Afghanistan...Here he comes!

Fly Boy has been preparing for this incredibly difficult day for several weeks.

As a career soldier, deployment is nothing new. He's been to Korea, Bosnia, Iraq, and today he and 30 other soldiers from his brigade are departing at noon for a one year "tour" in Afghanistan. (The word "tour" almost makes it sound like a real vacation!) These soldiers, delayed for departure as a result of various personal and professional issues are about 3 weeks behind the others who are already settled in to their choice Afghan digs. These guys get the left-overs!

In Fly Boy's case, his delay was due to the birth of his second child in December. He's been a "hands-on" Daddy, joyfully assisting in diapers, feeding and care of both his boys. Last night they video-taped him reading a variety of children's stories so the kids could see him and hear his voice while he's gone! I think that is so special. He's also taking a along a web cam so that the children can see and talk to him over the lap-top computer. Modern technology is so wonderful now, compared to when he first was deployed to Korea as a fairly new soldier!

This deployment is different because this time, he's a husband and a father to kids who were born after he returned from Iraq! When he was in Iraq for a year, Fall Girl was his new bride and a successful soldier herself. Now she's going to experience this adventure as a FORMER soldier, and busy, stay-at-home mom of two babies.

I have every faith in her ability to be strong, successful and self-sufficient due to her character and solid military experience. Plus, lately Fly Boy's been giving her some lessons in some of the finer points of certain home maintenance issues, such as properly hooking up a propane tank. There's not too much that girl can't do! And as someone who used to jump outta perfectly good airplanes as part of the Army's demonstration free-fall/parachute team, she ain't afraid of nothin'! She'll be just fine!

Last night reality set in for all of us as our visit came to an end...for now. I just hugged him tightly, told him how proud I was of him and his accomplishments, and how I expected him to do his job well and come home safe to us, safely!

I am glad I am not at the airfield to see him off today as that has got to be the toughest thing a Mom can do. Just writing this is hard enough.

Now, I am going out to lunch with a friend so I can be distracted for a little bit!

But one more thing before I go.....

That's me....sitting inside Fly Boy's Kiowa, OH 58 Helicopter, last summer! How cool is that? Nice pedicure on those little Fred Flintstone shaped feetz, huh!

Irish Gumbo

I soooooo love a man that can write!

And cook.



Good GAWD, there's nothing sexier than a man who can totally express himself through the written word!

And if he can cook too! He's really got it going on!! ::waves to Cave Man while swooning::

I don't know if Irish Gumbo can cook..but you know with a name like that, he knows a little about food. But this I do know....the man can write and spin a brilliant tale!

Seriously....go see for yourself. Click on his name in the above paragraph. And..don't miss the A Visit from Brother Heron story!

Bubba...The Friendly Cable Guy!

Brrrrrrr!!

It's 19 degrees here tonight in the Nashville area! Tomorrow night it's supposed to be even colder and by Friday night it may dip down into the single digits! It's not that cold at home where I live in the California mountains at the 4000 foot elevation! I guess I am going to be staying pretty close the the artificial log fireplace here in the condo for the next few days! It should be bearable now that I have internet access here.



Yep, yesterday...Bubba (not his real name but it could have been, easily!) the Cable Guy and his adult son; Junior, who contract with the local cable company were here to install my wireless router for cable internet access.

The reason I mention this is because a few months ago, when I was somewhat at my lowest point emotionally, Cave Man cautioned me not to make any important decisions for awhile, especially in matters of the heart. He said he'd hate to hear that I went to Tennessee and agreed to marry someone named Bubba!

Bubba, The-too friendly-Cable Guy was NOT even close to my kind of marriage material, but I think he may have had BIG eyes for me...and if he wasn't interested in marrying me, he sure wouldn't have been opposed to a honeymoon.

YUCK!!

Anyway, as I met them at the door and invited them inside, I was able to smell rank, stale cigarette smoke permeating from him as grinned at me with a broken, yellow-stained toothy grin as he scratched his pot-belly, that protruded beneath his tight, blue-collar shirt! I greeted them warmly as they introduced themselves, especially considering I was glad to see them as I was desperate for the capability of surfing the net from the comfort of my vacation home.

Me: "Nice to meet you Bubba and Junior! How are you today?"

Bubba: "Fat and happy ma'am!" as he pats his ample belly.

Me: "Well, I understand, that happens to the best of us!" I joked.

Bubba starts walking to me with his arms widely outstretched as if he's going to hug me...HUG ME..(WTH?) and he says.......

"Awwwwwwwwwww, that's so sweet of you to call me the best! My self-esteem has been taking a beating lately! It's so nice to know there's a woman that understands!"

I looked at him like he'd lost his GIT-R-DONE mind as he got closer and I back-pedalled it into the safety of my kitchen, close to the knife block!

Bubba forced out a raspy, evil-sounding smoker's laugh and promptly went to work on the router as he was supposed to do! He continued to try to impress me with all things router related as he barked orders to his subordinate adult child.

I shudder to think how he'd have behaved if Junior wasn't there. ICK!!!

That was one creepy cable guy.

Don't Hate Me....

.....because my condo and grandkids are beautiful!




Check out this "new" table...one woman's trash...another woman's treasure! I didn't even have to dive in the dumpster for it! It was just sitting right there next to my trash can this morning! There it was in all it's glory, with just a few, well quite a few scratches, and the glass top was missing, but with a little TLC, elbow grease and a new glass top, I'd have a like-new end table!

Wooooo-hooo I love me a decorative bargain!!!!

So, I grabbed that sucker quick in case someone in the neighborhood wanted to arm wrestle for it, hauled it into the condo, and got to work on cleaning it up by washing the spider webs and mud off the end of the legs. Then I headed out to WalMart for some liquid scratch cover and a Guardsman Furniture Repair kit..which is actually just marking pens in various wood stain colors. I called a nearby glass company and gave them the measurements, got a quote of $18.00 for a new glass top and headed right over there to get it! In less than 10 minutes I was out the door and on my way home to finish it up! I think I didn't measure the glass exactly right, and I need to take the glass back tomorrow to have them shave it off a just a bit on one side so it sits completely flat, but it's close! I am a girl...what can I say? Anyway...what do you think? I did pretty good, huh!




Yesterday, Fly Boy invited me over to spend the day and we had another great visit. I fed the little chow hound-twice, then played with my oldest grandson and we had so much fun! He kept saying, "Nam Ma! Come play, Nam Ma!" It was so sweet! He loved his new Christmas gifts...a little learning laptop, a SpiderMan Mr. Potato Head, a big truck that lights up, drives on its own and plays music...We Will, We Will Rock You, which is sure to drive his mother completely nuts, and....two new DVDs! Here he is snapping a pretend photo of Nam Ma while Nam Ma tries to take his picture! Kellen is showing off his new blankie, that his Mama got to match his big brother's which is pretty much the same...but now 2 years old and of course, personalized with HIS very own name!

Written Yesterday...Posted Today!

I’ve spent all day in my jammies, just hibernating inside, with no inclination to do anything except relax, nap, play a few games of solitaire on the computer and fix a bite to eat once in awhile. It’s been a comfort food kind of day. This morning I fixed Okie style sausage gravy to smother a biscuit left over from Cracker Barrel and for dinner, I had Campbell’s Tomato Soup, made with milk instead of water, and a yummy grilled cheese made with whole wheat bread to dip into the hot soup! Mmmmmm good! Brings back memories of childhood culinary delights! I think it’s the only thing my mom couldn’t ruin in the kitchen!



It’s been two whole days since I’ve heard from Fly Boy, but that’s okay as I know his time with his family is limited, since he’ll be deploying within days. Oh, and that reminds me! My former step-mother, Becky, who’s the mom to my youngest half-brothers, called Fly Boy the other day to wish him well before he leaves for Afghanistan. I thought that was so kind of her! It made my son’s day as well!

Once again I am sitting by the fireplace, and enjoying lit candles placed about the room. It doesn’t get much better than this!

The living room is still filled with Christmas presents for the grandsons, which I hope to get to them soon. Last night I bought them matching red, long sleeved shirts that say…My Dad Rocks! I’ll give them to Fall Girl on the sly, in hopes that she’ll take photos of the kids as they are wearing them to send to their Daddy in Afghanistan. I think he’d enjoy that.

Tomorrow, I guess I will head out for some site-seeing and look for some photo ops, plus venture in to Starbucks for a 4 dollar fancy, foo-foo specialty drink so I can use the Wi-Fi. For some reason, I got the idea that WiFi was free in Starbucks. Wrong. Yesterday I discovered it’s $3.99 for two hours use! Not that I want to hang out for two hours in Starbucks, but that’s the only way I can get WiFi until my computer cable is installed on Monday. And…darn it, none of my neighbors have unsecured wireless….I’ve already tried!

Well, I guess I will watch one of my new movies and continue to enjoy the time alone!

I am one happy, peaceful woman.

There’s nowhere I’d rather be right now * than enjoying this moment of pure bliss by the dancing yellow flames of the fireplace, as I watch the lazy, dark river pass by while watching an assortment of colorful, greedy birds partake in a feast of black oil sunflower seed, perched on the rail of my deck at my Tennessee condo.

I am savoring and extremely thankful for this quiet time alone. There are no dogs barking, no traffic noise, and no snippy little comments to filter out as the girls banter back and forth with piss poor attitudes. It’s so incredibly quiet that I can become somewhat startled when there is the slightest unfamiliar noise, like the assorted unidentifiable pops, creaks, and boards groaning that one attributes to a house settling. The lack of noise, makes it easy to hear the pusher boat moving the barges up and down the river, long before they get close.

This is somewhere that I could find myself spending months at a time, perhaps even attending Austin Peay University which is just a couple of miles away. After my nest is empty, I may consider doing that!

While en route here on the airplane, I listened to a pod cast from Oprah’s Soul Series, in which the speaker was talking about how in life we tend to “row our boats upstream while wearing ourselves out by struggling with the paddles” and how by just letting go of the oars, our canoe gently turns around to go with life’s flow and it all becomes so much easier. I’ve found this to be so true lately and life continues to unfold as it should, without my resistance, influence or help.

A case in point…..

By not having expectations or high hopes for this trip, I’ve been truly blessed. Yesterday, my son called and invited me to join he and his family, including his wonderful in-laws for lunch at Cracker Barrel (I LOVE that place and we don‘t have them at home) and then an afternoon of bargain hunting at the local mall. I spent about 6 hours with all of them, thoroughly enjoying my oldest grandson’s antics and ever increasing vocabulary and cuddling with the newborn, who’s already gained nearly 2 pounds since his birth a couple weeks ago!

It was almost like we’d never had any problems whatsoever. However, I am not so naïve to assume that all is forgiven at least on the DIL’s part, but it’s definitely a start and I am very grateful. The time I spent with them yesterday was way more than I imagined under the circumstances, so it was a huge gift.

I took several photos of both children to share with the family at home. My newborn grandson has sooooo much hair, that he almost needs a haircut. It’s a good thing his other grandma is a hairstylist, because he’s going to be needing her services before long!

Speaking of photos, one of my Christmas gifts from my son and his family was one of those digital photo key chains, which I’d been wanting! It was filled with about 60 photos of all of them! I love it! My DIL is very creative and she put together a gift for me of an assortment of greeting and note cards, stationary and a pen, with a laminated card of Fly Boy’s address in Afghanistan, so there’d be no excuse to NOT to write him when he’s deployed. I thought that was such a clever idea, all tied up with a pretty bow! I will definitely use all of it over this next year.

Fly Boy was scheduled to depart for Afghanistan tomorrow, but apparently he’s been given the gift of an extra week, and is now supposed to leave Friday, January 15th. I will cherish any extra time I get to spend with him before that time.

Currently, I don’t have internet access at the condo, so I am in Starbucks using WiFi. However, on Monday, I am having the cable company add internet capabilities so that I don’t go into computer withdrawls.

Oh…and Lisa’s travel tip for the day………………………..

Do NOT…I repeat, DO NOT let your driver’s license expire prior to any cross-country air travel, as you will be flagged by the airline for an up close and personal pat down search and all your belongings will be intimately scrutinized, x-rayed and tested for chemicals necessary for bomb-making adding at least another 20 minutes or so to your security screening. And….the TSA agents will give you the stink eye, because you deserve it for being soooo stupid.

Additionally, car rental companies will NOT rent you an automobile, if your license is not current, despite the fact it’s only been a few weeks since your birthday when you were supposed to renew your driver’s license which is something most responsible citizens do every 4 years. While they will not come right out and call you an idiot to your face, as it’s probably against company policy….but let me tell you…they are certainly thinking it……….EINSTEIN!

Well, I think I will go out for a bit and get some fresh air.

And by the way………I am so glad you aren’t here! :)

In glorious solitude,

Lisa


* Except for maybe hanging out with Cave Man, but I figured that he couldn’t ever miss me if I didn’t go away!

A river runs through it...............

Tomorrow I am flying to Tennessee for some serious cave time in my very own safe-haven....my condo, all by my lonesome.

I haven't been to our condo in Clarksville since the family fallout last summer, as there didn't seem to be any reason to go, when I was deemed persona non gratis. It seemed any association with the place just stirred up sad memories and anger, so it was better for me to stay away until the dust settled. Even though I thought we were on our way to mending fences at Christmas time, that didn't pan out and I decided not to spend the holiday there as planned.

So, this "visit" will be for a whole different reason as I am heading there to say "Come back to us...safely!" to Fly Boy who is being deployed to Afghanistan for one year.....on January 9th, just days after becoming a father for the second time. ::big sigh::



Personally, I don't know how much time I will get to spend with him, due to his immediate family obligations, but even 5 minutes will suffice. The icing on the cake would be to see my grandsons as well and the cherry on top would be to have all of this resolved...like grownups should do...and put it behind us. We'll see what happens. It's all out of my control. It's helpful to remember that very simple fact.

Fortunately, I totally enjoy my own company and the absence of my girls...who tend to just mess up the place while they're around anyway. During the next 10 days, I will enjoy the peace, quiet and cleanliness and come and go as I please. I will frequent the junk stores and flea markets, looking for decorative treasures and bargain books to enjoy by my fireplace. Cave Man bought me several movies that I'm taking along to watch and I'll add them to the list of those I've actually seen, which, thanks to him.....is growing by leaps and bounds. I will feed the cardinals, finches, and the variety of other birds, watching them with my binoculars as they enjoy the seed on my deck. I will take a few hours to look for new photo opportunities along the beautiful Cumberland River and in the local old cemeteries. I'll have lunch with a couple of friends and maybe even find an Al-Anon meeting to attend. Maybe I will drive to Nashville and take in a Saturday night show at The Grand Ol' Opry!

And...........



I'll be in touch!

The New Year Meme...........

Play and link back at Sunday Stealing.....HERE!

1. Looking back on 2008, what might your theme song have been?

Definitely, Let It Go, performed by Tim McGraw, which I now consider my mantra.

2. If 2008 was a movie, who would play you?

Trisha Yearwood, although they'd have to make her a brunette. I like the idea of Trisha as she's about my size and she's totally been next to Garth Brooks, well, because she's married to him. I just love Garth. He's about the sexiest, pudgy, nearly bald man around and GAWD...he can sing! And..he's got that Okie accent. An Okie accent can make me weak in the knees! Oh...this was supposed to be about the actress playing me, huh!

3. What was your greatest gift of 2008?

My new Grandson, Kellen, born December 21, 2008! Is there anything sweeter than a new baby added to the family to shower with love?

4. What is your New Year Resolution, or, what are you committing to this year?

I am committed to continuing my spiritual path by ensuring I read, exercise, think positive thoughts, create, and most importantly love myself and others.

5. If January could be represented by one song, what would it be?

Already Gone performed by Sugarland! The line..."Life is a runaway train you can't wait to jump on!" seems fitting at this point in my journey!



6. What do you wish for your body in 2009?

Continued good health and better physical fitness via exercise!

7. Name one new thing you would love to try in the New Year.

Writing a book, specific to my past career.

8. What do you long for 2009 to bring?

Love. I would love to "fall" in love.

9. If that happened, how would you feel?

Well, I imagine, giddy, silly, stupid and wonderful, however, it's been a long time since I've been in love, so I really don't know anymore.

10. Where would you love to vacation in 2009 if money were no object?

Alaska...for the incredible photo ops!

11. What would you like the theme of 2009 to be?

Peace, love and serenity!

12. If 2009 was a book, and the title was 5 words or less, what might the title be?

Life is a Runaway Train!

What LOVE would do.............

I spent the last few days of 2008 and the first few days of this new year, with Cave Man in his quiet safe haven, watching movies in our jammies and just enjoying our time together.

He is now feeling much better; back among the living after dangerously depleting his body and brilliant mind of nutrients and electrolytes, coupled with his dismal and debilitating thoughts and the effects of two powerful antibiotics prescribed to treat a once out-of-control intestinal infection. While the antibiotics killed the infection as he remained on a total liquid diet as prescribed, the sugary liquids he consumed, helped the candida to flourish in his mouth. After some research, and as an antidote, he promptly stopped the sugary liquids, for only small amounts of water, which nauseated him to the point he stopped consuming even that. He was probably extremely dehydrated by the time I arrived.

I truly feel he would have laid there and died, had I not headed up there with Gatorade in hand for some immediate sustenance and a comforting, encouraging and loving presence.

In the book, Conversations with God, by Neale Donald Walsch; God says "Yea, let all those who have ears to hear, listen. For I tell you this: at the critical juncture in all human relationships, there is only one question: What would love do now? No other question is relevant, no other question is meaningful, no other question has any importance to your soul."

God says that this principle of "love-sponsored action" has been widely misunderstood-and the misunderstanding leads to resentment and anger in life. He says "For centuries you have been taught that love-sponsored action arises out of the choice to be, do and have whatever produces the highest good for another. Yet, I will tell you this: the highest choice is what produces the highest good for you."

God explains that the moment one decides the highest "good" one can do for oneself, it becomes the highest good for another.

Prior to me heading up North to be there with Cave Man he expressed concerns that he couldn't be as giving in our relationship as he isn't fully capable of doing so, since he continues to struggle with his mental and physical health, at this stage of his life. However, my decision to head up there was based upon what LOVE would do in this situation.

For whatever reasons, he and I are in each other's life right now...again...and I believe we are both reaping the benefits of the highest good in one another at this time. Whether he believes it or not, he blesses me in so many ways. It's really a win-win situation for us both.

I am home now, although reluctantly, as Tam had to make her monthly, "frequent flyer" visit to the hospital emergency room via ambulance, where I met her last night after driving 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there. Apparently the hospital didn't find her condition "emergent" as they checked her oxygen level, blood pressure, took some blood, then sent her out to the over-crowded waiting room filled with the assorted walking wounded, maimed and ill, with an extremely foul-smelling old homeless guy seeking refuge from the cold rain, thrown in for good measure. It made for some good people watching and the opportunity to do a good deed, by offering and buying the odorous old gent a 20 ounce soda to wash down his cold and petrified McDonald's hamburger.

After waiting nearly 5 hours, Tam decided she'd had enough and asked me to take her home. I shrugged and we headed off to drive up the mountain through extreme fog and rain. It's not like she left against medical advice as they really didn't want to treat her in the first place and I think they made their point. She made her point with me as well, as I too will rethink how much of an "emergency" she's actually having in the future.

But, again...I would like to think I did what LOVE would do in that situation, too.

Wishing all my Blogger friends a wonderful and prosperous new year!