How do spouses handle deployment? It is a question often asked from civilians, nonmilitary and even other spouses. Well there are many steps, tics and habits we develop. For this post I will let you in on a little secret ... you ready for it? How about now? Ok: We stay busy! And we rely heavily on our friends to keep us in this state! Today was a phenomenal example of that.
The first part of the day was the satellite adjustment debacle. That marked the first set of friends I got too lean on: The neighbors. Nate, Louise, Krista, Kara and Ellie are part of my daily hijinks. Usually I bump into them in completely unplanned ways ... like when I see clouds of soap bubbles drifting over the back fence and I go out to investigate. It's like a faerie world ... dimples, giggles and skirts. Louise and I may banter over the fence or Nate may toss out a hail Hello! through the kitchen window when I get out of my car after a long day. Lovely people. They are a prime example of a loving, messy, God filled family. Just by being them is a blessing into itself.
The middle part of the day was filled with the MIL, Mark and Suse! For Suse's belated birthday we went to see HP7.2 and drug Mah (the MIL) out of her housesitting duties to do so. She may have not been feeling good when she was forced into the car but she was a popcorn stuffing, 3D glass wearing, happy fool throughout the afternoon. Mark and Suse were my first German friends and always give fun and exciting times. The translation lessons and easy banter are a great piece of the day. (Mark is also my main coworker and without him it can be a dreadful mess.)
The final part of the day wrapped up with a girl-girl movie-snack time. It was a blast and I'm glad I forced myself out of the house. I will admit that heading into the 13th hour of the day I was far from wanting to socialize. As 7p was dawning, and I was a bit begrudgingly whipping up snacks I promised to bring [I owe you guys salsa!!!], the last thing I wanted to do was socialize. I wanted to hide under the couch with the kitten and watch meaningless television. Boy am I glad I didn't!
Jess, Heather, newfriend Lori [hi!], Chels and I had a fun time of snacks, chatting, crafting, watching tv and harassing J's not-tired-enough toddler M. The movie of the night was Life As We Know It. What a neat movie. I love a good romcom on occasion and this one filled the bill completely. I'm sure I talked too much through it, but as I was the only one who hadn't seen the whole thing I'm sure I didn't ruin it entirely. It's nice to play catch up with the girls and just enjoy putting time on hold for a few hours. It was very refreshing and freeing. They are such a great group [although missing a few for vacations.]
My advice to any new spouses to our adventure: Stay busy. Surround yourself with lovely people. Volunteer. If you don't know anyone, and you are in a foreign base, look up a Hospitality House. Lovely people run them with military being their specific passion.
I thank you all for all your loving, smothering, attention and distractions!
[On a side note: when I was looking up the title of the movie I mistakenly searched 'The Way Things Were.' Although not the title to the movie, the search resulted in some interesting fruit. It's all about the way things were, before planes, trains, autos, cell phones, ipods, computers and the like.]
