K just interviewed for a job this morning. He's working now in a temporary Army job and so needs a job to come back to when he gets home from training this Spring. I really hope he gets it. I know he will really like the work, even if it isn't his "dream job". And it will keep him satisfied until his "dream job" opens up. What K really wants to do is have another Army job somewhere close by - but there aren't many openings for his rank so we just have to wait until one comes along.
I also hope he gets this job for some more stability. I have a career and pull in a decent salary now, but I'm too nervous to buy a house on my salary alone because I work in the social service field and with the economy what it is, programs are losing funding. (That's a whole other post!) We've been saving up a lot of money and the only debt we have is his car payment and 2 semesters worth of college for me and we have a sizable amount for a down payment, just want to make sure that we'll still be living here in 5 years for the purchase to pay off.
There are many benefits to being a Guard member (even though the "weekend warrior" saying isn't so true anymore) and one of them is being able to have the best of both worlds. K is able to serve his country like he has always wanted to. We can stay in one place, near our families, if we choose to and I can establish myself in a career without having to worry about moving every 3 years or so. The flip side is that K needs to find his civilian career path as well, and the Army sometimes can challenge that. He has 5 months of training beginning this fall so it has hampered other company's willingness to hire someone that cant start until the spring.
I don't mean this to come off as sounding criticizing of the military, far from. I am very grateful for everything they have given and done for my soldier and me as well. We wouldn't be who we are today if it weren't for those experiences with the military and the challenges have only brought us closer together. Fingers crossed that this job works out!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Baby on His Mind
The soldier has some serious baby hungries. We were walking through Scheels the other day and he probably pointed out a dozen baby clothes saying how cute and little they are. I just couldn't help but chuckle at him. We've had many conversations about when to start a family. He would start trying tomorrow, I think waiting till we're 27-30 sounds like a good time to start having kids. He just looks shocked and says, "We'll be 30 by the time we do!!".
I know it's selfish, but I still have a lot I want to do before we have kids. I want to buy a house, go back to school to get my Masters and do a lot more traveling. Plus, we can make plans at the drop of the hat without worrying about lining up a babysitter, and let's face it, kids are a drain on the pocket book. All you moms out there must be horrified by reading this, knowing the joy your kids bring to your lives. But I think this just shows I'm not ready for kids yet. Of course, I know that when we plan God laughs, so thats not to say that I wouldn't be thrilled if he chose to give us one tomorrow, but I do think I'd rather wait a few more tomorrows if I have a choice.
I know it's selfish, but I still have a lot I want to do before we have kids. I want to buy a house, go back to school to get my Masters and do a lot more traveling. Plus, we can make plans at the drop of the hat without worrying about lining up a babysitter, and let's face it, kids are a drain on the pocket book. All you moms out there must be horrified by reading this, knowing the joy your kids bring to your lives. But I think this just shows I'm not ready for kids yet. Of course, I know that when we plan God laughs, so thats not to say that I wouldn't be thrilled if he chose to give us one tomorrow, but I do think I'd rather wait a few more tomorrows if I have a choice.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Always Packing
I feel like all I've been doing is packing lately. I packed last weekend to visit my inlaws. Then I packed on Tuesday to go out of town for a night for work. This weekend I packed to go camping with K. Now I just packed because I'm heading out of town again for work until Thursday. Then I'm going to have to pack on Thursday because we're going camping again next weekend.
Usually I'm watching K pack for one of his many trips with the Army and then kissing him goodbye for a weekend or a few months. I don't like being gone so much, I am a bit of a homebody, so I always look forward to coming home again. I miss my big comfy bed and my pillows, and I never sleep well without K. Hopefully we'll be able to get Skype to work so we can talk over that the next few days. It's going to be different being the one gone.
Usually I'm watching K pack for one of his many trips with the Army and then kissing him goodbye for a weekend or a few months. I don't like being gone so much, I am a bit of a homebody, so I always look forward to coming home again. I miss my big comfy bed and my pillows, and I never sleep well without K. Hopefully we'll be able to get Skype to work so we can talk over that the next few days. It's going to be different being the one gone.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Baffled
Yesterday’s post was pretty short and random so I’d like to go into a little more detail regarding the funeral for the soldier as there are still a few things bugging me.
First, I have to say the Patriot Guard riders who escorted his body home, stood guard outside the funeral, led the procession, and surrounded his burial did an amazing service and I’m always thankful and overcome when I see them traveling down the road, carrying the flag. I remember the very first time I saw them or even heard about them was when K returned home from his deployment and they escorted their buses all the way home from when they crossed into our state (some 400 miles). It was quite a site to see. Then I was overjoyed, this time it was heartbreaking.
Second, the chaplain from the 82nd said a very nice eulogy for the soldier and the pallbearers handled themselves and the soldier with respect and dignity. I know my friend was very touched by their careful consideration of her Soldier and his family. They took several moments to speak privately with each family member and my friend and she was very comforted by what they said.
Third, and the reason for the title of this post, was that I could not believe that the guests at the funeral were taking pictures. I understand that the news was there to film the funeral and burial, but actual family/friend guests were taking pictures. I can only assume that it is because this is a military funeral and they were photographing the soldiers. We don’t have an active post anywhere around here, so it’s still a novelty to see soldiers dressed up in Dress Blues or Class A’s. I just couldn’t understand why a guest would do this. Maybe I’m only thinking of one angle here, but I find it extremely disrespectful and upsetting. At one point when I heard the woman behind me’s camera turn on I turned around and gave her a “look.” Would you do this at any other funeral? I was so relieved when the pastor told a few guests to put their camera away during the chaplain’s eulogy.
First, I have to say the Patriot Guard riders who escorted his body home, stood guard outside the funeral, led the procession, and surrounded his burial did an amazing service and I’m always thankful and overcome when I see them traveling down the road, carrying the flag. I remember the very first time I saw them or even heard about them was when K returned home from his deployment and they escorted their buses all the way home from when they crossed into our state (some 400 miles). It was quite a site to see. Then I was overjoyed, this time it was heartbreaking.
Second, the chaplain from the 82nd said a very nice eulogy for the soldier and the pallbearers handled themselves and the soldier with respect and dignity. I know my friend was very touched by their careful consideration of her Soldier and his family. They took several moments to speak privately with each family member and my friend and she was very comforted by what they said.
Third, and the reason for the title of this post, was that I could not believe that the guests at the funeral were taking pictures. I understand that the news was there to film the funeral and burial, but actual family/friend guests were taking pictures. I can only assume that it is because this is a military funeral and they were photographing the soldiers. We don’t have an active post anywhere around here, so it’s still a novelty to see soldiers dressed up in Dress Blues or Class A’s. I just couldn’t understand why a guest would do this. Maybe I’m only thinking of one angle here, but I find it extremely disrespectful and upsetting. At one point when I heard the woman behind me’s camera turn on I turned around and gave her a “look.” Would you do this at any other funeral? I was so relieved when the pastor told a few guests to put their camera away during the chaplain’s eulogy.
Summer Essential Swap Arrived!
It's here it's here! I love getting mail and this was a great swap sponsered by Flip Flops and Combat Boots.
I rushed to the Post Office over my lunch hour to try and get there before the noon rush – I did – and picked up my Summer Essentials Swap package. It was perfect. Anyone who knows me knows that I love organization, so an agenda/planner is the perfect gift. Plus it’s cute! Thanks Renee!!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Weekend in Review
Finally just got home after a very busy end to the week and a weekend away from home. This weekend was my friend's fiancee's funeral. I went with a few of our friends and it was a very sad service. The 82nd Airborne flew down to be the pallbearers and give him military honors at the funeral. It was very touching to see those men become so emotional over a soldier they probably did not know. My friend is still grieving very much but is starting to accept that he is gone. I believe the funeral actually helped her.
Immediately after the funeral I drove up to where K works and he got off early and we headed to his parents to visit them for the weekend. We don't get down there enough so it was nice to see them. Just got home an hour ago and realized immediately on entering that we forgot to take out the garbage before we left. STINKY!
I checked our mail and saw that I have a Summer Swap package from Renee at Waiting to Exhale waiting at the post office, so I'm excited to pick that up tomorrow. Then I headed out to my garden and had a meals worth of beans to pick and several more tomatos, peppers and yellow squash are coming in. I even saw a few cucumbers that were starting! Can't wait for another month when they should be big enough to pick. My mother-in-law gave me 3 strawberry plants so I planted them and hope they'll do ok. I then planted more beans and peas and should have another batch of those in September. I hope you all had a good weekend!
Immediately after the funeral I drove up to where K works and he got off early and we headed to his parents to visit them for the weekend. We don't get down there enough so it was nice to see them. Just got home an hour ago and realized immediately on entering that we forgot to take out the garbage before we left. STINKY!
I checked our mail and saw that I have a Summer Swap package from Renee at Waiting to Exhale waiting at the post office, so I'm excited to pick that up tomorrow. Then I headed out to my garden and had a meals worth of beans to pick and several more tomatos, peppers and yellow squash are coming in. I even saw a few cucumbers that were starting! Can't wait for another month when they should be big enough to pick. My mother-in-law gave me 3 strawberry plants so I planted them and hope they'll do ok. I then planted more beans and peas and should have another batch of those in September. I hope you all had a good weekend!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Upgrade
I did it, I finally decided on a cell phone! It only took me how long to pick one out! I'm a very picky person about some things, and my cell phone is one of them. I like it to be simple and easy to use. Originally I wanted to get a blackberry because using internet is much more functional and they have a Skype feature - which would be great when K leaves in the fall, but to sync it with my work email would cost $99 for the license, and Verizon makes you buy the most expensive data package - mandatory! Eventually I narrowed it down to a Samsung and the LG cosmos before settling on the LG becuase K has an LG so we can share chargers when traveling.
It's very user friendly, and easy to navigate. I got my personal email account set up, even sent my first email! Now I just need my work account set up and I'm golden.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
