She Who Waits

The husband and I went to our small town's firework display last night. There was a band playing for two hours prior, and we were working the stand for the coffee shop I work at. We were a bit distracted by customers now and again, but both of us noticed the lack of anything patriotic. The town didn't even put out the flags on the utility poles like they did for Memorial Day. There were no patriotic songs, no national anthem, nothing. Just a bunch of people sitting on the lawn listening to the band and waiting for a 5 minute firework show and then sitting in traffic for 45+ minutes afterward.

Wow. How utterly sad. Especially considering that we're right outside a military base.

If we ever get stationed here again I'm definitely going to brave the crowds on base for their firework display and celebration. Hopefully they'd have the decency to acknowledge what the day was really about.

A couple of days ago I received an email from my father. We're only now beginning to rebuild our relationship, so this meant more than I could possibly express.

This time of the year I wanted to say thanks to a special soldier in my life. Sacrifice, service and outstanding faith have inspired me to tears. I am so proud of you, my Marine wife-daughter. I have witnessed the sacrifice and the unselfish heart that makes me incredibly proud and awed to the point of speechlessness. Thank you for the time of separation that you endure past all that I could ever have endured myself. For the hours of sleeplessness daily and the way you have handled yourself. I go beyond proud explaining how I feel. Surely you exemplify Semper Fi to the N'th degree. Thank you for taking care of Charlie. And thank him for me-- for his service and his love for you. If ever a 'lowly civi' could do something for you two, please let me know.

Dad

I want to send a thank you out to all of you as well. Wishing you a Happy Fourth Of July.

I know I've been kind of MIA but life is blissfully boring right this moment, aside from having to make a quick decision and trade in my old car for a new one thanks to a prematurely failing transmission. The new car is certainly nice though, and it is doing pretty well on gas mileage too, despite being quite a bit bigger. I hardly even notice that it's still a 4 cylinder.

We are starting to make the initial preparations for our first PCS (yipee), so I'm sure I'll be around a bit more as that progresses. Wish us luck, we get to do this twice in six months!

I did a little mini photo shoot for a friend with her rapidly growing pup. I haven't sized but one or two, but I fell in love with this shot and had to share.

You can't see it but there's a treat in her hand and she was trying so hard to get the pup to look at her. Right as I started snapping, he looked away, hence the exasperated look on her face. I think it completely illustrates the mix of joy and frustration that is having a puppy.

The spotted one is a ball fanatic, but being as hot as it is here, he needs periodically soaked with the hose if he plays outside. He tries to drink it at the same time, which made for some hilarious photos!

I think I may say "I love you" too much. And yet, I can't seem to say it often enough to convey the depth of emotions I feel when it comes to my husband.

The 19th was our first wedding anniversary. Aside from car shopping, we had a wonderful evening together. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner, sparkling wine, and even better company. I don't know how I drew the lucky number, but I'm so grateful to have found him. I couldn't ask for a more perfect partner, really. Even when we are silent but near one another, there is an almost palpable love between us. He understands me, often better than I understand myself. I tell him all the time that he must have been made just for me.

I fall a little more in love with him every single day. I hope he understands the full meaning each time I say those mere words to him.

We went to an air show last Sunday with my father, who was in from out of town. The heat index was over 100 degrees. It was a ton of fun, but we were all completely wiped out at the end of the day. I took several hundred photos thanks to the continuous shooting feature, but thought I'd share some of my favorites.

Enjoy!

=> Read more!

I am so mad for my friend K right now. The last thing you need when a spouse deploys is added stress, and she certainly has her share of that right this moment.

Her husband bought a new Jeep shortly before he deployed (oops) and now the finance company is giving them problems. They want to re-negotiate the contract and put her on the title/loan because her husband is deployed.

Yes, you read that right. They aren't honoring the signed contract because of his occupation as a Marine and his current status as a deployed Marine. They told her that if he died in Afghanistan, they would have trouble getting their money and would have a better chance of it if she were on the loan. They already took the car home, transferred the tags, even set up the allotments. Now the company wants to renege on their end of the contract because he chose to serve his country.

I tracked down the company President's email address. She talked to the legal department on base. Her husband has mailed a letter addressing it and threatening legal action if the contract is not upheld. I'm urging her to contact the company President to discuss his company's blatant discrimination and its possible ramifications when the newspapers and other avenues are notified of the deplorable way they are conducting business.

Any other suggestions are welcome. Updates will be posted as I have them.

Update: She took the Jeep back because Westlake Financial wouldn't budge. Now the old Jeep's check engine light is on, to add another flame to the fire.

Update #2: She did indeed write the president of Westlake and apparently touched a nerve. He replied and asked her not to do anything, that he was looking into the matter and would get back with her on Monday. The dealership received a call stating they'd honor the contract, on top of that. She'd already taken the Jeep back by this point, so she told the dealership that she had no intention of doing business with them after all of this. I hope the person who made that decision is in some serious trouble when the president of the company gets hold of them.

At least that's what it looked like when I looked in the mirror the past two mornings.

We went to an air show on Sunday and were in the 100 degree heat for most of the day. I was slathering sunscreen and addicted to my SPF 15 lip balm, but my lips still managed to burn. In the mornings, they look as if someone injected collagen into them and hurt like the dickens. I have family in town hanging out at the beach but I'm going to have to figure out a way to stay out of the sun for a few days, apparently.

I'm off to find some pure aloe or vitamin E and put that on my lips, size some more photos from the air show to share, and then head to the beach house the fam rented. No more sun for me.