Just when I thought that life was going well...it throws me a curve ball. I am no longer going to Kansas City. The higher ups didn't get my paperwork soon enough and I don't have orders or a flight. I'm not frustrated by that. It's the other curve ball that life threw me that I'm less than impressed with.
My old landlord, those of you know whom I'm speaking of, did something that was less than wonderful. I was expected a good 800 dollars back in our deposit. Instead, the certified mail i went to the post office to pick up...we get nothing back. AND to top it off, we technically owe her 260 dollars. Screw that. We don't owe her anything. She isn't allowed to deduct rent out deposit and she did exactly that! You best believe I will be calling the JAG office tomorrow and legal action will be happening. I am protected by the United States Army and could have 'lived' in that house for another 4 months RENT FREE and she couldn't have done anything about it. I am livid at the moment. Some people just don't know who they are messing with and what kind of trouble they can get into.
It's realllly hard as of right now to not be a small person and be nasty. It is taking every bone in my body to be a big person and be responsible.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
March Madness
No, I'm not referring to basketball. The month of March has promised a few different things.
The most important one to MY life is a ONE year anniversary that Brad and I will share on different sides of the world. On the 20th, we will be married for one entire year! It doesn't feel like we've been married for a year, it feels like 6 months since he hasn't been here to experience the married life with me. I know i signed up to be married to the army, but celebrating these milestones without him isn't fun. However, on a positive note I had a nice visit with a woman from the church I work at. She came into the nursery looking for the bathroom and we ended up talking for a little bit. She saw my ring my my finger and asked if I was old enough to be married and have children. I corrected her and told that I am married, but no children for us yet, as my other half if in Afghanistan. I told her that we will be celebrating our one year anniversary this month and she told me that she and her husband have been married for 67 years!! They got married right around the same age and Brad and I! If that's not motivation, then I don't know what is! How awesome that they are still alive and enjoying life together, 67 years later!
March also brought a baby shower into my life. We celebrated Ashleys little baby boy who will be born in the month of may! She's about 6 1/2 months old and is ready to meet her son! It was a good time had by all. She had about 7 people show up and got lots of clothes for Finn to wear.
I will be traveling to Kansas City at the end of this week for some FRG training. It's the perk of being involved in the FRG, they pay for your traveling! :-) I've never been to Kansas City, so it will be a new experience for me. I'm not sure what the training will be about, but I'm eager to learn more about how I can help the families get through this deployment.
I'm ready for this deployment to be over. I miss my husband more and more each day and find myself not as happy with life. On the positive side, we have 1 month, 3 weeks and 6 days till Ireland!!!!! I need to stay focused on that.
I'm also going to get back into the gym and get my body in shape. I haven't been a gym since thanksgiving! EEK! baby steps I suppose! The weather here in Billings is getting a little bit nicer, so that's some motivation to get my butt in gear and back in shape.
The most important one to MY life is a ONE year anniversary that Brad and I will share on different sides of the world. On the 20th, we will be married for one entire year! It doesn't feel like we've been married for a year, it feels like 6 months since he hasn't been here to experience the married life with me. I know i signed up to be married to the army, but celebrating these milestones without him isn't fun. However, on a positive note I had a nice visit with a woman from the church I work at. She came into the nursery looking for the bathroom and we ended up talking for a little bit. She saw my ring my my finger and asked if I was old enough to be married and have children. I corrected her and told that I am married, but no children for us yet, as my other half if in Afghanistan. I told her that we will be celebrating our one year anniversary this month and she told me that she and her husband have been married for 67 years!! They got married right around the same age and Brad and I! If that's not motivation, then I don't know what is! How awesome that they are still alive and enjoying life together, 67 years later!
March also brought a baby shower into my life. We celebrated Ashleys little baby boy who will be born in the month of may! She's about 6 1/2 months old and is ready to meet her son! It was a good time had by all. She had about 7 people show up and got lots of clothes for Finn to wear.
I will be traveling to Kansas City at the end of this week for some FRG training. It's the perk of being involved in the FRG, they pay for your traveling! :-) I've never been to Kansas City, so it will be a new experience for me. I'm not sure what the training will be about, but I'm eager to learn more about how I can help the families get through this deployment.
I'm ready for this deployment to be over. I miss my husband more and more each day and find myself not as happy with life. On the positive side, we have 1 month, 3 weeks and 6 days till Ireland!!!!! I need to stay focused on that.
I'm also going to get back into the gym and get my body in shape. I haven't been a gym since thanksgiving! EEK! baby steps I suppose! The weather here in Billings is getting a little bit nicer, so that's some motivation to get my butt in gear and back in shape.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Now that life has settled down...
I really need to get better at posting. I was doing so well when I had more time or actually thought about blogging...then life got in the way.
There isnt going to be any sort of organization when writing this time. perhaps things that just come to my mind.
Like living with another woman. Considering I never lived with anyone besides my parents or Brad....learning how to live with another girl is beyond difficult. We are both moody, work off of eachother emotions and then in the same breath are best friends. I'm sure there is a happy medium, its just finding it that is proving to be harder than I thought.
Alot of us women,and our men over sea's, are done with this deployment. Brad shared with me a while ago that this is the longest we have gone without seeing eachother. The longest we have ever been seperated. We are working on 6 months that the guys have been gone. We are past that hump of things going fast and 'holidays' passing to help time pass faster. Now all we have to do is wait around for leave dates and we'll be fine. Its the waiting that is going to slowly kill us. I looked at my ticker till Ireland...2 months and 4 days. So that's roughly 64 days. Holy cow how time flew by. We also have about 6 months till they are home. A few more days and we will reach 200!! :-) that makes me super happy.
Little Miss Ashley is about 6 months pregnant and showing every bit of it.
Debbie and I are throwing a shower for her at my new place on March 5th! I've never thrown a baby shower before, so it should be fun. Pictures to come of that I am sure.
The Ireland trip is becoming more a reality. My plane ticket is purchased and paid for. Thank you Don! We have an idea of where we will be staying and they are beyond nice so I'm pretty excited about that. Now only if I could get Brad to get excited about it, that'd be nice. I can understand why he wouldnt be excited about it, atleast right now. Once it gets closer I'll maybe expect a little more anticipation.
I have a great travleing oppurtunity through the army ( My FRG leadership role ) to travel to Kansas City and LA in the next two months. Kansas city is first the 2nd weekend in March. Then Debbie and I get to go to Los Angeles the first few days in April for a training as well. THEN at the end of April...I get the trip of a lifetime!
I've been missing Seattle more and more lately. I'm missing my friends. Not that I dont love the friends I've made here, but I can feel certain friends slip away faster these days. I feel like I put in the effort, and nothing is acknowledged. I am putting effort in and getting nothing back. I know that life goes on and friends move on, I am just having a harder time with it lately I suppose. Maybe its this darn deployment bringing me down, I'm ready to have Brad back in my life.
So that is it for now I suppose. I'll have to think about other things to write about.
Thank you for those that DO read this, atleast I know I am writing for someone to read and know whats going on in my life.
OH! update on Bradley. Aside from him not liking being over there, he got changed to night shift again without being notified. :( major bummer. He still works with the same guys, just at a different time of day. I still think about him every day and wish that he was home. In 6 short months though, it will be a reality!
There isnt going to be any sort of organization when writing this time. perhaps things that just come to my mind.
Like living with another woman. Considering I never lived with anyone besides my parents or Brad....learning how to live with another girl is beyond difficult. We are both moody, work off of eachother emotions and then in the same breath are best friends. I'm sure there is a happy medium, its just finding it that is proving to be harder than I thought.
Alot of us women,and our men over sea's, are done with this deployment. Brad shared with me a while ago that this is the longest we have gone without seeing eachother. The longest we have ever been seperated. We are working on 6 months that the guys have been gone. We are past that hump of things going fast and 'holidays' passing to help time pass faster. Now all we have to do is wait around for leave dates and we'll be fine. Its the waiting that is going to slowly kill us. I looked at my ticker till Ireland...2 months and 4 days. So that's roughly 64 days. Holy cow how time flew by. We also have about 6 months till they are home. A few more days and we will reach 200!! :-) that makes me super happy.
Little Miss Ashley is about 6 months pregnant and showing every bit of it.
Debbie and I are throwing a shower for her at my new place on March 5th! I've never thrown a baby shower before, so it should be fun. Pictures to come of that I am sure.
The Ireland trip is becoming more a reality. My plane ticket is purchased and paid for. Thank you Don! We have an idea of where we will be staying and they are beyond nice so I'm pretty excited about that. Now only if I could get Brad to get excited about it, that'd be nice. I can understand why he wouldnt be excited about it, atleast right now. Once it gets closer I'll maybe expect a little more anticipation.
I have a great travleing oppurtunity through the army ( My FRG leadership role ) to travel to Kansas City and LA in the next two months. Kansas city is first the 2nd weekend in March. Then Debbie and I get to go to Los Angeles the first few days in April for a training as well. THEN at the end of April...I get the trip of a lifetime!
I've been missing Seattle more and more lately. I'm missing my friends. Not that I dont love the friends I've made here, but I can feel certain friends slip away faster these days. I feel like I put in the effort, and nothing is acknowledged. I am putting effort in and getting nothing back. I know that life goes on and friends move on, I am just having a harder time with it lately I suppose. Maybe its this darn deployment bringing me down, I'm ready to have Brad back in my life.
So that is it for now I suppose. I'll have to think about other things to write about.
Thank you for those that DO read this, atleast I know I am writing for someone to read and know whats going on in my life.
OH! update on Bradley. Aside from him not liking being over there, he got changed to night shift again without being notified. :( major bummer. He still works with the same guys, just at a different time of day. I still think about him every day and wish that he was home. In 6 short months though, it will be a reality!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
quick update
For those of you who read...Nicole and Christine...sometimes Alan...this is just a quick blurb about my life and whats been going on.
I moved. I'm rid of the house on Custer. :-) It was bitter sweet though because it was the first place Brad and I lived in together. We will have many more to come, but it was harder than I thought it would be to pack up all of his stuff.
2 months till Ireland. I can't wait. Its not going to come soon enough. Don helped me find my round trip ticket to Ireland...650 dollars. Pretty sweet.
I'm enjoying living with Cenzie. It's nice to live with someone so I know I'm not alone. Its also nice to have a garage and a washer and dryer. :-) It's the small things I have to enjoy.
I suppose that's good for now. I'll write more later, perhaps tmrw after I work at the church and go to the YMCA.
I moved. I'm rid of the house on Custer. :-) It was bitter sweet though because it was the first place Brad and I lived in together. We will have many more to come, but it was harder than I thought it would be to pack up all of his stuff.
2 months till Ireland. I can't wait. Its not going to come soon enough. Don helped me find my round trip ticket to Ireland...650 dollars. Pretty sweet.
I'm enjoying living with Cenzie. It's nice to live with someone so I know I'm not alone. Its also nice to have a garage and a washer and dryer. :-) It's the small things I have to enjoy.
I suppose that's good for now. I'll write more later, perhaps tmrw after I work at the church and go to the YMCA.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Seattle Journey Reflection
The army sent families to Seattle for the 4th yellow ribbon event. This was to share with us what to expect when our men and women come back. So with that said, this is my reflection on the weekend.
I think overall it was a pretty good weekend. i got to see some true colors of people both good and bad. There was great information given and some bonds made. However I think it made me even more anxious for Brad to come home. I think its appalling that people treat others the way they do. Everyone deserves respect from others, regardless of who you are. That was something i witnessed first hand. It's amazing the amount of disrespect OF other army people BY army people. We all go through our releases differently, but that doesn't mean people deserve it.
This makes me even more eager to get Brad and every other solider home. We all miss them and are anxious, nervous, heck even scared. I am ready to start the process of him home. The re-adjustment, getting to know each other again phase. I've felt through this deployment single, with a beautiful diamond ring on my finger. But there are too many times that I feel like I am alone with this amazing man of mine on the other side of the world. Kinda strange that you can feel the two extremes at the same time. I know I'm not alone. I have great friends in both Billings and Seattle, but I have a void in my life. No one can fill it but Brad.
There was a comment made in closing on Sunday morning. Army families, any military family is unlike any other family out there. We can get through just about anything that is thrown at us. There are women out there who have admitted to me that they don't know how I do it, being separated from my husband for LONG periods of time. Some women have a hard time being away from their loved ones for a few days or weeks. When Brad signed up for the army, so did I. When I accepted his proposal for marriage, I signed up for the army. I knew what I was getting myself into. I just never envisioned it to be like this. I am thankful for my support network I have, but I have many moments of weakness, vulnerability, anger and frustration. I try hard to stay positive by saying that we will get through this as stronger people, but its hard to stay positive and happy all the time. it's exhausting.
I've learned through this deployment how to stand on my own two feet, hold my own and take care of myself. i am currently in the process of moving out of our house we were renting into another place. I didn't think it'd be hard to pack up Brads things, but it is. I feel like he is gone, almost like you would when you break up with a boyfriend. pack up all of his things and leave it on his door step. only this time I have to take this other person's things with me. It's harder than I thought.
My 'little sister' ( not so little anymore ) is turning 21 in just a few days. holy smokes, when did that happen. I'm sad that I wont be there to celebrate with her but I know she is with good people who will show her a good time. That's been a hard part of moving and getting married. your friendships change, YOU change. that however is another thing I 'signed up' for, so i can't really complain.
The break downs have become fewer and further between. I do still welcome the release because it feels good, but it's always after the matter. I cry because I am lonely, because I'm sad. I cry because my best friend for the past 5 years and the rest of my life is 12,000 miles away and we get to talk on HIS time. its been hard to not have him here to talk to when I want. to fill him in on the news of the life of Megan. NEWS FLASH though. As soon as I get used to doing something on my own, he will be home and I'll have to learn it all over again. It's a joint responsibility.
I am never in this alone, but I feel alone.
That's all for now. I feel better now that I've shared to the 3 of you who actually read this! :-)
I think overall it was a pretty good weekend. i got to see some true colors of people both good and bad. There was great information given and some bonds made. However I think it made me even more anxious for Brad to come home. I think its appalling that people treat others the way they do. Everyone deserves respect from others, regardless of who you are. That was something i witnessed first hand. It's amazing the amount of disrespect OF other army people BY army people. We all go through our releases differently, but that doesn't mean people deserve it.
This makes me even more eager to get Brad and every other solider home. We all miss them and are anxious, nervous, heck even scared. I am ready to start the process of him home. The re-adjustment, getting to know each other again phase. I've felt through this deployment single, with a beautiful diamond ring on my finger. But there are too many times that I feel like I am alone with this amazing man of mine on the other side of the world. Kinda strange that you can feel the two extremes at the same time. I know I'm not alone. I have great friends in both Billings and Seattle, but I have a void in my life. No one can fill it but Brad.
There was a comment made in closing on Sunday morning. Army families, any military family is unlike any other family out there. We can get through just about anything that is thrown at us. There are women out there who have admitted to me that they don't know how I do it, being separated from my husband for LONG periods of time. Some women have a hard time being away from their loved ones for a few days or weeks. When Brad signed up for the army, so did I. When I accepted his proposal for marriage, I signed up for the army. I knew what I was getting myself into. I just never envisioned it to be like this. I am thankful for my support network I have, but I have many moments of weakness, vulnerability, anger and frustration. I try hard to stay positive by saying that we will get through this as stronger people, but its hard to stay positive and happy all the time. it's exhausting.
I've learned through this deployment how to stand on my own two feet, hold my own and take care of myself. i am currently in the process of moving out of our house we were renting into another place. I didn't think it'd be hard to pack up Brads things, but it is. I feel like he is gone, almost like you would when you break up with a boyfriend. pack up all of his things and leave it on his door step. only this time I have to take this other person's things with me. It's harder than I thought.
My 'little sister' ( not so little anymore ) is turning 21 in just a few days. holy smokes, when did that happen. I'm sad that I wont be there to celebrate with her but I know she is with good people who will show her a good time. That's been a hard part of moving and getting married. your friendships change, YOU change. that however is another thing I 'signed up' for, so i can't really complain.
The break downs have become fewer and further between. I do still welcome the release because it feels good, but it's always after the matter. I cry because I am lonely, because I'm sad. I cry because my best friend for the past 5 years and the rest of my life is 12,000 miles away and we get to talk on HIS time. its been hard to not have him here to talk to when I want. to fill him in on the news of the life of Megan. NEWS FLASH though. As soon as I get used to doing something on my own, he will be home and I'll have to learn it all over again. It's a joint responsibility.
I am never in this alone, but I feel alone.
That's all for now. I feel better now that I've shared to the 3 of you who actually read this! :-)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
happy new year
I had to share this because I am bursting at the seams with happiness. With 4 minutes left till the stroke of midnight . . . my cell phone rings. Guess who it was??
my wonderful husband had made it just in time to bring in the new year on MY side of the world. lol. I spent the evening with Nicole and her wonderful family. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It was a perfect night full of games, laughter and friends coming together.
I just wanted to share how special my husband made me feel tonight. he put a perma smile on my face for the next few days!! :-) I am one very happy girl.
Happy New Year!!
my wonderful husband had made it just in time to bring in the new year on MY side of the world. lol. I spent the evening with Nicole and her wonderful family. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It was a perfect night full of games, laughter and friends coming together.
I just wanted to share how special my husband made me feel tonight. he put a perma smile on my face for the next few days!! :-) I am one very happy girl.
Happy New Year!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Bring on the New Year
What will the new year, 2011, bring me? What will it bring to my loved ones and friends surrounding me? What will it bring for my wonderful husband and his side of the family?
I got to thinking about all of this today seeing as how it's the last day of 2010. Needless to say, I've done some self reflecting today and this is what I've come up with.
Last new years eve, I was in Billings with Fiance' who lived off of north 24th street in an awful bachelor pad. lol. I made the shrimp dip that my mom always makes ( and as i type, my mom is making it for my father ). We then walked up to our favorite Bar and celebrated up there. After midnight I told him "Brad, this is the year we are getting married!!" and we both smiled.
This new years eve, after midnight I will get to whisper to my close friend Nicole "Nicole, my husband comes home this year!!" There might be a few tears coming down my face as I whisper it to her, but they will be tears of happiness. Yes, I don't get to spend new years with my husband, but I am so happy that I get to spend it with Nicole! She has been such a great friend to me that I don't know what I would do without her. I love you Nicole!!
2010 has brought me many different challenges. I got married to Bradley Thomas Ireland and it was the best day I've ever had. We had a truly beautiful wedding. I also moved to a different state with him. I had to make new friends, which wasn't hard once I got a few good ones. It showed me who stuck by me through Brad being gone on different training's and who really understood what was going on in my new married life. 2010 has made me realize how hard life actually is when you are on your own. In September of Brad left to go and do his duty to serve his country, which left me in Billings to fend for myself. It was september 13th that I met Debbie Bailey and Ashley Wiser, two truly amazing women who I don't know if I could make it through this deployment without them. That night, Tracy Hagan (brown) took me out to dinner and grocery shopping to get my mind off of Brad leaving. He wasn't gone yet, but the fact that the process had started was gut wrenching.
Regardless of how awful it was to have Brad leave, I am so thankful for the family that I married into. They care about us so much and I am continually amazed by how involved they want to be in our life. They've checked in on me from time to time and even set up a trip to new york for Brad and I spend his 4 day pass together. Our last chance to spend quality time together. They didn't have to do it, but they care about us.
So what do I hope 2011 will bring me? Well I know a few things it will bring. It will bring home my husband, safe and with all 10 fingers and 10 toes. It will bring small Finn into the world in May. It will see families grow. it will see friendships blossom and mature. It will see my 'little sister' turn 21. it will see a few weddings I'm sure. Brad and I will get to celebrate our one year anniversary . . even though we aren't together for it. My dear friend Nicole's little boy will turn 1 this year. That's pretty exciting.
We will have to see what it does bring, but I know that it will only bring happiness and personal growth.
Happy New Year!! :-)
I got to thinking about all of this today seeing as how it's the last day of 2010. Needless to say, I've done some self reflecting today and this is what I've come up with.
Last new years eve, I was in Billings with Fiance' who lived off of north 24th street in an awful bachelor pad. lol. I made the shrimp dip that my mom always makes ( and as i type, my mom is making it for my father ). We then walked up to our favorite Bar and celebrated up there. After midnight I told him "Brad, this is the year we are getting married!!" and we both smiled.
This new years eve, after midnight I will get to whisper to my close friend Nicole "Nicole, my husband comes home this year!!" There might be a few tears coming down my face as I whisper it to her, but they will be tears of happiness. Yes, I don't get to spend new years with my husband, but I am so happy that I get to spend it with Nicole! She has been such a great friend to me that I don't know what I would do without her. I love you Nicole!!
2010 has brought me many different challenges. I got married to Bradley Thomas Ireland and it was the best day I've ever had. We had a truly beautiful wedding. I also moved to a different state with him. I had to make new friends, which wasn't hard once I got a few good ones. It showed me who stuck by me through Brad being gone on different training's and who really understood what was going on in my new married life. 2010 has made me realize how hard life actually is when you are on your own. In September of Brad left to go and do his duty to serve his country, which left me in Billings to fend for myself. It was september 13th that I met Debbie Bailey and Ashley Wiser, two truly amazing women who I don't know if I could make it through this deployment without them. That night, Tracy Hagan (brown) took me out to dinner and grocery shopping to get my mind off of Brad leaving. He wasn't gone yet, but the fact that the process had started was gut wrenching.
Regardless of how awful it was to have Brad leave, I am so thankful for the family that I married into. They care about us so much and I am continually amazed by how involved they want to be in our life. They've checked in on me from time to time and even set up a trip to new york for Brad and I spend his 4 day pass together. Our last chance to spend quality time together. They didn't have to do it, but they care about us.
So what do I hope 2011 will bring me? Well I know a few things it will bring. It will bring home my husband, safe and with all 10 fingers and 10 toes. It will bring small Finn into the world in May. It will see families grow. it will see friendships blossom and mature. It will see my 'little sister' turn 21. it will see a few weddings I'm sure. Brad and I will get to celebrate our one year anniversary . . even though we aren't together for it. My dear friend Nicole's little boy will turn 1 this year. That's pretty exciting.
We will have to see what it does bring, but I know that it will only bring happiness and personal growth.
Happy New Year!! :-)
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