Back to work

So it is Friday and I am going back to work. Hmmm.

I've had a whole week off to spend with Jack Bauer and get some of the big things done around the homefront. We bought a new car, got some of the house moving-selling things done. Luckily, a big potential problem was inspected and seems to be just fine and dandy. Even got a video of its fineness and dandiness!

I hope we set things up enough for Jack to begin to feel like he might be able to settle in before we pack up and leave for good. Which is a crazy notion. But, hey, this is the Army and it's going to be a crazy 7 weeks until we hit the road for school and a Residence Inn with 2 dogs.

A man doing man-like things

Obviously it is wonderful just having Jack Bauer home.

This morning, Jack is doing manly things. He is talking and watching and hanging out with the sewer guy who came to inspect our 70+-year-old sewer line. He is walking around with a coffee cup in his hand and asking all sorts of boy questions that I would never think to ask.

It is so cool to have a man back in this house. :D

The End of the Month

Another month is ending. Several months ago, I was waiting for April to get here so I could start marking off the days of my MLB baseball schedule. Now the calendar is half full of big blue "X"s.

And Jack Bauer has given me a date when he thinks he will be home. I am working on remembering to live this chapter of my life as it occurs, rather than worrying about the next chapter that is not written yet.

Well, I've got a whole heck of a lot to do in the next 2 1/2 months to get this house in shape to (presumably) sell when Jack Bauer gets home. I'll try to keep you all up to date with what's going on as "the end" nears.

Is it nap time yet?

I have been really tired lately. I am sure some of it is the sudden onset of midwest summer. But I think a lot of it is due to Jack Bauer's homecoming. In 3 months, he should be home.

Then what?

We are going somewhere to do something, most likely with the Army, full-time, probably AGR. And we should know for certain around 2-4 weeks ahead of time. How's that for certainty? I'll be sending my husband off again a couple weeks after he gets home to "somewhere", where I will follow as soon as I can. Nice. Welcome to the "real" Army life! I guess.

But right now, the whole job situation is all vague and nebulous. And sometimes, it creeps in under my fingernails and infects me. The anxiety percolates for a couple of days, and convinces me that all is hopeless: "Jack Bauer will never find a job! You will be sent to jail for failure to pay your debts!"

Of course, we don't jail dead-beat debtors, but I think you get the picture. My anxiety is the result of too much abstract thinking (all that whatifland stuff that I try so desperately to stay away from). (Now if only I could harness that energy into abstract painting . . . hmmm. There's an idea!)

One thing is for certain: Jack Bauer will have a job. A good paying, full-time Army job.

And BTW, Jack Bauer and I talk about this ALL the time. This is what the vast majority of our conversations have been about lately. I mean really, he is in a combat zone, looking for a job, to ease MY mind. "A combat zone," I have to remind myself of that, because the notion of looking for a job from 6000+ miles away were there are many other things, much more important things, to worry about, is COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS!!! What kind of wife am I?????

Oh, and I see my therapist tomorrow. Phew!

Test Drivin'

When Jack Bauer comes back in ~3 months, we need to get another vehicle. And he said that I get to drive the new car! How's that for cool? I am thinking that is a good idea. A little thank you for having been without him for the last (what will be) 21 months.

After I got the oil changed, emergency brake tightened, and new windshield wipers on my sweet Toyota ride today, I drove across the parking lot to Sales and took the 2007 RAV4 for a test drive.

It meets all of my criteria for a car. First, it is a car, and not a truck based vehicle. Second, it is big enough to take me and Jack Bauer and Moo and Bear and Cat (in her carrier) and some luggage, or alternately, me, Jack, parents, and luggage. (My current vehicle is a 2-door coupe and not the easiest thing to get the doggies in and out of let alone aging parents.) Third, it has sufficient enough storage capacity to make trips to Lowe's, etc. Fourth, has a sufficient enough engine to get me on the freeway here in Middleville where the fast and slow lanes are reversed from the rest of the country. (Horrible drivers here. Worst by far I've seen compared to LA, Portland, OR, and Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area.)

I am also thinking of test driving the Honda CRV. Does anyone have either of these vehicles or have experience with them? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and opinions. (I don't promise to take your advice.)

Redeployment Coping

Spouse Buzz had a great piece today about redeployment coping. It will be one of those posts that needs to be read several times as JD's homecoming approaches and after he returns.