Missing My Marine!!

I know this deployment is going to be a lot harder than the last one. I'm already missing him SO MUCH...and he's not even deployed yet. But it already feels like he is. Even though he's just away for training, I hardly get to hear from him. I get no emails and maybe two phone calls a week. It sucks!! I know it's also partly due to this pregnancy. I'm just an emotional wreck!! I've been keeping myself busy. So, that helps. Just praying for time to pass quickly and that all will go well with this deployment. I'm really not looking forward to it though. No mood to blog :( I'm still really torn over my dog issue as per my previous posting. I just want my Marine home!!

Unbelievable!!

I didn't get to bed till 2.00am last night. Why? Because a stupid drunk driver crashed into my front yard!!!! I was just relaxing and watching re-runs on TV when I heard a very loud thud just after 11.00pm. I peeked out the window and I see a minivan crashed in my front yard!!!

Witnesses called 911. Within minutes, I had the sheriff's department, the fire department and the EMS in my driveway. It was like a scene out of the movies. The driver fled the scene but witnesses saw where he went and the police managed to get him.

Thank God all he hit was just the side of a tree and he tore up my yard and my neighbour's yard. It could have been much, much worse. Thank God we have a huge yard and a long driveway. Arrghh!!! Why do these things tend to happen a lot when hubby is not around??!!! I call this the Murphy's Law of Deployment!

I tried to get some pics but it was hard to do so in the dark. Here are some from last night and this morning :

Garden Railroad

I want one!!!!! I think these are SO cool. But this looks like a SUPER expensive hobby. So, I'll just have to be satisfied with looking at pics. Imagine all these cool trains chugging along in your backyard full of miniature plants and buildings. Awesome!

So Rewarding!

One of the things I really enjoy and find most rewarding is doing volunteer work. Being a stay-at-home mom, as busy as it is at home, it can sometimes get a little mundane and boring. Just being able to spend those few hours away from home each week to be in the "real world" makes such a big difference.

I'm currently volunteering for an organization called Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. I really enjoy volunteering here as they really value their volunteers. We receive regular training, opportunities to try new things and participate in lots of fun events and activities. As an incentive, we also get reimbursed for childcare and mileage so all we're volunteering is our time.

I'm also a mentor for a program called Adolescent Parenting Program working with teenage moms. It's hard being a mom...much less a single teen mom. I'm proud of my mentee for taking responsibility for her actions and is really trying her best to excel in her studies and care for her baby at the same time.

I think it's important to give back to society. And I certainly want to instill in my children to have such values and what better way than to lead by example. So many non-profit and volunteer organizations are always looking for people who can offer a few hours a week. Personally, I receive just as much, if not more, in return for the hours I put in. I strongly encourage anyone who's interested in volunteer work to check out some organizations in your area to see what is available and see how you can contribute.

In A Dilemma

Hubby and I have been talking lately about whether to put our dog up for adoption or not. We've had her for over a year. And she's a great dog. But I feel like I can't give her the attention and care she requires. It's such a hard decision to make but I can't help but feel that she'll be happier in a home where there are other dogs for her to play with, with a nice fenced yard and one that will be able to give her the attention and care I think she deserves.


It's hard with hubby gone so much. Two deployments in one year! So unexpected. And it doesn't look like things are going to get any better. Plus, with another child on the way, I'm overwhelmed. As it it, I can't even find time and energy to exercise her. I know she's bored being at home so much. It doesn't help that we don't have a fenced yard for her to run around in. And she needs more exercise as she's a big dog. She's such an affectionate dog and seeks constant attention. But with so much going on, it's hard to give her that time and attention.


What to do? What to do? Such a dilemma.....

Jesus Painting

Check out this video :

Commemorating 9/11

Every year around this time, we still see lots of documentaries, specials, emails, etc. about 9/11. But I can't help but feel that after so many years, maybe too much attention is still being drawn to it. I understand that it's important for us not to forget what happened that day and not to take things for granted. But do we really need to be reminded of this tragedy to such an extend year after year after year?

I'm sorry if I offend people with this posting but my heart really goes out to the survivors of 9/11. I was watching a special on Oprah on the children of 9/11. And so many of them said that this time of the year is especially difficult for them as they are constantly bombarded with all the stuff that goes on in the media about 9/11 and all the hurt and painful feelings resurface and the loss they feel for the loved ones they lost on that tragic day. I cannot imagine having to go through that year after year and to have these painful memories dug up each time.

How many more times can we see footage of the planes hitting the towers, or people falling from the buildings or the towers collapsing? Does it make it any easier each time we watch it? Does it help those who survived the tragedy to move on with their lives? I doubt it. But that's what's being shown year after year like it was today's "just-in" news. I believe there are many other more positive and constructive ways to commemorate 9/11. And it doesn't always have to be something with shock value or done on a big scale. For me, it was just taking a moment of silence and saying a little prayer.

This Is Where It Begins

Today is the last day of my husband's 2-week pre-deployment leave. Wow! How time flies! We spent a lot of quiet, lazy days at home. We also had family come for visits...which are always fun.

Now, this is where it all starts. After this, he goes off for training for a month. Then, off to a 7-month deployment in Iraq. This will be his 2nd deployment.

There are 2 things that I'm sad about with this upcoming deployment. First of all, he's going to miss the birth of our second child. There are days where I think to myself "You can do this! Thousands of military wives have done this...so can you!"...and there are days I think "What am I going to do? How will I get through this?". Thank God I have a strong support system here....and faith that God will work things out for us.

Secondly, he's going to miss Christmas (and all the nearby holidays) with the family 2 years in a row. Last year, he was deployed over Christmas as well. Bummer, huh? But what to do? Such is the life of a military spouse.

15 Things I Do To Save Money

I got tagged by Lynette. So, here goes....15 things I do to save money :

1. I set my thermostat at 78 degrees F or higher.

2. I close vents in rooms/areas we don't often use.

3. I follow the speed limit when I drive. I also combine trips to save fuel and I never leave my car running idle.

4. Eat home-cooked meals.

5. I use compact fluorescent light bulbs.

6. I also turn lights and fans off when I leave a room.

7. I unplug any electrical item I am not using.

8. I turn off my computer every night.

9. I recycle plastic bags, plastic containers, Ziploc bags, jars...anything that can be re-used.

10. I always ask myself "Is this a need or a want?" before I purchase anything.

11. I pay bills online and on time to avoid late fees and cost of a stamp.

12. Instead of spending money on all kinds of expensive cleaners, I make my own multi-purpose cleaning using vinegar, water and baking soda.

13. I buy store brands, second-hand clothes, toys and misc. items from thrift stores and yard sales.

14. I buy things off-season.

15. I run my dishwasher or washing machine only when it is full.