TOP 10 THINGS I LOVE
Positive, understanding, loving
Positive, understanding and loving. Aren't these characteristics that all of us women have that are attached to their military man? All tie in somehow to happiness without them there by your side. Some lack in the areas, as I know I can lack in that whole positivity and understanding thingy majig. Haha, but I usually level out.
Today was a great day. I had all three of those characteristics that are mandatory for someone who is so attached to their military man. During his 8 hour and when I dropped him off for the second part of Ranger school, I felt like practice really does make perfect. The more he leaves, the better I get- and it is not because him leaving gets easier. I honestly think it is me starting to understand all of crazy military lifestyle stuff. Nothing really comes as a suprise anymore, and I am understanding the multiple roles I play.
When looking at that 6 months, weeks, whatever we are facing apart, it is better to look at is as one day at a time, than the whole thing. I'm quickly learning that the time passes faster than expected when it is looked at in that way. That helps keep me positive.
Understanding has many different aspects. There is an understanding that this is his choice, his career, what makes him happy. Also, he understands that this is now our career and life, because I have given up so much for us. Mainly I have to understand this is what comes with the territory. If you understand all the many many different aspects, then it is easier to make it through the long periods apart, hence me not crying today (YAY!). It is easy to say you understand, but it is not easy to actually understand. I find myself having to sort through thoughts to fully understand this life, but once you do, it is a relief that will let you love even harder.
The love is the glue to any relationship, but nothing compares to a faithful military love. As a friend of Stephen's told us, "The other person has to know you love them, or it will not work". Both sides have to know how much you love each other, through thick and thin. We have to know the other person will always be there, especially in the military. I agree 110%.
Today, in the midst of the chaos, with the boys running around getting ready for the next phases, I understood what was going on. I understood why I was not going to shed a tear, I understood why I was remaining positive, I understood what was needed of me and why. That, my friends, is so much more than I have ever been able to do.
Review of Panama and Stephen in 1 day!
The trip to Florida was great (besides the hurricane-like wind)! I really enjoyed my time with the girls, they are fabulous! We had such a good time just being silly, relaxing and loving life with each other!
We all went to La Vela the first night. La Vela is the biggest club in America. That was amazing! I would not recommend buying the party passes that cost 40.00 for the clubs. Because, mainly you have to be there at a certain time, wait in line to get your hand stamped for a later entrance and who knows that unless someone else tells you? Another downside was, I bought the second card, that wasn't just for La Vela, and I did not use it. Not once. 40.00 down the drain. I think I may have used it as a free bathroom pass to one of the featured places on the card when I was on the beach. Not for sure.
We met tons of people from Oklahoma! Almost every other person we met was from Oklahoma. That was pretty sweet, us Okies stick together!
We tried to get Megan in the booty shaking contest (bahah), we think she could have won!
We went Para-sailing, which led to two poor friends getting awfully sea sick on the boat. The rest of us had a good time! We sure felt bad for those two girls though.
I think my favorite was drinking and taking pictures on the beach! Lets just say, after drinking in the sun all day, I did not make it out that night, or the night after! It's a crying shame, but let me tell you I can NOT hang like I used to. I have to remind myself that in this day and age I can not party like I am 20 again.
One more day till I pick up Stephen for his 8 hour. I'm expecting a phone call to tell me what time I need to be there, and what kind of food he wants on the way home. I'm sure he will eat in the car and want to sleeeeeeep all day. I feel so bad for those guys! Good news is I heard Stephen is the "stud" of the group from a guy that was in his class and got recycled. His brother was talking about Stephen and was wondering if he was going to be in the top 5% of his class. If it wasn't for uncontrollable things that get the boys recycled, I would say hell yes he will be. But i'm so worried about his Ranger buddy screwing up and him having to take the fall for both of them. Other than that, if everything goes well- i'm saying, yes, Stephen will be at the top 5% of his Ranger class. As everyone has been saying in this last month, The military is made for Stephen.
My day job VS my passion
My day job-
Usually ends up in some Retail position that I find entertaining for the first 5 minutes. I love my job right now, because it is a very easy going environment and pretty fun. I have an awesome boss that is the classiest lady i've ever met and she's hilarious! Even though I have a college degree, with this kind of lifestyle it is hard to get a long term, full time job without major consequences (moving, turnover etc)..
That being said, my day job VS my passion......
What is my passion? Stephen asked me this once- he gets so deep sometimes I just have to laugh at him. I actually did not know how to answer it. I don't know how to answer most "deep" questions about what I like and so on, because I like so many things. I think I am very flexible and laid back with just about anything. Unless you try to get me to run 8 miles. My legs will fall off. Try a mile, and then put me in training for an 8 mile. I'd love to do a triathlon like mom does! I just don't know how I would go about that.
ok off of my detour I just got on.. My passion I would say is being happy. Happiness for me are people I love. And if passion is a verb, then it would be skiing. Skiing makes me very happy. Second place to skiing is art (painting, sketching with prisma colors, viewing etc).
Day job VS Skiing
Day job Pro's
Good environment
Laughter
entertaining
make money
daily activity
not to strenuous
sometimes relaxing
socialize
fashionista!
new clothes
meet nice people
Flexible schedule
great, understanding boss
Day job Cons
Sometimes takes away from what I want to do
well, jobs aren't fun all the time.. lol
can get slow sometimes
dealing with the public isn't always fun either
Pros of Skiing
Exercise
Outdoors
meet people on ski slopes/lifts and already know one of their fav. things!
feeling of accomplishment when you get off that black diamond and you're the one waiting at the bottom for everyone else to catch up with you!
can get paid to do it!
Can do it in many different, beautiful areas
good fun!
Can help bond relationships
Con's of skiing
COLD!
lots of clothes
expensive
usually only do it on a vacation
injuries
avalanches
I loooooooooove to ski!
Love Knows No Distance
ONE DAY Till my girls get here!! I'm SO excited!
Been kinda blue for the last week. I thought I was going to get to go home, till I found out I am the only one that can pick up Stephen for his break. I very am excited to see him though! It's a pretty good switch! I'm going to smoosh his face till his eyeballs pop out of his head! I can't wait to hear stories!! I think his stories are going to consist more of ZzZzZz's and smacking than an actual words! Hah!
Lots of things going on before I get to go with everyone this weekend! I have let chores pile to the ceiling. It's not like I have to please anyone else right now. The laundry can get a little OOC (out of control for you people that don't listen to Mariah Carey) hah!... Anyways..
Well here is a peeve i ran across this this week
I "love" how women will question if YOU can do this life, when they don't even know you, or what kind of life you've lived! It's because THEY know THEY can not do this life. I loooooveee that. Not really. Do not judge me on the basis of what you think you can and cannot do. They always say, you have to think.. he is going to be gone so much and you just really don't know what could happen and eventually you'll be a single mother, and do you realllllllly want that life?
Let me just say this! Just stop. Do you guys REALLY think I want to be a single mother while he is gone? Of course not. Of course I would love for him to have the option to be there when his child is born, help take the kids to school and so on. Yes, I DO KNOW he will be gone a lot, tons actually- his job is not a 9-5 job. I have only seen the tip of the iceberg, but you know what- I will wait, and wait and I will wait some more for him to come home, because I love him. No, I do not know what is happening to him half the time, and I am not ok with that. But, guess what- it is part of my life that I have chosen. It is military life, my new life. I would have gotten out of this relationship if I wasn't ok with him leaving. Preparing myself for the unexpected, the tears, the distance is an ongoing process, because the craziness never stops, but I am fully prepared to do what I have to do. I am ready, bring it on. Military wives and fiancees, do not control who they fall in love with, and that is only the beginning, because this life does not allow you to control anything ;) .
I will love as much as I physically can as long as I am loved in return.
I am frightened, but I will not show it, because I know I will get through the tough times. No matter what happens, I will push on.
Schuyler Fisk is Amazing
I love songs that have real emotion. She has heart and soul behind her lyrics! Good music is when the song tells your story. Love these
Some more favorites..
What I Spend Money On
Lets see here....
Where does all my money go? Question of the century, right?
Well, since I have my necessities covered in this transition from college life to "military spouse-dom". My money mainly goes to extra things life leaves on my doorstep and lights on fire (you know what i'm talking about). Or the fun things that make my life a little brighter...
.unexpected shit- ticket, oil change, computer cord that pooped out
.usual- drinks and dinners with the girls, cat food wet/dry food, litter, soap, gas (UGHHH), lunches out, movies,
.Extra things I pick up at the store- I do this on my own because it will save me a trip later, or we have forgotten about these things and I know we need them. Such as, Swiffer refills, spot removers, baking soda, detergent, noodles, sauce, chips, queso.. you get the drift.
.fun sporadic events- shopping (not much in this category lately), pedicure (NeVeR get those, but treated myself since my ticket wasn't as much as expected), hair, starbucks before work, gifts, fees for events
This is what I should do in order to increase my shopping funds! Bahah!
3 days til March really kicks off!
My friends are coming to Georgia from Oklahoma in 3 days! They are staying a night at Stephen and I's place, then we are all headed to Panama City Beach for a spring break of a lifetime! We are going to sink our toes into that sand and drown ourselves in beer! It is going to be so wonderful to finally catch up and just laugh off all the bullshit that comes with daily life. This trip with my best friends is really going to take the weight of the world off my shoulders. I can NOT wait! 
bahaha! 
Maybe by the time it's over with, we will be sunkissed and beautiful like this girl above!
In the meantime, I want to start making shoes. Any advice? I think the best bet would be to sign up for a weekend class and go from there. With the right kind of teacher I shouldn't have to buy all that crazy equipment. There are simpler ways of creating shoes with basic tools. I Googled that much.
If you guys want me to put a special shout out to Stephen in the letters I send, let me know and I will do it!
Love Love you guys dearly!
Thank Our Troops
This video is inspiring!
http://media.causes.com/576542?p_id=18304444&s=fb_feed
Friends don't let friends drink starbucks
....or so this sign says that is posted on a local cafe's door. I am torn. I might have found a spot better than the infamous starbucks! I do know my Pooh bear espresso with vanilla and honey in it might be a sub for my love of wine! Hah, prob not! Traveling to new places increases my desire to sit in these small towny cafe's and eat til my ass is the size of jupiter.
Speaking of eating.. Stephen is going to raid the house when he gets home from ranger school. I'm stalking the pantry with spaghetti o's. Top to bottom. Oh the things you do for love!
If you guys are curious he has sent 1 letter. he was sleepy and dozing off in it. He had jumped in a very cold pond and hw felt like his lungs were ripped out. He hasn't called after that, so he has made it through hell week!! Like the gyno says, no news is good news! This fully applies to ranger school. ;). He has so many people that truley believe in him I'm happy to be on board with this courageous man! Thank you guys for the encouraging and motivating heartfelt words!! Stephen and I really appreciate them! I know I wouldn't be chugging along if it wasn't for y'all!
Go rangers go! Let's not forget about Marcus! He is doing well!! 2 weeks til their 8 hr break!!!
Support those local coffee shops, they just could suprise you and spit out a damn good espresso!
Can I get a HOOAH!
After a tug-of-war between yes and no's, I have finally decided to start a blog! This is exciting, I feel like I have conquered some sort of technological advancement!
"Embracing Love with an American Salute" is a reflection on my new life. A life different from the one I previously knew. This life consists of a man I love with all the little molecules in my heart, ACU's, PT uniforms, lots and lots of acronyms, being the strongest i've ever had to be (Army Strong, right ;) ), Army talk, moving, new friends, new hobbies and an adventure all in its self.
This is a salute to Stephen and I's new life in the United States Army!
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