Handy Roomates!!

Our hard work!! :)

I can't remember the exact dates, but my friend Michelle moved in with me in the middle of February. Her husband was also on the USS Enterprise and is friends with Alex. When they sold their house soon after the deployment started, she moved in with me since I had an extra room. I couldn't have asked for a better roommate. After she moved in, I was joking with Alex that Michelle could win husband of the year. She takes out the trash, does dishes, cooks dinner, etc. :) He didn't find that very funny, but she really was helpful and it was so nice not to come home to an empty house and have some one around that knew EXACTLY what I was going through.

Soon after she moved in, Michelle was telling her husband, who told my husband, who told me that Michelle thought my house looked like a bachelor pad. (what a way to communicate, eh?) I wasn't offended by that statement at all, because I knew exactly what she was talking about. I just put her to work! One evening we put up a few shelves, a sconce and even some vinyl lettering. It was quite an adventure figuring out the cordless drill and dry wall screws. Michelle had a little bit more knowledge about it than I did. Her husband had taught her well. She also helped me clean out my pots and pans and silverware so now they all match better. We had a fun night putting a girly touch on my house. It's starting to feel a little bit more like home!

Valentines Day 2011

Valentines Day is one of those holidays that can be tough and unfair without a special some one by your side. Or in my case, I do have some one VERY special, but we had to be thousands miles apart. After all the dreading I did about this Valentines day that would have to be spent alone, I still had a couple things that brought a smile to my face. :)
Here is the first thing that had me showing my pearly whites. My awesome visiting teacher had thought about me and brought me a cute little plate of goodies. It made me feel special and those delicious treats you see pictured are actually mini cheesecakes!! How cute is that!?! Thanks for making me feel special, Kendy!

And my wonderful husband ALWAYS finds some way to make me smile. A friend of Alex's was flown off the USS Enterprise right before Valentines day and when I picked his friend up from the airport he had a little package from Alex for me. In it was a Turkish Sultan's puzzle ring and a handwritten note. I don't know if you can tell from the picture above, but it's actually a flower ring that you can put together and take apart like a puzzle. The note had said something like "this ring may only fit on your pinky, but it's the only flower I will be able to give you this Valentines Day." I wish I had a picture of the ring all put together but I haven't been able to put the "puzzle" back together since it came apart when I bumped it while taking clothes out of the dryer! But I absolutely love the ring and he couldn't have chosen a better gift!! I am one lucky girl!!! :)

Under the Knife

A lot of my friends have been asking what surgery I had and how everything went. So I thought I would spell it all out here for everyone. I went in early Friday morning for laproscopic surgery to investigate some fertility issues. I had a test done called an HSG that indicated that one of my fallopian tubes might be blocked. So the doctors wanted to go in and take a closer look.
I was nervous the morning of the surgery, but I don't think I was as nervous as my dad was. He went with me since Alex wasn't able to. I was so grateful to have him there. He sat by me and talked with the doctors. He took care of all my belongings and my dog. And Phyllis was a real big help with all of that too. I am a very lucky girl to have them here.
They took me in to pre op and the nurse anesthetist was really nice. He explained exactly what he would be doing and I felt at ease. The doctor also came in and spoke with my dad and I again about what they were going to be doing. Basically, they took a camera and inserted it into an incision they made near my belly button. The looked around and did find that my left fallopian tube is blocked. At least that is what I heard afterwards. The last thing I remember in the operating room is them strapping my arms down and that was it. I woke up to them telling me to stand up and get in a chair. I had to sit in the chair and drink some soda and they had to make sure I could walk and pee before I could be discharged. I was in such a fog from the drugs they had given me and I hated it. I don't know how anybody can like that feeling. After I passed all their requirements, they put me in a wheelchair and sent me out to the car. It all happened relatively quickly. I was on the operating table at 0730 and home by 1130.
So far the recovery has gone well. I have been sleeping and my dad and Phyllis have continued to take care of me. My dad brought me every meal in bed. Speaking of meals, my wonderful visiting teacher was nice enough to bring dinner on Friday night. Lasagna and salad and even Oreo ice cream for dessert. It was delicious and not to mention extremely kind.
I would have to say a very big highlight in all of this is that Alex was able to call and check on me. I haven't been able to talk to him on the phone since the 23rd of last month. It was so great to hear his voice. I started crying when we went to say goodbye and it was a quick goodbye because Alex said he would have started crying, too. I was so glad I got to talk to him. I just miss him so much.
As for what the results mean for us, I am not really sure. Not only is one of my tubes blocked, but they also found mild endometriosis. They didn't remove anything, so for now, I don't really know what this means for us. I will probably find out at my post op appointment. I am sure they didn't want to discuss our baby making options while I was still as doped up as I was. All I know right now is the old saying there is more than one way to skin a cat. I really believe that we are going to be parents someday, come hell or high water.
I also wanted to thank everyone for all your kind words and prayers. It really means a lot to us and I think it is due to all of that, that I am recovering so well. My in-laws and all my close friends have really been a force to rely on lately and I can't express enough thanks to them. I love you and miss you. Thanks again.

Josh Turner-The Longer the Waiting

Right after Alex and I started dating is when I first heard this song. I thought it was so sweet and touched my heart. I never thought it would mean as much as it does to me now. Now it really hits home. The video that they put with it is beautiful. I laughed and cried all the way though it.
This past week and a half we have had an up-close-and-personal encounter with the down sides to military life. It has been disheartening, discouraging, and just plain unfair. But I want the whole world to know, and especially my husband to know that I am incredibly proud to say that I am the wife of not only an amazing man, but an amazing military man. Even if the Navy at this point it time might not view him as what they want him to be, he is exactly what he should be. An honest, admirable, kind man. I love you, Alex. And until you take off that uniform for good, whenever that might be, I will ALWAYS stand up and say "I am a Sailor's sweetheart!!"

Insomnia

"I know I keep saying it, but I really can’t believe how big this has become. This investigation is ruining so many lives and careers. It is sad. I am sitting here shaking as I am typing not knowing what is going to come. I don’t really know how to react to this. Just a week ago our lives were so steady and on track and everything seemed to be more or less perfect. And now I feel like everything has just been turned upside down and thrown into a blender. I can’t believe it. I really don’t want to be mad at this kid, but I can’t help but be upset at how this entire ordeal is turning out. I mean, I can’t really say that what was going on was right, but it is what it is. It’s like a culture. I mean I went through at least as much as this guy claims to have gone through. And I never would have even thought to bring it up. I don’t mean to try and justify what has been going on because I guess he felt like he was legitimately hazed. I don’t want this to sound cliché or anything, but all this is like a male bonding thing. I understand that the navy wants to be professional and everything. But Big Navy doesn’t seem to understand that this is so much bigger than a job. It’s a family. I mean I have spent more time on this boat and with these people than I have with you. And I am not even counting the time before you and I were together. I don’t know if I am making any sense right now, or if I am just spouting out random sentences. I think that I am going to cut this off right now. I love you so much. I can’t wait to be back together."

This is an excerpt from one of Alex's emails. It kind of sums up what our lives have become in the last week. Just a lot of shock, disbelief, and uncertainty. My mind is racing, and my chest aches. I just wish I could wake up and this would just be one big nightmare that will go away. But this incident is going to impact us for the rest of your lives.......

Military Life

As a Military wife, I am well aware of all the benefits that we get to enjoy. We get great health care, my husband gets paid time off, and the pay isn't so bad. But yesterday our eyes were opened to a downside of the life of service. The Military absolutely owns you. You are government property, and your family just has to adjust accordingly. This wouldn't be so bad, but sometimes they give you no warning or notice of things that can effect every aspect of your life.
As some of you are aware, we got orders to got to Oklahoma City for recruiting. Recruiting wasn't our first choice, but because the engineer didn't really like Alex, he wouldn't sign off on his orders to go to prototype. We came to terms with our recruiting assignment. Alex was very grateful to be getting off the USS Enterprise and missing the deployment. I was also excited that he wouldn't have to leave me for 8 months and that I have to opportunity to find a new job myself.
But in one day, it all changed. And we don't know how much it has changed, just that it has. So we are in limbo. They gave Alex four hours notice to get ready to leave on deployment for who knows how long. He could be gone for 10 days, or the worst case scenario, his orders could be cancelled and he could be gone for the whole deployment!! He was completely checked out of the boat except for one signature, so now on this deployment, he has no job, no bed, no locker or any of that because he wasn't supposed to be going. Alex couldn't even express to me how angry or upset he was and I felt so terrible for him.
Now we are just playing to waiting game. Until we know how long he is going to be gone, I can't really do anything to get us ready for the move. I am just confused, frustrated, and at a loss for what to do. Well, I guess the only thing I can do is "hurry up and wait."
I know I haven't really given a lot of details on why he had to leave on the deployment so suddenly. Those details don't really matter in the long run. It is just a whole big mess that has been blown out of proportion.
I guess this post was to keep people updated, but also allow me to vent a little bit. I think once I have gotten it all out, I can better put it into perspective. I guess it's just going to be one day at a time. Until then, I miss you Butthead.

Christmas 2010

Alex, Me, Michelle, and Rob

My Halloween posts were late, so I guess it makes sense that my Christmas post is late too. We had a very quiet Christmas this year. It was just so nice to be home together and neither one of us had to work.
On Christmas Eve we were supposed to have a big dinner with a few of our friends, but Rob and Michelle were the only ones able to come. We missed the ones who couldn't make it, but it was nice to just have to four of us. (more food just for us!) That night I made a ham for the first time, which turned out better than I thought. I also made wilted lettuce salad and funeral potatoes. The potatoes were a hit, but I messed up on the salad. Thank goodness my friends and husband are nice and at it anyway.
After dinner we played games, played the kinnect, and listed to some Christmas music. The Ostrowski's didn't stay too late because they wanted to celebrate on their own.
So Alex and I decided to watch a movie and stay up till after midnight to open our presents. That's how all my family does it down in Florida. They always get together and open presents on Christmas Eve. I am surprised we stayed awake through all of the Chronicles of Narnia movie, but it was worth it.
Of course, I got spoiled and Alex didn't make out too badly either. My husband knows me so well, and he puts a lot of thoughts into his gifts. I love it!!
Christmas day, was also pretty laid back. We went out to Phyllis' house and had a very yummy Christmas dinner. We took Bridgette with it and she absolutely loves it out there. It was fun to see her play with my dad's puppies too! After dinner we just came home and lounged around (which is our favorite thing to do!)
All in all, it was a great holiday. I got exactly what I wanted which was to spend it with my wonderful husband!!