I'm In Love With A United States Marine!

She wakes up in the middle of the night Wishing he were there to squeeze her tight. But he’s been gone for what seems like years And no one understands all her fears. She waits by the phone every day She looks up high and starts to pray Another day and still no call She closes her eyes and tears start to fall He’s over in another land Without her there to hold his hand And she counts the days till he comes home When she will no longer have to be alone. She’s loved this man for so many years And watched him go and then shed tears But this is the life you choose to lead When you fall in love with a United States Marine Semper Fi! dyzgoneby

My Heart Has Been Heavy

This last Friday afternoon, Sniper called me. It was wonderful to hear his voice again. I am not going to go into any paticulars, but the Marine who was hurt with Sniper, has passed away. This has affected Sniper pretty hard. This was the first Marine he has lost. My heart goes out to the family and Sniper. I am so unsure as to what to say to Sniper and how to console him. This is all new to the both of us. I know we/he will get through this. I have been waiting to write on my blog about it, but I wanted to find the information, to no avail I haven't found anything. I will post more as I know more. Sniper and I talked for almost 40 minutes. This has been the longest we have talked since he left. He was in his hooch, laying on his rack talking to me. He gave me a few more things to add to the ever growing items needed to send in his care packages. I have already sent a universal remote, for his 52" TV. Yes, he has a huge TV over there. One of his friends, another Marine, is getting ready to return home and he picked up the TV from him. At least he is watching in style, when he actually gets time to. Now it seems he needs some connectors for a coax cable. He is still trying to figure out how to get cable and internet access in his hooch. The ingenuous ways Marines can make something out of nothing is amazing. We have hit the one month mark. One down, thirteen to go. Yes, the time has been going by the last 2 weeks quickly. I just hope the next 13 months goes by just as fast. With the new job, I am pretty sure, my part will fly by (I hope). dyzgoneby

New Job and Sheer Exhaustion

I am completely wiped. This will be quick. I woke up this morning at 0610. Oh F*CK! I was supposed to be up at 0500 and out the door at the latest by 0630. Run down the stairs, need coffee quick. Grabbed a cup and ran back up the stairs, spilling coffee the whole way. Jumped into a somewhat cold, still warming up shower. Got out, dressed, did the quick make-up, blow dry hair and out the door thing. Still trying to shake the cob webs out of my head, I was on the road by 0635. Looked down and realized I needed gas. Can this get any better. I just wanted to turn around and go back to bed. I'll be damned if I am going to be late for my first day. Drove out towards my job and got off the freeway, running on fumes and found a gas station. I had 17 minutes to go until I was supposed to be at the new job. I then get this wonderfully bright idea to run my car through the carwash, since I was already there and figured I could push the envelope. At 0721 pull out of the stupid carwash and totally push it towards the new job. I pulled into the parking lot and park at 0730. Right on time. My day was pretty uneventful. I met quiet a few new people. However, I couldn't log onto anything, my ID's and passwords won't be available for 24 to 48 hours. The way the system is set up, I have 4 different sets of IDs for all the computer programs I log into. I will need to figure out a way to remember each of them. Quitin' time was at 1600 and I was out the door headed back home at 1604. I am back to the land of the working with mixed emotions. I loved staying at home with the kids and playing mom. I never thought in my wildest dreams I would actually want to stay home with the kids fulltime. I really enjoyed it. However, I know after a few more weeks, one of us probably would have been duct taped to a wall or at the funny farm. I loved my last job and what I do. This new one is going to be a even bigger adventure and I am ready. I am utterly, 100% bone-dead tired. I will write more and reply back to everyone's emails tomorrow. For now I am off to write a quick letter to Sniper and then hit the rack, but not before a big huge drink of something yummy. dyzgoneby

Sniper Received my Valentine's Day Box

I heard from Sniper this afternoon. It was 2 am his time. I told him he should have been sleeping instead of talking on the phone. Nope, he was in his office doing admin work. That's ok, my benefit. He is in great spirits. I forgot to ask about his leg....opps. He received my valentines day box I sent him. It had the pillow case in it I made for him. He loved it, but he couldn't figure out how I made it. I told him and he was just laughing. (It felt good to hear him laugh) It was a pillow case with my chest imprinted on it in paint. Yep, I painted my chi-chi's (It was very messy and I had it everywhere.) I then painted my lips, the ones on my face (dirty minds) and placed kisses all over it. He told me he had to buy a pillow for it. Nope, it's in a box coming his way (I mailed it 3 weeks ago). He gave me another list of stuff and I already ran out and bought it. The highest priority is a phone card. He won't be able to call out until he gets it. I will mail it in a letter tomorrow. He told me he is getting all the stuff I sent him. I did ask if anyone else is sending him stuff and he said his mom and sister had sent them a few motomail letters and one from his dad, other than that no. He said his family didn't send much the last time either. But he is getting lots of stuff everyday....from me and my daughter. That made me feel good. We also talked about my job a little. It felt so good to hear his voice. I think I have figured him out with the phone calls. If he keeps going the was he has been, I can expect one about every 7 to 8 days. Again, I won't hold my breath, I don't want to pass out. Our phone conversation again this time was cut off.....mid conversation. Those stupid f*ckin phones. He was on his last few minutes of his last phone card. Damn I hated that phone card. I am never going to to get used to this bullshit. I was able to talk to him for about 11 minutes though. YEAH!!!! dyzgoneby

Feeling Not So Secure

I feel so much better having the alarm in the house. I really didn't realize how the break-in had affected me. Saturday night, after everyone left, I was all alone in the house. I did my normal thing. Locked the house up and went upstairs to my room. I was sitting at the computer and my door flew open. Then I started hearing noises. It scared the shit out of me. I closed and locked the door, then set my alarm. I didn't leave my room until the morning. I know the wind blew open my door and the noises where the everyday noises my house makes, but it scared me. Last night, same damn thing. Soon as it got dark, I locked myself in my room with the alarm on and never left until this morning. I didn't think it affected me, until I was by myself. I know I have to get over this fear, but damn if it just isn't hitting me now. The bastards who broke-in, took away my since of security. I have never been one to have that taken away from me. I have always been the first one to check something out, when something seems out of place. I never once thought of my safety. I was the one who left my doors unlocked all the time. There were nights I would forget to lock the front door (I know, not very bright, but I had no fear). Now, every little noise makes me jump. I even keep my bedroom door locked during the day now if I am in my room. If Sniper was home, I know I wouldn't be like this, but having him gone, is a whole new ball game. I really am starting to miss Sniper so much (not like I didn't before). Tomorrow I start my new job and am very excited. I want to share this excitement with him. I want to be able to pick up the phone today and talk to him. Tomorrow when I come home and I want to be able to tell him all the details. Instead it will have to be in a letter. It's just not the same. Everything is finally starting to sink in. I know part of the problem is my kids have been home with me through the last month of his deployment. When they weren't I was staying so busy. The last few days, I have not done much of anything, but sit here on this computer and ignore the rest of the world. Tomorrow is a new day, of a new life for me and for us. I just wish Sniper was here to revile in it with me. Sniper, I love you with all my heart and miss you so much. Each day is a day closer to us being one again. dyzgoneby

Drama Queen's Bday

Drama Queen turned 10 this last week and we ended up having a birthday party at the house for her. She had called me the week Sniper was leaving (from Jedi's house) and I was going down to San Diego to ask for a birthday party at the house. Jedi would take care of everything, I just needed to provide the house. Being in the not so right frame of mind, I said ok, whatever. She ended up inviting her whole class. Jedi, invited his whole family. Saturday, only 4 girls from her class showed up. Thank god for family. There was a ton of kids between our two families. Yep, Jedi, his wife (butterfly) & I do things as a family together. In this day and age, it is strange to have us get along, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Butterfly did a wonderful job on the party. She did it all. I just had to clean the house, before and after. During the party, my mom called me and their car broke down after they left my house. She needed me to come pick them up and take them home. My mom has 2002 Camery and for it to break down, was not normal. I was gone a total of a hour and a half, during the party. Drama Queen was so good about it. She told me to go take care of grandma, she would be fine. I left my house, with my ex and all his family here. That was strange. Drama Queen was a little disappointed that very few of her friends showed up. The problem I saw with it all, she is in a year around school and this month they are off track. Most parent's forget. We did have one of her friends, that couldn't stay, show up before the party and drop off her a gift. I thought that was very sweet. Drama Queen's best gift......a frickin' hamster. My parent's and I talked it over and Drama Queen really wanted one. I can't stand hamsters. They rank with mice, rats and snakes in my book. Hell no!!!! I lost. I told that damn thing what I thought of it and if it so muches as looks at me wrong, I would put it up with the rats in the attic (I still need to get an exterminator out here asap). Also, we haven't had a pet in the house in awhile and quiet frankly, I didn't want anything else to take care of. At one point we had 3 gecko lizards, numerous fish and our American Bull Dog "Trouble." I killed the lizards and fish, not intentionally. I would just forget to feed the damn things. Trouble, ended up staying with Jack Ass when we moved. All of us miss her so much. She wasn't a dog, she was part of our family. At times we had to remind her she was a dog. She followed me around and went everywhere we went. She slept in my bed with me, on top of me. Damn dog, I loved her so much. I just didn't want any of us to get attached to anything again for awhile. As you can see, Trouble doesn't know she is anything, but human. She loved to swim with the kids. If we weren't careful, she would drown or drown you. We couldn't keep her out of the pool. Oh well, Happy 10th Birthday my sweet baby girl!! dyzgoneby

All Secure

Well, my house is finally "All Secure." I had my alarm installed in the house yesterday. The alarm company spent all day here. They had no problem installing the hardware, it was uploading the software that became the issue. After several hours, nine to be exact, it was finally completed. The alarm is absolutely awesome. All my windows, doors and the garage is all wired. I also got a keyfob. That thing is awesome. It looks like a car alarm, but is actually a remote for the alarm with a panic button. It will now sit next to my bed at night. I even had them program every entry point to chirp when it is open when the alarm is disengaged. When the Sales Associate initially came out to give me an estimate, he ended up staying almost an hour extra talking to my aunt (her son, my cousin, is currently serving in the Army in Germany, an OIF Vet and getting ready to deploy for a second round) and I about the military. He was in the Army, a nephew that is a Corpsman (just returned from Iraq) and another nephew that is a Marine (currently playing in the litterbox). When I called him back to let him know what happened on Monday and said it was a "go" he remembered me and asked about Sniper. He told me to tell Sniper Thank You and he will make sure I am safe and sound here at home. The other alarm companies I called suck..... I called ADT and not only are they expensive, the sales associate had no idea what a military clause was. They would get back to me, they never did. Strike One. Brinks, wants a three year contract. Not with Sniper coming home in the future, I guarantee I won't be here that long. Strike Two. Another one, I can't remember the name, never returned any of my calls. Strike Three. Your All Out of Luck. I believe in customer service. When I can actually call and speak to someone right away. It makes a difference. Besides, the company I went with had an appointment scheduled within 48 hours of me telling them it was a "go." They even called me today to make sure I was comfortable with the system and if I had any questions. That's customer service. I had all this installed for the low price of $1200, plus the county permit of $50. I think about all the clothes I could have bought, the care packages I could have sent Sniper or a partial payment for a cruise when Sniper comes home for us. Nope, not now. Instead we have are safety and Sniper can relax knowing the house is "Secure." Now I have to start saving for that cruise....I plan on taking Sniper on a nice long cruise when he comes home. dyzgoneby

Marine Girlfriend or fiance or wife

You know your a Marine Girlfriend / Fiance / Wife when: 1. We own at least one article of clothing that says USMC, Marines, or Proud USMC Girlfriend and wear it at least once a week (I wear mine daily) 2. Our AIM/ AOL/ Yahoo profiles say Semper Fi or have song lyrics in them at least once 3. We Know what the terms Head, Rack, Field Day and PT mean and have no trouble using them on a daily basis (none of my family understands any of it) 4. We know the difference between a Poolee, Recruit, Marine and know the rank structure like the back of our hand 5. We feel every note of the songs "I'm Already There", "When I'm Gone", "Here Without You", "Proud to be an American" and "The National Anthem" 6. We watch the news and cry hysterically for fallen Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors and no one seems to understand why 7. We just cry.... and cry.... and cry... and cry for no reason at all and we are fine with that!! (It's normal isn't it?) 8. We have at least one family member or friend that doesn't approve or understand our long distance relationship and the 9th way to identify a USMC girlfriend.... 9. At the ages 17, 18, 19, 20, 21; we have no problem saying YES to a marriage proposal (this one I don't necessarily agree with, but I do understand) dyzgoneby

Happy Valentine's Day

I wanted to wish y'all a big HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! A update on how we are all doing at the Casa. All of us are hanging in there. Yesterday, was the day from hell around here. Yes, I did freak out. I don't know how I made it through, but I did. I am strong and handled myself as best as I could. Unfortunately, my kids were here when I got the call from Sniper. They had to endure the ramifications all day....me completely ignoring them. Thankfully, my mom came over and helped out for lunch. My dad (a Marine who fought in Nam) showed up for the afternoon and provided dinner. I know I probably would have handled things much differently, if the garage wasn't broken into and the call from Sniper in one day, but I made it through. I know there will probably be another call from Sniper, with similar circumstances. I know this, I am not naive. As long as it is from him, I will handle it. It was just a shock to my system. Yes, he was wounded on my birthday. The way I look at it, God gave me one hell of a Birthday present, Sniper is still safe and sound, with just another scar to love. The other person who helped me, Wingman. He pretty much kicked my ass for acting the way I did. He told me as long as it is a call from Sniper, there is nothing to worry about. Sniper is a Marine. Yep, I felt much better after talking to him. He however, did tell Sniper I flipped out. That was not good. I don't want Sniper to worry about me. I want him to know I can handle anything thrown my way. I made him promise to let me know how small or big things happen to him, to please let me know, I will handle it. They say it takes a strong woman to stand by a Military Man's side. Yep, I finally get it. I am a Strong Woman and will stay by his side and take anything thrown my way. My kids had a rough night last night. The break-in has scared the shit out of them. I let them play slumber party in my room with me. I told them, that this is a one time deal and tonight it is back in there rooms and there beds. Drama Queen cried for a long time. She wanted to go to her daddy's house...it's safer, but I don't want to leave you alone (don't worry, this mom can handle herself. let someone make it into my home and they won't come out the same way they came in). She told me, mom you just aren't as tuff as daddy. I looked at her and said yes I am, I can kick anyone's ass, you just haven't seen mommy pissed. But mom, you don't hurt when you have spanked me.....Thanks kid (I don't try to). I am glad it is a new day. I woke up refreshed and ready to hit today running. To Sniper: I love you with all my heart. This day for us is just another day. A day just like any other. We don't need a day to say I love you. You and I know it each and every day. I am looking forward to the day I have you home and can wrap my arms around you again. I will never take for granted another day with you. dyzgoneby

Sniper.....latest call...one you never want to have!

I just received a call from Sniper. He asked me if I had been watching the news or can hear a difference in his voice......No, What the fuck happened? Sniper was hurt in from an IED explosion while he was on foot patrol on Saturday, February 11th. He is okay. He has several stitches on his calf (internally & externally). He is staying with his unit. The other Marine that was with him, is being sent home. They didn't think he would make it, but so far so good. The other Marine, was getting ready to return home from this deployment next week. Sniper has already ran another mission today. He will be staying, but they have already put in for a Purple Heart for him. I don't want him to have a Purple Heart.....I want him safe and sound! How am I handling? Just what you would expect....I leave it at that. Please pray for him and his Marines. dyzgoneby

My Garage and car was broken into

I didn't listen. Ok, I am now listening loud and clear. The alarm will be done. I have already called and left messages with a few alarm companies. I left my front door and entered into my garage at 0800 this morning (my son had another doctor's appointment). I unlocked the small garage door and the big garage door was open, along with my trunk. Not quite awake I went over and closed the trunk. Then went to get into the car and that is when the cobwebs came out of my head. Oh f*ck! My car/garage was broken into. All I could hear was Sniper telling me "Is the alarm put in?" in my head. Oh shit, I don't want to tell him about this. They stole my notary stuff and my personnel file from work. All this has my name, address and social security on it. AAAAhhhhh Shit! It will be a long 2 days. dyzgoneby

It's My Birthday!

Yep, todays my birthday!!! Yippy Skippy. *I'm being sarcastic* For me it is just another day. Another day down towards homecoming. I am crossing my fingers I receive a call today, but I won't hold my breath. Sniper has a job to do and for him the days just blend together. Last night Wingman called me at 0030. He was the 1st to wish me a Happy Birthday. I ended up on the phone with him until 0200. We were playing with myspace. Now, I don't use it. I just have it and he prettied it up for me. It's funny, I can work with my blog and edit, delete and change things, but I can't figure shit out with the myspace. Thanks Wingman it looks cool!!!! Then Wingman called me back at 0245 to tell me to turn on CSPAN. The were showing the few members of congress in Fallujah. I didn't listen to it, but got to see a little more at where Sniper is at. This morning I am paying for the late night. Even if I hadn't talked to Wingman, I still would have been up late. I am still having problems sleeping or maybe after all these years of being a morning person I am becoming a night owl.......maybe. I don't have much time....need to get off this computer....I am going to be late...need shower......running out to meet some Marine Families and have lunch with them. Then out to dinner with my parents and kids. My parents are taking us out to celebrate Drama Queen's and my Birthday. Drama Queen will be 10 this Wednesday. Me I'm just getting older....not really I'm 35 today. Crab legs here we come. Wingman: Thank you, you made me night a little brighter! Sniper: I love you with all my heart! dyzgoneby

My House is Infected with the Plague

Can I wake up and it just all be gone....BUGS BE GONE!!!! I swear my house has to be the most contaminated house around. Yesterday, Drama Queen goes to the bathroom and starts yelling there is worms in the toilet. WTF. Being mom, I have to check it out. Sure enough there is 2 white thread like worms floating in there. (That was absolutely disgusting. The yuck factor is way high here.) I get on the internet and do some research (God I love the Internet). It seems that she has Pinworms, "Ass Worms." Again WTF. How the hell did my daughter get this nasty shit. I called her doctor and he told me it is common for kids under the age of 12. It's no big deal (my ass, it's f*cking disgustingly gross). To get rid of them everyone in the house has to take a pill and they will be gone. OK, I can sortta deal with that, but I am still way grossed out by all of this. Then he says, everything in the house needs to be washed. All the linens. All of them. Do you know how much f*cking laundry that is? I have piled high in my laundry room at least 20 loads of laundry, that is no exaggeration. I also need to scrub the bathrooms down....duh! I was up until 0100 doing laundry last night and have only 9 loads finished and way to many to go. My kids and I have a lot of blankets and comforters on our beds and all of it had to be washed. I swear I will be here all weekend doing laundry. My daughter has Ass Worms. Do you know how absolutely disgusting this is? I feel sorry for her, but at least we are trying to laugh at it. She climbs into my bed last night (her bedding wasn't washed yet) and I kept telling her to move her butt over. Don't put that thing near me. What does she do.....scoots closer. Mom I have butt worms. *she laughs hysterically* Ok, I have to have some type of humor in all this. Maybe that will happen next week, but not now. Update on Lego Man: On Wednesday, I took Lego Man to his doctor's appointment for his tummy. We saw a pediatric Gastrologist. Apparently the doc thinks he has Acid Reflux. With that being said, he wants to do a Endoscopy (put a tube with a camera on the end of it down his throat while he is awake. They will give him some happy meds so he won't care). He wants to make sure the acids in his stomach haven't damaged his esophogaus. Also, he wants to do a biopsy on his stomach tissue and rule out "H. Pylori" The appointment is in a few weeks (they only do them on certain days and the holidays coming up have screwed the scheduling up), but Lego Man is scared to death of the procedure. I don't blame him, I'm worried as well. He did prescribe him Zantac to help him and it does seem to work, but Lego Man doesn't like the pills. At 11 years old he can't swallow pills, he chews them. YUCK! And they taste terrible...duh. dyzgoneby

AAAAAWWWWWWWW

WWWWWWWWWWWW!!! I feel a little better. I needed to get that out. I am so pissed at myself right now. I am sitting here trying to figure out my books for all of last year. I didn't do shit last year, as in the paperwork. Let me back up. I have a home based business and sell scrapbook supplies. I have been doing this for a few years. It pays for the habit. That being said, I actually sell stuff and am supposed to be keeping track of all the paperwork. My accounting system last year sucked. I quit doing much of the paperwork last April. LAST APRIL 2005. I kept things written down, but on scraps of paper and would throw those pieces in the file for the month, but not keep a monthly record. Well, now I am trying finish it all so I can file my taxes someday. I am only up to June. I have been working on it since yesterday. UUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH At this rate I won't be done for another week. I am so pissed. I can't blame anyone, but Me, Myself & Irene (ok I need a little humor right now). I will never ever let the paperwork go again. Update on "Unemployed/Between Jobs/Vacation To Do List": I did finish all my To-Do List from yesterday and them some. I only played on the computer after it was all done. And, Yes I stayed up to 0200 playing.......I love listening to music while I play. I tend to get lost in the music. What am I listening to: Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Joe Nichols, Alan Jackson, Gretchen Wilson, Lonestar, Alabama, Clint Black, Dierks Bentley.....I think you all get the picture......I Love my Country Music, it motivates me. My darling daughter, Drama Queen, my disagree....She is not a big fan of my singing and dancing. She just loves when I wake her up in the morning with the music blaring and me singing to her. Then again she is with her dad and I can listen and sing as loud as I want to. Going Insane and Drowning in Paperwork dyzgoneby

Monday's Unemployment of Stuff to do

Yesterday I did absolutely, positively nothing. I stayed in front of the computer all day and night. Just left to grab food. I did write a 7 page letter though. Other than that it was computer all day baby. I didn't even watch the Super Bowl. I am not a sport fanatic....nope, not me. My list of stuff for the day: Store - Buy socks and more socks and a phone card for Sniper. Home - Box up stuff from the store Post Office - Send off Care packages Bank - Deposit money to cover the Care Package shit. It's been sitting here for a few days Clean Kitchen - Can't see the counter's. This is not normal for me and I was way lazy yesterday. Dr's Appt - Lego Man has his usual Monday therapist appt. Meeting - I have a planning meeting for my scrapbook shit tonight. Let's see if I go. Start Putting my tax stuff together. I have lots more, but lets see if I can even accomplish this. I just want to be lazy again. I know, your typical boring, normal everyday life stuff. I just want to relax with the kids gone. I would also like to Scrapbook some today. Got to get away from this computer. Hi my name is Dyzgoneby and I am a computer junkie........

Second Phone Call...YEAH!!!!

Wow!!! Two phone calls in two days from Sniper. I did not expect another one so close to the last one. He tried calling his mom (I need to come up with a name for her here) and Bubba, the phone was busy. Wingman, didn't answer. His boys in another state, couldn't find the number. So I was next. I'll take it. He knows I live for the phone. I will always answer my phone (unless it is someone I am dodging). Sniper is doing well. They stayed up all night to watch the Super Bowl. However, they ended up playing poker all night and didn't see the game. Boys eeerrr Men will be Men. But he was very tired. Now it's on to work for him for the day. He has a phone in his office so phone calls should happen more frequently. Somewhere along the way I think I missed something. When we were talking, a few of his Marines were in the office, he was looking for something and kept referring to me as his Fiance....Uuummm I think I missed something here. Yes, were are planning on getting married, but it's unofficial. To hear him referring to me over and over, "My fiance..." and "My fiance said this" took me by suprise. I love to hear the sound of it. Can I hear that again? *big smiles here* I can't wait until that changes to "My Wife" but that will be a while. He has to stop playing in the litter box for that to happen. He has received one letter from me, three from Drama Queen and no motomail yet. I number my letters and he received #2. Hopefully #1 will show up soon. It only took 6 days for the letters. That's cool. Motomail not showing up sucks. For those of you who don't know what motomail is, you can go to the website and type a one page letter and send it. It prints out at the post office on the base they are at. It normally is delivered within 48 hours. It has been a week since I sent the first one. Hopefully he will get them soon. Drama Queen and I have a contest going on who can send the most letters. Up until this weekend, she had me beat. My letters are usually about 5-6 pages and her's are only a page with drawings all over them. So, yes she could actually beat me. However, after this weekend I am ahead of her. Sniper told me what she wrote in one of them......"How many guns do you carry?" "Stay Alive" Ok I will now have to read or watch over her with those letters. Those are things I don't want in the letters. She tried to tell him that mommy misses you and cries for you. I nixed that one. I was just impressed that she wanted to write.... He gave me my list of stuff to do: * Call Mom and Bubba. I talked to Bubba. The phone was off the hook for the day. I passed on the info he wanted me to and got the info from them I needed. Bubba is doing well since his surgery. He has a doctor's appt today for his post op. * Call Wingman. I left a message, he didn't answer the phone. Wingman called me this morning and I was asleep. He woke me up (I stayed up way to late last night). I passed on the info to him and received the info back I needed. That was it. I need to send an email this morning to Sniper with all the info I received and head over to the store and buy more stuff for Sniper. He gave me a few more items. Wingman also gave me a couple of ideas to add to. Damn that puts it up to 7 boxes since he has left. Thank God for Flat-Rate boxes. I'm going broke for care packages.. dyzgoneby

I Was Tagged

I was tagged by PCS to LinkedInUSAF. He thinks my answers will be funny. Hhhmmmm, let's see, do you want the truth.... 4 Jobs You Have Had In Your Life 1. TacoBell - I lasted 1 week, they didn't like us white folk (I was in highschool folks & lived in California). 2. A Brokerage Firm - I won't tell which one. My boss thought we were living in the 60's. I was his "girl" and he expected me to percolate his coffee every frickin morning (the coffee shop was downstairs) pick-up his dry cleaning, pay his personal bills, drop off his car for repairs (had to find my own way back to the office) and be his taxi. Oh Hell No,I quit. 3. Retirement Home - This was my favorite. I was a waitress in the dining room and loved working with everyone. The residents were absolutely wonderful. The stories they told me, I thrived . I still have a painting a local famous artist painted for me (personalized with his signature), he was 101 when he painted it. 4. Creative Memories Consultant - I am still doing this one. I am a scrapbook consultant and love every minute. The people I have met have become part of my family. The stories we share on our "families" and "life" experiences are wonderful. 4 Movies You Would Watch Over and Over Does Disney movies count? Oh wait, that would be movies I would watch over and over again. I couldn't help it I have too many to list. 1. Son-In-Law - Pauly Shore is absolutely hilarious, need I say more. 2. Joe Dirt - I know, it's stupid, but I love a good laugh. 3. Adam Sandler movies' - Waterboy, Happy Gilmore, Mr. Deeds, Wedding Singer, Big Daddy. 4. American Pie - All of them, I love these dumb movies. 5. Star Wars - All six of them. Yep I love Sci-Fi. I grew-up with these. I even took the day off of work when the last 3 came out. 6. Saving Private Ryan - Nothing to say here on this, I just love it. 4 TV Shows You Love to Watch I don't watch a lot of shows for myself. The damn disney channel is on 24/7. I literally have to fight for the TV. Now I have 4 TVs in the house, but the kids have to be in the same room as I and they take over. I am so tired of "Zack and Cody" "The Amanda Show" "That's So Raven" When I do get to watch TV..... 1. CSI - Doesn't everyone love this one, even my kids love it. 2. House 3. Without a Trace 4. Anything on HGTV - Hey, I can dream. I love to see what my next project in the house is. 4 Places You Have Lived I've never lived out of California. Growing up we always lived in some small damn cow town. Thank God we moved back to Sacra"tomato" 1. Modesto, California 2. Manteca, California 3. Bakersfield, California 4. Merced, California 4 Places You Have Been On Vacation 1. New York City - My worked payed for this er...vacation/education trip. I went home after a week smelling like, you guessed it, alcohol. Even our instructors were pretty tore up during our classes. 2. Toronto, Canada - I won a 5 day all expenses paid for trip from work. Niagara Falls was absolutely beautiful. The CN 360 Tower was very impressive. However, the elevator ride up, I ended up on the floor, I am afraid of heights, especially with all the windows in that damn thing. 3. Scottsdale, Arizona - A bunch of guys and I ended up at a Gay Bar. One of them thought it would be hilarious (he was gay) and it was. Being the only female it was frickin' funny. My then boyfriend at the time, kept getting hit on and I was asked if I would like to share. Now, this 6 foot 3 man (not a girlie man) didn't think it was to funny, but I sure did. 4. Disneyland - That counts for something......The Happiest Place on Earth. 4 GREAT Places Where You Just Said, "Eh .." I only have two. I don't get out much unless you count work, doctor's appointments and kids schools/activities. 1. Canada - I went to a Blue Jay's game here and the unpatriotic Canadians I saw and witnessed towards the USA almost got me in trouble, I sorta refrained, sorta. 2. Chicago O'Hare - Does an airport count? I will never ever ever fly through that airport again. 4 Websites You Visit Daily Does my email accounts count as a website....I check those hourly when I'm home. I 'm looking for that damned email from Sniper....still waiting. I know only 4, but it's hard. 1. MarineParents - I have found wonderful support on this site. 2. Dad Gone Mad - He is always great for a good laugh. 3. The Sarcastic Journalist - I'm always looking for a great laugh with her. 4. Poop, Paxil and Pageantry - Katy keeps changing the blog name, so don't try and keep up. She is one funny lady and great to see how the "otherside" of how a military spouse lives. 5. The Kept Woman - Again a great way to see how the military wife lives and very funny to boot. 4 Milblogs You Visit Daily Does my blog count.....this is a hard one. See my blogroll, I go through these plus some everyday. 1. One Marine's View - Capt B is absolutely hilarious, plus his experiences are truly outstanding. 2. Sandbox Chronicles - This is a new one I have found . TacoBell is so damn funny. 3. From My Position...on the Way - Chuck and Caren have a positive outlook on life. 4. It's a toss up from Blackfive, The Mudville Gazette and The Military Outpost. 4 Favorite Foods 1. Chicken Cesear Salad - I love salads. I can live on them daily and the kids and I do. 2. Chicken Enchiladas - I can't make them very well, so I have to rely on other people. Hey what can I say I can't cook well and don't like too. I have a year and a half to learn not to kill us all with my cooking. How expensive is a chef? I need to hire one. 3. Prime Rib - I love my red meat and prime rib just doesn't get any better than this. 4. Anything with Chocolate - I am a junk food junkie, anything with chocolate is even better. 4 Favorite "Adult Beverages" 1. Smirnoff Ice 2. Vodka Cran 3. Midori Sour 4. Midori Margaritta - My two favorites, Midori, Yummy and Tequilia. However, do you know the song "Tequila makes her clothes fall off" Yep, that's me. I am very careful where I drink tequila, it can get me into major trouble. 4 Places You Would Rather Be Right Now 1. Laying on a beach, with a drink in hand and Sniper right next to me. 2. Living in our dream house, in the middle of the Sierra's with no neighbors for miles, but the two of us and all our kids. 3. Sitting in the hottub, just Sniper and I, snow falling all around and no kids....brings back great memories. Luckily there was no neighbors.... 4. Cuddled up on the couch, in our jammies, with my two favorite little people, watching SciFi Movies all day. The munchkins and I do this every other weekend. Yeah for jammie days. 4 People to Tag 1. Going Nuts At Home - Not like she has much to do with her hubby just returning home. 2. An Army Wife's Life - Love to see her answers. 3. Frankly Opinionated - Let's see those answers. I know you can come up with some funny ones. 4. DesertExile - Come on Dan-Gerous I know you want to play. I hope you love the little insight to my world. Dyzgoneby

Sniper Called......

I finally heard from Sniper today!!! YEAH!!!! Someone, must have been looking down on us. Sniper is doing good. Extremely tired and busy. He is already doing missions. Trying to put everything together and work with the unit they are replacing. He hasn't set-up his computer yet, but hopefully that will happen soon. By months end everything should be good to go and should be able to start contacting me regularly. More contact than the last deployment. I love that. We were able to talk for 17 minutes. That's all the time left on his calling card. We used it all up. I made sure I told him several times that I love him. He asked that I call his family and let them know I talked to him and he is ok. He called me before his mom and son. That surprised the hell out of me. I figured I was last on the totem pole. Guess not. That was a great feeling. However, we got cut-off mid sentence. I f*cking hated that, but nothing I could do about it. "You have one minute left?" You can only cram so much into the last minute, knowing you are going to get cut-off and then when it does happen. Oh, f*ck, I remember more stuff I forgot to tell him. I was able to give him an update on everyone and everything happening at home. Of course, he had to ask about the alarm system. Sniper - Where are you at with the alarm system? Me - ummmm......I haven't done it yet. It is kinda expensive and I can't see spending the money. Sniper - Did you get anymore estimates? Me - ummmm.....no. Sniper - You need to get it done. I want my family safe while I am gone. I need you to be safe until I return. I will pay for it. Just get it done. Me - I will work on it this week. I promise. OK, I will work on it this week. He didn't ream me from Iraq, but I could hear it in his voice, he is very concerned. That is something I don't want him to worry about. He has a job to do and needs to concentrate on it and not worry about me. I will work my ass off this week to get it done or at least the estimates. Damn $1300 is a lot of money for one who is only going to be in the house for a year and a half....Oh, well. I don't want my ass kicked from Iraq....nope, not me. It has seemed like it was so long since we talked and it was so good to hear his voice. I realized how much I have taken for granted on the daily things in life. I was so used to talking to him constantly and to get cut-off is hard. I will never take anything for granted again with him. I got off the phone and the tears started falling and then fell hard. Luckily I had a house full of people. My mom and aunt were here and just held me. My aunt has been here before and will be there soon again with me. My cousin is in the Army and getting ready to deploy for the 2nd time in a few months. We will be there for each other. Once everyone left this evening, the house quiet (my kids are gone until next weekend with there dad) reality sunk in again. I am alone. He's not here to comfort me. Just me, myself and I. I keep replaying that 17 minute conversation over and over again in my head. It's pure torture. I can't wait for the new job. I won't have this down time. Absence diminishes small loves and increases great ones, as the wind blows out the candle and fans the bonfire. ~François Duc de La Rochefoucauld dyzgoneby

No News is Good News

Yep, that pretty much sums up what I have been thinking. I hate this stupid phrase. I would love to clobber the person who came up with it. I haven't heard from Sniper in over a week (not since he got into Iraq). I do know he is there. Trust me. The internet is a wonderful thing to find out all types of information. Wingman also has been very helpful. I keep saying, I won't hear from Sniper much and will keep saying it until I am blue in the face . I know this. I was told this. I keep repeating it to myself. However, it doesn't help ease my fears one frickin bit. Yesterday I thought I was going to lose it and I did. The first time since he has been gone, I heard the reports that 5 military personal were killed in Iraq (one of them was a Marine). My heart just stopped. The tears started to stream down my face. I started scanning the internet. The DoD reported the unit the Marine was from. It took me 6 hours to find that out. I let out a sigh of relief, then cried for the families of the 5 heroes that gave all for us. My heart goes out to these families. I know better than to watch and read anything in the media, but I couldn't help myself. The not knowing and uncertainty has driven my emotions to another level I never knew was there. Repeating to myself.....I am strong and I can handle this. All I can say is thank you to my "Surrogate Hubby without benefits" or "Rent A Marine" Wingman. He is going to be my Savior in this deployment. I have talked to him just about everyday since Sniper has left. He has been very helpful and supportive. Anything I want to know, I can ask. Anything I need, he will be there and I for him. Wingman: Thank you for eveything you are doing for me. I know I will drive you absolutely ape shit through this, but I really appreciate all you are doing for me. Sniper: I Love You. dyzgoneyby

Officially Unemployed

Yep, that would be me. At least until the 21st of February when I start my new job. I went in this morning and handed in my resignation with a two weeks notice. And what did I get in return? You have 30 minutes to grab your stuff and get out.....YEAH!!!!!!! I will get the full two weeks paid plus my 2 weeks vacation paid out. Even better. What will I do with my time? Everything that I have been putting off and shoving into the corners of my house. This last 2 months I haven't done shit that needed to be done. With Sniper deploying and Lego Man still sick, I haven't done squat. Now I have a little over two weeks to get my shit together. I will be clean my house, play on the internet, do my taxes, play on the internet, get Lego Man well, play on the internet, pick-up Sniper's truck, play on the internet (you get the picture)......Then I will hit the ground running. I never thought I would truly be happy, excited, elated to been unemployed. Nope I truly am. dyzgoneby

Mr. Woodruff...I'm so sick and tired of hearing about him

Something has been bothering me since I have been hearing on all the media outlets about Mr. Woodruff being hurt by an IED. Don't get me wrong, I feel bad he was hurt. But, what about all the military men and women being hurt while they are "Over There?" Do we here shit about it? Nope....Nada.....Nothing.......What about the military men and women who have lost there lives fighting for us? All we hear is a f*ckin' number, nothing about who they were as a person. I found this link via A Soldier & his Wife. I decided to post my feelings on this as well. This is something up close and personal to me. Sniper was a very lucky man in his last deployment. I still don't know all the logistics (he doesn't talk much about it), but from what I understand is this: There Humvee rolled over 8 times. I believe they hit something (again, it is not something he talks about). What I do know is one Marine lost his life, one Marine lost his leg and Sniper, the Corpsman cut his tag out of his boot (I saw this same f*cking boot with the laces covered in his blood, alot of blood and a knot tied in where he cut those f*cking laces, and yes I would love to knock the shit out of that Corpsman, when we were packing his gear for his re-deployment). He was bleeding out of his ear. Wingman was the one that helped save his life. They medivac'd him out of there. He ended up with Shrapnel in his head and ear (to this day the shit is still coming out of his ear). He is very lucky to be alive today. I thank God everyday. Did anyone her much ado about any of this when it happened? Nope.....nada....nothing....zilch.... Do you know what he did? He found a way back to his men three days later. However, they wouldn't let him out on missions. And two weeks later, they finally sent him home to recover. You all know where that Marine, Sniper, MY MARINE is today....BACK IN THE SANDBOX for another round. You will never hear shit about this on the nightly news. You will only hear about our men and the real things that go on from blogs like this..... Can you tell this is something that just pisses me off to no end? I am pray every night for a safe return for him and his Marines. Semper Fi! dyzgoneby