What Work Ups Have Taught Me

While J was only gone for about 3 weeks life got a little crazy there. Between the lack of sleep, crazy work schedules, and crazy daycare schedule I thought I was losing my marbles. And so I think what I've learned is that not only do I need to have a plan, but I need to have a back up plan. And then possibly a back up for my back up plan. I need to be a bit more organized, and stay on top of things a little bit better.

Firstly we need to find consistant daycare. And sadly this may mean that we have to go with a more expensive day care center as opposed to in home care. We really loved our first provider and haven't been thrilled with our second one. We are still contemplating if we would like to just find someone new or go to the center.

Secondly, we need to find back up care. (Actually before that, I need to get my hourly paperwork back from our current provider!) Possibly a friend who stays at home? I bet they would do it, I just have to ask. Maybe I will butter them up with some fall treats...

Thirdly I need to stay on track. Regardless of if it is finances, or the weekly shopping, or just keeping up on housework. A little planning goes a long way.

Anyone have any advice for surviving deployment? I know J is leaving again in a month or two so I need to be prepared!! Like any good boy scout!

Love,
 L

One is the loneliest number..

So J has been gone about a week and so far so good. Until this weekend. Being alone is...lonely! I've tried to keep busy, but it just isn't the same.

The week was fine. I have been so busy that by 9pm I am dropping into bed exhausted. I haven't had time to relax, let alone be alone with my thoughts. Then came the weekend. Saturday was busy. House cleaning, Costco, Target, donating baby clothes, cleaning some more. Then today we were up early, at church, grocery shopped, and just sat around. And it gave me time to let my guard down. And I really miss my husband.

I am thankful that this will be over before we know it. I am trying to spend my time wisely and keep busy.  So here I am trying to focus on the positive:

I've balanced my checkbook
I've donated those baby clothes (and still have more to go through!)
I've spent some time with friends
and I have worked a ton.

I'm just going to keep trucking on.

Love,
L

Status: Outcast

Do you ever feel like you are on the outside looking in? I have to say, this is not a normal feeling for me. But in the last two days on two separate occasions I have felt a little outcast-ish.

Yesterday, I got a text from a friend up here saying to come by their car wash and help support one of the organizations up here. I was out and about so I decided to stop by (and was secretly hoping that they would kill the spider that is living in my side mirror). I waited in line for about 15 minutes to get my car washed. And the friend that invited me sat and talked to the person behind me for about 10 of those minutes, then comes up to my car and waves and walks on by. I also knew about 3 other people there washing cars (mostly J's friends) and only 1 talked to me. Hmm... guess they really are J's friends and not mine.

Then today, I check my facebook and my dad's girlfriend posted "I'm Engaged!!!" And this is really cool news and I am terribly excited for them (I am assuming that she means engaged to my dad). But when I talked to my dad on Friday, he certainly didn't mention getting engaged. Uh... not going to lie but I am a little disappointed that I found out via FB. Can I also say that I found out that my dad had some skin cancer removed from my brother over a month after it happened. Um....Just because I live 12 hours away does not mean I'm not part of the family!!!

Ugh... There is a part of me that wishes that things were different. But I'm not quite sure how to change it.

Feeling frustrated,
L