New House

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Update

So here is a much needed update. I"M HOME!!

I'm house hunting... have an offer on a house but am waiting on the appraisal.

I start back to Washington State Department of Transportation on the 16th. My vacation has been awesome and I've traveled all over the place, visited family and friends and relaxed.

I'm signing off this blog however, now that I have a phone, anyone wanting updates can give me a call :)

Homeward Bound!

I cant believe this deployment is over. All that is left is paper work, traveling and ceremonies (which I hate!)

This was a mission to a local elementary school where we got to give out supplies and visit with the kids. It was a wonderful expirence and I'm greatful to have had a helping hand in it. I have lots more pictures, but I will have to post them individually because they take a long time to load. Only 7 more weeks!!

This is a picture I created for my background on my computer... isnt it wonderful?

Changes

So, I'd thought I'd take a minute to reflect. I've found out some things about myself that I'm actually very greatful for. Independence is something people can claim they have, but until you have to rely on yourself and only yourself with no family or friends around for hugs or encouragement (which for some reason over here, encouragement is treated like a dirty four letter word), than you dont really know what you are capable of. I'm going to take a minute to say that I'm truely blessed to have the family and friends I have back home. These things people often take for granted every day. I know I did. You have no idea how much that physical, emotional and loving support surrounds you until its gone. Honestly, I miss that most of all.

A word keeps popping up in my head as I try to find some peace here. Tranquility. A level of peacefulness that I havent had since I was home on leave, sitting on my parents porch, petting my animals and listening to the wind, nature and peace. No generators, highway traffic, soldiers yelling, sterios blasting or the noise of people walking in gravel outside of your paper thin walls. When my neighbors crack thier knuckles, the sound is as if they were sitting next to me in an acousitical environment.

Mostly I miss road trips where you have your music, the road and nothing but time.

Now, I hope this is not a discouraging blog, and one that just helps everyone realize how lucky I am and all the things I miss about being home. Its nothing to be sad about, in fact, it should bring you joy as it does me. Joy that I have those things in my life and that I realize how beautiful these things really are to me.

Also, I should add that I've been up for 19 hours, still have 15 hours of a shift left and keep getting into trouble for closing my eyes :) Gotta love the Army. Whats sleep again? Wheres my tempurpedic bed and down comforter? Saturday mornings and high def movies on my big screen with the ability to turn all sound off and drift away. Peace and quiet.... man I'm spoiled back home haha.

Miss you all! Take a deep relaxing breath in the peace and quiet that surrounds you and send those vibes my way!

Christmas Tree :)

I forgot to post pictures of my christmas tree! Here it is:

Working.....

So I hear that I should be home in my own bed by April 21st... but that is just a rumor I'm afraid. The de-mob process in FT. Lewis is going to be so hard! Being that close to home and not being truely home! But I will be back in the States which will be a very nice change of scenery! I plan on going back to work first thing in June, hopefully have a house by then! I'm so excited to get home and get back on track of being awesome haha, just joking.

I want to get a dog too. But I'm not sure what breed. I'm thinking that I will just go to the human society and find one. When I find 'em, I will know instantly! However, my dad has always done the training of our dogs for us, so I have no idea what I will be doing. I know that I have to be firm and teach 'em that I wont be home most of the day because of work. So they have to be kettle trained. Also, I want them inside with me at night.... or at least that is what I will hope for. How do you do the bell trainging? Gosh, I'm going to have to take a doggie training class for sure!

Also, I really want to join the Roller Derby! I think that would be awesome! On top of wanting to join the Vancouver Orchestra. Its so nice having goals of my own though because for some time now, I've been putting other things first..... I have no idea why, but not anymore! If anything, this deployment has made me even more independent and confident to do whatever makes me happy. And with the long hours I've been working, the most stuff on my plate, the better. I really dont want to be a person who sits around the house with nothing to do.

Anyways, the countdown has begun and I cant hardly believe its been this long! I'm still getting used to writting 2010 on all the paperwork, but I'm getting used to the idea haha.

Countdown!

2010

2010! Can you believe it?

We have been really busy here on CSC Scania, there are elections going on in Iraq. I'm working 12 hour shifts and I work Midnight to Noon. I've never had this schedule before and my body and mind are rejecting the change. But, I push on. Being tired is why the invented COFFEE! :)

We only have about 2.5 months left in country and than we are doing our de-mobilization process in Ft. Lewis, WA. So, we will be close to home at least. I've started the process of working with a realator on finding my perfect house. Oh, and I've been trying to get pre-approval for my VA home loan, but for some reason the Army doesnt think you are a Veteran (or have veteran status) until you get home from the deployment and they have a chance to do paperwork! Hello! I'M IN IRAQ!

Haha, but life goes on. I have my appartment till the end of June. I'm working on getting approval for my boss for leave without pay so I dont have to go to work right away when I get home. I want to take a trip to the East coast with the family and have lots of time to move when I do find the right house. I miss home more and more everyday. I'm never going to live anywhere other than the PWN if I can help it! Miss all of you and hope you are keeping the home front safe for my return!