I'm fine... really!

I am grade 'A' boring this week. It has been my turn to be on call with the pager for work, and I've been up for a couple of hours between 2 and 4am for the last few nights.... so I'm a bit of a zombie!

Autie is so very, very busy. His commander has tasked him with a big job and he's loving it, I'm sure. And it should keep him on the FOB most of the time, which is SAFE. I'm sure he'll get bored and start going on ops again as soon as he can work it out, but for the time being he is safe and sound.

The boys are excited to leave for the lake this 4th of July weekend, and I am just excited to not be carrying the freaking pager. Next week the big boys are off to summer camp, so Number 3 and I will have some quality time together.

Number 1 has been talking more and more about his future military career. He wants to go to West Point, but he also wants to be a pilot. Do they have pilots at West Point??? I have no idea! LOL! He's been researching online and I expect his plans to evolve with time. I've always known Number 2 would be in the service, but to have two of them in would be wonderful. Pop will be so proud! Many many years until those decisions are made... so we'll see.

Back in the gym full time this week, which is excellent. I feel great, but tired. (YAWN!)

Hitting the wall.

My research has shown that the "mean time to failure" for this Army wife is: 6 days, 2 hours, and ~25 minutes. That is how long it took for my R&R-high to wear off. Took the boys to church this morning, then spent most of the day hiding under the covers and watching Operation Homecoming on TLC, followed by Black Hawk Down. Got all my good crying out, so I was able to get off my arse and get the little ones some dinner and do a little housework. Back to work in the morning and I am *not* looking forward to it!

Heard from Autie this morning. He was able to get a couple of grouchy words out on the instant message before I lost him. He was interrupted for questions by the guys a couple of times, then I think he lost his connection. Didn't get a chance to try out the webcam, which is good because I look like shite today!

Went to the FRG meeting this weekend and Major Lip-Service was there. He is a nice guy, but why does he bother?! He seems to be conscientiously trying to help me with any issue I bring him, but he never gets any results. Frustrating. The unit has come up with yet another reason why they can't promote Autie, who happens to be the oldest (insert rank here) in the Army. All of it is bullshit.

Damn! Cheerful post, huh? ;)

R&R with Autie

It has been days and days since Autie left to go back to Iraq, but I still haven't cried. I can't!!! The perma-grin hasn't gone away yet!!

The visit started as most of his visits do: he surprised me. He arrived much earlier than he had said he would. By now, I should expect that! But he always catches me off guard. He's sneaky like that.

After hearing from a few of my Army-wife friends, I had some real concerns about his visit. Autie was a combat vet before this trip to Iraq, but he does have an exciteable temperment and a short fuse, and he is a naturally jumpy light sleeper. I should have known better. He was absolutely fine... in fact, more relaxed than normal. He slept like a LOG and only had insomnia one night (if you can call staying up all night to beat Half Life 'insomnia'!). We were in crowded restaurants, malls, and even an amusement park and he was perfectly at ease.

Hearing about all of the things he has been doing and the bad guys he and his partner have captured was exciting, but he had done his job so well that the thugs in his area put a bounty out for him. He's returning to a different location - a *safer* location - which is a big relief to me. He might have more autonomy at the new place, which means he'll be doing a lot more missions... but knowing that he is in charge of his activities instead of being dependent on another group makes me feel better about it.

The True Meaning of "Equal Rights"

Female US Marines Ambushed in Iraq

Women will not have full equal rights as American citizens if our government won't allow us to die for our country! THIS is the true meaning of equal rights. Why is a woman's life worth more than a man's? Why is a woman's sacrifice not honorable and proud, but outrageous and wrong?

When Lori Piestewa was killed in a convoy ambush, it was terribly sad - but I felt so incredibly PROUD that women were out there serving and dying for my country, just like the men. Most would not label me a liberal feminist: my marriage relationship is very traditional and I am perfectly comfortable as a submissive wife (it almost sounds like a dirty word, doesn't it?!) and I am strongly pro-life. If a woman can carry the same load, pass the same physical tests, and meet the same performance standard - she deserves the SAME job as the man. I loved serving in the military and if I had a daughter, I would encourage her to serve just as I encourage the boys.

For a thorough and exhaustive review of women in the military, visit the wonderful Captain Barb!

MIA... for R&R! :)

Recent lack of posts due to Autie being home on R&R! We've had a great visit: took the boys to an amusement park and the movies, spent lots of time with extended family. We had our big date night last night and saw several old friends. Autie has been able to share several stories that he couldn't talk about over the phone/email - and I am so extremely proud of what he has accomplished over there. He'll be returning to a different FOB when he goes back, and it is a bit safer thank goodness. And he'll be able to shower every day for a change, which I know he is glad about.

Back to regular life after he leaves next week, and back to blogging - since I won't have him to yammer to all the time.