Welcome, 2013

A year ago, I sat down and wrote down all of the momentous events that I could remember from the year past, and then described what was coming up for 2012.

I don't want to do that this year.  2012 was momentous, surely, and I am curious what 2013 will bring-- but does it really need listing?

My G is home, safely.  Both girls are becoming amazing young women in their own right.   I have a new job that challenges and uplifts me, with coworkers who are making a difference every day. There is much hope and joy and love on the horizon.

What more could I ask for?

So this is my wish for 2013.  That I learn from my mistakes.  That I embrace joy, that I find the good where good is hard to find, that I make changes when they are called for and accept that which cannot be changed.

I'm learning that I cannot change others.  I can only act in a way that makes sense to me, forging my own road and praying those I love the most will continue to come along with me.  My G is a pretty good travel partner, and I am so glad we have been on this journey together.

Mostly, though, I want to enter 2013 with a thankful and resolute heart.  There have been some struggles inside me over this year, and I am making some choices that will hopefully bring about lasting change.

Four things I am starting or continuing for this year are My One Word, Lumosity, Plan to Eat, and You Need a Budget.  Past One Words were Focus and Move...this year may be UP-- this gives a focus for my spirit and betterment.  Lumosity helps me stay sharp and is just challenging enough without making me scream.  Plan to Eat will help us all do better with our diet,  You Need a Budget has software and a financial methodology that has literally changed our lives this year.  There are other things I'll be doing, but these show four walls to the year we want to build.

May God bless you and keep you, may our nation stay strong, may our lives and that of our children stay blessed and happy and safe.  Welcome, 2013.

And Then There Came Hope

My last post, The Real Cost of War, fortunately doesn't tell the whole story.  I'm a glass-half-full kind of girl, and even in the midst of tremendous grief I try to find a rainbow.  I've heard this described as "hunting the good stuff" and I like that analogy.  Sometimes you have to be a regular CSI and use a microscope to find it, but the good stuff will be there.

So here are some signs of hope--

Resilience-- There are some who, with help, really do come back.  My friend's brother-in-law, who first told me about PTSD?  He is one of these.  He spent years with the Paralyzed Vets of America, helping other vets like himself find answers and hope.

Inspiration to Others-- Our friend, Staff Sgt Joe Beimfohr, was a recruiter when we met him.  In 2009, he was gravely wounded in Iraq.  Ulimately, his wounds left him a double amputee, but his story does not end there in the hospital room.  Failure is Not an Option-- This link is another one that I found but I especially like it because it shows other stories from the veterans themselves.  This sums it up bit by bit.

Helping the Youngest-- Programs that help children cope with deployment and feel better equipped to handle their Soldier's absence can be helpful, and fun, ways to make sure we don't forget how deployments can affect them as well.   Video from last year's Mock Deployment shows the attention to detail in this program.  There are also special camps available for children who have recently dealt with a deployment.

So there is hope.  Always, there is hope.

Tuesday's Ten

Some days are good and difficult all at once.  Kind of a rock-back-and-forth, up-and-down roller coaster.  Fortunately, there were more "good" things than bad.


1.  I love mornings when I get a good hour or so in a quiet house, all by myself.  I love being around people, and I love talking/chatting/visiting, but on days when I can be by myself for a little bit, I have a better day overall.


2.  I went on Post to get the ACS home vendor packet (finally) and wow...  They practically want a sample of your blood!


3.  However, I was able to chat with three people about different things and found out more places to do events and sell great products.  :)


4.  I really should have had a bigger lunch...  My schedule is still so off-kilter that some days I lose all track of mealtimes.  I eat when I'm hungry but sometimes I don't eat enough or I eat at the wrong times and it usually catches up to me in the evening.


5.  For a job application, I had to take a typing test.  Now, I took typing in high school as a freshman.  Mom insisted (and thank goodness she did).  I'm fast on the backspace, but I've never thought of myself as a particularly fast typist.  That being said, apparently I remember more about touch typing than I thought.  I thought I'd do well, but I was stunned to get 75 words per minute.  Happy, happy...still on a high from that one.


6.  My little G is in a tired/rotten/grumpy mood.  Is this what I have to look forward to every day she's not 100% through her teen years??   I know what things were like with my Big G, but omigoodness this isn't going to be fun.


7.  That being said, her concert last night was great and I love to see her face light up like that.


8.  I also got to talk to my Mom today, which almost always makes me smile.   I told her thank you for making me take that typing class.


9.  My G got orders today, officially putting him on the manifest for next year.  I'm trying to tell myself it's a different deployment.  It's a different situation.  It's shorter-- I can do this in my sleep because, after all, I've done 15 months.  Cakewalk.  (Remember the "denial" stage I mentioned in an earlier post?)


10.  I'm determined to end this on a positive note.  There are a few clouds in the sky and the temperature is cooler and wonderful.  Chances of rain are improving, or so the weatherman says, so I am holding to that one thing that keeps me going most of my life:  Hope.