The Holidays

Thanksgiving was wonderful! I went to Roni's and we enjoyed a feast with her family and Melissa. I was so thankful to have somebody that I love to share it with.

This deployment is hitting me hard right now! The weekend following Thanksgiving all the way up until Christmas is my most favorite time of year! I love to put Christmas music on, put up all my decorations and decorate a real tree with Nick. Well, there isn't really a point to any of it this year and it is making me feel so sad and completely alone. Today I had to put some lights in the house just to try to lift my spirits a bit... it didn't really help. I brought down a few precious decorations but it just seems plain silly to go all out in my house since I'm rarely here.

I just wanted to vent a quick little note... I am so full of sadness and though I know people are all around me I am lonely. Needless to say, when Nick is gone in the future during this time of year I will be packing up my puppies and heading home.

1/2 Marathon!

My friend, Melissa, who's husband Jon is deployed with Nick, and myself having been running for 8 weeks now. We started a 30 week training program in the hopes of racing (really, just finishing) in April. I heard about a full marathon in Paris, France today and we decided to get online and check it out. Sadly, the race in April for the full marathon was completely full already, with it's 37,000+ runners! We kept looking and came across a 1/2 marathon in March, same location. The registration fee was only €35 and we found plane tickets for ourselves and the guys (who will be back by then!!) for just around €150 round trip (all 4 of us!)... what a steal! I am so excited and giddy right now, as you can probably tell by my sentence fluency! ;) Anyway, we are so excited to compete in this race! The half-marathon seems much less intimidating than a full, so it's going to be a fantastic starting point for us. Feel free to book your tickets now to come cheer us on! ;)

Check out the race's website!

http://www.semideparis.com/2010/index_us.html

PS: I got to chat with Nick yesterday. He's in the process of transitioning from one location to another and got held up at a FOB with a Pizza Hut... what a pity. ;)

EOD Safety Day and Other Events

Melissa and I

78 Days!! I remember when it was 215... time just keeps passing by! I am so thankful!

Nick is doing well, as far as I know. He's been stuck en-route at a location where they (the team) don't get the opportunity to go out on calls. They do however, have the luxury of using a facility with plumbing! YAY! He said the first time he took a shower the water ran dirty off of him for a good minute or so. N-a-s-t-y! Their location also has a laundering service and a chow hall. Must be like Heaven compared to where they came from! I am praying he will be held up there for as long as possible, selfishly. No calls=safer team.

On Veteran's Day a few other girls and myself drove up to Slovenia to go to huge mall (400+ stores). It was an easy drive, only about 2 hours and the country was so cute! Little homes nestled in the hills with smoke billowing out the chimneys... reminded me of pictures I've seen before. I was amazed at how much the scenery/landscape changed from one country to the next. Right as we were crossing into Slovenia there was a toll station. We figured it was going to cost a bit to drive on their highway, as the map we'd printed estimated a 40 Euro charge for the roads. That was okay with us... split 4 ways was only 20 Euro round trip. Well, little did we know, we were supposed to stop at a gas station in Italy before crossing over to get a vignette to stick in the windshield. We ended up having to pay a 150 Euro fine, plus 15 Euro for the cost of the sticker. It doubled the cost of what we were expecting to pay, but we learned our lesson! We still had a fabulous time, yet decided the small mall we have about 15 minutes from our house is good enough.

Yesterday was EOD Safety Day at the shop. It's an annual event where the guys cook lunch for us, let us play around in the bomb suit, blow up stuff and we get briefings from casualty affairs, mental health and the Chaplin. All the briefings are meant to inform us on how to handle a death situation since our spouse's job is so dangerous. I remember attending last year, but with Nick being gone this year it put a whole new perspective on things. It was a little difficult to sit through and my mind kept wandering off to what Nick was doing. I can't wait until he comes home. Thankfully, for all those spouses who loose a loved one, the Air Force does take very good care of widows financially. It was eerily comforting to hear.

I received my certification from AFAA in the mail on Tuesday. I was ecstatic, to say the least! I passed the examinations I took back in September and can now teach at the gym! I taught my first class Monday, prior to receiving my letter, as a volunteer for a class I regularly participate in. I am hoping to add 2 classes to the fitness schedule, paid or volunteer. I am so happy to be starting this new chapter in my life! My next goal is to pass the Personal Trainer exam next March and take everything to a whole new level! Having a career in the fitness industry is so portable, and with Nick being in the AF I think it's crucial that I have something of my own to do, where ever we may be.

Surely you can tell I've been busy... Mom and Timi's visit was wonderful and I wish they could come back! So much has been happening, keeping me busy! I have a new project to work on and compete before Nick returns, and just in case he gets the opportunity to read this I'm not going to reveal what it is. I know he'll love it! I'll be spending the Holidays at Roni's home with her family and I couldn't be more happy to spend it with her, with the situation at hand. Her home always makes me feel so warm and welcome! I won't be decorating for Christmas, and for those of you who know me, that is a big deal! Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I have to have at least 4 tubes in the attic with house decor. I just can't bring myself to get everything out this year. I hope Nick's cycle gets interrupted and he'll be able to spend next Christmas at home. Keep praying for his safe return and my strength! I know we're down to the last few months, but the days seem to be getting increasingly harder for me.

Until next time! :)

1/2 Way Through

Wow! I cannot believe Nick's been in country for 70 days, and gone for over 100. We're just about to the half-way mark... no way of telling for sure since we don't know his exact return date. We're hopin' and prayin' we can be each other's birthday presents!

I've been busy. I like it that way! I like being out all day and ready for bed by 8:00p.m. It keeps my mind occupied. I took my exercise certification exams the end of September, and am anxiously awaiting my results in the mail. 4-6 weeks! I thought we'd be graded on the spot, which we were for our practical exam; however the written portion was old school and reminded me of state assessments back in the day. Fill in the bubbles... it got old real quick! Anyway, because of the format the tests had to be mailed to the states, put through the grading machine and mailed back. One of the ladies here who happens to teach Spin and Body Blast (weight-lifting) has been letting me teach as little/much as I want to during her Body-Blast class. I really love it! And I am so grateful she is mentoring me! The most I've stayed in front of the class is about 10 minutes out of her 60 minute class, which is a great starting point. I'll continue to stay up there longer as I can find the beat of the music more readily.

Timi and Mom get here next week! I'm so excited, especially for Timi to be able visit another country and experience the culture. Kenzie is now wishing she could come. I wish she could too, I was just looking at pictures from when the three of them came to Florida and we were beach babes. Maybe she can come by herself in the spring, since she'll be a high school graduate!

Lucy and Zoe are doing well. I've been trying to trim them down a bit for a couple reasons. 1.) Mom and Timi are going to think they are fatties! and 2.) Zoe has her annual appt. the end of this month. Last year she weighed 24.9... they vet told me to put her on a diet! I've been trying ever since then, but it's just so hard not to give them treats all day! We'll see what the porker weighs in at this year...

Nick is changing locations sometime within the next week or so. He'll be going from doing nothing all day to being busy and doing his job all day. It's one of those things that make me happy and anxious all at the same time. I know how much he loves his job, so I'm thankful he'll actually get some down-range, hands-on experience. On the other hand, IT'S SO DANGEROUS! Geesh... I am at peace with it though. I am not one of those wives who is misinformed and doesn't know what her husband is up to. I'd rather have all the juicy, dirty, gory details so I know what we're in for. I had another tech fill me in this weekend on Nick's whereabouts, and what it boils down to is that he really needs our prayers for the remainder of this deployment. So, please pray for his safe return! :)

I took up running... It's really a love-hate relationship that I have going on with it right now. It all started because a friend of mine (who's husband is deployed with Nick) wants to run a marathon in April. I told her my body is NOT conditioned for running. Well, we started a 30 week training program a few weeks ago. It starts out very basic for the novice runner. It's hard for me, and my heart rate usually sores up to 85% of my MHR right away, but it's getting better. I love the challenge it has presented to me, and I love what it's doing for my core! I took a picture and sent it to Nick just to be sure, and he confirmed it; I have a 2-pack! I am continually working toward a rockin' hot, muscular body and am so proud to finally see a couple little ab-lets hanging out! ;) Melissa and I figure at the least, we're going to be in the best shape of our life by the time our husbands get home. That's inspiration enough for me to keep on trekkin'!

Well, that's all, I think. I am "used" to Nick being away, though I dream about him returning every day. It's one of those things I know I cannot change, so I don't bother consuming myself with the situation. I've been having fun and trying new things and really just enjoying life. I'm so excited for the next couple months, family visiting and then the holidays! Once winter hits I'm going to learn to ski and snowboard and before I know it, my baby will be holding me in arms!

Fall is in the Air!

I surprise myself every time I say this; I am so happy for fall! Normally I'm your girl who starts sporting my summer clothes in early spring in hopes the sunshine and warm weather will get here sooner. However, this year I find myself anxiously awaiting the first opportunity to pull out my nice Italian boots and slip on a pair of jeans to go out. Lucky for me, it's 72º out and by the time we go out to dinner tonight for Nikita's birthday I think it will be just the perfect weather. Maybe I'm antsy this year because it only means Nick will be here sooner or my Mom and Timi's trip is in mid-fall... or simply because I am changing. I find myself noticing which trees are starting to change colors and glancing up at the peaks of the mountains in hopes of seeing the first snow-cap. Whatever the reason behind my new-found love for fall, I am so glad it's here to stay!

I meant to post sooner, but as always I'm trying to stay as busy as can be. (By the time I get home from the gym for the second time each day I'm ready to just sit down and relax... not worry about sentence fluency or typos;)!) Not that this is relevant anymore, but Nick called last week and we got to talk for 1 hour 20 minutes! It was so enjoyable! It reminded of the nights he would call me when we were still dating (it was late when he called and I was already in bed, asleep!) and we could just talk on and on about anything and everything... goals, dreams, etc. I think our record time was somewhere around 4 hours when one or both of us would be drifting off.

Anyway, that night last week was great! I say it isn't relevant anymore because he got to call again yesterday! That conversation wasn't as long, which is okay. We talked about what I did for the remainder of the week and my plans for this week. He told me about his chance to go out on a couple calls and the way he fills a mop bucket up with soap and water to wash his clothes... Keeping with his low-maintenance way of living right now, his hair is long, far too long for Air Force standards and he's enjoying not shaving. I hope he is loving this man time... I really appreciate a clean-cut man! They are expecting to receive a satellite computer to share between the 3 of them, which will be incredible! No Skyping or Facebook allowed, but regular emails are possible. Who knows when it will get there... right now there is a computer for the entire FOB to share. He has been waiting his turn and getting on a few nights out of the week, but it will be much easier to share the computer that they can take to their tent and keep for themselves. With that being said, feel free to send him emails and photos! He really loves seeing pictures/videos of what's going on with the real world. I sent him a video of myself the other night and even though the computer he was on had no sound, he loved it!

With the month already being a quarter of the way done, I need to get on my studying habit's a little better! In high school and college I enjoyed waiting until the final days to write my paper or prepare for an exam... and it never hurt me, usually always ended up with A's. However, this Primary Group Certification Exam is a big deal to me! And even though I realize how important, I can't seem to force myself to study every day when I know I need to! Ugh.. Maybe if I get away from the computer. ;)

Here are a few pictures I've chosen to upload from Saturday night's Cosmic Bowling. I treated myself to a hair color last week (which Nick loves, says he likes it better this way) and I got all "pretty" to go bowling. Not too many chances for me to get all dolled up when the only person I want to impress is out in the middle of the nowhere (quite literally!). I'm normally found in my exercise clothes...

At Last...

Finally, Nick has made it to his home away from home for the next 158 days! They got there Monday (I believe?) and when he called me earlier this morning they were still trying to get their living quarters weighted down with sand bags and get their hands on a light. Yes, in case you didn't notice, they live in tents! He and his 2 teammates are the only Air Force guys on this Marine-ran FOB. They do not have showers... have to fill big bags up with water and let them sit in the sun all day to warm the water. Somehow they rig the bag up to the JERV and take a quick shower that way... Good thing it is an all-men "base". I don't even want to think about having to handle that. And, sticking with the no running water theme, they have holes in the ground to go to the bathroom in. If they are not eating a MRE, they get (I forgot the proper abbreviation) a MRE that is basically in bulk form for everybody to share. Starts with a U... He says sometimes they get in shipments of chicken, beef patties or steak and it's a special celebration! ;) Needless to say, I am going to be sending goodies all the time! Email me if you would like his address to send supplies to. I'm sure too much is never enough over there!

Yesterday I went and got hygiene supplies... toothbrush, soap, band aids.. just anything I thought I would want when situating into a new "home". Today I'm off to the commissary to shop for snacks and microwavable items. Yes, they have a microwave! I'm going to get popcorn for sure, and then just walk the isles to see what other kind of non-perishable (no refrigerator by the way!) meals I can find.. mac & cheese...

Also, he went out on his first call last night! He enjoyed it!

As for me, I've been up to Tabitha Kathrine Spoke! My friend Nikita was induced on Monday. I went and picked her mom up for the airport and we made it back just in time to see Nikita experiencing some hard contractions before medication... She asked for an epidural and it was smooth sailing from there! Thankfully, she let me stay in the entire time! It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. I don't even know how to describe it... as soon as she was born I just started crying! I love her so much! She is so little and I keep getting nervous that she's so fragile, but I am also reminded that I won't break her. Needless to say, I've only gotten the opportunity to hold her once because I'm afraid of hurting her! Once they get home *hopefully this afternoon sometime* I won't be so scared. I can sit on the couch and cuddle her!! :) I am so happy we're neighbor's... It may get to the point on Nikita saying, "Get out already!!" ;)

Adjusting

Nick has been in Afghanistan for nearly 3 weeks now, away from home for 6 weeks and I'm starting to adjust. At first it seemed impossible to deal with him only being able to call once a week, but I am adapting the the fact. There isn't anything I can do to change it, so I am not going to get down about it. Instead, I am going to enjoy the calls he makes while I'm home and able to answer. If I miss a call, at least I know he is okay and had the chance to call.

I recently enrolled in 2 group certification courses through AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) at our base gym. I am going to take the Primary Group Exercise Certification course and the Indoor Cycling Instructor Training course. With these two courses I can teach a spin class! I am so excited! Ever since I've discovered spinning in January I haven't been able to stop! It's truly the best cardio exercise (for me) that I've found. I love the group atmosphere, loud music and ability to work at my own pace within a class. It's challenging and I can always make it harder! At the least, I'm ecstatic to volunteer for Saturday morning classes... I won't actually take the courses until the end of September. I imagine it will be a few months still before I'm able to teach, but the idea of it is exhilarating!

Two months until Mom and Timi are here! I am excited! I need to start planning! I want to take them to stay at Camp Darby, and Army post near Pisa. From there, we can travel to Florence, Cinque Terra, Lucca... and many places along the way. I have a friend who recommended a kennel, so hopeful Lucy and Zoe will be okay for the duration of our travels! I get so nervous leaving them with anybody because Lucy is an escape artist and I don't want her to get hurt or never come back to me! She's my spoiled baby. Poor Zoe, her daddy isn't here to spoil her! I try to do my best, but everybody knows that Lucy is mine and Zoe is Nick's... It's just not the same cuddling up with Zoe. Gee, I am a terrible mother! ;)

Well, that's all for me. Nothing new, really. Just sticking to the same ole routine of going to the gym as much as possible. I'm also trying to squeeze in every last pool day we have left! They close September 7... Until next time!