Korea Prep 2

My neighbor was kind enough to hook me up with an old friend of his who is stationed in Korea.  It was really nice being able to have another single mom connect with me about her experience.  She told me about the room I'd probably be living in and gave me some tips on what to bring, what not to bring.  She also let me know about the base and what the dining facilities were like there, so I'd probably need a crock pot.  My...

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Korea Prep

So far, I have A LOT of things to do to prepare for this remote tour.  I have four different checklists.  I just prepared about fourteen powers of attorney.  I have to get an anthrax and smallpox vaccine, which is gonna SUUUUCK.  I guess it's about time though, right?  When I deployed a few years ago, I had to get a rabies and Japanese Encephalitis vaccine.  I might as well get the rest of the crazy ones.  I'm...

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The Dreaded E-mail

So once every few years of an enlisted person's life, they will receive an e-mail that makes them hold their breath.  The "From" is usually "System Generated E-mail" and you know that's always some kind of official notification e-mail box.  Well, I got my own e-mail last week shortly after returning home from work. "Congratulations!  This is to notify you of your selection for a Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS)..." What??  I immediately remembered receiving a call for volunteers for Korea, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and...

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Journal- 9 Nov

Wow, it has been a while since I wrote.  Things have been really happening over the last few months. In the Summer... The boys took swim class this summer. I was super proud of them! My brother and I joined forces to do the  **Dirty Dash 2014** We got really ... gross. But it was so much fun! And I got to spend time with my brother. The boys got bucked off sheep at the rodeo. Caden did a great job at rock climbing! They...

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Journal-6 July

Life has taken such a turn in the past week.  My mom and stepdad flew in from Guam last Friday.  Yay!  They're just awesome.  The kids adore them.  Then Patrick, a friend I've made and whom I've been "talking to" for a couple of months now, flew in on Saturday last week.  He's amazing.  A good Christian who reflects what Christians should.  I'm a little smitten, but I'm being really slow and cautious because...

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Mad

I'm lonely. And I find myself feeling angry sometimes. Not at the people who I've given up in order to ensure my children have a good life. Not at my parents for failing to teach me what a good relationship looks like. Not at my friends who stay in bad relationships just because it's better than being alone. I'm mad at myself. For failing to choose a good person to spend my life with. I wonder why do I sabotage myself? Why do I go into a relationship hoping that maybe he's "the one" when I know deep down inside that he's not? I never answer these...

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I Was A Ninja, Really!

The boys were having a deep conversation today while I was driving.  Sean: That car is going faster than us. Caden: Yeah but we beat that white car.  Sean: But that truck with the black falcon on it is getting faster! Me: Black falcon! But I defeated him! Caden: What? Sean's face is showing disbelief.  Me: I defeated him when I was... a ninja.  Sean: A ninja? Caden: No you didn't mom.  Me:...

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The Regret

I was running late for work. It was a couple of years ago.  The kids weren't cooperating. Caden especially. He couldn't find the pants he wanted. I was chasing the hands of the clock. I was angry. My words were firm and impatient. I had to be at work on time. There was an important ceremony to host. I scolded them for sleeping late the night before. I rushed Sean into his daycare room without a goodbye. Caden had a scowl...

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Pause the Dating

I've decided I'm not going to do the whole dating thing for while. The last one was a disaster. I took a risk on someone who seemed legit and it turned out he was a snake in disguise. It's the nature of dating I suppose. Putting myself out there, taking risks, learning lessons. I think I'm much better off pushing past the losers, seeing through lies, and being really intentional about choosing the man who is genuinely right.  One thing...

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Getting Out There

I think it's time this single mama gets put back on the market.  I figure, I'm a pretty good date.  I clean up nice, have a pretty fun personality, I've got good qualities.  Why not put myself out there?  It would be nice to have someone to talk to and laugh with.  I just have to remember how to do this. So I started talking to someone.  He's a single dad too.  Two kids who live with him full time.  He...

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Das Boots! 29 Jan 14

Today's Blurb Tomorrow is Caden's 7th birthday.  I'm letting him ditch school (he's only had one other missed school day this academic year so I don't feel so bad) and the three of us are going to spend the day celebrating.  We have a birthday tradition, which the boys started all on their own.  The birthday boy gets to decide if the non-birthday boy can get a gift as well.  It's their way of being able to share the day without...

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I'm Doing Fine

I am a single mom of two boys.  There's no father in the picture. It's just me.  I'm all they have.  And the questions people ask me. "Who will teach them to be good men?" It's me.  "Who's their male role model?" Me.  "They need a father figure." Well that's me too.  I'm okay with being just me.  I've had to do it by myself for years.  I've been blessed when it could've been worse.  Why...

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Amazing Wednesday

Yesterday was incredible.  The unit started the day off with yoga for our PT session.  I couldn't believe that yoga could actually make me sore!  What made it really cool was the fact that PT is usually the same thing all the time.  Sometimes we'd do a sport instead of a good work out, but for the most part things were pretty consistent.  Throwing yoga in there really surprised everyone.  I think every once in a while,...

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Inspired

I did some art today. I'm not worried about the imperfections in the details. We're all imperfect so I like them.  Some kind of hero. Not sure who he is but I like him anyway.  I was mainly interested in her eyes.&nbs...

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Self Portrait

I did a self portrait today. This is me. Imperfect. Weird. Me. ...

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Awesome Song

Here's what I'm listening to tonight.  It's fitting for my current mood. Another Girl by Wild Belle I lose sleep, I lose sleep.Too much I've seen.And I weep, yes, I weep,Cut your lips upon her body.Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I treat you right?If I was so gone, why didn't you say?You keep me waiting by.On the floor, you know I'd crawl,Just to change your mind.If I lock the door just to stall you for a moment,I won't get you, even if I tried.Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I treat you right?I'm just another girl, another...

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Das Boots! 17 Jan 14

Today's Blurb It's my Air Force birthday! Thirteen years ago today, I stepped off a bus and into the life of the Air Force.  I grew not only as an Airman, but as a woman and as an individual.  I am a mother, a supervisor, a Wingman who can think for herself as a Non-Commissioned Officer.  I can count the number of times on one hand when I swore I wouldn't reenlist.  And each time I did that, I imagined hanging up the...

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Wednesday Night Outing

What a night.  Talk about emotional roller coaster.  Whole FoodsSo we had never been to Whole Foods before and I needed to stop and get some meat.  I absolutely fell in love.  This place had so much healthy food!  Grass-fed, non-hormone injected meat, organic chicken, everything.  They even had a fantastic deli with excellent service.While looking for some premade meals at the deli counter, one of the staff asked if...

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Hypnosis?

I wake up a lot during the night. Not for a large amount of time. I just wake up enough to check the time, sigh, pray I don't wake up late, then fall back to sleep. Well I have a hard time waking up every morning because I'm so darn tired. So I did some reading and came across the techniques of hypnosis and meditation. I decided to give it a shot. I laid flat on my back in bed.  Arms at my side. Made sure my neck and head were comfy. Closed...

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Dry Needling

It sounds weird, I know.  So I have arthritis in my back and neck. My physical therapist did manipulation, electrical stimulation, traction, stretching and strengthening exercises. I'm on pain and migraine meds. It has all, except for traction, helped. But the pain doesn't really stop. It's ongoing, always there. Some days it is dulled out and some days it triggers days-long migraines. It sucks but I've gotten used to it and I've learned to be grateful for the good days. I stopped going to physical therapy last summer. I got busy and...

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Remember This Pain

You have never loved unless you've sacrificed.Anyone can feel the emotion of love.  But love is so much more than an emotion.  It is an act.  And when you love, truly love, you will sacrifice.  And when you love and the love is not returned in action, you will hurt.  It can hurt badly.I spoke to a very trusted and wise friend of mine about a recent breakup.  I explained the reason for the breakup and why I felt so hurt about it.  He hugged me and listened as I spoke.  And then he shared wise advice.  "Remember...

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Ramblings of A Single Mom

"Emma and I have been married 38 years.  We've had our amazing moments and there were times when we were miserable.  But I am wiser because of it and I love better because of it.""Shannon and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary"I'm happy.  I'm content.  I date, I love, and I end the relationship when we've decided it was the best thing to do.  At the end of the day it's really just the kids and me.  We are a good,...

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