Shout out

I know that a lot of what I've been writing lately has been pretty negative. Here is something that is just melt-my-heart positive.

I am amazed by the generosity of strangers. One particular stranger actually. Katie's mom emailed me shortly after I sent all the 4th of July packages to Stryker saying that she had a bunch of beanie babies she wanted to donate for the soldiers to give to the children.

I couldn't believe it. My little blog? It was heartwarming. Tonight she informed me that she has six...SIX large flat rate boxes to send. Not only with beanie babies, but other snacks and goodies as well. Not only that but she also offered kind words of support and encouragement for me. Wow. Most of my friends and family aren't that thoughtful. Thank you. Thank you so much. You have proven to me that there are still wonderful people in the world, willing to do amazing things for strangers.

Wordless Wednesday

Yes that's the printer, no I didn't put her there

Haha

I opened my mailbox today to find a wedding invitation. Postmarked yesterday, for a wedding in 24 days. I will put money on it she called...AGAIN.

I will not even be sending it back. This invite doesn't warrant a response.

Does anyone know?

Sis B recently wrote about being called back to active duty through the individual ready reserve. My husband is in almost the identical boat. He was also stop lossed to finish the deployment as well as the stabilization time afterward.

My question is this...does anyone know what the current involuntary recall policy is? A couple years ago we knew of all kinds of people who got out and then were recalled, but I haven't heard of any that I know lately.

Bonkers

**WARNING - ANOTHER MIL RANT**

I have been thinking about all the issues I've had with her lately and I think I've figured a few things out.

She didn't change when I thought she had. It's just that, when I thought she had changed, Stryker had just deployed for his first tour, and I didn't have nearly as much contact with her as I did before Stryker left. Once Stryker was back from his first tour he was back at his duty station, so I still didn't have much contact with her. Then in that summer we got married and I moved to the duty station as well and whenever she called, she talked to him, so I didn't really ever talk to her. Therefore, she didn't change, I just didn't have to deal with her very often.

Unfortunately, now I'm closer, and by myself, and she happens to be crazy about Fuzz, so I have to deal with her...by myself. She makes me want to move far far away again.

On Wednesday, she emailed me again: Can you email me your address I want to make sure I have it correct- I'm afraid I may have it wrong and gave the wrong address to [the rude happy couple] if you have not gotten their invitation yet.

Honest to Pete, this must have been the 7th time I've given her our address. So I wrote her back: Our address is: [some cute duplex with noisy neighbors] but at this point, I don't even want an invite.

Note how I made sure to say "Our" address, lest she forget this is his home too. :) I haven't heard anything back from her since.

And apparently she was whining to Stryker's sister, either about being worried about not seeing him much during R&R or about not being able to go to the airport to pick him up, because SIL was kind of telling me about it while I was there on Sunday. She is smarter and more mature than her mother, because she gets it. When MIL said (whiny voice) "But I miss him!", SIL said "But mom, he needs to spend time with his family."

I love that girl. Every time I see her I am amazed by how mature she is becoming and what a wonderful young woman she is turning into.

So just for safe measure, I sent MIL the link to this site. I'm hoping she finds this piece. It's the first one posted on the "Army parents" section. Hehe, is that evil?

**END OF RANT**

So...make me feel a little better and tell me: What's your worst in-law story?

Hallelujah!

The dishwasher is fixed.

Is it pathetic that I am so excited about that?

Odds and Ends

I think I have finally settled on a (permanent) layout for my blog. Yay!

In other news, my little list seems to be working. Yesterday I finished packing up the clothes that don't fit Fuzz anymore. It's so good to be able to cross that one off. Her closet and drawers are much more empty (read: more organized).

I'm not sure what I'll tackle next, perhaps the suitcases.

My bloggies get it...

My sister thought my interpretation of my MIL's immaturity and whining was ridiculous. She pretty much even yelled at me. "Oh, stop it, you know that's not what she meant. She just wants Stryker to still be living there."

Um yeah, that's the point.

Knock Knock Knock, Ding Dong

I flew out of bed frantically searching for some pants while my heart was pounding out of my chest. I got to the front door and it was a delivery truck with our new computer desk. Holy crap.

It was 7 something in the morning. I knew they would be coming today, but the delivery was supposed to be between 9 and 5.

I'm still recovering.

Remember, he's 25

And, since I'm in a fightin' mood, a little more venting about my lovely mother-in-law.

A little history: When Stryker and I first got together and I was first getting to know her, I did not like her. She was rude to me. She was brass and didn't think before she spoke. I know we all are guilty of that occasionally but believe me, she is extreme. Remember?

When she realized I wasn't going anywhere, she started to get nicer to me. I thought. Looking back, maybe I just got more used to her ways. Living thousands of miles and an ocean away also helped.

Anyway, now that I'm living closer again, I'm realizing that maybe she hasn't changed after all. Proven by this conversation with Stryker in which she pretty much declares that she wishes I was out of the picture.

MIL: Are you, Kiki, and Fuzz staying in a hotel by us the first night you're home [for R&R]?
S: No, I want to spend my first night at home.
MIL: Ugh. When you get home you should be staying here, this is your home. I forget you have a different home now, I don't like that. Ugh.