November Summary

Sometimes blogging is far from my mind....leading to a month's absence with hardly a second thought. Then I set aside a Sunday midday to check in on some of my most favorite bloggers and am mesmerized by their words and constantly shouting at the hub "look at this picture!" and "listen to this funny bit...".

Sometimes I don't see the point anymore to putting my thoughts down in blog formation when I'm not really sure that I'm living my best authentic life in this very moment, in this very location. (And I'm not really sure that most people care to entertain themselves with my random thoughts....) But I'm living one day at a time, enjoying what I can and I guess that's as good as it can get at times.

The last month has been full and yet mainly lovely in its own right. So in all my randomness, here are my lengthy highlights.....

1) I Took a Vacation

My trip to Atlanta to visit my gal Christina was amazing and well needed. Interestingly my poor Honda had an issue the day before I left but thankfully hasn't had any other issues since then and didn't act up on the 10 hour drive there or back. I'd contemplated taking the truck for mental security but after calculating out the extra city parking hassle and gas mileage....it was worth a potential issue to still take the car. Gas mileage wasn't as good in my car as usual but after realizing my tires needed more air in them, it didn't surprise me....check your tire pressure, folks! ;)

I wasn't as impressed with much uniqueness about Atlanta, but spent some time exploring the great history of the city via MLK's roots and the Oakland Cemetary (on the plus side: both are FREE venues...always hitting up those frugal must-sees!). I had the unique experience of using the MARTA (public metro system) and realizing some of the continued segregation that still exists in the South. (I've recognized the remains of discrimination and racism in my own rural area in Louisiana and on my visits to friends in North Carolina, but Atlanta was the first time in the South that I seriously noticed how divided aspects of the city truly remain. It also was an interesting experience to be the minority individual on public transport, but an experience worth having all the same.)

The highlights of my visit to Atlanta were: real coffeeshops, local breweries and sustainable food systems, real shopping (Target, West Elm, H&M, and DSW all in one location!) were I could finally find flannel sheets and a pair of $30 dress shoes for the upcoming ball, and loads of catch-up and conversation with one of my lovely friends and all her CDC public health fellows! I love me some nerdy conversation at times. For the first time in over a year, I was the weird non-single one. In explaining how I ended up in Louisiana as a career counselor after finishing the MPH (master of public health) program back in Oregon, I got really good at stating "uh, I married a soldier?!" ;) And the reality is....I also had to realize how much this military spouse life has changed me...

2) I Thought a Lot About Family

Granny broke her other leg exactly three months after the break of her right leg. She'd made it thru all her rehab and was back to the point of living independently, mainly using a cane, in her own home again, when she got dizzy (from blood pressure meds) and fell. Same surgery as before, metal rod inserted the lenght of the bone, and she's taking it all in stride....which is really quite amazing. She spent Thanksgiving at my aunt's and she's the most positive individual about this that you can imagine. She's been working hard in rehab and will be moving back into the home of another aunt's for continued recooping on Weds! Being back in Oregon, my family has consistently been visiting her and she's had numerous visits from her social circles too. With this determination, she should be back on two feet in time for her 100th birthday next summer. Such a motivation to all of us!

3) I Officially Was Approved for the Part-Time Job

I think I may have mentioned that I Skype interviewed for a part-time college instructor position back in Oregon. Last week I got the email that I was officially approved by the dean and will be teaching two courses during spring term. Definitely excited and hopeful this will lead to even more teaching opportunities for coming terms. Still thinking and saving for the overall financial picture, but hopeful it will all come together.

4) There was a Wive's Social Event

With the upcoming military ball, there was an event hosted for a dress-take, free dresses used by other military spouses in past balls that are passed on to the next group. While I already had a dress, I went to socialize and it turned out to be a good outing. I ended up finding a free dress that I probably will use instead or for another event in the next year, but what I got out of it was that the wives from the department are in the need of social outings....so I've been tasked out to arrange an event for January.

5) The Hub and I Had Our First Official Thanksgiving at Home AKA The Hub Rocked My World This Week/end

Last year we were on the road, using his 4 day to visit my hometown-friend-transplanted-to-Canada-grad-student who was in New Orleans and then we continued on to Georgia for the wedding of our local friends here. This year was our first real Thanksgiving here and it was great to be home together! We had our first meal last Sunday with our neighbors down the way, I had a small meal over at the house of my coworker/friend whose husband is currently deployed, and then I came home to a meal 100% prepared by the hub. We put together three plates which we transported to his guys on duty for the day and then we came back to settle into our own meal. My coworker and her teenage daughter came over in the evening for board games and pumpkin cheesecake, and the whole day just left my heart swelling and my pride growing in this husband of mine. Now he did drag me out of bed at 2:30am the next day to try to score a doorprize of a new washer/dryer (beyond the banshee shriek, our dryer is also now latched via duct tape since the actual closure went out, we're still line drying about 80% of our laundry but recognize a new dryer is something we probably could benefit from....), but he left me in the truck while he waited in the cold in his place in line (and ended up being 1 person too late in line....). No doorprize in sight, we headed back home for me to catch another hour of zzzs before heading off to the office for Friday. My week/end of spoiling not only included a fabulous homecooked holiday meal, but a from-scratch cinnamon roll was just deposited on my lap an hour ago, a small container of peppermint ice cream showed up last night, and last week my dream camera that I'd expressed a desire for months ago arrived on our doorstep. When I went to Atlanta, our projector was set up for movies-in-bed viewing moments. These moments when his real heart glows and shows makes the pessimist in me question what happened?! ;) but make the optimist in me glad for the breaks he gets from work and hopeful for what the next few years of our future might bring. Yesterday marked his official 4 month until he's out of the Army date.... A great weekend indeed....

Hope the month has been full of beautiful moments and silver lined clouds for all of you.....Can hardly believe December is right around the corner!

Fall Has Arrived!

Bit of an absence.....I was momentarily trying to transfer my blog to Wordpress since Google had made blogspot difficult for me to access using my registered yahoo account....but I'm hopeful the kink got worked out because for some reason trying to learn how to use wordpress was a bit too confusing for this month of my life!!

But anyway.....FALL IS HERE!

I love the months of October and November. Summer hung on through the end of October however, and we're just now having chilly nights and red leaves on the trees. Soon the dogs should have their winter coats, but as of right now they're all chilly noses and cold kisses.

The last few weeks have been busier but full of some fun moments too. We're down to FOUR months before we'll transition home. In my mind I'm aware of the date of my last day of work I'll have here and the hub should be able to use his paid leave time to allow us to transition back to Oregon by or within mid-March rather than the end of that month.  ....Now it's just trying to get all our ducks in a row as the next four months will fly by quickly. Trying not to stress thinking about moving all our goods and animals home, covering the first six months of expenses, and finding pet friendly housing options.....

The good news is: I had a skype interview last week for a part-time position and it looks like I will be joining the team! The pay per class won't cover all our expenses and it might be very minimal to start, but it's heading in the right direction and hopefully will lead into something more too! Definitely is part of the career plan I'd hoped to have before relocating in this direction.

Now some of the wonderful moments of the last few weeks:
--Carving pumpkins on the kitchen floor
--Local roller derby outing
--Reserving hotels for our final New Orleans trip for New Years
--Homemade veggie chilli in the crock pot and fresh loaves of bread from the maker
--Breakfasts of french toast from stale bread & homemade mochas
--Over a week of Molly the English lab sitting; haven't had to worry a bit about exercising our own dogs!
--Huddled down in layers and under blankets, avoiding turning on the heat
--Flicker of candle light
--Roasted pumpkins seeds with rosemary and garlic salt
--Loads upon loads of laundry hanging on lines in the garage

This week promises to hold three days of work: briefing soldiers on services and resume assistance. A doctor's appointment to check out my arm which has been having some pain for the last week. And an extended weekend to Atlanta to reconnect with one of my favorite gals from my public health program--promises to hold lots of city enjoyment and loads of nerdy public health conversation. Hope everyone has a great week ahead---remember to hold our veterans in your thoughts!

The best to each of you....

Thinking about Veterans

Today I'm thinking about veterans.......


Since I work with individuals separating from the service, their family members, and/or individuals that already are classified as veterans, then this probably comes as no surprise to any of you that are regular readers.....However sometimes even I get caught up in the daily grind and forget just what it means to be a soldier/veteran in today's society.


Now don't me wrong, we work with some interesting individuals at times, but in our particular office we operate by Teddy Roosevelt's quote "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards," and based upon that we believe in providing services and attempting to meet the transition needs of anyone getting out of the service for whatever reason.


But some days it hits me and tears come to my eyes as I drive to work across our installation, just how many of these individuals I'm driving past will be put in harms way in order to serve alongside their comrades and to serve their nation, regardless of whether or not they themselves necessarily 100% believe in the war effort.  Many of the soldiers I talk to, work with, interact with would gladly deploy again in a heartbeat in order to help aide and protect their fellow soldiers.....and many do.


Today I'm in awe, of those who consistently put upon themselves to do, that which I know I could not do. 


Today I'm in awe of my client who deployed 4 times in 7 years and while he sustained his own combat injuries still performed CPR & first aid on 7 other fallen comrades during the same ambush. He wasn't even a medic and was one of the most modest souls I've met.


Today I'm in awe of my client who is a 20 year retiree and is a complete joy to assist. This particular client never complains, she consistently has a positive outlook and a smile on her face. Personally I am in awe of any woman, who managed the Army during the 1980-90s and is still coming out with a smile and bubbly personality after 20 years of service.


Today I'm reminded of all the homeless vets I used to talk to on the streets of PDX, offering a smile or a word of encouragement.


Today I'm in awe of the veterans who after years of being in the service, can come to any of us in the office and voice their apprehension and worries about reintegrating into the civilian world. And of those same veterans who after 20-30 years of service and a partial retirement check, still want to work and contribute to society.


Today I'm reminded of the individuals and families who constantly support and deal with absences of their spouses and parents. Who pack up every couple of years to a new duty station and transition into new friends, new schools/work, and almost entirely new lives.....for some of these individuals and families.....its a lifetime of their own service. 


So while we're still a few weeks away from veteran's day, I do encourage you to take a look around you and remain cognizant of the war that is going on and of the individuals who are out there fighting. If you know a spouse or family, support them in whatever way you can while their loved ones are deployed. If you know a veteran, let them know how much you appreciate them (although I will say that frequently the best way to do this is as quietly as possible....). If you are a praying person, keep our soldiers (both past and present) in your prayers. And please, keep in mind that frequently we're all walking alongside individuals who have been to war, even if they may not look the part when you walk alongside them in the grocery store.......


Because I don't know about you.....but I couldn't do what they do....

Blue Like Jazz

I've had multiple people over the years suggest that I read the book Blue Like Jazz. When we got married and integrated homes, I realized the husband had a copy in his book shelves, so its been patiently sitting there waiting for me to open its covers. This past week I finally pulled it out....and fell in love with Miller's words and experiences.

The church discussed (Imago Dei) is actually one I went to sometimes as an undergrad in Portland (although I have mixed feelings about it now after a couple of my friends were mis-treated while seeking baptism and I'm never a fan of what happens when a church grows to mega-size). The non-profit I give to (Dinner & A Movie) is one mentioned several times in the book as well, although its never directly mentioned by name. (I actually first discovered it through Imago....)

The book itself is a great discussion of Christian spirituality rather than "Christianity" per se and is much more up my alley of what I agree with from a religious point of view. Its based on establishing relationship with all kinds of people, getting over ourselves, giving to God and to others, and keeping heart on issues of social justice. Loved it, loved it!

So here is a pieced together example from the book, which is probably my favorite section/message:

Obviously all words and credit to Don Miller (and I hope its legal to do this, if not then someone please let me know and I'll delete)....

"The thing I have to work on in myself is this issue of belief....Here is the trick, and here is my point. Satan, who I believe exists as much as I believe Jesus exists, wants us to believe meaningless things for meaningless reasons. Can you imagine if Christians actually believed that God was trying to rescue us from the pit of our own self-addiction? Can you imagine? Can you imagine what Americans would do if they understood over half the world was living in poverty? Do you think they would change the way they live, the products they purchase, and the politicians they elect? If we believed the right things, the true things, there wouldn't be very many problems on earth.

But the trouble with deep belief is that it costs something. And there is something inside me, some selfish beast of a thing that doesn't like the truth at all because it carries responsibility, and if I actually believe these things I have to do something about them. It is so, so cumbersome to believe anyhing. And it isn't cool. I mean it's cool in a Reality Bites, Welcome to Sarajevo, Amnesty International sense, but that is only as good as dreadlocks. Chicks dig it to a point, but you can't be all about it; you also have to want a big house and expensive clothes because in the end, our beliefs are about as enduring as seasonal fashion. In the end, we like Ethan Hawke even though we don't know what he believes. Even our beliefs have become trend statements. We don't even believe things because we believe them anymore. We only believe things because they are cool things to believe.

The problem with Christian belief--I mean real Christian belief, the belief that there is a God and a devil and a heaven and a hell---is that it is not a fashionable thing to believe.

I had this idea once that if I could make Christianity cool, I could change the world, because if Christianity were cool then everybody would want to deal with their sin nature, and if everybody dealt with their sin nature then most of the world's problems would be solved.....

My friend Andrew the Protester believes things. Andrew goes to protests where he gets pepper-sprayed, and he does it because he believes in being a voice of change. My Republican friends get frustrated when I paint Andrew as a hero, but I like Andrew because he actually believes things that cost him something. Even when I disagree with Andrew, I love that he is willing to sacrifice for what he believes. And I love that his beliefs are about social causes.

Andrew says it is not enough to be politically active. He says legislation will never save the world. On Saturday mornings Andrew feeds the homeless. He sets up a makeshift kitchen on a sidewalk and makes breakfast for people who live on the street. He serves coffee and sits with his homeless friends and talks and laughs, and if they want to pray he will pray with them. He's a flaming liberal, really. The thing about it is, though, Andrew believes this is what Jesus wants him to do. Andrew does not believe in empty passion.

All great Christian leaders are simple thinkers. Andrew doesn't cloak his altruism within a trickle-down economic theory that allows him to spend fifty dollars on a round of golf to feed the economy and provide jobs for the poor. He actually believes that when Jesus says feed the poor, He means you should do this directly.

Andrew is the one who taught me that what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do.

.....

We live for what we believe, Andrew would say....If Andrew the Protester is right, if I live what I believe, then I don't believe very many noble things. My life testifies that the first thing I believe is that I am the most important person in the world. My life testifies to this because I care more about my food and shelter and happiness than about anybody else.

I am learning to believe better things. I am learning to believe that other people exist, that fashion is not truth; rather, Jesus is the most important figure in history, and the gospel is the most powerful force in the universe. I am learning not to be passionate about empty things, but to cultivate passion for justice, grace, truth, and communicate the idea that Jesus likes people and even loves them."

Just a section, but the rest of the book is just as fabulous. A bit of humor, a bit of sarcasm, and a lot of thinking about reality. Take a look at the whole thing......

An Afternoon Doggie Picture Show

Trying to steal some moments with the dogs.....

 Have I ever mentioned how much Anna hates getting her picture taken?!

 This is only because I have a treat in my hand..... ;)

A Perfect Slow Saturday Morning

A fabulous start to a Saturday....sometimes we just need slower days:

--The dogs finally slept in for once and managed well outside for an hour letting me actually sleep in. After bringing them back in, I laid down on the carpet for a few moments which they love---both of them attempting to dart in to get as many licks as possible all over my head. (For this you must envision me laying on the ground of our hallway my hands covering my face so no licks make it to the mouth!!)

--One load of laundry in the wash and the house dusted. A comfy tank and sweater combo thrown over yoga-like pants.

--Sunshine streaming out the windows but just the right amount of chill in our house. The dogs happily chomping on small bones.

--Dirty Dancing (every gal's favorite: "Nobody puts my baby in the corner!") and football on the TV. In about 15 minutes I'm gonna get bored of the tube and dive back into my book I'm currently reading Blue Like Jazz (amazing!) or one of the other ones I recently ordered and had delivered.

--Tucked into the corner of our sectional: Looking up recipes online, checking out my favorite blogs, catching up on a bit of news online, looking up potential dress options for the Army ball in December, and on my second cup of coffee.

--Hub will probably be home in the next hour after pulling his second 36 hour shift this week. Poor guy will hit the sheets, but it'll be nice to have him home for a few hours all the same.

Pretty good Saturday morning all around!