. My father hadn't been drafted, I didn't talk to my estranged grandfather about what he had seen in WWII. I was one grade-A civilian. I didn't know quite what to expect when I waltzed onto Ramstein AB in December '07, and then warmed up to Baumholder in '08. I was introduced to this separate world, this unknown culture. Terminology is different, everyone speaks in acronyms. Places have different names, everyone wears the same uniform, everyone is essentially working towards the same goal. Waking up to Reveille in the morning, listening to PT formations call cadence as they run by. Call to Quarters playing at the end of the work day. It was all very alien to me at first. I had sworn up and down for so long that I'd have nothing to do with the military, those brainwashing scum. And now, thinking about all of it, I feel just a touch 'hooah'.

I don't ever say it, and I probably won't again. But it had to go in there somewhere. I digress.

I used to assume that the military, especially the Army, would be very industrious and efficient with all the orders and paperwork that go with every soldier. Like a well-oiled machine, no? Alas, that's not how things are. And everyday, something so simple as turning in some forms or requesting a piece of equipment that ISN'T broken becomes the fucking Odyssey. I feel for Sean everyday, and wish I could do more to help. Instead, I am the best wife I can be - I've been making his lunches everyday, taking care of the house, etc. I do what I can. I think this is how most military wives live.