Struggling

I just cannot keep a continual rhythm without interruptions on this blog!

Spring is finally upon us, after too much winter weather for The South.  I am over cold weather and have been for a few weeks.  Thankfully, warmer temps have arrived, but so has the rain.  I will still take it ANY DAY over snowy/icy mess.

The Captain has been in full swing with preparations and there seems to be no end in sight.  The light at the end of the tunnel is them actually mobilizing.  His hard work will pay off, he just needs to be patient.  As the summer approaches, more and more trips for this deployment have come up.  My weeks are quickly dwindling...

Thankfully, we decided back in January to take a trip before he leaves.  David talked me into a cruise and we leave in just over a week! I have never been out of the country and I have been anticipating this for weeks (as you can imagine)! We chose to travel with Norwegian Cruise Line and we are heading to the Western Caribbean for 7 nights.  I cannot wait for the warmer temps and sunny days! We made arrangements to "snuba" dive which is snorkeling with a tank, view Mayan ruins in Belize, relax on the beaches, and enjoy the various cultures.  My plan is to turn my phone off and relax, take pictures, and document the trip upon our return.  I just hope The Captain can do the same!

If anyone has traveled on a cruise, I'd love some input... this is a first for both of us.

I have been a busy bee with my new job on the Arsenal (finally).  I am employed with Millennium Health for a contract with Federal Occupational Health.  My official title is Wellness/Fitness Specialist I.  I am looking forward to continuing my education with some certifications.  I am hoping to one day own a gym and not only advise on fitness, but also nutrition.  I want to be certain I am offering the best services for clients to reach their goals.

I also have picked up doing some photography on the side.  Obviously, I have no desire to make it a means of compensation but I thoroughly enjoy it.  I recently did a session with a good friend for her engagement and I was pleasantly surprised with the results.  They were happy with them, as well.  Congratulations, Vicki and Brad!! I'm thrilled for y'all!

 As always, I ask that you please keep us in your prayers.  David has been busy... as I said, it will only get worse.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you're ever in Huntsville.  I thoroughly enjoy company!!

My return to blogging

Too much time has passed since my last entry.  In that time, quite a few events have taken place.  I have had a couple jobs that didn't quite suit me and have since decided to be the "house-wife".  I enjoy it, but I do love to work in my field.  Oh well, I'm considering going back to school for a Dietician degree.

Back to the topic at hand - I did a play over the summer and it was my first in about 12 years.  It was enjoyable and a reminder how much I love acting.  There may be more in my future since I will have a great deal of "me" time. 

So my most important announcement and biggest event is yet to come - The Captain and his company are back on for deployment.  There, I said it... I am still getting used to it.  We have known about for several months, but the shock is still taking its toll.  This deployment will be 364 days with 9 months boots-on-the-ground.  It is becoming more and more real.  It has already gone on much longer than the last one.  This is real and it is a constant struggle when I think about the length of time.  I realize during the surge soldiers were gone for 15 months, but it doesn't make this any easier.

I will be fine, I am aware.  As I said, I will have a great deal of time on my hands.  I have definitely decided to put that time to good use with learning to play the guitar and hopefully mastering it a bit.  As I mentioned earlier, I am thinking about getting a second degree and I am seriously considering it.  I thought about selling the house to get something smaller while he is gone and get something new and improved when he returns.  Unfortunately, I understand this house may not sell by the time they are headed out.

I am obviously going to be even more active at my church here in town and possible my home church in Guntersville.  I am sure I'll be spending more time at home, but I am ready to make plans to see my friend, Meridith in Seattle, a friend in Miami, and maybe one or two other places.

I have been promised by The Captain that he will take me to St. Maarten before he leaves.  I requested that since it is out of the country and it's nice and quiet.  We are considering a cruise after he gets back. 
I already have my passport and am very excited about this! Please, any of you that have been, give me advice about the island.

I must say that after more than a year since my last surgery, I have absolutely no more pain in my foot and I am amazed! I am even running again some. :)
Thank you to everyone that has prayed over this horrible injury that has been bothersome since 2011.  Y'all are the best and God is so good all the time.

Oh yeah, the Iron Bowl happened! ;)  RTR



In more recent events, I lost my grandmother last week and am still coming to terms with this.  She had been at Barfield since November 2005 and had battled with Alzheimer's since around 2002.  It was her time to go, but that made it no easier on the family.  Grandma's funeral was this past Thursday and I must say it was the best funeral I've ever been to - if that's possible.  We sang songs that I remembered singing as a child in church with her and other family members.  It was a sweet remembrance of her life. 

I suppose I will stop here, I am sure this will become a more frequent thing for me as I begin to have more and more time to reflect.

Love to all!

Spring is here!

HAPPY SPRING!!!!!

Obviously, much time has passed since I last wrote a blog.  Y'all know how it goes... life happens!

Speaking of happenings, there are a great number of things that have occurred in the past 8 months!


In October, I finally began to walk again and my foot is 100% better than before.  I cannot believe the difference since this second surgery.  I will always brag on Dr. Deorio.

After a grueling fall semester, that included finals, an exit exam, a tough senior research project, and my fun acting class, I graduated!! I finally did it and I was so very proud of myself.  :)
As many of you know, my degree was a long time coming.

After having a successful Christmas Party at the unit, a nice Christmas and a memorable visit to New Orleans, I landed a job at Curves in early January.  I loved that job and I was utilizing my knowledge of fitness and nutrition.  I learned a good bit from that job, but unfortunately, a better offer came along and I could not pass it up.  Last Monday, I began my new journey with The Eye Center as an Ophthalmic Technician.  I have experience in that field and thoroughly enjoy the work! Best of all, I go in at 7:30 and am off work by 4:30.  The company treats their employees very well and has much room for growth and raises.

Now to The Captain's side.... as most of you know, he is still in command at his unit.  Well, he went back to reserve status and back to the civilian job he had before his active duty time.  Needless to say, it has been quite a transition that we are still getting used to.  The Captain's command was supposed to end in June, but I received some interesting news a couple months ago.
The Captain found out his unit was back on deploy and was asked if he wanted to go.  His initial response was, "No." After much consideration and discussions with some of his fellow officers, he requested to his commanding officer to stay on and take these guys through this deployment.  They are not scheduled to leave until next year and really, his command should be up in June.  The Captain's commander took awhile, but finally informed David that he would allow him to command his unit through this deployment.

We are still over a year out.. Who knows what could happen? I hope and pray this crap doesn't happen again and that they actually get to go.  However, I know how things go with the government and the Army.  I don't know if these soldiers can handle another cancellation.  I personally do not want him to go, but I know it's great for his career.

I am still an officer for the Family Readiness Group and we are now planning things for this deployment and beginning to get prepared... it's going to be tough, from what I have heard.  

I ask for prayers... this is going to be another rough time.  A year is a long time to be away from a spouse.  I know I will be fine and there are plenty of people that have done it and for longer lengths of time, but it's still tough, no matter who you are.

Surgery and Post-Op

July was quite an eventful month for David and me.  I was working full-time and it was taking up most of my weekdays, on into the evenings.  On July 26, I went to see Dr. Deorio at TOC, since I had still been struggling with pain and weakness in my foot.  He was highly recommended and I had heard nothing except great reviews about him.

X-rays were first, then Dr. Deorio came into the room to discuss what had happened since that surgery back in April 2011.  He proceeded to inform me the hardware originally inserted had broken, most likely within 6 months of the surgery and that was where most of the pain stemmed from.  I was in utter shock! I could not believe that Dr. Haller (who performed the first surgery) or anyone else for that matter failed to schedule any type of check-up to see that everything was still in working order.

Dr. Deorio suggested removing the hardware and fusing a bone wedge from a cadaver to my calcaneus, which would lift my foot back into the position it is supposed to be in.  It took me a few minutes to comprehend what I was being told.  As many of you know, I struggled with an open wound/wound care for 6 straight months with the first surgery.  I promised myself I would NEVER allow any more surgeries, unless it was life or death.  I asked him if I elected to not have the surgery, what would the consequences be and Dr. Deorio informed me that I would most likely be in a wheelchair by the time I was 45 or so.  He explained how the surgery would benefit me, besides the obvious advantages.  I will be able to run again! That was probably the best news I could've ever heard, in regards to my foot.  My one concern was the wound care could once again be a major issue, however, he Dr. Deorio assured me otherwise.  I finally decided that Dr. Haller just doesn't have the experience that Dr. Deorio does, since his specialty is feet.  He told me that by the post-op appointment, it would be healing nicely.

I elected for the surgery and scheduled it within 2 weeks of that appointment, since David's active duty orders end in September and we will no longer have Tricare Prime.  That is the best plan Tricare offers, but only for active duty military members.  I knew that most of the procedure would be paid for and we wouldn't have these huge, outstanding medical bills.

After my appointment, I called Mom and told her about what I was told and she told me I MUST have the surgery.  Once I returned to work, I had to inform my boss of the news.  That afternoon, I was fired as a result of having to schedule a surgery.  I am still waiting on my unemployment from them...

Well, surgery day came and went and David has done a great job taking care of me.  He even carries me up and down the stairs everyday! I have my post-op appointment on Friday and hopefully, will no longer have to sit around with my foot propped up. 

I also began school last week, amongst all of this madness, I am graduating in December, thank the Good Lord!!! It's going to be tough, but luckily, I only have one class on campus.  That makes this much easier.  I have been ordered stay off my feet for 10 weeks and I am only at the 2 1/2 week mark.  I am ready to be finished and begin walking and running!!!

Below are two pictures, one of my foot after the initial surgery and the other is from the visit I had at TOC.  The difference in how the hardware appears is quite noticeable.

Thank you for all of the prayers so far, I ask for continued prayers, as I continue down this road of recovery.  :)

Summer 2013

Well, it has been a few months since I last blogged and since I am stuck at home, with my foot popped up, I figured now is as good a time as any.

The wedding was wonderful, even though it poured down rain and was a whopping 50 degrees! It was at Lake Guntersville State Park and we were still able to have it outside, since the lower terrace is partially covered.  The ceremony was a quick 10 - 15 minutes, but very memorable for David and me.  I am very thankful and blessed to have such an amazing family and friends that were willing to help with everything and try their best to be upbeat, despite the weather. 

Aaron Johnson was sweet enough to drive all the way from Atlanta just for the wedding, in the pouring down rain.  I will always be thankful for him and hope one day, I can repay his kindness.  My Uncle Scotty played the music, of course and some of David's friends and co-workers were sweet enough to participate in the traditional military segment of the ceremony.   Thank you to everyone that braved the rain and came out to share with us in our special day. :)

The reception was also memorable in that we danced, we visited, and David and I played the newlyweds game that my cousin, Andrew hosted.  We had the best time and all of our guests seemed to enjoy it as well.

After the reception, we headed to Lake Martin for the night.  David braved the rain and drove for us, of course.  The next day, it was still raining, but once we made it to Florida, it was clear and beautiful.  Disney World was great, but I wish I would've put a little more planning into the honeymoon.  Don't get me wrong, I loved it, we just weren't alone very much.

After the honeymoon, my parents reserved a house in Carillon Beach, close to Panama City Beach, FL.  The whole family went on the trip and we had a great time! I am always the single one, sleeping in the kids' room with the nieces.  It was nice to finally have my husband there to enjoy and spend time with my family. 

David and I had a great summer, even though I was working full-time at chiropractor's office.  So far, it has been the best summer of my life! :) Married life is better than I ever imagined!!

I will post pictures another time of events over the last few months.

Off-Ramped

Well, as most of you know by now, The Captain's company has been off-ramped because of sequestration.  It was an absolute shock for everyone.  It happened around 2 or 3 weeks ago, but I honestly have been busy with finals and wedding stuff that I have not had the chance to blog about it. 

This is terribly disappointing and David has been struggling with this ever since he was notified.  I was with Emily and the girls at the McWane Center in Birmingham and he called me to tell me the news.  Honestly, my first thought was, "Oh no, this is not good for David or his unit."  I felt disappointment and was at a loss for words.  I asked him what his thoughts were and he seemed relieved, but I knew reality would set in.

All National Guard Units that were deploying in the future were off-ramped.  The sequestration has affected everything and it's not over yet! I honestly cannot imagine how these men and women that were dependent on this deployment are feeling now.  It breaks my heart for the ones that are not employed anywhere full-time.  I can speak from experience that I know it's difficult to get a job... it took me almost 8 months.  I know there are numerous people that have been struggling for more than a year or two, I was definitely blessed.  Well, I'm getting off-topic....

These deployments have all been handed over to the active duty army soldiers.  I am happy for them, but I can't help feeling envious about these units for Dave.  He is a little down in the dumps about it... His dad was in Vietnam and his grandad was in WWII.  David wanted to continue the "legacy", but I told him his time will come.  I have been telling him it happened so he will get that dream job he has always wanted. 

Who knows, we may have to deal with Chechnya or North Korea... scary thoughts.

Anyway, I am dragging on...  I apologize.

I am thankful that The Captain will not be leaving me for nearly a year, but I understand he wanted this and it would've been a "feather in his hat". 

Please keep him in your prayers... He will find his peace, it just may take awhile.

Thank you for reading my random thoughts!! :)

Reality is setting in....

Well, today marks exactly 52 days to go with the wedding! I am beginning to get antsy and slightly nervous.  Let me clarify that the nervousness is not because of the marriage, but because of the event itself.  The Captain is edgy... I know most of it has to do with him getting deployed later this year, but I think some of it is the wedding as well.  He doesn't want to admit it, but I know better! ;)

This deployment has become a harsh reality for me already.  Training has began for The Captain and his unit and he travels quite frequently now.  I am doing my best to make the most of the time he's here so when he leaves, I will not regret that. 

The wedding plans are pretty much finished, except ordering flowers.  We are going to make all of the arrangements ourselves and have most of the flowers picked out.  My fear is they don't turn out the way I want them to...

I apologize for rambling.  This whole situation has me frazzled!

I will be going to Fort McClellan next weekend to help with the unit's FRG.  I am on the board, I guess that means I'm "official". :)

The sequestration has everyone up in arms! I am not sure how they think cutting certain things from the military is going to help if  they are not fully trained when deployment time comes.  Sometimes I think I could do a better job with figuring out a way to budget all of this money.  It blows my mind how "some people" are entitled to large amounts of money, but when it comes time for the individuals that take care and protect this country, everything has to be cut! Forget cutting some of their salaries, let the nation suffer! I never can recall in my life something this terrible happening within our country. 

Ok, I'm off my soapbox now.  I know I am all over the place with this blog... It's the ADHD, I haven't taken my med today!! LOL

Anyway, for those of you that know the situation, please keep us in mind when it comes time for prayers.  And for those that don't know, it's apparent that he's deploying and not too long after the wedding. 

Thank you for reading my crazy thoughts... I promise, the next one won't be so random.