moving quotes

From our 7 year old:
"Moving and un-moving sure is a lot of work." Out of the mouths of babes...

From a family member, upon returning her call:
"I was just calling to find out what state you're in."
Now, the real question is, did she mean which state of the Union, or what state of mind?

Just another sign...

...that we are a military family:

We moved from state A to state B. Then we registered our vehicles (and received new license plates) from state C.

It's never easy...

We left our girls with my sister and rushed down to our new duty station 3 states away to meet our shipment. If you've ever had your household goods go into storage and been unable to retrieve them for 30 days, you'll understand my inclination to make a door-to-door move happen whenever possible. So we get down there Monday evening. On Tuesday, we meet our realtor and the landlords' realtor at the house we've rented (sight unseen) to do the walk-thru, take care of some final details, and take possession of the house (i.e. get the keys). The house was fairly clean, but could be cleaner so we spent the next few days trying to do what we can before our shipment arrives. That's right. Days. Our driver didn't get down there until Friday. It was hot and muggy. We had the front doors open most of the day while they brought all our things into the house. As usual, they complained about all the book cartons.

Then, they were done. It was 4:00 in the afternoon and the driver had his papers signed and was moving his truck out of our new neighborhood. We thought the house was a bit warm but chalked it up to the doors being open all day. But it stayed warm. And was getting warmer despite the fact that it was getting cooler outside while the sun went down. That's right. The air conditioning died on us. Oh, and we were flying out the next day to get our kids.

homeless again...

Once again, our move managed to sneak up on me. We are officially between homes again. We cleared housing this morning and hope to meet our shipment (also known as all our worldly goods) in a few days. I'll post more later but posts will probably be few and far between for the next month. Please be patient with me!

"That's terrible!"

A few weeks ago, we were having the usual issue of trying to get Big Sis out the door for church. She was in a whiny, argumentative mood and kept getting into trouble. L'il Sis was sitting on the steps by the front door, putting her shoes on. Big Sis was in the living room with Stretch, on the receiving end of a "talking to." L'il Sis sat on the step with a big grin on her face. When things reached a peak in the living room, I could swear L'il Sis' grin got bigger as she said, "That's just terrible!"

Hm-m, so much for sisterly solidarity.

Artillery ears

Stretch has been out of town for a few days. He called last night while I was watching a movie I knew he wouldn't want to watch:

Him: What are you doing?
Me: Watching a movie, "The Jane Austen Book Club."
Him: "Gay Nazi Book Club?!"
Me: No! JANE. AUSTEN. Book. Club."

But there's nothing wrong with his artillery ears, right?

why?!

It's been hectic and just a bit crazy here at Maison Dragonfly. In just 2 weeks, the packers will be here. Do you think we're ready? Not even close!

Today, Stretch left for a few days to attend a conference. He'll be back by the weekend which is jam-packed with engagements. Tonight, a good friend dropped by to give me a hard time about leaving so soon. Our schedules just never quite meshed and we kept missing each other so that she hadn't been aware of my imminent departure until recently. While we were catching up, the girls acted like complete heathens. Finally, Big Sis settled down to read. But L'il Sis...

From the corner of my eye, I saw that she was carrying her shampoo in a little basket. I immediately informed her that she was not to play with her bath things and that she was to put it back immediately. So, she trotted back upstairs. A short while later, I was saying good-bye to my friend when L'il Sis comes back downstairs, holding her arms out in front of her and making a distressed noise. Upon closer inspection I see that her hands and forearms are soapy. So I take her into the powder room to rinse her off and find that half of her head is also soapy. It seems she'd opened the shampoo and put it in her hair.

By this time, it is bedtime and I hadn't planned on giving her a bath. So I put her in the tub and rinsed her. After drying her off and blow-drying her hair, I put her to bed. And she'd better stay there!

Military Spouse Appreciation and Mother's Day

It's Military Spouse Appreciation Day. And I, for one, appreciate the spouses over at SpouseBuzz. They are a great source of support. AND they have this little radio show... Last night, they spoke with 2 gentlemen from USAA about identity theft and renter's insurance. They also gave an iPod to a caller. That caller was me! Thanks, SpouseBuzz and USAA!





In other mil-spouse news, Household Baggage Handlers is being released in the next week or two. Marna Krajeski has edited a volume of essays by military spouses (including me!) so be sure to look for it.

And finally, Happy Mother's Day a few days early!

L'il Sis is Four!

Wow! Time really does fly! It's hard to believe but our baby is definitely NOT a baby anymore. L'il Sis turned 4 last weekend. I made chocolate/pumpkin muffins* for her to take to preschool. She wanted pink icing and did the sprinkles herself.

We celebrated as a family on Saturday. This was nice because Stretch was gone last year. To be fair, that's the only birthday of L'il Sis' that he's missed. Big Sis and I haven't been so lucky.

*I made chocolate/pumpkin muffins so that I could have something, too. They are only 2 Weight Watchers points per muffin. The kids never noticed the difference. Basically, it's a chocolate cake mix and a can of pumpkin. Mix and bake.

Spring Break

Yes, I know I'm late since Spring Break was 2 weeks ago... Better late than never!



Backing up just a bit...I returned from my fruitless house hunting trip on a Friday night. By Sunday, Stretch hit the road for a course. The next day, Monday, found the girls and I on the road to my in-laws' house for a few days. Then, it was another day on the road to join Stretch for a long weekend before returning home.



Stretch had classes to attend so I took the girls to the Virginia Zoo the first day we were there.

Saturday morning found us at Jamestown. L'il Sis particularly liked the Indian village. She wasn't too thrilled with the ships and wanted off of them as soon as possible.

Because we are over-achievers, after we left Jamestown, we headed over to Yorktown.

Every time we saw a cannon, L'il Sis would exclaim, "Oh, Daddy! It's your favorite!"

We also went to the Yorktown battlefield. Did I mention being over-achievers? It was late by then, and the park building was closed for the day. So we walked parts of the battlefield while Stretch tried to explain the battle in terms a 7 year old could understand. You can see in the picture that Big Sis insisted on a rifle at the previous stop's gift shop (she wanted it so badly, she paid for it herself). She was cute, paying close attention to Stretch's explanations and asking questions. The next day, after we returned home, she rounded up a couple of the neighborhood boys, enlisted them and fought the British.

It was a lot to pack into a single day, and although I was exhausted, I'm so glad we did it. The girls both seemed to enjoy themselves and we really don't know when we'll be in the area again.

article

Check out "Anti-War Wounds." The article is an eloquent expression of what it feels like to be married to a military servicemember during this war. And it makes a pretty good point on using the word "we." Katie Dyer was able to put into words something that is often so difficult to express.

Update: I think the writer's focus was not on the anti-war movement but rather on what it is like for military spouses when confronted with some of those attitudes by people who have no idea what our lives or our spouses' lives are like or about. I had something similar happen on my recent house hunting trip. While eating breakfast one morning, an older man started chatting with my mother-in-law and me. As soon as he found out that Stretch was in the military, he immediately started in with how terrible the war was and what a waste it was and then followed up with "but your husband probably supports it" as if all military members blindly support anything and everything the administration does. Regardless of Stretch's views, this man was talking to me. And he had no idea of what my views were or what it feels like to hear someone say that the past year my husband and I spent apart had no value and was a complete waste. I think Ms. Dyer's point was that everyone has the right to their own opinion but opinions can be expressed without trampling on other people. For one protester to tell her that she'd join them when her husband was dead was going beyond the pale.

peeking into the civilian world...

Our next duty station is in the civilian world. So despite being in a large metropolitan area, it feels like we're going to a remote location. No commissary. No military hospital or military doctors. None of the usual groups and services that I usually just take for granted: Spouses' groups, LINKS, base childcare, base chapel (I secretly like them because I know everyone there "gets" it), oh the list could go on forever. So, as you can see, I'm a bit nervous of leaving the safe harbor of military living and making this initial foray into civilian living.

Well, let me tell you, my recent house-hunting trip did very little to allay those nerves! I spent almost a week (and let's not talk about how much money) going to the area with my mother-in-law and looked for rental property. It was incredible frustrating. My first choice, while not ideal was in a great school district, had a grumpy landlord and/or property manager who refused to do basic things to make the house fit to live in. So cross that one off. My second choice wouldn't come down on the rent (I didn't really expect them to) so cross that one off. My third choice... well, I thought it was decent compromise of the things we were looking for and, at first blush, the landlord seemed great and accommodating. We signed a rental contract and I handed over a deposit check and a check for the first month's rent. And I returned home.

The following week, the lease was faxed to me for approval. I could feel my blood pressure rising as I read through it. Stretch probably thought I was going to have a stroke as I kept saying things like, "No! Um, no! What?! Is he crazy?" Bottom line: the lease didn't come close to resembling the terms of the rental contract. For starters, deposit and rent amounts had been increased. The military clause had been left out. And from what was written, it appeared the landlord intended to return very little of the security deposit. After going "high and to the right," I calmed down and put on my lawyer hat. I emailed my realtor with a list of why I viewed the landlord as being in breach of contract and gave examples of him showing bad faith (one example was he'd cashed the rent check despite not having a signed lease!) and expressed the need to have all money returned to us immediately. (We did eventually get our money back, by the way.)

So what did I have to show for my week in the area? Lots of stress (and physical manifestations of that stress) and we STILL don't have a home.

by the numbers....

Sometimes, I think too much.

While driving across yet another state last week, I decided to tally up just how long Stretch has been with us during this past assignment. That was a mistake.

We will be in our present home for almost 16 months when we move out this summer. During that time, Stretch will have been home for roughly 3 months, not all together but if you piece the individual days and weeks together.

We're going to have very different memories of this duty station. I doubt he'll remember the house at all. And after all my, ahem, issues with this house, I doubt I'll be able to forget it!

Quote

"Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

~Ronald Reagan

Spa Day

We're going to be moving (again!) in a couple of months. It seems like we just got here. Oh, yeah, we did just get here (practically). We'll have been in this house for almost 16 months when we move.

I'm going househunting next week with my mother-in-law while Stretch stays home with the kids. Between all of the recent chaos, stress from the upcoming move, stress from worrying about finding a home at the other end in a good neighborhood with a good school, etc., etc.... Well, I've been a bit stressed lately. Then, add another birthday this Sunday. Yay, me!

I have to give Stretch kudos this year. He did really well. I received my pressies early this year since I'm leaving tomorrow. The kids gave me perfume and Stretch gave me jewelry (always appreciated). Then he also surprised me with a spa package at a local day spa. A massage (pure bliss!), mini-facial (very nice!) and a spa manicure (I would NEVER get this for myself). It was so nice to spend 3 hours being pampered and not feel an ounce of guilt for it. So relaxing!

In honor of April being Month of the Military Child...

I am a

Marine Brat

My hometown is nowhere, my friends are everywhere.

I grew up with the knowledge that home

is where the heart is and the family..

with no dependency on the dwelling.

Mobility is my way of life.

Some would wonder about roots.

yet they are as deep and strong as the mighty oak.

I sink them quickly, absorbing all an area offers

and hopefully, give enrichment in return.

Travel has taught me to be open.

Shaking hands with the universe,

I find brotherhood in all men.

Farewells are never easy.

Yet, even in sorrow comes some strength and ability

to face tomorrow with anticipation...

And if when I leave one place

I feel that half my world is left behind, I also know

that the other half is waiting to be met.

Friendships are formed in hours and kept for decades.

I will not grow up with anyone but will mature with many.

Be it inevitable that paths part, there is constant hope

that they will meet again.

Love of country, respect and pride

fill my being when Old Glory passes in review.

When I stand to honor the flag

so also do I stand to honor all Marines, and

most especially, to the parents whose life created mine.

Because of this

I have shared in the rich heritage of the Marine life.

~Anonymous

*******

If you haven't already seen this film, I highly recommend BRATS: Our Journey Home. It will especially resonate if you grew up in the military, as I did. It's narrated by Kris Kristofferson (an Air Force Brat). I had the opportunity to attend a screening on base where the director Donna Musil (also a military brat) was available to answer questions.

Military Motherhood Award

Only a few days left to nominate someone for the Military Motherhood Award. The deadline is March 31. So head over to CinCHouse with your nominee. They are looking for "inspirational stories of military wives and women in uniform who are successfully parenting children through the challenges of military life. These can be your children, stepchildren, foster children or others in unique circumstances. "

The winner gets "$5,000 and a free trip to the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C."

Just because I think it's funny...

I don't have a problem with anyone disagreeing with elected officials or with our foreign policies. As Americans, we ALL have the right to free speech (even those obnoxious Marines). But episodes like the one in Berkeley might be one of the reasons that I find myself less liberal than I used to be.

What's your accent?

Instead of calling it "Midland," I think I'm going to have to call my accent: "Mil-brat." Because I'm not from any of the places named. I was born in Tennessee, grew up in the Army, eventually landing in Oklahoma. Oh, and I pick up accents pretty easily so I have to watch it or it sounds like I'm making fun of people when I'm really not.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Car, planes, and ERs

I'm back!!! Well, for now, anyway.

We've had a crazy 4 weeks. First, Stretch and I went away for a week to attend a seminar together. Okay, not exactly together. We spent most of our time in separate classes and only had lunch together twice all week. But we were told by the organizers to enjoy that week as a "honeymoon time." So we waved as we passed each other in the hall and remarked, "Glad we're getting to enjoy all this togetherness!" On the plus side, thought, I met some great people and received a lot of really good information that I hope will be helpful at the next duty station.

We raced home from that week to attend Big Sis' last basketball game of the season. She was the first to score a basket in that game and went on to score several more times. This was huge because it was the first time all season that she'd made baskets during a game. She's actually very good at making baskets but is not terribly aggressive about getting the ball during a game.

Stretch went back to finish the last week of the seminar. He took a rental car that didn't look big enough for him. Somehow he managed to fold himself into it. I stayed behind with the kids to get ready for our next trip. There was so much to do and so little time. So... a few things just didn't get done (like getting the house clean). Then the girls and I drove to my sisters' house Friday night (where Stretch met us) so that we could return the rental car and fly out Saturday. Stretch had another course to attend and we were tagging along because my parents live in the same area.

L'il Sis spent the entire 2 weeks we were away sick. I took her to the ER twice! She felt better just in time to fly back home. The first week, she was congested and had a fever. I took her to the ER when she'd had the fever for days and it kept coming back and then she started blowing blood out of her nose. The second week and second ER trip was because she spent a night vomiting and having diarrhea. She'd dropped at least 2 lbs. They gave her 2 bags of IV fluids, one had anti-nausea medication in it. Then, they sent us home with suppositories for the nausea. Have I mentioned that L'il Sis is 3-1/2? We tried but the suppositories... they just didn't happen.

Between illnesses, there was a brief respite during which I was able to see 2 of my best friends. We spent one afternoon going to lunch, shopping and getting pedicures. We were also able to get the kids together to play once.

It never seems to fail... whenever I've flown with the kids to see grandparents, there is always illness and an ER visit. At last count, there were a minimum of 4 ear infections (they never seem to get them any other time), one case of chicken pox, and now L'il Sis' mystery viral illness.

It's no wonder I'm cranky.