Puppy Update

I think we've narrowed it down to a beagle. And we want to rescue a pup, not get it from a breeder, because too many puppies need homes. So we're looking for a pregnant, homeless beagle who will give birth in about 10 weeks so that the puppy will be ready to come live with us just as my husband comes home. So pregnant beagles out there listen up! We're looking for one that looks like this little guy.

Check In With the Army Wives

So to start, I'd like to mention that I am a failure as an Army wife. I have only sent my husband home made cookies once during this deployment. And I have to be honest. It may even have been while he was in the field. . . not even when he was deployed. I sent Skittles. That's something. My husband appears to have lost more than 15 lbs while deployed, so maybe I should have sent him more cookies. We should probably all send cookies to him through the end of the deployment to be sure he doesn't fade away to nothingness.

Anyway, back on the Army Wives, Roxy's husband has come home. Notice how everyone's husband is injured on deployment, injured just enough to come home a month or two after deploying, but no real serious injury? I have to say, despite being completely unrealistic, the homecoming scene for Roxy's husband had me in tears. It doesn't take much these days with my husband due home in less than two weeks to bring me to tears - simply the thought of seeing my husband, let alone getting a hug, is pretty overwhelming at this point. I have to say, I wish that homecomings were really like the one on Army Wives - injured Soldiers definitely deserve a parade. And the idea that there would 1) be a backfill for someone on maternity leave is pretty preposterous and 2) the idea that they would come in to train up 5 months before needed is pretty ridiculous. I do think the idea that a garrison commander without a combat patch would raise eyebrows is the most realistic thing about the Army I've seen on this show.

The Dad from Wonder Years is doing a guest spot on the show. While its a noble role. . . one has to think that its a small role for a pop culture icon.

I just finished the book Army Wives is based on, Under the Sabers. It was an interesting read. The book is written about the rash of spouse killings at Fort Bragg around 2002 - right after the start of the war. But it followed the lives of several Army wives as well. I was going to go into some of the ways that the book was similar and how it differs. . . but maybe you want to read the book yourself, so I'll hold back. Its an interesting read, though I promise the stuff they say about officers' wives is a little overblown. There is no flag clothing in my wardrobe.

Theme Songs

I think everyone should have a theme song. A lot of life coaches tell you to chose one too. You are supposed to listen to it or hear it in your head before a big day or interview or when you need a little boost. I have a theme song - "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. I swear the fact that it is the Hills theme song as well is a complete coincidence. It was in fact my theme song long before LC moved to the big city. I think my husband's theme song is "I Don't Wanna Be" by Gavin DeGraw. I don't think its a coincidence that his song is the theme to One Tree Hill. I've included the awesome One Tree Hill slide show video to I Don't Wanna Be here. The actual music video was on ITunes but this was so much cooler. Any other theme song believers out there?

More Puppies

Another adorable puppy . . . generally I don't like the curly hair of a labradoodle or goldendoodle, but they are growing me. And I hear they are so smart, I like to think they could make me a protein shake every morning for breakfast and have it ready for me when I get home from the gym.

And We're Back

Despite having continued problems with my computer and reaching no resolution yet (don't go to On Call 25/8 in NoVa. Even if their name seems catchy, they are not nice or useful.) I have a computer thanks to my dad who sent me his laptop to use in my laptop's absence. I really appreciate it, being the wife of a deployed Soldier who has no email access has been tough. So having email access back is a big deal.

And what I know is a bigger deal to all of you is what has been happening over at Chris Cooley's blog. I have to say, I underestimated Chris Cooley. His blog is pretty great. My recent favorites are his trash problems - which have been on the NBC4 newscast and noted by the Washington Post - not to mention his Eastern Motors commercials. I think because of Chris Cooley's superior blogging skills, my husband's superior (yet lacking as of late) blogging skills and my interest in both blogs, beer and garlic fries at Gordon Biersch for all involved will be perfect.

I know I have things to catch up on - namely season two of Army Wives. I have mixed feelings on this season and I plan on sharing them. Before my technologically inspired sabatical, a commentor questioned why I cared how Army Wives portrayed Army Wives during deployment. She felt that looking for accurate depictions of Army wives going through deployment on tv was a cry for attention for a position for which I volunteered. While I appreciate any and all comments, I disagree with this commentator. I'm not looking for Army Wives to educate the world on what deployment - or being in the Army - is like. But seeing something that makes me feel that I am less crazy for feeling the way I do through this deployment. . . well that's a nice feeling. Maybe if Lifetime shows it, it means that I'm not the only one who somehow feels that doing the dishes is directly connected to my feelings of my husband's deployment. So, that's all I'm looking for in Army Wives. A truthful depiction of deployment life from the stay home partner point of view to help me feel less alone in all of this.

More on the real Army Wife gossip soon - and get ready for the next season of Project Runway. How did anyone make it through deployment before reality tv???

Happy Birthday Bailey!

Bailey turned 7 years old yesterday. She had her traditional salmon birthday dinner and enjoyed a relaxing day on the couch, sleeping curled up on her favorite blanket.

This is photo is a reenactment of what her birthday celebrations looked like.

Happy Birthday to the best kitty ever!

Sad Computer Face

My computer is in the shop - and I am currently debating with said shop what the repairs should be and what I am willing to pay for these repairs.

Just an update to let you know why I have gone radio silent. Back soon I hope. Real soon I hope because the Riverside computer lab tends to be a little sketch at 10pm.