LAZY-ISH SUNDAY AND PAUL IS HOME

Paul arrived home late last night.  He managed to get through the door before I fell asleep. Of course, once he was in, I got a second wind and we stayed up til 1:30 am talking and laughing.

This morning he and I stole away before the kids got up so we could have breakfast out.  We brought back doughnuts for the kids. He had some fun stories to share with us.  I think my favorite was the one about the flight attendant(FA).  On one of his flights, one FA  was exceptionally pretty and she was the one doing the typical hand gestures while the other FA was making the pre-flight briefing (you know, this is your seat belt, your seat becomes a flotation device, etc).  The gesturing FA really had a fun time, making all her gestures super exaggerated and risque (Doing a bit of a heel up type movement with the oxygen mask, etc).  Watching Paul tell the story with the gestures was CLASSIC!

Anyway, Paul and I did a grocery shop trip and then we spent the rest of the day watching all the stuff I taped for him (a few "must see" season openers).

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We had a home cooked meal tonight because Paul made the comment while we were grocery shopping that he had had enough of the restaurant food and was really looking forward to dinner. (the pressure!). 

 

Paul and his fancy flying

I forgot to mention that Paul called last night while he was hanging out in the airport. 

Since leaving here last week, he's been in Houston, Tx; Mesa, AZ and was waiting to fly on to Las Vegas.  While in Houston, the class had a chance to visit NASA and learn more about the astronaut program.  They also had a cocktail time with the astronauts.  Many of the younger folk were thinking of putting in their packets for Astronaut duty.  One of the Astros asked Paul if he'd be doing that and Paul said, no because he was right at the edge of the cut off age.  The Astro was startled to find out that Paul was 46... thought he was much younger than that.

In Mesa, they had the chance to look around the Hughes plant (I think that is right), where the Apache Helicopter is assembled. They got a chance to fly some helicopter that starts with a "T".. LOL.. I think it's the Targhee, or some thing like that.  Also had a day out at Marana flying the Apache (old hat for Paul of course because he already knows how), but Paul did run into several of the guys he's flown with in the past.  Interesting to think that in four years, this could be an assignment for Paul... living 2 hours from Phoenix would be sweet at that point.

I think after Las Vegas they have one more stop before they head back here. Not sure what else is on the agenda, but I'm sure I'll get more detail as they go along.

For anyone that is interested, here's a link to an Apache website that Paul created and maintains: The AH-64 Apache Info Web Site

Tags: Apache, flying,

Sleeping Better

I'm happy to report that I've had two decent nights of sleep.  I've been slowly getting back into my walking/exercise routine this week and I think that is helping with the sleep. 

No need to resort to sleep aids this time, but I do thank everyone for their suggestions and I will keep them in mind for the future.

 

Nights are long

I'm seriously considering taking a sleeping aid. But I don't want to see the clinic Doc, so I may have to go check out what's on the OTC aisle at the drugstore.  Any suggestions?

I was up until 2 last night and then had to be up at 6 this morning for the beginning of the weekly rut.  I am so tired, I'm hoping I can get to bed at a decent time tonight.

On the plus side, I've been fairly productive without hurting myself(sewing while tired can be dangerous).  I've finished piecing a quilt top, and I'm two seams away from finishing Mac's lap quilt that I started back in 2005.

In other news, we are 80 days away from graduation and 84 days away from our next move. 

Tags: sleep aids, moving, quilts

An interesting view from the male perspective

Spoke with Paul tonight for a few minutes.  We caught up on the latest news from each side.  As we were winding down to hang up, I told him I would text him if I needed to talk to him, but otherwise I wouldn't anticipate hearing from him until later in the week. 

He bursts out with a spontaneous, "I love you, you're wonderful!"

"Huh?"

He goes on to tell me that the other married men in his group have been made to feel guilty if they are not checking in with the wife twice a day "once in the morning, and once at night."  He says he loves that I understand that he's doing important stuff right now and can't be worried about making the time to check in.  He said, "I love where we are in our relationship, that I'm not made to feel guilty if I'm not calling you daily."

I did tell him, in defense of the other women that we went through that period too.  When you are home alone with young children...you need to be able to share some of that with your partner even if he can't be home for it.  Ours are kind of self-sustaining at this point and we just don't have the daily drama the same as when they were young (the other couples at this school are at the beginning of their nesting, where as we are about ready to boot out the fledglings).

Anyway, I know I had to have made him feel guilty back when the kids were young and he had to leave us for awhile.  I know myself well enough to know that I did not suffer silently.  He never complained about it to me back then, but it's interesting to hear how these other men feel about the guilt.

And, I love where we are too.

Tags: male guilt, absence, stages

No Sunshine When He's Gone

I woke up a few minutes ago (3:00 am). This is typical for me when Paul goes away.  The first few nights, I feel like I must be on "guard duty" and keep watch.  Then I settle back into my usual sleep patterns.

 

Paul is out having a "barnstorming" trip around the states.  He and his fellow classmates are gallivanting about, flying various aircrafts as part of their training to be test pilots.  I know he hates being away from us, but I also know that if the trip goes the way it should, he's gonna have a good time flying.  The group will be gone for about 10 days (they left earlier this week).

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Well, brain fog is setting in and I should probably go back to bed.  Consider this entry the equivalent of drunk calling.  Good night!

Happy Birthday Kendra!

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Kendra age 1

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby

Kendra, age 4.5, Kim age 17 months, Mac age 6 weeks

I consider this year my "mini-spike" year for Kendra.  She has graduated high school and has begun her college years.  I can't believe it was just 19 years ago today that I was marveling at this not so little bundle (she weighed 9 lbs) of pink. 

I don't think that I could truly appreciate how much my parents loved me until they put that bundle in my arms.  All the years of trying and failing were erased as I watched her sleep. 

Sometimes I think that first borns have it pretty tough.  They are the ones that parents experiment on.  We try out all our parenting theories and we learn skills on this first one.  Kendra certainly put us through our paces!

Now we get the chance to sit back and admire what has been wrought in this child-woman.  This could get interesting!

Happy Birthday, Kendra.. We love you!

Interview Questions

Joann from Joann's Weight Loss Journey sent me these questions. From the Interview romp that has been seen here and there on Journals.  :)

 

 

If you could be taller or shorter, which would you choose and why?? At 5'2', I'm amazingly content with my height, but if I had to choose, I would choose taller because it would be nice not to have to hem just about every skirt, dress and pair of pants that I buy.

 

If you didn't ever have to work again, where would you prefer to live.... the City, Beach, Mountains, or Desert? How about a city by the beach? :)  I like my cultural entertainments that I can only seem to get in a city, but I absolutely love being close to water.

 

If you were suddenly banished from the United States forever, what country would you choose to live in?? LOL. tough choice. I think any place in Europe would pretty much fit the bill.  I love all the travel opportunities I had there while we were living in Germany.  But by order of preference, I'd say Ireland, France, Italy (southern) and Germany.

 

What's the best book you've ever read, did it have any affect on your life?? I love reading, and bits and pieces of every book I've ever read continue to float in my head long after the whole of the book has been forgotten. Each book that I have finished feels like the "best" book at the time.  But if I am completely honest, the book that has had the most profound and lasting affect on my life is the Bible. 

 

What was the scariest day of your life?? September 27, 1988...Our first born child, Kendra, at only 7 days old went into surgery for 8+ hours.  It was the longest, scariest day of my life. It was the first of many more surgeries over her early years.  But none of the others have been as long, nor as hugely important as that first one.

Sweet Sixteen Kim!

Happy Birthday Kim!

 

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Gotta hold on easy as I let you go.
Gonna tell you how much I love you,
though you think you already know.
I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in pink so soft and warm.
You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born.

 

You're a beautiful baby from the outside in.
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world.
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl. 


When you were in trouble that crooked little smile could melt my heart of stone.
Now look at you, I've turned around and you've almost grown.
Sometimes you're asleep I whisper "I Love You!" in the moonlight at your door.
As I walk away, I hear you say, "Daddy Love You More!".

You're beautiful baby from the outside in.
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world.
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl. 

Tags: Happy Birthday, sweet sixteen

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On a lighter note

Received this from a friend... I had a good chuckle, thought I'd share with the rest of you.

 

Thank you for calling the United States Army. I'm sorry, but all of our units are out at the moment, or are otherwise engaged. Please leave a detailed message with your country, name of organization, the region, the specific crisis, and a number at which we can call you.

As soon as we have sorted out Centeral Asia, the Balkans, Iraq, Korea, Communist China, and compulsory "Consideration Of Others" training, we will return your call. Please speak after the tone, or if you require more options, please listen to the following numbers:

If your crisis is small, and close to the sea, press 1 for the United States Marine Corps.

If your concern is distant, with a temperate climate and good hotels, and can be solved by one or two low risk, high altitude bombing runs, please press 2 for the United States Air Force. Please note this service is not available after 1630 hours, on weekends, or in bad weather.

Special consideration will be given to customers requiring satellite or stealth technology who can provide additional research and development funding.

If your inquiry concerns a situation which can be resolved by a bit of grey funnel, bunting, flags and a really good marching band, please press 3 and speak slowly to the United States Navy. Please note that Tomahawk missile service is extremely limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

If your inquiry is not urgent, please press 4 for the Rapid Deployment Force and wait two weeks for delivery.

If you are in real hot trouble, please press 5, and your call will be routed to the United States Army Special Operations Command for an additional fee of $10. Please note that a compulsory credit check will be required to ensure you can afford the inherent TDY costs. Also be aware that USASOC may bill your account at any time and is not required to tell you why, as it will be classified.

If you are interested in joining the Army and wish to be shouted at, paid little, have premature arthritis, put your wife and family in a condemned hut miles from civilization, are prepared to work your butt off daily, risking your life, in all weather and terrain, both day and night, and while watching Congress erode your original benefits package, then please stay on the line, your call will shortly be connected to a bitter passed-over Army Recruiter in an old strip mall down by the Post Office.
Have a pleasant day, and thank you again for trying to contact the United States Army.

The Name Meme

 

I found this in Dawn's Journal (http://journals.aol.com/topazscorpio27/beneath-the-surface-/entries/2007/09/13/a-meme.-/3028)  .  It seemed like a fun way to kill some time, so here are my new names.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car), Fifi Montana (I could have my own show!)

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie), Chocolate Chocolate Chip (that is redundent). 

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name), E-Ste (this is where you begin to realize that my first and last names are almost anagrams of each other) If I use the maiden name, I'd be E-Car. 

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),  Green Cat

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),  Ann Phoenix  (I think this would make a better Bond girl name myself)

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),  Ste-Es  (Maiden name would be Car-Es)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),  The Purple Soda (working under pressure, she fizzes the bad guys into the next stratosphere )

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),  Reamy Salvatore... that has an interesting ring.

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy), Wood Snickers  (you just can't make up names like that...oh wait.. YOU CAN!  LOL)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),  Medina Wayne (common practice in my mother's family to use the maiden name for the middle name, so my other option could have been Acevedo Wayne)

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter), Brown Buffalo (lol.. with a name like Brown.. I had to go with Buffalo)

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower). Fall Rose

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now +“ie” or “y”) Peach Sweatsy   (ewwww)

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree), Muffin Mulberry

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your favehobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”), The Quilting Snow Tour

And what will your new names be?

Tags: name meme

My heart clutched today

Virgil Wayne Carpenter

1931-1991

I woke up this morning and my heart clutched. Today is/was my Dad's birthday.  He would be 76 years old today.   I miss him something fierce even still.

Here are some pictures from his life.  I look at these pictures and I marvel at how much my son looks like him.  They never had the chance to meet, but I think my Dad would have thought Mac was pretty cool.  And I know Mac would have thought my Dad was top-notch.  They'd be fishing buddies. :)  Mac loves to fish, my Dad loved to fish, but they both got stuck in families where none of the rest of us care to fish.  How funny, huh?

The Carpenter Clan, 1990- Back Row- Tina(daughter of A & B), Art (my brother), Betty (his wife), Susan (my sister), Jim ( her husband),  Front Row- Tracy (daughter of A &B), Amelia (my mom), Scott (son of S &J), Virgil, Kendra (mine), Paul (mine) and Me.     This was the last picture taken of the whole family before my Dad died.  Jim died July 1992 in an Army training accident.

Mom and Dad c.1976

Mom and Dad, wedding day, 1955.  My Dad served in the Army during the Korean War.  He was in the same unit as my mother's brother.  They met when her brother brought my Dad home on a long weekend (they were stationed at Ft. Huachuca, just a short drive from Nogales).

Dad, his mother and brother (lower left) c. 1941.  His mother died aprox. two years later.  Her parents raised my Dad and his brother.

Virgil W. Carpenter, age 3 c. 1934

Dad quit smoking a few years before he got sick.  He died of Lung cancer 15 months after they diagnosed it.  We made it home in time to say goodbye. I consider his life a success because he and my Mom raised three children that learned to love and to be family.  We pass that same love and family ties to the next two generations (my niece already has two beautiful daughters).   I can't think of anything better to attribute to my Dad except the success he created in us.

Tags: tribute, love, death, remembrance

Scaring Ourselves in Gettysburg

me (seated), Brandon (white shirt) Lisa, and Jacob(green shirt).. shot taken by Kim, showing a white orb over Jacob. (most likely a headlight or some other source of man-made light).  Other orbs in picture.

Kim, Mac and I went to Gettysburg this weekend. We met up with my friend Lisa and her two boys, Brandon and Jacob.  We had such a fun time.  Saturday and Sunday during the day, we spent time out on the battlefields, following the auto tour route and shopping (of course!).  I managed to get two Christmas gifts purchased while we were there... so I see it as a good thing.

Both Saturday night and Sunday night we went ghost hunting.  On Saturday, we went back out to the battlefields after dark, focusing mostly on "Devil's Den." We went without flashlights because we weren't thinking about how dark it would be (duh!).  But no one got hurt, but sheesh did we ever scare ourselves!

Driving out to the battlefield, we were coming up on a car (parked on the wrong side of the roadway) with it's headlights still on.  Just before we reached the car, a white figure popped out in front of the car (the other car, not our car) and we all reacted with deep gasps and then laughter when we realized it was a real person, just washed out in the headlights.  LOL

Sunday at sunset we went out to the covered bridge. While we really didn't see anything, we did smell some honeysuckle, but a search over a very large area revealed no honeysuckle vines.  This area is known for the number of dead soldiers that began decomposing there after the battle.  Many people would put scents on their kerchiefs and cover their noses when moving the dead (and even while going about their business in town after the battle).  We wonder if what we smelled wasn't from that type of "haunting".

Then we went on a ghost tour with the Ghosts of Gettysburg tour group.  It was a good tour, our guide told us several stories as we walked through the town.  Once that tour was over, we once again went looking for ghosts on our own.  We went to a spring that was supposedto have a lady in white... a nun that went about caring for soldiers after the battle while they still lay in the fields.  And finally, we spent some time in the school yards which were supposed to have some ghostly activity.

Mac, Jacob, me, Lisa, Brandon (Kim behind the camera) @ the spring

Spooky orbs (probably just dust specks)

This was taken at the school, there is an indian statue in this pic along with orbs (dust specks) and headlights.  When I first loaded this up, I thought the statue was a ghost! Until I saw it was on a pedastal.. LOL

Tags: Gettysburg, ghost hunting, orbs