EVERYBODY's WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND!!

This weekend we are heading south to Garmisch.  Great skiing down there, but that's not why we are going.  This is the location of one of the Armed Forces Recreation Centers.  The Military has a little place there called Edelweiss and we have booked ourselves there for the weekend.

It has a lot of "spa" type features... like a hot tub, pool, massage therapy, workout rooms... as well as all the wonderful comforts of a ski lodge, fireplaces, gathering spots, bars, restaurants.  They also have short trips in and around the area, like shopping trips into Italy and Austria.  And on Friday and Sunday nights they have horse drawn carriage rides. 

I'm trying to sign Mac and Paul up for a snowboarding class, but the girls and I are mostly looking at the luxury stuff.  I do hope to take advantage of their gym, at least for a short workout.

Edelweiss has put together a really good package for the returning soldiers... room and meals one price (which is a great deal because the food is good and expensive).  We are gettting two rooms plus breakfast and dinner each day we are there, for about the same price I paid when the kids and I went up earlier this winter .... but the price I paid was for one room and NO MEALS!!!  So I'm thrilled with this deal.

Garmisch itself is a quaint little town with lots of shopping possibilities, so I'm hoping we'll get a chance to go downtown and do a bit of looking around.  When I was there with the kids before, it was too cold for them <eye roll> so I did not get to see anywhere near as many shops as I would have liked.

One of the imponderables

Well, here I sit, day two back on schedule.  I've already completed my workout (cardio 30 min, Upper body strength 30 min) for the day .  Yesterday's calories topped out at 932, percentages were Carb: 57%  Protein: 24%  Fat: 20%. 

So. .. here is the imponderable that I'm pondering on:  Why is it that even when we find exercise that we enjoy, and we know it's good for us... we still spend a vast amount of time trying to figure out an excuse not to exercise?   It's not like I (making this personal now) EVER do anything more productive with that time.... but that is the only thing I can think of.  I think I'm wasting time if I spend too much of it on exercise. 

LOL.. but you know, in the same breath I will be amazed at my neighbor's husband and the amount of time he will spend at the gym.  His gym routine is at least two hours, and usually longer.  Why do men seem to have an easier time doing what they know is good for them and/or enjoyable?  I don't think there is any time during the day that you can't walk into the gym and find a basketball game going.  Are men wired differently?

I think that the best thing we women could do for ourselves is get a little selfish on this "time for me" thing.  And not because no one is allowing us to do it, but because WE don't allow ourselves to do it.  I have an incredibly supportive husband and yet, I can still manage to talk myself out of just about any exercise..... even when I know I am going to feel so good physically and mentally when it's all over.

Taking Back Control

Well... without realizing it, I've allowed Paul to interrupt the good habits that I started.  Not intentionally on his part.  But it's all part of that trying to find our niche together again.  He took over my alarm clock after he got home and started getting up with the kids on school days.  He thought he was doing me a favor, since I've been doing that (getting up with the kids)without a break for a year.  What I didn't realize is that by sleeping in even just a little bit, it was throwing off the rhythm of my day and I wasn't getting my workouts done.

Last night, I took back the alarm clock!  I told him that as much as I've loved the break from getting up with the kids I really need to do that so I can get my workouts done as well.  So I'm very happy to report that I got up, got dressed to workout, got the kids up, started four loads of laundry, got the kids out the door on time, and all the laundry folded and finished a complete workout- 30 minutes cardio, and 30 minutes lower body strength training.

 

About to blow a gasket!

My sister is supposed to come and visit us in May/June.  While she and her significant other were visiting my mom and brother in Phoenix last month, she asked my brother if he'd like to come along.  My brother said no.

Back at my mother's house, my spinster aunts came over to visit with Susan and Jimo. Jimo isn't coming with Susan to visit us because he hurt his back a few years ago and finds any tourist-y walking to be difficult.  With the cobblestones that cover much of the tourist areas here, I can imagine this would be even worse.

Anyway... my aunts come to visit and Jimo asks them if they would like to come with Susan so she won't have to travel alone. Adelina jumps on the opportunity.  Susan initially tells me this right after the visit home.  I was mad then.  It's horrid to say this, but I don't want my Aunt visiting us here.  I don't have the space to accomodate her and my sister.  She is a very critical woman, I don't want to hear about how I should be raising my kids this way or that way.  Have I mentioned that this four bedroom apartment is about half the size of any house we've ever lived in? 

At any rate.... Susan didn't hear anymore from Adelina, so we began making our plans for just Susan to visit. Today I woke up to an e-mail from Susan saying that Ade is really looking forward to coming here. ARRGGGHHH.. I think that Jimo should have to call her (Aunt Ade) and tell her he had NO business issuing an invitation to my house.

I probably seem really bratty making these sorts of comments, but seriously... I just don't want to be under that sort of scrutiny for two weeks.   

BINGO!!!

Paul and I played Bingo this evening.  We had a good time, sat with all our neighbors.  The guys were just heaping praise on Paul (to me) while he went to get our cokes (diet).  It's nice to know that the men that work with him think as highly of him as I do.

So.. this weekend we were supposed to head up to Berlin.  This is one of our "must do" trips before we leave Germany.  Unfortunately... weather changed our plans.  It's supposed to be raining over most of Germany this weekend and since our plans included the zoo (one of the oldest and largest in the world) and seeing a bunch of outdoor sites, we figured it might be better to wait til the weather is a bit more sunny.

Since our plans have been changed, we are now going to be able to go to the AMHS 's first track meet of the season.  Kendra's boyfriend, Ron is making his "debut" in the shotput and discus events.  He's a pretty good guy, so Paul and I are more than happy to take her to the meet.

I spent a good part of my afternoon on the phone with the Rome USO.  We are planning on spending part of Spring Break in Rome. We have our flight, hotel and two tours all set up for us.  I'm pretty excited about this trip.  Paul and I didn't get to Rome the last time we lived here, so this will be new to us.  Plus, the last year that I homeschooled the kids, we covered world history, so they are really looking forward to seeing some of the ancient Rome stuff.

 

Adjusting

written 3/12/06 to friends asking about his return:

Last night the bedroom was really really hot (temperature-wise).... so that's different.. I've been freezing my ass off all winter.  It's funny to realize how much extra body heat is being put out with just one extra body in there... I'm adjusting the radiator today.

We dragged ourselves out of bed at 3 AM to pick him up at the hangar.  The guys arrived and did what they needed to do behind the scenes, while the families had slide shows to watch (if they arrived early).  Once all the guys were done (checking in weapons, etc), they walked into the hangar in formation and of course, thunderous applause rings out.  A  very quick "welcome home" speech and then the guys were dismissed.  Here we are (the family members), looking out over a sea of desert camos.  I can't answer for anyone else, but I couldn't pick Paul out from the rest of the group (a first for me EVER).   Once the troops started dispersing, I stood up on the bleachers and looked ..... there is this guy smiling and waving at us, and I'm thinking... who's that?   LMAO... suddenly I realize it's Paul and that's it... we're running towards each other, I'm leaving my kids in the dust!! It was a good reunion! 

The only thing that is weird to me is how easily he slips back into our lives and yet, I'm feeling very territorial about certain things .... I've managed not to say anything mean thus far.  I have asked that we put some things off for discussion until I was ready to discuss them too and he's been respecting that.... so it's alright so far :)  But everything else is very good...  I'm loving all the kissing... he he he

 

Another note written on 3/13 to further explain my territorial comments.

okay... LOL.. some of this is kind of funny, which is why I've not said anything to him... it's MY issue, you know?   But...for example...after having my bathroom all to myself for a year.. I now have to share... which means thinking about not leaving clothes on the floor and being polite "ish" about other things.  And I noticed that his toothbrush drips on the counter more than mine does... so every time he puts his toothbrush in a new place on the counter, there is a new little ring being formed. 

 

Then.. on the computer desk (which I had just straightened out before he got home, he's starting to put things on it.... without asking.. so when I come and sit here.. I'm going.. "hmmm...  that wasn't there before.. "...  Again.. my issue.

 

The thing we had to talk out was how we were going to use some "found" money.  He filed our taxes and then discovered he'd shorted us some money and had to file an addendum or something... So the first check went to pay off our van, but the second check (I thought) was going to pay for our vacation next month.  So he gets home the day after I get the second check... we sign it and get it set to be mailed to our bank.... and he says.. "I was thinking of using that check to pay for.... " and I cut him off... I threw up my hand and said.. "No, that money was for vacation"... and he said "but if you would just listen".. and I told him.. "no.. I can't listen right now".... this is one of the places where we are very different.  Handling finances.. .. he's all about paying off stuff fast, but sometimes it's to the detriment of our "fun" money.  Well... he backed off.. and later when I was ready to listen.. we talked about it... once I was ready to listen, it was much easier to understand his plan (we still get a lot of money for vacation), so I was ready to bite off on his plan at that point.

 

Now, from his point of view.. he's having a hard time NOT having something to do every minute of the day.  To go from being at work 24/7 to coming back here and being essentially with a lot of free time... he's struggling with not jumping up and re-arranging my whole house.

 

 

Present day:

After arriving home the troops go through the re-integration process on post.  Each day for seven days, they meet with the various clinics and what not to get everything back in order.  Yesterday was the day they met with the Chaplain and the ACS people.  It was all about re-integrating into the family unit, the community, etc. Spouses were invited and free child care provided for those families that needed it.

I went because I wanted to hear what "they" were telling the guys about how to handle changes at home, etc.  Well.. a lot of it was covered in the briefing the spouses got before the guys started coming home.  Some of it was good.. some of it didn't really apply to us.  I went hoping they would really emphasize the whole territorial feelings thing, but they didn't.

Afterwards.... Paul and I went up to Wuerzburg, which is a 45 minute drive.  We had a long discussion in the car about the few things we've been tangling over.  I think we finally have everything settled- for now- as "they" emphasized at the class yesterday.. this doesn't happen overnight or even in seven days.. but we are talking and trying to find that middle ground where we can compromise. 

I am so happy that he is home and safe and with us again.  And I know that a lot of these issues are going to be gone in no time.  We have been doing a good job talking as opposed to fighting, but there have been a couple of flare ups.  We'll get this worked through.... we always do.

 

 

 

He's not in Afghanistan anymore

Paul is officially out of Afghanistan.  I'm not exactly sure when he'll arrive here, but it should be sometime in the next three days, I would think.  We are setting up the banners for him this afternoon when the kids get home from school.  We have one banner for our balcony, and the other one we'll place out on the fenceline along the route the busses will take into post.

This one goes on our Balcony (making it obvious whom we're talking about).  The one that goes on the fenceline is homemade, with Paul's army name on it, along with the kid's handprints and such.

It's been an incredibly long year without him.  There were days I thought it would take forever, and now it's just a few days away until we are united. So exciting and so frustrating (I've never been particularly patient).  I think I've learned a lot over this last year, not the least of which is that this is a "forever love."   I've seen my kids mature so much over this past 12 months, and seen all of them become taller than me.  You wouldn't think that a year in their lives at this age would produce so much change... but it has.  I wonder how much of those changes Paul will notice... how much of those changes will go dormant once he's home and we all slowly settle back into our "comfort" zone.

So, anyway...  I'm on standby here at home.. I don't want to leave the phone unattended since they (rear detachment) will call as soon as they know that Paul is 12-24 hours from home.  See you all later.

Pissed off at hubby

I know that this may seem incredibly heartless, but I am so pissed at my husband right now.

Facts:  He was originally scheduled to fly out of Afghanistan on march 4. 

Due to delays beyond his control, it was iffy that he'd get out on his scheduled time.

On March 1 he missed his last chance to be early when the 1st Sgt couldn't find him to take a flight leaving the next morning.

I receive an e-mail from Paul Friday letting me know that he has been delayed... and that the next set of transports will not begin until 10 March.

I tell my kids Daddy is not making it home this weekend, but maybe next weekend.  Lots of wails and long faces and general unhappiness that Dad has been delayed.

Today I get an e-mail in which Paul tells me that he gave up his place in line for transport to the other IP in our group because his young wife foolishly ordered non-refundable airline tickets and he's trying to get back here in time to be able to use them.  They have no children.  His young wife was an enlisted soldier when they met.  Frankly, she should know how some of this stuff works.

So... now the soonest Paul will be able to leave is 15 March.  Never mind that I had reservations for us that I am now going to have to change.  Never mind that this other couple have no children.  Never mind that my kids have been without their dad and having to deal with their psycho mom for the last 12 months.  Somehow, we are supposed to "pay" for the stupidity of someone else's wife. 

I know I'm being a brat, I know that I will get over this, I know that he will eventually at some point in the future come home.. that all delays etc will end... but dammit I am freaking pissed off at the moment that he didn't even run this idea past me before he gave up his seat.  And I am seriously pissed off at this "young" wife.. give me a break.. she should know better, she's been in the army, she knows how this crap works.

If I could throw myself on the floor and have a full out tantrum, I would...  If I had absolutely no self control (which unfortunately I do) I would call this girl up and tear into her for her foolishness and what it is costing MY kids.  Have I mentioned how mad I am?   UGHHHHHH....  

And I let Paul know too...  although, I was much nicer in my e-mail to him than I'm being here.. but I don't want him to think for a minute that this was okay.. I understand.. I will get over this.. but I am tired of having to be the "good Army wife".  It was his turn to come home.  It is NOT his job to suck it up because someone else's wife did a dumb thing.

 

And now I'm going to go buy myself a pack of cigarettes!