Wow. It's been a long time since I've even thought about a post. However, on this important day which was set aside so many years ago to honor our military veterans, I felt almost compelled to post my gratitude. I know Memorial Day is for remembering those who have fought and died for our freedom, but the recent occurrence at Fort Hood, where terrorism has once again reached our shores and done it's ugly work, has come too close to Veterans Day for me to not first pay tribute to the brave military personnel who laid down their lives at a time and in a place almost inconceivable--a U.S. military installation in America. Then, to the men and women currently serving in our military, my appreciation and gratitude for your sacrifices are deeply heartfelt, and my prayers for your protection are increased during this apparent inability of our current commander-in-chief to decide that our troops are dying needlessly in Afghanistan simply because they need and cannot receive added support. Thank you for doing your job to the best of your ability! Finally, though not at all in the least, a resounding THANK YOU to those former military personnel that walk the streets with us each day, eat at the same restaurants that we do, shop for groceries with us, and live each of their civilian days all the while remembering the lost comrades, swallowing their words in the face of the distrust of those who do not understand where their own freedom comes from, and who would do it all over again because they know freedom isn't free.

Thank you for my freedom.

December Kick-off with a Christmas Mood

We just arrived home from a Christmas concert featuring Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant, Avalon, Michael English, and Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. Even though we planned to attend this concert, it sort of turned into an impromptu attendance when we realized we had the wrong date in mind and had to scramble to get there tonight. Get there we did, though, and it was an enjoyable evening. I am usually quite picky with my concert attendance, and under normal circumstances I would have shied from part of this line-up, but for Christmas music, it couldn't have been much better, unless Steven Curtis Chapman had been in the mix! I have been enjoying non-stop Christmas songs on XM since last week, but there is something missing in White Christmas and Silver Bells that one can only find in the Christmas carol. "Oh, Holy Night" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" are my favorite carols with "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" not far behind. Actually, I love to sing all of them, and I love to mangle them on the piano as I attempt to put my heart into my fingers. It's even been cold here in La which of course helps set the Christmas mood for this northern southerner. Anyway, what a wonderful reminder we had on this first day of advent. Christmas is not the shopping or the decorations or the tree or the presents or even family. Christmas is the celebration of Christ coming to earth to be both human and God for the eventual redemption of the human race for whosoever will accept him. May we all remember this, no matter how bleak our situation may be this Christmas. When the angels told the shepherds that there was to be peace on earth, they didn't mean there would never be economic hard times or famine or war or sickness. The point was that if and as Jesus lives within us, he would bring us peace to live in this life, come what may. May you all have peace on earth this Christmas, beginning today, that will last all year, every year.

The Waiting

I am not a patient waiter when I have nothing else to do. I am currently sitting at home awaiting the time when I will drive to the airport and pick up my dearly beloved. Yes, he is actually coming home tonight, not tomorrow!! I think I need to go find something with which to occupy myself. The long-awaited time is here :)

He's on His Way!

He's been traveling for roughly 20 hours, about 17 of that in the air, but my husband is on his way home! He is currently in the air between Bangor and BWI, after leaving Kuwait yesterday afternoon my time and stopping for fuel in Germany. Hopefully he will get a ticket change and be home tonight instead of tomorrow.

A slushy accumulation of 1 to 2 inches...

No, I'm not still in Virginia. That happens to be tomorrow's forecast for the little area I currently call home here in La. Oh, and a high temperature of only 39. Hmmm...do you think it's because I washed the truck? I am excited, even though I won't likely be able to even make a snowball.

Yes, dear people, I cleaned, inside and out, my knight's chariot for when I pick him up at the airport next week. Next week--did you hear that!!?? The end is in sight! My heart goes out to all the soldier and Marine wives whose husbands are gone at least a year, and most tours are closer to 15 or 18 months. Six months was plenty of separation for this little military wife, especially after only 8 months of marriage. There isn't a firm date yet for his arrival, even though I say next week, not that I could post it anyway. However, once he is safely winging his way toward the good ol' USA, I'll post it.

My trip to Virginia was grand, though I missed seeing quite a number of people. I didn't time things very well in the end, and things were also reaching the point of being on the road all day, everyday in order to get to everyone. It just means that another trip will be in order once things settle down here. It was wonderful to visit with those I could, and just because I didn't see you doesn't mean you count any less! When you are trying to catch up in two weeks with the places and people where you spent 30+ years, it is hard to fit everything in....

Hello to 2008 as I pack away the memories of 2007

Back in the 90s I remember thinking that anything beyond Y2K just seemed like a fairy tale. Now I'm living in the fairy tale.

Chris received his first official date of return, so tune in around March 16 for the conclusion of this journey. Of course, I hope you tune in occasionally before then, but that is the all-important date. For now. As anyone knows with the military, we may have 2 or 3 more official dates of return before he actually climbs on a plane to head this way. Though he is ready to come home, his spirits are high, and he is enjoying his new post. They made a good celebration of Christmas. I wish I had a picture of the grill that they created. It would make any if-you-don't-have-it-make-it person proud to hear Chris tell about it.

Most people don't wait quite so long to reflect upon the year just passed. I guess I just haven't had much time to think. It was a full and blessed year, to be sure. January only found us continuing to adjust to married life as well as nesting. We continued to clean up the treeline and fence row to the side of our yard. The vines in this region are invasive and annoying, to say the least. I just got the electricity bill, and it confirmed to me that last winter was colder than this one has been so far. February saw us making two consecutive weekend trips to Alabama: the first in response to the unexpected death of a beloved uncle and the second to visit with a west-coast cousin who I had not seen in a number of years. March contained a number of church events and military events. Additionally I was able to help a former employer by attending a conference in southern La. While there I acquired :) my nephews for a week-long visit. This was a wonderful time, and when they left I sorely missed them. They are such energetic guys-full of life and love. Easter was celebrated the weekend after they went home. Later in the month we attended an air show at the base. It was my first air show, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Thunderbirds were great. The same weekend the Blue Angels were flying on the east coast, and I regretted to hear about the tragic accident of one of their new pilots. Thoughts of such an accident had occurred to me concerning our air show, and I had been praying for God's protection. We visited Chris's family in IN to finish out April. In May we had a visit from a Virginia friend of mine. We were able to attend another conference, this time in San Antonio, and also take a little time for ourselves. It was during the conference on afternoon that Chris received that call that changed our lives for the rest of the year. However, we were determined to enjoy whatever time God gave us together, and we continued to make plans for a two-week trip west at the end of June. Before that, though, we were facing our first separation while Chris went for training in VA. The Lord was merciful, and it was cancelled the Friday before he was to report on Monday. Then time for "the trip" arrived, and we excitedly drove off for our first day of travelling, a 14 hour drive to Albuquerque. The whole trip included: Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon (camped in the park), Hoover Dam, Death Valley, visit with dear friend in CA, Sequoia National Park, a church youth camp on the top and side of a CA mountain (rusTIC!), Yosemite Nat. Park, another campsite and cooking in the dark :), a wonderful visit with family in Reno and time to take my dear husband to my favorite spots in the area (no, no casinos), old mining camps and ghost towns, the heat of Las Vegas at midnight, Zion Nat. Park, Bryce Canyon (camped in the park), Route 66, Saguaro Nat. Park, watched some beautiful distant rain storms, logged a number of new air bases (great on the budget for lodging), and made notes on places that we want to go back to and others we want to add to a future trip. It was the highlight of the year for both of us since Chris has never been west, I had the privilege of showing him places I have been, and we both enjoyed discovering new places together. The rest of July was simply spent preparing for Chris's departure and praying that he wouldn't really have to go. God's ways are not ours, though, and he left for training. After seeing Chris off at the end of August, when we spent a great three days exploring San Antonio (we found the BEST Italian restaurant), the rest of the year was spent, for me, in trying to adjust to a great deal of free time on my hands. I have managed to have enough visitors or trips each month that the time has passed quickly: Oct a trip for a friend's wedding and a church event and the passing of my first anniversary without my husband, Nov was a trip to my brother's and my in-laws', my parents and grandmother were in for Thanksgiving, and the birth of a friend's baby with a visit with her parents from Virginia, then December was busy Christmas shopping and preparing for Christmas at my parents'. What week Chris found out his first official return date. Unfortunately, that week also brought a funeral in Virginia that I did get to attend. "The return" wasn't as emotionally wrenching as I was afraid it would be, and I am ready for a trip in February if the airlines will cooperate financially.

I guess I just did that recap as much for myself as for everyone who would care to know. It was a great year, even with a deployment, and I am looking forward to what God holds for us this year. It may not all be good, and likely won't be since life is life, but I know God will be with us, and I intend to go to him with my laughter as well as tears, praise and worship as much as needs and requests.

Happy New Year!

Just Wait a Day

You hear it all the time around this area of the country, at least at this time of the year, "If you don't like the weather, just stick around a day, and it'll change." Yuck. We finally had December-like temperatures the past few days, and all of a sudden we are back at 70. Pneumonia anyone?

And then, of course, I am reminded of the title of my own blog. It's a hard thing to do then you don't care for your surroundings, whether it be people, climate, or terrain. In my case it's the climate. Ok, Lord, reprimand heard.

Cookies and Presents

Finally. Frosting sugar cookies is something that only gets done at Christmas and every time I do them I am reminded why. What a time-consuming task. Mom has decided, and rightly so, that we ought to start contributing to the goodies instead of her doing them all. I guess I need to try out the fudge recipe some day to see if I can make it. For now I think Mom is stuck with that task. But I don't really mind doing the cookies, even if it is a two-day task. Or at least it is for the number of them that we usually make. I'm going to send a few to Chris and give some to the neighbors.

All the presents are purchased, one is left to be wrapped cause I just bought it, and all I have to do is load them up. I braved the mall today out of absolute necessity. Sometimes I don't mind shopping during this time of December, but only if I already have everything purchased, and I am just out nosing around. Thankfully I did find what I was looking for so I could then beat it home to get out of the madness. There is no tree up this year, nor are there any other decorations. I'll just enjoy the neighbors'. Well, I did buy at the dollar store an 18" tree that has 2 colors of fiber optics. It's sitting in the window, but I have yet to turn it on! It's really not Bah Humbug, I just don't like to decorate for myself. I quit doing it the last few years I was single, and with Chris around I just don't feel like Christmas is here, but at my parents'. So, I'll enjoy Mom's when I get there.

We think we are halfway through the deployment. We don't have an ETA yet, only our own calculations. My brother is home on time, though, and we are thankful. He has been doing contract work, or something like that, and his arrival date wavered at the last minute.

Way passed my bedtime. I just had to celebrate the completion of the cookies ;)

Newborns and Old Friends

How wonderful it was the past two days to combine the two! I have a Virginia friend living relatively nearby and she had her second child last week. I was unable to visit until this week, and then wound up spending two nights impromptu in order to visit not just with her, but her parents also, who I haven't seen since rougly this time last year. The baby boy is adorable--and such a good baby! This is a blessing to my friend since her oldest child will only turn 1 year old next week. Yes, she has her hands full. Now I'm missing Virginia all over again, and simply will have to make plans for a visit!

It's the End of November??

What a busy two weeks I have had! Actually, I've been pretty much on the go since the beginning of October (it was a beautiful wedding, Julie!) with either somewhere to go or something to do at home. I am a homebody, but have been glad for the opportunities to keep my mind off of my "aloneness."

Two weeks ago I headed out for a fast trip to the midwest. First stop was my brother in Ohio. He had purchased a home in May, and I wanted to see it as well as him. It was a long 13-hour drive to get there, something I haven't done in a very long time. But it was worth it to spend the time with him. We roamed through the air museum at WPAFB the next day--airplanes are somewhat of a hobby/passion for him, and I am always interested in anything to do with history. Granted, there are very modern models there, too, which were no less interesting to me. We had no where nearly enough time.

I left him the following morning and headed to Indiana for a one-day stopover for a local church convention. My parents were also there, and I wanted to see them. One of the preachers that I enjoy hearing was the evening speaker. It was a small meeting, but enjoyable.

Leaving there the following morning I headed to my in-laws toward the southeastern part of IN. We had an early Thanksgiving dinner with Chris's grandparents making the (for them) arduous hour-long trip. I was very humbled that they would do this, and we had a good time of eating and visiting. My mother-in-law and I of course had to go shopping, and I managed to find some bargain prices on Christmas presents for my nephews. We haven't ever spent time together like that, and it was nice to be able to do so. I was only there for a few days and headed back out on the road to get home. Surprisingly, as many hours as I spent on the road, I wasn't road-weary like I expected to be. God is good in even small things.

Once home I spent Monday and most of Tuesday getting ready for a visit from my parents and grandmother. I have thanked God for my family, but this week it seemed to hit me just how much I AM thankful for my parents. They have been traveling a great deal, and had just arrived home themselves the Friday before they came out here. I trust their visit was restful, though, since I managed to take care of all of the cooking (except for breakfast because they get up too early for me :-p), and we didn't try to find things to go and do. We did venture out a few times. Since my husband-hero is abroad, my first hero, Dad, helped me fix some things with the lawn mower that I was concerned about. What a weight off my mind. I hadn't realized I was so concered about it until after it was done. I plan to use it sometime later this week to give the yard one last cutting and rid the yard of the fallen leaves as well. Thanksgiving dinner came off without a hitch--my first!! I cooked a turkey breast (kind of cheated there, but we didn't need a whole turkey) which was unbelievably juicy, and also had a small ham. Dad has to watch his sugar/starch intake, and so there weren't any of the standard carbohydrates other than sweet potatoes. Fresh green beans and asparagus, Waldorf salad, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie for dessert. I think I surprised both of my parents at my ability to plan it, prepare it, and get it on the table in a timely fashion. I think I surprised myself a little, too...... Anyway, Dad's birthday was Saturday, and he got a from-scratch sugar-free coconut cream pie and homemade pizza. I think all in all the visit was a good one, and I thoroughly enjoyed being the hostess.

And now I am back to just me. Chris starts the day shift tomorrow, and we both hope he will be less bored. We are almost at the half-way point and are now at the place where we can start saying, at least every once in a while, "we only have.....left" instead of "it's only been...."

I am blessed beyond measure. Help me, Lord, to express my thanks to you every day.

Flowers, Candy, and a Starbucks Gift Card

Isn't wonderful how the people at church, your "church family," can be so much like family? To those of us who are far from family, or old friends, it is a blessing. I was pleasantly surprised by the showing of affection tonight after church. I don't know who there is keeping track, but someone remembered that my birthday is tomorrow, and there was an iced sheet-cookie and lots of presents, which was astounding. Cake and cards I understand, but the gifts were above and beyond necessary, and it was humbling.

I am so thankful for my church. I have told many people, and in front of my pastor and his wife, no less, that the one number one thing that has made my transition from Virginia to Louisiana bearable is that I have a wonderful church to attend. AND I already knew the pastor and his wife from years ago. I can't imagine moving here and not knowing anyone but my husband. I am so thankful that God showed me mercy in that area when he decided to move me from my roots. I love my husband, but the loss of constant familiar contact with old friends would have made my homesickness unbearable for my poor husband!

So thanks to my wonderful church family, this second important date during my husband's deployment will not seem so empty, as I am going into tomorrow with the love of new friends and the feeling of acceptance that you can only know by experience, not verbal description.



It is now midnight, CST. Happy birthday to me!

Gubenatorial Victory

Even though I could have come up with many other things I would RATHER have been doing on my wedding anniversary, I was happy to have the opportunity to vote and elect a breath of fresh air for Louisiana. We have a few crucial races that are now at the runoff stage, and I do hope that everyone will return to the polls next month to complete the elections. Congratulations, Bobby Jindal!

One Year Later

Happy anniversary, darling. I know we are apart this year, but remember my heart is always with you.

Is our health worth convenience?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295761,00.html

Forget about inhaling the fumes from ARTIFICIALLY FLAVORED butter microwave popcorn--that stuff is INGESTED. Why do we think artificial flavors are harmless--they are chemically based. Yet most of America blindly goes about buying food without reading the ingredients or considering the chemical, preservative, and dye content. I wonder how many chronic or terminal illnesses could be/can be avoided or even reversed if we did read and consider. And my mother laughed at me for using an air popper...

I Thought I Lived in the Country

I was excited to view the Perseid meteor shower last night since it was supposed to be the prime and peak viewing time. While I did see a couple streaks in the sky, one which seemed to be close to the tops of the trees, how disappointed I was once I got outside. Until last night I hadn't realized just how many of my neighbors have ruined our country nights by having STREET LIGHTS. And wouldn't you know the worse offenders were in the exact direction that I needed to face last night--toward the north. I expected some residual light from the city 10 miles up to the north. Why do people move to the country and drag their STREET LIGHTS along with them? Stay in the city if you want city surroundings. It's as bad as people moving from DC to Winchester for the country living. That's what they say, but they forget to count the cost--living in the country means you don't have all the comforts of city-home living like your favorite store/shop right around the corner. So they petition for those businesses to move into the area and, voila, metropolitan enlargement. ARGH As hot as it has been during the day, we even had a relatively cool night for star-watching. Motion lights on the corner of the house I can understant, but not the continual lighting from country street lights. What an oxymoron.

Two Down, Two to Go

Rather surprising that two weeks have passed since Chris left for training. I'm doing fine, except for missing him. Not the kind of crying-ones-heart-out missing, but just feeling like the rest of you is not there. Of course, I can't wait to see him. He's doing very well--getting into shape, something I hope he keeps up with once he gets back. We've both been too inactive, and it's showing.

Heard a song a little while ago that I haven't heard in a very long time, and I thought I would post it for encouragement to anyone who needs it.

Pick up your heart and Carry it to healing hands

There is no scar, no pain He won't understand

Those broken dreams you've carried this far

Need his touch to mend

Pick up your heart and Carry it to healing hands

What brought you here to this time, to the place

Where your own strength has found its end

And the load that you bear is too heavy to carry

Come bring it all to Him

For the souls that know surrender

He is gracious to hold us so tightly

Pick up your heart and Carry it to healing hands
There is no scar, no pain He won't understand
Those broken dreams you've carried this far
Need his touch to mend
Pick up your heart and Carry it to healing hands

Life Goes On

The grass is mowed, the dishes are washed, and almost of all of the laundry is done. After two days of not feeling like doing anything, I had had enough, and asked God to give me some life so I could get up and get going. He did, and I have. Grocery shopping was an odd feeling today, as most of what I normally look through and look at was unnecessary for just me. Not even a year, yet, and there are plenty of habits and routines already established. We think old married couples are in a rut. It really isn't a rut but a routine with which both parties are comfortable and doesn't need to be changed. A rut was what I was getting into--ever heard the saying that a rut is nothing more than a grave with both ends knocked out?

Parting is Such....Sorrow

Being able to say goodbye has never been a strength of mine. I don't suppose it is for anyone, at least when those to whom you are saying it are close to your heart. Tonight I am thankful for an all-seeing, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God who has both Chris and I engraven in his hand.

Only two jars, but...

The plants in my garden have, for the most part, been growing heartily. (The beets sort of didn't happen, and I replanted them this week.) Anyway, the only things I have really been able to pick are squash, cucumbers, and jalepenos, and the only things we've really done anything with are the first two. I planted the jalepenos for my dearly beloved, but he won't eat them unless he's in the mood to eat them. Sooooo I accumulated quite a few of them and decided today that I needed to do some canning. I haven't canned anything since I was living at home, and then that was only as a helper to mom. Well, I have two nice little pint jars of jalepenos now, and I'm feeling rather proud of myself :) What we'll use them for in the future I don't know, but we have them!

Chris's co-workers think I'm Betty Crocker or something out of the pioneer days because I cook dinner every night. He likes to take leftovers and make everyone drool from the aromas. It really isn't anything special--I am not chef material like my dear friend in IL, and I make my bread in a bread machine. We are such a busy, driven people that for someone to take the time to be in the kitchen like I do just astounds people. Besides trying to be a good steward of our money, I feel like I am serving my husband and God as God would have me serve. I enjoy the time in the evening when we sit down to dinner, and we rehearse our days (many times he has much more to say than I do). No matter what job I have had, I have tried to fulfill the duties to the best of my ability. I have finally attained the position for which I have always longed, and I am happy to fulfill those duties in the same manner. Chris never fails to compliment me, but how much better can you get than to have your husband think so much of you that he likes to compliment you to his co-workers!

Early Anniversary Trip

As posted before, Chris and I are facing a deployment for him in September. If this is the case, and God does not see fit to keep him home, we will spend our first anniversary many, many miles apart. Soooooo, we are preparing to take a two-week vacation to California to sight-see the west! I have been quite a few times, but he has never made it passed Oklahoma. Well, he has, but he totally skipped the west when he flew to Hawaii. Anyway.....camping is a joy of his, and I have wanted to go camping for some time, so we plan to tent the whole way. What a way to enjoy all of the national parks along the way! We are actually headed to CA for a church youth camp where we plan to help the administration--no, not as counsellors, but in most any other way we can (kitchen, grounds, security). We're both looking forward to it all, and since technology is what it is now, I hope to post pics all along the way: Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite, Hoover Dam, southern Utah, and whatever else we find. I'll be looking for a ghost town or two, and I think Chris will just be looking at it all :) I love the east coast and don't deny that I miss Virginia, but the west is in my blood (thanks to my mother). The mountains and the vastness and the ruggedness and even the barrenness has a beauty all it's own. Yes, I'm excited!!