Earl

 As if things could get worse today... we are now on high alert and being told by some to prepare for emergency evacuation, get kits together, and have a plan and such. I really hope Earl decides to go another route. I don't know how much I can take. It's a 28 hour drive to get home so that's out of the question. Guess I will have to find a hotel and pray for the dogs and I to be okay. Right now the hurricane is at a category 4, still gaining strength, and expected to hit Wednesday or Thursday in our area. they are hoping it will change direction and not hit, but just the thought is scary enough.

I'm pretty scared. I've never been through anything like this, never expected to have to do it without my husband either. Even if he was already home he'd gt shipped right back out, so I guess it doesn't really make a difference. We don't have things like this where I 'm from in Texas, we don't get hurricanes, or tornadoes, or earthquakes. It doesn't even snow where I'm from.... Please pray with me.

I could really use a wish right now

"I could really use a dream, or a genie, or a
wish to go back to a place much simpler than this."

I have this song and a few others on repeat tonight, as I sit here being bummed. Today was a pretty lousy day. I had a very hateful email this morning from someone whose order I accidentally messed up. She tried to say her bracelet was "dirty" when really she should be smart enough to realize that it's the color of the metal, that's why it's called antiqued silver! She said I messed up the clasp which I did. She asked for a loggle, and Iused a lobster claw. That's probably the only thing that was really wrong with the whole order. Then she tried to say I messed up the size when she told me her wrist was 6.5" so I made the bracelet almost 7" so it wouldn't be to tight. She never said she wanted the actual bracelet to be 6.5".  She also threatened to post a bad review, which she never did. I told her it was fine because I really don't feel like I did wrong. I offered that if she shipped it back to me I would make her another one to which her only response was, "Thanks anyway." She just had a problem with absolutely everything. So I lost my first customer I guess but who needs customers like that anyway. She's obviously way too picky.

Then my hubby told me he had good news so I waited ALL day to find out what it was, only to find that it wasn't good news. He said he would be home early, yet he wouldn't. He got his fork lift operation license while on the ship so now he has to stay for offload. Guess what that means! While everyone else I know will be running to meet their sailor, I won't. I'll be home playing the waiting game for another 6-8 hours while he's unloading the ship. Then by the time he gets done it's going to be late, and he's going to be so tired he'll have to go to bed for work the next day. I guess I should be used to it by now, but it doesn't make it any easier. I'm just ready for this to be over already. I want him home. I only get him for two weeks as it is, then they're shipping him back out again. On top of that he's missing my birthday which is in a few days. I know, I know enough bitching. I keep seeing that on facebook which doesn't help. the stress is building up. The little time we have left before his back to back deployments is precious to me, and this is only taking away from it. 

He sent me another poem tonight which has helped some, but just makes me miss him even more. I just keep telling myself it will all be over soon enough. 

"Good Night"

You're my sweet whisper; gentle in the night!

Wishing me good evening, and bidding me goodnight.

The sweet but bitter goodbye,

before my eyes shut tight.

Before a fantastic dream scape,

and tulips glowing bright.

 

I bid you sleep well,

So sweet night, good night.

So that you might see me standing,

with a tulip bathed in light.

Mili Mondays: Navy Wife

"Navy Wife"

I am a Navy Wife. I was born to be a Navy Wife. [The Navy and I share a birthday :)] The irony: when I met the man who would become my husband, I wanted nothing to do with another sailor for as long as I lived! I "came of age" just around the corner from Naval Station Norfolk. I had seen my fair share of sailors. I knew the base like the back of my hand. But then, this man walked into my life, and that all changed!

It wasn't love at first sight on my part, but you'll never convince me it wasn't on his part. That picture up there... we've been holding hands since the day we met and I hope we continue to hold each others hands until the day we die.

You all must have heard it before, but my grandpa always liked to say "If the navy wanted me to have a wife, they would have issued one in my seabag!" I'm sure glad they didn't issue one to my hubs and he was allowed to find me. The day I said "I do" to him, I said "I do" to the Navy. I'm that Navy Wife that LOVES the navy and all her glory. I don't refer to the Navy as a mistress, or any of the other derogatory things so many young spouses call the service. I love the lifestyle. I love the pride. I love the swag.

You see that oak leaf there on the cuff? My husband is in Medical. A week after our formal wedding he deployed, and we all know about Haiti... that happened a day into deployment, a week after our wedding! My husbands ship went right away. I was so scared! The things he would see, the experiences he would undergo! He is usually in a hospital, so this was his first deployment.

I was initiated into Navy life like the worst of them! We had to change our wedding date. I had to pack our stuff up [read: pack HIS things up] all alone and move out of our apartment in a FREAK winter storm [we lived in Norfolk, VA... it doesn't snow!]. The ship was redirected immediately. We were moving across country, but not PCSing.  Oh, and when I got there: I had flown to California with 4 suitcases and a carry-on. The rental company wouldn't rent a car to me, like they said they would, because I didn't have a credit card [just my debit, which they said I could use]! I was all alone, in a new place, away from home for the first time ever!

But ladies, never give up! For those who have flown into San Diego, you know they have those little shuttles that take you to the car rental lot? I SOBBED all the way back to the airport and all the way to the next car rental place. I called Navy Lodge hysterical afraid I would miss check-in. I couldn't find where I was going, even though I had GPS. I was all alone, and at that very minute, I sobbed openly in public. The people at this shady little car rental place must have thought I was crazy! I went to the bathroom to wash my face and decided it was this moment in time when my big girl panties had to come out and be put on.

I couldn't tell you the number of times I have sobbed since that day, four months ago. If you're anything like me, you will too. I quit my job when we moved to be a stay at home wife, and that pay cut is catching up to us as we live in a much more expensive place than home. I cry because I'm lonely all day, everyday. I cry because these first few months of our first year of marriage together aren't exactly what I planned. But I am NAVY STRONG [sorry Army gals, had to borrow it :)].

I think we all go through it and one day, I will look back and recall these days, in our TINY little California apartment, and laugh. One day, we will be able to say "we made it through the tough times, let's enjoy the

good times!"

The spouses I have met through here and through the FRG have been a huge support for me so far from home. If you think I can be a part of your support system, shoot me a line. We're all in this together ladies. Hooah, semper fi, anchors aweigh... we're the ones left to savor memories for our service members... ones

we'll never forget.

Cuddles and Kisses,

The Mrs.

http://homewifey.blogspot.com

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Thursday Five

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It's time for Thursday Five again lovely readers! It's my favorite way to reflect upon my week and make sure I find the things in life I have to be grateful for. All you need to do is think about the last week, and list five things that have made you feel the following emotions....

Happy

Giggly

Excited

Loved

Thankful

Then just come back here, grab the awesome Thursday Five button, link up with the linky at the bottom and check out what some of the other bloggers are Thankful for!

Here's my list for the week:

ONE. It's almost over. He'll be home soon.

TWO. I bought a printer which has simplified my life.

THREE. I've been excited all week for Josh Turner and Darius Rucker this weekend.

FOUR. Technology.

FIVE. Great friends. They've helped me through the unimaginable.

From the Hubby

To my wife, 

        It has come to my attention that after all these months of quiet dilemma, that the answer to my problem has been one that I have known for sometime, and a simple one at that! The problem being of me singularly trying to find a way to care for you, to provide for you, to teach you, to protect you as I believe any husband should.... well, any good husband should! And of course the simple and most beautiful answer being one of teamwork; of entrusting your care to you!

LOL  I would sooner argue with you rather than relinquish my illusion of control; my illusion that I can solve both our worries with sheer will and callous determination! And in so doing I only distanced myself from you... (Big cheesy smile darling) But you brought me back with your unrelenting love however prickly and finicky at times it may be... and I; We will not lose each other to the empty spaces infecting so many of the marriages I see that hobble onward trudging through their best years with ambiguity and indignation! We can be so much more... we are dreamers my Lovely and we can have our fairytale... red tulips and all.

  

    I know we can... I look inward every morning and see your face my Love ( smiling) and I know we can!! XOXOXOXO

   

I know a Lil cheesy baby but I want you to know that I love you! And through all your uncertainty and questions about where my heart lies and about how much I care honey I want you to know that!!! MUUUUAAAAH Sweeeeeettesst dreams baby XOXOXOXOXO  

He's the best ever, I'm one lucky lady.

Mili Mondays: D Day

It's time for Mili Mondays! Today's writer is Michelle from "Annoyed Army Wife"

It was the dreaded D Day…deployment day.  OccDoc and I got a hotel almost on post the night before.  We spent most of the night talking and snuggling (awwww).  My mom met us in the morning to head on post.  I was dressed in a causal summer dress with a really excellent jean jacket over it and my mom was in a colorful skirt, we, apparently, overdressed.  As per usual, OccDoc was left out of the loop on things and didn’t really know where to go.  Fortunately, it was early Sunday morning and we followed someone to the bag drop area.  OccDoc dropped off his crap and my mom and I screwed around in the car.  OccDoc went inside to draw his weapon and whined about it.  After he finished whining about having to carry around a rifle all day one of the First Sergeants walked up to him and said, “Sir, I promise not to cut on anybody, if you promise not to shoot nobody” despite the glaring grammatical errors a deal was stuck.  

We hung out in a big open garage for a couple of hours.  OccDoc saw one of the other officers and decided he couldn’t avoid him and said hi.  Upon meeting OccDoc for the very first time a couple of months ago this officer told OccDoc every single medical condition he’d ever had in great detail.  This guy is nothing short of a walking disaster.  If being medically-challenged isn’t bad enough he is severely socially challenged.  Prompting my mom to whisper to OccDoc, “What is wrong with that guy?”  OccDoc and I wondered off in an unsuccessful search of a pop machine so OccDoc could get a bottle of water and left my mom unattended in the large garage.  She was armed with a camera taking blurry photos of rifles sitting next to teddy bears and some women in sweatsuits to mock later.  Apparently, the weirdo officer was running around repeating, “Too much fun” in a giddy voice.  My mom does not pull punches and truly wears her heart (and discontent) on her sleeve.  After Officer Weirdo walked by her repeating his manta my mom must have pulled a face.  A nearby single soldier sitting on the ground saw it and busted out laughing.  

A few minutes after we returned to the garage there was a mass exodus; my mom said she didn’t know what was going on, so we followed the crowd.  The soldiers were herded onto a bus and my mom and I walked to the car and positioned ourselves behind the bus since we had no clue where it was headed.  A few minutes later we pulled up to the gym were the ‘ceremony’ was to be held.  My mom and I grabbed a couple of seats behind the roped off area.  OccDoc found a babysitter for his rifle and headed over to hang out with us.  He made a quick, (Ha! Yeah right!) call to his parents to say goodbye; the call lasted 15 minutes and OccDoc barely got a word in edgewise with his mother.  He handed the phone off to me since he didn’t need it anymore and didn’t want to take it with him.  

We sat for about an hour.  My mom kept laughing at a young soldier who opened his bag no less than 3 times each time producing a candy bar.  “What?  Butterfinger?  He just ate a Snickers bar!  He’s going to eat all his snacks before he gets on the plane.”   I felt a pang in my chest – I forgot to pack OccDoc snacks for the plane.  I hadn’t even thought about it.  OccDoc and I decided to venture outside.  I had to walk around the building in my 3 inch wedge sandals to meet him in the quarantine area.  We stood next to a young soldier joking with his buddies – they were punching and kicking each other in the balls.  I told OccDoc to remember this guy’s face because I’m sure he’d see him in sick call with swollen testicles.  OccDoc giggled.  Fifteen minutes later there was a quiet announcement, “If you’re deploying get back inside.”  I made my way back inside against the crowd streaming out the doors.  OccDoc was standing by my mom giving her a hug.  “I guess it’s time,” he said to me.  We hugged and kissed.  I said, “See you later.  I love you, buttercup.”  And OccDoc replied,”I love you, too, baby.”  I slapped him on the ass as he turned away and I headed out the door with my mom.  

I stood in the parking lot slightly dazed with my mom.  And she said, “Now what?”  “I think it’s over, Mom.  I think we go home now.”  “WHAT?  It can’t be over!  There wasn’t even a bugle or drum in there.  I can’t believe that’s IT!  No fanfare or ANYTHING!”  I looked around at the women bawling and hugging each other.  Yup, it’s over.  No bugles or drums.  No color guard.  No presentation of any sort.  No real announcement.  It was over.  We walked to the car and headed to lunch.  A few days later I asked OccDoc if we missed something or if there was another gathering we failed to attend.  He said no and that it was all very confusing; I was glad he was confused, too.  I was secretly glad for the confusion which must have superseded any other emotion I felt at the time.  Without the confusing I would have been a mess, but with the confusion, I was just, well, for lack of a better word, confused.  We can only hope homecoming is less confusing…

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From the Wifey

Nights are always the worst when he's away. I do fine all day especially now I have something to keep me busy. Then the sun goes down & I start trying to relax and get ready for bed and it seems no matter how tired I am, I just can't sleep. I love being in dreamland when he's away because I feel that while I'm dreaming of him, I'm the closest I can be to him. I seem to be able to sleep better in the living room rather than in our bed. So I've come to the conclusion that either I will be sleeping in the living room for the whole time he is gone, or I'm gonna have to get an extra hubby to stash in the bedroom to help me sleep at night. JUST KIDDING! maybe just a blow up doll or something?

I apologize for being pretty much non existent in this world lately, but I'm trying to learn how to juggle everything at once, and I know it will get even harder to juggle once he comes home. I really miss all my bloggy friends, and I promise even if I haven't been commenting, I've been reading a few of your posts and trying to keep up. I found a few of the poems I wrote for my love while we were dating, we used to have these little conversations, I guess is what you would call it, where he would write something for me, and I'd write something back in response and it would continue back and forth. It was amazing, now of course he's on the ship so he doesn't have as much time for that stuff. There are many more to come, but for now a couple of my favorites, they bring back such memories!

"Home"

Fall in love with me

We'll hold each other up

Learn to fly with me

Our wings will set us free

As you make love to me 

Drown me in your passion

Melt with me

As we become each other's fantasy

Give yourself to me

Encompass me in your embrace

Without you I'm alone

With you is where I belong

Wherever you are is the place I will call home.

"Words"

I may have an old soul
but you fuel the fire that keeps it alive
I may have skin that you can't help but touch
but you've got magic in your hands I can't get enough of
I may have eyelids you love to kiss,
and a smile that brings you bliss
but you've got WORDS that I find myself getting lost in
So much so I forget, you need words too
So I hope these words bring you peace
In knowing how much I love you at least
You are my world, my everything, my sky
I can't see me without you in my life

"My Second Heart"

Once upon a time you gave me a red tulip
So I kissed you passionately with my two lips

That's when I knew you were an angel in disguise
Though I couldn't see your wings with my two eyes

When you told me the tulip was the symbol of perfect love
I knew you were the fairytale prince I had been dreaming of
Later that night my heart did these little zips
The first time you placed your two hands upon my two hips

The next day I was wondering why God gave us two of all these parts
and then gave us only one heart...

Love is the meaning of life in which we search for our soul mate
To whom once found the rest of our life we dedicate
True happiness is found where we end, not where we start
When I found you I found my second heart

Thursday Five

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You know what time it is! It's time for Thursday Five! I know I've been pretty much non existent here in the bloggy world lately, but for good reason. I'm so happy so many have caught on to Thursday Five, it's a great way to reflect on your week, which for those of us who are military especially can be important to help see the good in what only seem to be bad days. So all you need to do is list five things throughout the last week that have made you feel one or all of the five words below. Then come back here to link up so everyone can share! Make sure you grab the button for your post as well.

Main Entry: hap·pi·ness 
Pronunciation: \ˈha-pē-nəs\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century

1: a pleasurable or satisfying experience

Main Entry: glee 
Pronunciation: \ˈglē\
Function: noun
Date: before 12th century

1 : exultant high-spirited joy

Main Entry: ex·u·ber·ant

Function: adjective

1: joyously unrestrained and enthusiastic

Main Entry: proud

Pronunciation: prau̇d

Function: adjective
Date: before 12th century

1: vigorous, spirited 

Main Entry:  gid·dy

Pronunciation: gi-dē\

Function:adjective

Date: 14th century 

1: lightheartedly silly

Here are my five for the week:

First this video makes me smile thinking about how excited I will be when my love comes home, we have little nicknames for each other, he's my Daddycakes & I'm his Wifey Buns. So he loves when I play this song for him.

My jewelry has continued to grow over the last week & I have gotten many offers and suggestions lately that I am very excited about. I will post more about these later.

Tonight I am having a get together at my apartment for a fellow military wife, blogger, and great friend who's husband left for the big D a few days ago. She's very torn up over it and she needs all the support she can get. I have a special surprise for her and I can't wait to see all the girls.

I got a surprise phone call last night. We don't talk on the phone much when he is away, we mostly rely on email. I got to hear his voice for about 15 minutes which is the longest since he left.

My previous post "From the Hubby" was probably the highlight of my week. I know I brag about "his words" all the time, but I really don't know where I'd be without them. His words really help me through the roughest of times.

From the Hubby

 ( Old picture from the barracks, he was modeling his new Express tie.)

Got the most amazing goodnight email from my Daddycakes tonight, damn I miss him.

Here you are my love hope to hear form you baby mu-ah! sweet dreams and here is a Lil something to soothe the heart ache of love apart! MUUUAAAH!


"A pointless game"

His busy body, busy mind
rampant and racing for something to fill his time

To occupy the space where his wife had filled his mind
For now they're only heart aches;
Reminders of what he left behind

And as one task is completed another takes it's place;
So that all his days are hurried; his mind at fevered pace

And his body needs be busy?!
So he pushes pulls and strains!
As if to rid his mind of her heavenly sweet name

And as he lay in bed weary from the day
He thinks himself a fool;
Playing a pointless game!
For all the while he toiled
His motivation was...
And is her name!

Teary eyed and quiet
A grin slowly grips his face
As he marvels at his revelation
"That it took a woman for this man to learn his place!"

                                               

Your never far from thought my Love
Know this
And know that you set you set my heart aflame!

 

                                            - your hubby

 

Mili Mondays: Welcome Home

I didn't have a writer for Mili Mondays this morning the schedule got confused, it was my fault. So instead I thought I'd write about the homecoming I I have been so busy helping out with. Yesterday was the official day & it was amazing to see so much support & watch the ship pull in with all the sailors lined up. It makes my tummy all queasy becuase I just think it's so amazing to watch.

I went with Brittney from A Day in the Life of a Navy Wife to welcome her husband home from his deployment. It was an awesome adventure. I'm kind of torn at the same time though because it was so hard to leave knowing that mine wasn't coming home yet. I know we only have a few more weeks but it's still so hard, because it just got me thinking about the back to back deployments we have coming up and how in our first two years of marriage we will already be going through our second one. I'm really missing him today, haven't really heard from him in a couple of days so it's starting to get rough. I took photos for Miss Brittney today it was great to see her so happy as I pointed to her husband and she went running toward him, jumped & gave him the biggest hug. I love seeing couples reunited and this one was really special because I had been helping her through the whole thing, from decorating and getting her house ready, all the way to the very end last minutes of waiting impatiently for them to open the gates and let us out on the pier. These are my favorite pictures from the homecoming, it was an amazing day & I'm so excited that he is home safely and they can finally start their lives together after such a long time of being apart.

Here's her adorable dress hanging just begging to be worn, she picked out such a cute dress, and I did her jewelry to match, she looked so pretty. I even did her manicure the night before. Then we sat down to finish up the decorations & talked until one in the morning.

When I got there in the morning she had already hung the sign and was ready to go, we are both still new to the area so we got a little mixed up getting to base, but it wasn't to bad.

We waited for around three hours before the ship finally started coming around the corner, everyone started screaming and I wasn't even waiting on anyone but I was so excited, how can you not be it's such an awesome experience.

 

This was my favorite part, I love seeing all the sailors lined up on the deck just waiting to get off, I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to be so excited to be home but not be allowed to move or wave at your loved ones.  We waited very impatiently for what Brittney kept saying felt like 10 years.

 

 Then finally they opened the gates and everyone went running to their sailor...

I am so happy for them, it's been a long time since they've been together. They will celebrate their one year anniversary in just two weeks. They spent their ENTIRE first year of marriage apart. I can't wait til I get to go and welcome my love home. Those few seconds when you first get to touch him, are the happiest times in the life of any military couple.

Thursday Five

Good morning everyone! It's time for Thursday Five again & I've got a lot to be thankful for this week! Some of you may still not know what I'm talking about if you're new to my blog. Thursday five is this awesome little thing I do every Thursday, all you have to do is list five things that go with the words posted below. It's a great way to reflect upon your week, especially if it wasn't so great. It will teach you to find the good in every situation. So let's get started! I use the online dictionary which gives me different words to use every week, here are the words for this week...

Main Entry: ¹ec·stat·ic 
Pronunciation: \ek-ˈsta-tik, ik-ˈsta-\
Function: adjective
Date: 1590

: of, relating to, or 

marked by ecstasy

Main Entry: ¹gay 
Pronunciation: \ˈgā\
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century

1 a : happily excited : merry

Main Entry: ¹gid·dy 
Pronunciation: \ˈgi-dē\
Function: adjective

2 a : lightheartedly silly

Entry Word: happy
Function: adjective

Meaning: experiencing pleasure, 

satisfaction, or delight

Entry Word: content
Function: adjective

Meaning: feeling that oneʼs needs 

or desires have been met

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Now that you know the words all you have to do is make your list & then include the button in your post & come back here to link up using the linky at the bottom so everyone can share their list!

ONE. I have sold $400 in jewelry orders just since my love left.

TWO. I met tons of awesome new friends this week.

THREE. I've been driving all by myself, I'm so proud!

FOUR. I got my baby fix in for the week by babysitting Navy Doll's adorable kiddos.

FIVE. I cannot tell you  just how excited I am to take professional pictures with Daddycakes.

Craziness

I have been so insanely busy, I feel like I'm losing my blog! I normally blog everyday, but this jewelry has become a full time job lately! It's been so crazy I've got tons of new stuff up though, make sure you check out my other blog:

For those of you who don't know, I make military jewelry, everyday jewelry, custom jewelry, & just started doing high school spirit jewelry as well! Go check it out or you can find me on facebook just look up Gambizzle Jewels.

Anyway, I am having a great week, I have been so busy time is flying by and he will be home sooner than I know. I've been trying to get some things ready for when he comes home. I've put in an order to have wedding rings custom made through a friend of our back home. I am so excited about that. We never got real rings because we got married on a whim. I also have started trying to schedule a photo shoot to get professional pictures taken when he comes home, I don't have any really great ones of him in uniform & so that is so exciting for me! I will be going with a new found great friend Miss Brittney for her husband's homecoming & I can't wait because she will be wearing custom jewelry I made her & I can't wait to see the happiness between them when he arrives! I will be taking their pictures! I gotta get back to work super busy, just wanted to show you guys some love & thank you all who have helped to keep me busy these last couple of weeks!

Evermore Thanks

So today I had one of the worst days I've had in a long time. I won't get into to many details because it's not what I want to focus on. It was one of those days where even the little things seem to be going wrong. I had to stop myself & think about all the good in my life. I went to a get together tonight where I met four new wives that I had talked to on facebook before, but never actually met. We had an amazing time together & I realized that I have developed some of the best relationships of my life since becoming a Navy wife. I talked a lot about my husband, we all did really. We talked about how we met, and how they proposed, and how great they all are. 

I was thinking about just how much I love my husband no matter how many tears I may shed, how many lonely nights I spend, how many bad days I have without him, there is nothing in the world that I would trade it for. He is my angel, he has brought me to an amazing place in life & I cannot thank him enough. He literally is my rock. I have needed someone like him in my life for a long time & God finally decided it was time to give him to me. I can never repay him for the strength he has given me, the wonderful life he has provided me, or the love he has shown. I will however be there no matter what to support him in everything he does, til death do us part. 

I started writing this intending to tell you about what I feel has been one of the most important days of my life.  I want to start sharing our most memorable stories with ya'll. I have blogged about it before, but it was when I very first started & I don't think I did it justice. The day I am talking about is August 2, 2009. It was the third night after I met my Daddycakes. He asked me out to dinner & told me to meet him at his parents house at seven. When I arrived, I walked up to the front door and glanced over to the side where I saw him standing with a single red Tulip. Red is my favorite color, it's the color of passion & love. The Tulip was beautiful, he had even tied a pretty, curly, red ribbon around the stem. It was so sweet. I had been in bad relationships before & thought he was going out of his way to do just this. Little did I know that I had discovered one of the most romantic men to walk this earth. 

He drove us to this little Italian restaurant called Valentino's. We sat down & ordered two glasses of wine, then he said "I have a story to tell you." I listened completely in awe of the way he spoke. He said "The story goes like this, Once there was a princess names Shirin, she was beautiful. There was a young man named Farhad who was deeply in love with her, but she was a princess and he was forbidden to marry her because he was not  royalty. So one day he went to her father, the king, desperate for a chance to have his daughters hand. Her father said he would give the boy a chance, but first he had to complete a task, he was to dig a canal that was six leagues long by himself. This was a task that would take him years to complete, he said he didn't care he would do anything to have his daughter as his wife. So the boy worked day after day for years, until he completed this canal. Once the king heard that he had finished he sent word to Farhad that the princess had been killed. Farhad was so heartbroken, and overcome with such unbearable grief, that he threw his axe into the air, it came back down striking & killing him. It is said that in every place a drop of blood was shed, a red Tulip sprung from the ground. To this day the red Tulip symbolizes the perfect love. So I was trying to decide what kind of flowers to get you and I decided you only needed one, this one." 

By the end of this story I was crying at the dinner table. This was the exact moment I knew I was in love. I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life in his arms. This day has been a very important part of my life because any time we are apart, he always tells me goodnight or ends his email by saying "Look for me in your dreams my love, I'll be the guy with the Tulip." These words alone have gotten me through many hard times. 

I kept that Tulip he gave me that night, it's the very first page in our scrapbook & the most important. Anytime I need a boost All I have to do is open the book & there it is, reminding me of why I make the sacrifices I do.

Mili mondays: Power of Positivity

It's time for Mili Mondays again! This week I have an amazing writer for you all.  I have seen countless military significant others who seem to get down when their man goes away. This is normal I am even guilty of it as you all know. there is nothing wrong with being down the first few days or so after he leaves, but the way to be a happier you is by staying positive. So I asked "Wife on a Roller Coaster" to write a segment for you all about staying positive while he is away. I think it will benefit us all & I hope you enjoy it! As always thanks so much for taking time to read the writings of my guest bloggers. 

 

The Power of Positivity

“You never know how strong you are until being 

strong is the only choice you have.” 

- Unknown

Deployments are agonizing, aren’t they?  We send our husbands off to do a job that most people don’t understand.  We’re left at home to worry about their safety and wonder when we’ll get a phone call.  We ride an emotional roller coaster of loneliness, anger, resentment, fear, sadness, and frustration.  But despite all of the hardships we endure on the home front, we get through it.  How do we do it?  How do we handle the stress of deployments and come out smiling on the other side?  We all have our theories.  And mine is the power of positivity.

I’m currently in the midst of my husband’s second deployment.  The first deployment was probably the most difficult period of my life.  I didn’t think I’d get through it with my sanity intact.  When my husband informed me of Deployment #2, I vowed not repeat the mistakes I made the first time around.  This deployment is no picnic, but I’m managing it far better.  All I needed was an attitude adjustment.

Throughout Deployment #1, I felt justified to wallow in self-pity.  Did I deserve to feel sorry for myself?  Absolutely.  But what did I gain from it?  Nothing but a downward spiral of negativity.  Flash forward to Deployment #2.  Instead of self-pity, I’m choosing self-empowerment.  Are there days when I feel sorry for myself?  Of course.  But I have a choice in how I view myself.  When I look in the mirror, I don’t see a victim seeking sympathy.  I see a strong woman overcoming a difficult situation.  Whenever I feel that nasty self-pity creeping to the surface, I remind myself of the strength and independence I never knew I possessed until I had to prove it.  Strength will outlast self-pity in any battle of wills.

During Deployment #1, I couldn’t think of a single positive aspect to my husband’s absence.  What could possibly be good about my husband being gone?  But this time, I actually made a list of all the upsides to our separation.  I can follow my own routine.  We’re saving a ton of money.  My housework has decreased.  I have more time to spend with friends.  No snoring!  Sure, I’d trade these things in a second to have my husband home.  But I can’t.  So I have to make the best of it and focus on those upsides.

When Deployment #1 started, I was a full-time student.  My studies kept me busy and kept my mind occupied.  However, after I graduated, I was suddenly a stay-at-home mom with too much time on my hands and not enough distractions.   Now I find ways to stay busy.  I don’t sit around and mope like I did the first time.  I’m using this time to pursue goals I’ve been ignoring for years.  Do you have a hobby you’ve always wanted to try “someday”?  Well, deployment is that someday.  Not only will hobbies prevent you from ruminating, but you’ll also gain a sense of accomplishment.

Another way I maintain a positive outlook is surrounding myself with friends who offer support.  Negativity is contagious, and I try to avoid people who do nothing but complain.  But positivity is contagious as well.  My closest friends raise my spirits instead of bringing me down.  Some of these friends live down the road, women who meet me for lunch and organize play dates for our kids.  Some friends are only as close as the nearest phone, but they’re there when I need to talk.  And other friends are women I’ve never met, women who offer cyberspace support (like you!).  I look back at Deployment #1 and wonder why I didn’t establish a support system. 

Believe me, I know what a challenge it is to remain positive in an overwhelmingly negative situation like deployments.  But it’s not impossible.  And it’s perfectly natural to have bad days.  After all, everyone has rotten days even without the added pressure of deployment.  I’ve seen both the negative and positive side of the coin.  I allowed the first deployment to swallow me whole.  But this second deployment is no match for my strength, independence, optimism, patriotism, and determination.  I am a military spouse.  Hear me roar.

- Wife on a Roller Coaster

Be sure you go check out her blog she is amazing, and grab her button while you are there, it's super cute. Come back next week fir more Mili Mondays, or email me at MrsGambizzle@yahoo.com to be featured yourself!

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I Need You!!!

To please go vote for my picture, as of right now I think I'm in fifth place! PLEASE go vote, all you have to do is add her as a friend, and then click "Like" on my picture. It would mean so much to me if you vote.

Here is the link to go vote for me...

Military Scentsy Contest

This is the picture I entered...

and this is what I could win...

He's My Hero

My husband is my hero. He has provided me with so many great opportunities. I love him times sideways eight. This week although he is gone, has been pretty amazing. I want to thank each and every one of you who have purchased jewelry from me in the last week you have NO idea how it has helped me. I have been so insanely busy keeping up with all the orders that this week has flown by. I am grateful for that, it's been so much easier to keep my mind off of how much I miss him. 

I have been extending my military jewelry collection & I intend to continue doing this. It's my most popular collection & it's amazing how many of you have bought these jewels to show support for your husbands. It means a lot to me all the compliments I have gotten on it. I'm selling out of it like hot cakes so be sure to email me to get your order in! I got a few more weeks to keep busy, so I'll need it! lol Thanks so much girls, here are a few of the new pieces I put out today. My email is MrsGambizzle@yahoo.com if you are interested in purchasing something from here or a custom one of a kind piece. I know most of the stuff I have is Navy related but I promise to have more for other branches soon!

Anchor & black glass earrings

Strength & anchor necklace

Integrity & anchor necklace

Passion & anchor necklace

Discipline & anchor neclace

Focus & anchor necklace can be customized with any color crystal

 

Honor & anchor necklace (I also have courage)

I love my hero button charm bracelet

I love my soldier vintage charm bracelet

Check out Gambizzle Jewels on facebook for more!

Please be so kind!

I've entered a contest on face book, sort of a cutest couple kinda thing. The prize is one of those fabulous military warmers from Scentsy! So would you please, please go vote for me. I know you all have facebook & you guys are always saying how we are the most adorable couple! hehe So I would really appreciate your votes. All you have to do is go here:

Military Contest

just add her as a friend (you can always delete it later, I won't tell) then click "like" on my picture, it's very easy & won't take but a minute. Please make sure you click like though comments don't count as a vote!  

Voting starts tomorrow!

Gambizzle Jewels Sale

Today has been fairly uneventful I slept in due to the loudest neighbors ever who had their video games blaring so loud I could hear everything that was going on all the way down here in my bedroom! I have decided to postpone the Scentsy giveaway I'm having and it will be re-held at the end of the month on Flip Flops & Combat Boots. All of you who have entered will still be included so No worries!

I wanted to tell you all about a sale I am having on jewelry. I have tons of new stuff out and you can see all the pictures here on Gambizzle Jewels fan page.  

Please go check it out, since my love is gone it's the only thing keeping me sane. I'm still offering the 10% military discount on all items. 

The current sale that's going on is for any orders over $50.00 I will take $10.00 of the entire order. This includes custom orders as well. 

I have also decided to continue the BOGO earrings! So buy any pair of earrings (even custom ones) and get a second pair of your choice for FREE!!!

These two offers can't be combined though. I have been working hard to take new pictures, here are a few items that are new this week, ,please email me for prices due to all the discounts they will be different for everyone. My email is MrsGambizzle@yahoo.com.

Homecoming Jewelry:

I have also started doing custom homecoming jewelry to match the dress you will wear when he comes home! I just finished an order a couple days ago. Please email me for more details on this, it has become my favorite, I'm super excited some of you will be wearing my jewelry the first time you see him!

( Read more HERE!)