What we've been up to

Andrew left for CAX Thursday last week.So, before then we tried to just get in some together time because this deployment is sneaking up on us faster than we expected it too. We went to Mike's Farm with some friends, Holly and Travis, to get pumpkins then we came back to the house and carved them. We also went on a dinner date for the first time in what felt like forever. Usually we're to tired or Andrew is super busy and gets home really late. Mostly we just spent time together.

The day that Andrew left was proof that the MC is nothing but a huge cluster fuck. Information was mishandled and never past on the guys. Things that were supposed to happen didn't. It was so frustrating for Andrew and me. It definitely put a real sour note on him leaving. What I think was the most frustrating was that it took me off guard and made goodbye difficult even though I know he'll be back in a few weeks and that he's safe. Now that he's gone I'm doing fine. It was just all the pent up frustrations with the MC came out when saying goodbye to him.

Now that he's away I've been hanging out with friends and just having a good time. We've been hanging out enjoying some wine and knitting mostly. Tomorrow I'm having a Slumber Party at the house. I'm excited for it. I had one for my 21st birthday and it was a blast. Then on Wednesday I'm headed home to visit for a week or so. I can't wait to spend time with my family and see my friends from back home. I miss everyone so much.

I know you've had one too...

Ever had an, "I hate the Marine Corps" day? I feel like recently I'm having an, "I hate the Marine Corps" life and I hate that. So, today I've decided that I'm going to think about all the things I like about the Marine Corps and what it has to offer us. So here it goes a list of 5 things I ♥ about the MC

1. Our paycheck. Come on who doesn't like a paycheck! The MC has provided for us for the past 7 years. Without the steady paycheck we wouldn't have our beautiful house, food on our table, or cars in our garage.
2. A chance to see the country. Yes PCS moves are a pain, but honestly Andrew and I probably never would have left our home town if it weren't for the MC. We have gotten to see Cali, Vegas, the Grand Canyon, live in Texas, NY, and NC. All of our various duty stations have allowed us to have unique experiences that we may not have had in Louisiana.
3. The amenities on base. Yes, base traffic is a pain, but free access to several gyms and free personal trainers NICE! Also, the commissary, PX and all the other shops on base are all tax free. Onslow beach is amazing it's wonderful to have a beach so close by. I really could go on for days about what base offers.
4. Healthcare. While tricare can be a pain and they don't always have wonderful customer service they usually do come through and pay our medical bills. There's also our wonderful dental insurance.
   
5. The friends. Not many people have jobs where your co-workers and co-workers families become a second family to you. If it weren't for the MC I wouldn't have nearly as many friends as I do now. All the ladies who I've met through our duty stations and online through support networks are amazing. It's always nice to have friends who are dealing with the same issues as us. Especially since sometimes our friends back home just don't understand things like how we feel during deployments or how I think it's normal for my husband to be gone weeks, months, and sometimes a year or more at a time.

So there you have it. 5 things I love about the MC. I will now return to our previously scheduled programing of hating the MC.

Do you serve brains with that?

I honestly wonder if the Marine Corps takes their brains and issues them non-working one upon completion of boot camp. I love my husband dearly. He's an amazing man and a great person, but he just doesn't think things through sometimes. Today he told me that he was going to come to Louisiana for my birthday (YAY!), but that what he was going to do is leave TX on Sunday stay in LA Monday and Tuesday then drive home on Wednesday. Well, the only problem with this is I'm a full time college student and hold a part time job. So, he would drive home on a day I have off, be in town for two days when I have school and work and then drive home on a day I have off. Clearly he didn't think this through before he submitted for leave. So, I'm having him resubmit his leave so he drives down on Thursday is here Friday-Sunday (all days I have off!) and drives home on Monday. Hopefully, he'll remember and I won't have to throttle him :-D.