Fair warning: this is a whiny post! As most of you know, my husband has been gone most of the year on training missions for an upcoming deployment this fall. Well unfortunately, due to him being on call 24/7 all this year, we haven't been able to see family for over a year. Well, not true entirely, since we got to see my brother for dinner one night as he had a layover here for about 5 hours on his way to Afghanistan...hmmm, not sure that qualified as relaxing though, since he was on his way over there. Anyways, back to my rant: my other brother called about a month ago and said that they were going to rent a beach house in the Outer Banks of NC, which is only 2 1/2 hours from us, and would be flying in here and driving down. Awesome! I check my husband's schedule, and it is during the 3 weeks he is supposed to be here in September. I was soooooo looking forward to this, since we can drive down and spend some time with them and meet my new niece (my first, I might add!). Fast forward to this evening: sailor/husband calls from work and informs me that the ship is now leaving the night before they get here and won't be back until a week after they leave. Wha????? You would think I would be used to this but the false starts and stops the military throws our way I never get used to! I'm okay with the training, deployments, holidays without daddy, etc, but COME ON! At least let us visit family for a couple of days somewhere in that year! Here is a nice fact that hit home this evening - my husband has over 60 DAYS of vacation on the books....that says something about how long it has been since we have been able to plan anything. And Christmas will be a bust, since I am not about to drive alone with 2 kids and 2 dogs up north in winter with only 7 days that the school gives for break. END RANT...BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR!
Onto other things:
I got a shot of daddy's plane as it landed the other night! In all these years, this is the first time we have had our times straight! Usually they either are late or arrive at a completely different base than was put out to the families (see above, lol!)
Hubby has been working hard in the humid stink outside trying to get put-off chores done before company comes this weekend. Yay! All this crap actually came from behind my sheds...he made 3 trips to the dump and burned alot of debris for me. This is something I don't tackle due to the local water moccasins and copperheads, lol...saved it all for him!
Today I went to the nursery to pick up what was left of their parsley, since the residents of the "Black Swallowtail Daycare Facility" decimated what I had! Below you can see only the stalks are left!
At least we did get one good evening fishing with daddy before he had to go back to work. 
Lovely shot of my feet:
And one last kick in the pants - when he got home he told me he would be working "days" for the next 2 weeks. He has been working nights for over a year so I was excited about getting to eat dinner as a family this week. Uhhhh, not exactly - the Navy's definition of "days" is to go in somewhere between 9-11 am and work until 2-3 am. No kidding. Good thing none of you live near me or I would drop off my kids with you while I go get some much needed rest and medication as an inpatient at the closest psych facility!
I'm not sure what I could say that would make any of this better. I do really wish we lived closer- I would love to take your kids so you can have a much needed break. Sigh, we don't live in Richmond anymore.
ReplyDeleteI do hope schedules treat you better soon.
Judy
You're still going for the visit, aren't you? If it's only a 2 1/2 hour drive, you could visit, and be back before hubby arrives home!
ReplyDeleteGo for it.
And like Judy, I'd be glad to take your kids for a much deserved rest....unfortunately, I live in the frozen north. Hope this works out for you...it must be so tough on you.
Oh Erin, what a bunch of bologny! This time before deployment should be less strssful, I hope you are able to see your family one way or another. Would you consider keeping the kids out of school a bit over winter break so you could make the treck North? It is only school after all. 8)
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. A lot, its tough. We figure he'll have been gone about 8 mths this year, and the times he's been home longer then 3 consecutive weeks was my miscarriage, our vacation (ok not fair to put this in there) and now waiting for the baby. But even that he's scheduled to go fly in a few weeks so this kid needs to come out NOW! The military is fickle. Isnt that a nice word for it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to head over to the beach. Get a tan, relax, enjoy the sand!
Hmmm, Judy...you are still on my way to MN, lol...I could do a drive by and drop them and you could put them to work, they might have learned a thing or two watching us frame and drywall, just kidding! Kelly, I am absolutely now entertaining the idea of taking a longer break than they get...I mean, it's just 1st grade, right?! And I know TheMrs. understands my whining, lol! I am very thankful that at least my husband is flying and sailing all over creation and being healthy and not in danger currently, but sometimes a girl's just gotta vent!
ReplyDeleteSue, just popped by your blog and can't wait to come back later today when I get some time and read some posts, the pics sucked me right in! Gorgeous garden & home and can't wait to read about it! And yes, I will definitely drive down to the island alone w/kids in tow, but it just won't be as relaxing without someone to share my yelling at the kids to keep their hands to themselves in the car and to stay away from the railings on the ferry, lol!! I think today is my acceptance day and hope to be in a better mood...wish me luck :)
OH NO! I hope y'all catch a break soon. :)
ReplyDeleteyou know i wish peace would come, it is a fantasy so please accept my prayers for relief - i really don't know how you stand it, no every woman could
ReplyDeleteyou know i wish peace would come, it is a fantasy so please accept my prayers for relief - i really don't know how you stand it, no every woman could
ReplyDeleteSo much frustration to endure when your life is controlled by the whims (I know that's not a very good word, really) of the military. But your life really is not your own when your man is in the military, is it?
ReplyDeleteAs has been said before, I don't know how you do it. Please feel free to rant, rave, whine, cry, scream to all of us here. We're here for you. Honest. And you'll feel better getting it out.