LONG NIGHTS

The first few weeks are always the roughest of times around here after Sarge leaves on a deployment. Well, not counting the quiet evenings. Or the cold sheets. Or all the moments when I know he's missing out on something special. Crap, ok the whole time generally sucks. 

So far, there have been many late nights.

And just as many early mornings.

Plenty of goofy dog cuddling.

And even a bit of sewing.

Having gone through this "sloth & mope" phase a few times now. I know it'll soon be over. Which is good, because I'm sick of soup and mac'n cheese. 

I need suggestions on the sashing color for these blocks if your up for it. I was hoping to use some gray fabric that I have, but it's too dark a shade for all these bright colors. And I'd like to branch away from my normal white. Ideas? Maybe a natural linen? Hmmm so many choices.

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SARGE'S ADVENTURE

Sarge was tasked to deploy to Haiti to help with the relief efforts. His 12 hour "Hurry Up" orders quickly turned to "Wait" and he spent quite a bit of time gearing up and helping his airmen prepare. 

Wait ... wait ... wait.

For a guy all about action it drove him nuts to have to sit on his hands for so long when there was a job to be done. He was finally put on a bus, and sent down to another base to wait some more. They waited for open seats on a plane that kept breaking.

Wait ... wait ... wait.

He'd send me texts every time he saw on the news that some celebrity or politician had been able to get down there. While he and his guys were told to wait. He was losing it.

So the kids and I drove the couple hours for a short visit. That lasted much longer than anticipated, as I was never ready to say good bye. We had to stick very close to the base. Which was hard for my wondering spirit as it was outside a very beautiful city.

We enjoyed our time with Sarge, and found a demonic frog slide. Always a plus for us.

We may not hear much from him for 6 months or so. Unless they keep telling him to wait that is.

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BYE SARGE

Sarge was told yesterday morning to pack. A six month deployment. And his plane was to leave last night.

Thankfully he hasn't left yet, but now you'll understand why I won't be around for a bit.

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WTH? ACRONYMS

Ok ok, I've gotten a little off course. I know I said I'd tell you about being a military spouse - and instead I've just shown some pretty pictures, my spazzy kid, and that thing about the quilt. Perhaps I have blogger ADD?

So here's something semi-relevant.

I never imagined I'd need to learn a new language just to understand my husband, even considering his accent. Like little boys and their codes, the military loves acronyms that no one understands.

Here's a few that I really don't get:

• TDY - Temporary Duty Yonder - this is when the military member will go to another base to work, but only for a short time ie less than a year. Really ... yonder???
• HAWC - Health And Wellness Center. Is it really that hard to say Gym???
• PCS - Permanent Change of Station. Otherwise known as a move.
• MTF = Military Treatment Facility - Another big name, for the base clinic/hospital. 
  

 And a couple others you will see around my posts - 

• BX - Base eXchange - the name of the large retail store on a base. It carries clothing, electronics, and other household items.
• AFB/AB - Air Force Base or just Air Base if it is overseas.
  
• ABU - Airmen Battle Uniform - the always sexy camouflaged uniform many of our Airmen wear.

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WELCOME TO THE WORLD QUILT

I am in love with this quilt. Good thing the baby shower is on Sunday.

Or I might make up an excuse to keep it.

It wanted to be hand quilted.

Which took forever with all the holiday hubbub going on.

All worth it. A friend is due in a few weeks.

Her husband should be home from the desert just in time to help welcome their little Jakob into the world.

And this cuddly little quilt will be waiting too.

Thank you to Amy and the rest of the Sew-And-Tell Friday folks, all your wonderful comments and support made this project much more fun then sewing a bunch of circles otherwise would have been. In case your confused as to the blog switch, I moved from here. Now I think I'll go see what everyone has been keeping secret for Sew-and-Tell, and Fabric Friday.

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ONE OF THESE

If you have one of these...

 

Who often acts like this ...

Then you really need one of these...

Happy Wednesday all!

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PHOTOS FROM THE ROAD

We should be moving again before the year is up, so we decided to cram as much extended family time as possible into the last few weeks. We loaded up the car and hit the road.

My sweet Sky read the hours away. My husband complained about the traffic for hours on end. Little Grace either snacked, yelled, or slept. And I was busy hand stitching circles on to a baby quilt that you may have seen the start of on my other blog. Or snapping pictures.

These were all taken in the South East.

While driving along.

Or while stretching our legs.

I hope all of you got to spend time with the ones you love. In this new year, I ask that you simply remember.

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THE MISSION

When it comes to life as an Air Force spouse there are a lot of rules. But as far as They are concerned there is only one that matters.

Complete the Mission

(read that in your best James Earl Jones voice)

They could care less if you want to travel the world, or if you get stuck in a town that boasts one of the highest crime rates in the nation. They don't care if your family likes the available base housing; which is more than likely a 50's era duplex with 142 coats of paint on the walls and horrid hospital grade linoleum flooring that refuses to shine. And They don't care if your husband misses out on family life due to repeat deployments, tdy's, exercises, or because his schedule has him working six 12 hour shifts a week. They of course being the military institution.

My husband volunteered to serve our country. And like many of his fellow service men and women who've made a career out of their enlistments, it wasn't just so they could touch the cool ass jets. Even though that reason is always near the top of the list. No, Sarge is in it for the long haul because he believes in his mission. To fly, fight and win.

But fear not - we spouses have a mission too. To keep them happy, healthy and focused.

It's not that hard really. Feed them, treat them like kings, and push their happy butts out the door each day.

And now that he's headed down the drive whistling a little tune ... I think I'll go eat the last of the hidden ice cream. Oops - he heard that.

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