Momma's new job

Well as it turns out, Wednesday the 13th was my last day working at the shop. I'm really going to miss that job, I had the most understanding, cooperative boss, the funniest and most hard working coworkers, and the best pay that anyone can offer a college drop out. (Seriously, I almost felt guilty getting my paychecks. Almost.)

So here I am, a "Stay-at-home-mom" of sorts. While I hate putting my ACUs away, it's nice to get up whenever I feel like it, or rather, whenver Alexei wakes up. It's nice to have a variety of things to choose to wear, though it does create a burden on the laundry pile. Though even people give me their condolences for being out of work, I feel guilty as millions of stay at home moms care for their little ones all day long, while Alexei still attends daycare.

At first I thought I'd really enjoy all this time alone, but on second thought it seems more lonely without my snuggly little redhead to keep me company. My favorite is when he climbs up on the sofa with his little feet flailing, finally makes and gives me a big smile. Then he crawls on over, raises his arms up and *POW!* slams his body across my lap where he lays there and coos to me while snuggling. What a little sweetheart.

There is currently a job open that I'm interested in in Hutchinson, and while it is a drive, it's still a lot better than driving to Salina, carpool or not. I still need to apply for it as it closes on the 23rd. I just wish the unit could put me on orders. If they need a full timer so badly, then why can't they just put me on ADSW or RMAs until someone fills the slot? Ah, but I'm not even eligible for that position, only because I would need not only a passing APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) which I haven't passed since August of 2007, but I would also need a negative pregnancy test within 15 days of the date of hire. So dangit. Ah well, at least my good friend is eligible for it, and she's been looking for work also, so hopefully that will work out for her.

So here it is, 10:30am and I haven't a clue as to what I want to do today. What SHOULD I do? I SHOULD pick up the yard and start hauling off boxes, but I think I'd rather go knit at my favorite yarn shop, Twist. Well, maybe I should go pick up the yard seeing as trash day is tomorrow. Ah well, at least I'm being kept busy, right?

Life Lessons!

Today I learned a lot of life lessons!

1. If you're planning to clean the fridge, clean it before you go grocery shopping.
2. If your Christmas lights fall down during the season, pick them up before the dog chews them!
3. When picking up and putting away your Christmas lights, wear long sleeves so the miniscule shards of the glass don't get embedded in your arms! Yay!
4. When you JUST washed the dog and picked all the small little burrs out of his fur for over an HOUR yesterday, DO NOT put him outside on a muddy soggy day TODAY!
5. Don't leave drinks where Alexei can reach them!
6. Just because a toy is very entertaining at home does not mean it holds Alexei's attention while we're out!

What a week!

Welcome back to the show everybody! Boy do we have some entertainment for you this week! Saturday morning (January 9th) our pipes froze. AGAIN. No big deal, we've been through this before, and besides, it's drill weekend! If I needed water the Army would issue it to me right? *sigh* So off to drill I go Saturday, but not before I "went" in the toilet before I realized we didn't have water. It actually wasn't a bad weekend believe it or not! I actually got some productive things done for the unit which *GASP* RELATED TO MY JOB. Oh. My. God. No, I was not guarding weapons, or being told to go answer the phone. I actually was asked to help. Is it scary that I'm doing more training and learning more things in the TWO weekends in the Rear Detachement than I've spent with the whole company in THREE YEARS? You betcha! But this is one of those much talked about "learning experiences" right?

So Sunday we had to clean up the armory before leaving for the day as usual. "Private Sir" (a PFC going through ROTC) and I went off to go sweep up the maintenance office. We were almost done when I stumbled across an old box half open. Curious, I looked in and saw a whole slew of army men! There was also a tall box with a ton of compartments that we deemed as the building that was so desperately in need of someone to take it over. And so they did! We had a lot of fun occupying the building, setting up air support, medical tents, and the like.

Monday came and went, still no water. Tim and I resorted to peeing in the yard and trying to time shopping trips and whatnot for the other. Wicket was laying down near my feet. Suddenly he got up, walked a few steps and with no effort at all, like it fell out of his mouth, PUKED all over the living room carpet. I wouldn't have minded so much if it was a normal, watery puke. But no, this had to be a puke PILE. I'm talking at least 6" of gelationous, turd colored vomit, complete with chunks of baby socks, baby wipes, and tissues which smelled like rancid diarrhea.

So after two days of decent winter weather and pipes that were still frozen, we called the landlord. He came over and very quickly thawed out whatever was frozen. We finally flushed the toilet and Tim was such a dear and cleaned it out. :D I took a steaming hot shower, and Tim started some laundry. All that's left is to do the dishes! We don't have ONE clean dish left in the house! Tim ate off a tupperware lid last night if that gives you any idea of how long it's been!

Tomorrow is another day! It will be my last day of work at the shop. I will really miss the job, it's by far the best job I've ever had. Awesome boss, awesome people, and awesome pay. Ah well, life goes on right? Let's just hope maybe next week somehow, is not nearly as eventful.

Musings of the day

Today I picked up Alexei from daycare after work and brought him into the living room to play. He started playing with a string of fabric chickens that my mother gave me for my 15th birthday. I told him that "Grandma Weaver" got those for us, and as soon as I said those words, I realized that I'm actually uncomfortable calling her Grandma Weaver. MY Grandmother on my father's side was also Grandma Weaver, and she passed away when I was in 1st grade. My mother passed in 1997, and Alexei will never know her except from pictures and stories. It pains me to think he will never meet her in person, but it's comforting to think of all the other people he has in his life who love and support him.

Home! For now.

Last night the heat went out. We originally thought it was the heater since we had hot water, but it turns out that we were out of propane. I find it hard to believe that 200 gallons (over $300) burns in a month and a half, but this is a drafty old farmer's house out in the country, and it's the dead of winter, so I guess this is pretty common.
Thank God for good friends, we called a few friends and after a couple people not answering or having company over and the like, we finally got ahold of a good friend with my unit's FRG who took us in for the night. Wicket stayed in the house in his crate, but we put a space heater out for him so he was fine through the night. I'm so glad they had the heart to take us for the night, I really had a great time letting our kids play together, socializing, and helping take down Christmas decorations and whatnot. They were more than hospitable, and I thank the ladies who helped us out!
Unfortunately when we got home we found out that the propane delivery was indeed made, but since I wasn't there they didn't come in and light the pilot light, which I totally forgot about for some reason. So here we are at 8:30, the house is climbing to 60 degrees (yay!) and I'm fresh out of the shower which I thought was going to be beautifully scalding hot, but instead was a measly disappointing lukewarm spray down. Ugh. So here I am trying to warm up again. Tim relit the pilot light on the hot water heater (DUR how did I forget that too?) and has earned the title "Hero of the Week!" So until next time, warmer wishes to everyone out there, may your pilot lights never waver!

Accomplishment of the day!

When I woke up this morning, I was extremely proud of the fact that I did not call in sick. I actually got dressed and went to work. Late mind you, but I was there. I still have this wretched cold which is less of a cold and more of an annoyance, like some sick person bet someone how many times I could possibly blow my nose in the span of 10 minutes. Thankfully I still have (now HAD) some annual leave to take, so I burned 3.5 hours so I could knock off early.
I don't know what came over me, but I felt compelled to pick up Alexei. Don't get me wrong, I love him to death but I desperately need a nap. Miraculously enough he fell asleep in the car on the way home, which led to my ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE DAY!!

Picture it: Tired sick momma, jumping muddy dog, snow on the ground, Christmas lights strewn across the doorway torn down by aforementioned dog (Thanks Wicket!), chunks of styrofoam blown from the trash flanking me on either side waiting for me to make an errant step. I must have stared at Alexei for at least 5 minutes before mustering the courage to take any action whatsoever. I finally racked up enough nerve and pulled him out of his carseat. As I walked briskly to the door, I pushed back the dog who looked at me incredulously as if to say: "What the Hell? HE just gets home and gets to go in, but *I* who have been out all this time have to stay OUT?" Once inside, I whipped the jacket off Alexei, put him in his crib. I cringed as he came to a crawling position. At this point I begged and bartered with God. Whatever I said to Him must have worked, as Alexei crammed himself furiously into the corner of the crib where he proceeded to resume his afternoon nap. Gingerly I slipped off his shoes, left, and shut the door. I paused for a moment praying that the quiet air would not stir. And indeed, it did not.

Oh my God. What have I done? Did I really, seriously just put the baby down for a nap, strip him of outerwear all while sleeping? Is this one of those motherhood badges they tell you about? Oh sweet Jesus thank you for the little blessings such as these!...Now if I could just get my pipes to thaw, today might not be such a bad day after all.

The soldier on the sidelines

Today the soldiers in my unit have made it to their MOB station at Ft. McCoy. As much as I could do without the -17 weather, I can't help but feel left out as I sit here in the living room watching Alexei play with the school bus he got for Christmas. I can't decide if I should feel selfish for even having the opportunity to watch him grow for a year, or if I should feel guilty for not being able to fight alongside my friends. Yet somehow I even feel as though I lost out on an incredible opportunity to share in their stories and experiences, to be with them and support them there instead of from at home.
Of course all the civilians think I'm crazy for wanting to go, especially with a 16 month at home, but how is that different from any other soldier overseas? Surely I'm not the only person with a family, in fact females have one thing going for them, there is no possible way they can miss their babies being born! Ah well, for now maybe I should start my own home battles, such as tackling the kitchen.