An Addition to the Family!

I wonder who even reads my posts anymore.....my sporadic posting has dwindled down to practically non existent. So what's been going on with me?

I guess the major new thing is we got a dog.

His name is Mickey and he's a total sweetheart (most of the time)

So there's that. He's a handful, and I'm definitely adjusting to having a big dog instead of a tiny one. That being said, he certainly thinks he's a lap dog who fits in teeny spaces he has no business squeezing into. He's also really funny, does silly things and keeps me company when Sailorman is away at work. Despite the fact that he was a surprise (we rescued him) I'm glad he's now in our lives. 

I say that we rescued him because in my mind we did. He wasn't a shelter dog, or a pound dog. We got him through one of Sailorman's buddies in the shop. Mickey is 18 months old give or take, and was being trained as a hunting dog. No matter what the original owner did, nothing helped with the training to be a hunting dog. So, the original owner called up Justin, Sailorman's shop buddy, to help him out with training. Justin had him for a week and couldn't do a thing with him. His original owner then said that he was going to shoot him, because he was "useless." Justin isn't a mean man, and wanted to find a good home for him, even if he sucks as a hunting dog. That led to bringing him to work one day and asking Sailorman if he wanted a dog for me to have a "companion." 

That meant I got a phone call at 7:30 in the morning asking if I wanted a dog, and about an hour later having two Sailors and a dog in my house. To say that was interesting would be an understatement. Mickey is a sweetie, albeit timid. Not to mention the fact that Mickey is a total princess who gets scared by loud noises......opposite of a hunting dog if you ask me. He also hates guns, ducks and covers if you toss clothes over his head to get in the hamper (thanks Honey for discovering that one for us on his second night) and freaks out if I bang tongs against a pan too loudly. But he's our dog, and we're working on letting him get more secure in his position in our home. Two weeks in, and he's adjusted well. He still startles easy, but now it's more of a sheepish flinch instead of a cower.

I'm glad we got a dog, even if it is a bit faster on the timetable than I was looking at. Sometimes it is the surprises in life that are the sweetest. I'm glad that this was one of those times. 

Might As Well Jump On: Milspouse Quiz

How did you and your spouse meet?

We met online when I was still living in SoCal and he was stationed in San Diego. We finally met in person about a year later when he was about to move to VA. 

How old were you when you two met?

We were both 21

How long have you been together?

Officially two years together in Oct. Married a little over three months. 

Where are you and your spouse originally from?

I'm from San Francisco, CA and he's from Kansas City, MO

How did you feel about him joining the military?

It wasn't my choice either time lol. He joined when he was 18 and reenlisted last Dec. I do think that he's very happy with his job, which makes me happy. 

Where did your spouse go to Basic Training?

Great Lakes, IL 

Has your spouse ever been deployed?

Yup. He just got back from a seven month deployment in Iraq in Sept. 

Ever been to his promotion ceremony?

Nope. He had just been promoted before we met, and unfortunately didn't make it this last time. Fingers crossed for the next round though! 

How long have you been a military wife?

A little over three months. 

Did you marry him before or after he joined?

After.

How did your husband propose?

*sigh* He's proposed twice: the first time he took me to a beautiful restaurant in KC and asked me if I "wanted to upgrade" my promise ring. Looking back it's funny and semi cute, but at the time I thought that was the stupidest way to propose ever. 

The second time was two days before we were going to get married, we had gone through a lot during his deployment, including almost breaking up. We had been talking about it, he had tears in his eyes and said "Baby, I love you more than anything, during my deployment I got a glimpse of life without you and I never want to experience that again. Will you please marry me?" To say that was perfect would have been an understatement. 

Where did you get married?

Virginia Beach, VA

How old were you two when you got married?

We were both 23

Did he wear his uniform on your wedding day?

Nope. I felt it was important for him not to. I didn't want our wedding to be "NAVY!" if that makes sense. I wanted it to be about us, our marriage. Not the military. 

Where are you and your spouse currently stationed?

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story

Do you live on base?

Nope.

How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation?

We haven't yet actually. It'll be interesting to see how we both handle a "real" separation, not just a duty day. 

What is your favorite base so far?

*shrug* I liked Coronado in SD, Little Creek isn't bad....I'm fond of the commissary there, it's waaay less busy than the other ones nearby!

Does your spouse look good in his uniform?

I think he looks yummy in his cammies, but I personally don't like his blues. I can feel the death stares right now (haha) but I just don't find them all that attractive, on anyone. 

Do you think military life is more advanced than civilian life?

Advanced? I think a lot of people are confused by this question lol. I think that things in the military run a lot faster, you get to know people faster, you get married faster, have kids faster....in some cases divorce faster. Is that a good thing? I think it depends on the person. I know that I'm surprisingly happier with the military life. 

Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent?

Oh yes. I feel really blessed that we have access to the commissary and exchange. I don't buy a lot at the exchange, but knowing it's there is nice. 

Do you have a lot of military wife friends?

I don't have too many friends in general, but in Virginia I mainly only know military wives. 

What is the hardest part of being a military wife?

Not really knowing too much about my husband's job, or even being allowed in the compound. Being married to a secret squirrel means a lot of trust and realizing that you can't know everything. I know that Sailorman tells me as much as he can, and I have to be cool with that. Another part is that we're so far away from both sides of our family....that means it's EXPENSIVE to visit!

Do you own any military wife stuff?

Not really. I have a uniform bag my mom made me, I've taken to using his old command hoodie, and I've stolen Sailorman's Navy sweats that he got issued in Basic. Other than that I don't own anything else. So, technically I don't own anything.....it's all his stuff that I've kind of taken over. 

Do you support your spouse as a member of the military?

Of course I do! I know that this is the life he's dreamed of since the 7th grade, and if he's happy then I'm happy. 

Pillow Talk: Braveheart Edition

My mom got Sailorman Braveheart on BluRay for Christmas. To say he was happy would be an understatement. He watched Braveheart a million times while in Iraq, and has rated it his "all time favorite movie ever."

We sit down to watch the movie, and it gets to the part where his wife gets killed, and William Wallace goes all gangster on their English butts.

Sailorman: You know honey, I don't think that there are enough pointy objects in the house to get the job done if something like that were to ever happen to you.

Me: .......ummm *long pause* awww that's the sweetest, creepiest thing that anyone has ever said to me. I love you too babes.

Sailorman: .....you're a butt you know that right?