Come and Gone

Well, R&R has come and gone...and now I am alone again. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my kiddo but it's just not the same after 800 pm when he goes to bed. I like settling in and watching my missed shows or catching up on laundry or dishes or whatever was pushed to the side while he was awake. However, I miss knowing my hubby is here and knowing he'll be here in the morning. It sucks! I have several friends and a couple of really good friends in the area that I talk to or with or listen to but it's just not the same. I'm not undermining these relationships and what's great is that these women know that because they, too, are in the same situation. We laugh, bitch, cry, talk about everything...or nothing. It's the Army way of life.

Back to R&R - he arrived on Jan. 31 in the late afternoon after several days and delays but none of that mattered once he came through the doorway. I'm sure there were other people coming off the plane but quite frankly he's the only one I remember. We did my usual day to day stuff until that weekend when we went into the mountains to go skiing. Well, one of us went skiing. Bucky got sick so I stayed with him while Buck enjoyed the slopes. We figured out the next day that Keystone is not small child friendly. After getting off the 2nd shuttle (yes 2nd), we realized it was another 15 minute walk...in the snow...wearing ski boots...carrying Bucky...and our equipment. Needless to say that Buck turned to me and said "I'm exhausted"...to which I replied "Then let's go home." I wanted to try to ski again after my big catastrophe last year but there was no way I was going to kill myself or torture my kiddo to get there. Bucky was upset later that he didn't get to ski but while there he decided "I don't like see-in (skiing)."

We continued to enjoy some activities around town and dinners out so that he could enjoy eating whatever he wanted while he was here. We (hubs and I) even got to enjoy a couple of nights by ourselves. My good friend Lisa was kind enough to watch Bucky for a couple of nights while we enjoyed a bed & breakfast. Her kiddos and mine enjoy playing together and everything turned out fine. All in all we had a good, relaxing time...until the reality that it was quickly coming to an end started to catch up to us. We both saw ourselves pulling apart but we couldn't do anything about it. We are just the type of couple who push away when imminent separation is rapidly approaching. It doesn't mean that we love each other any less...it just means that's how we cope with it. We made the best of our time together and can't wait until he is home for good.

I Finally Did It!!

Buck has been after me to at least try skiing. So, on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, I gave in. We headed to Loveland at about 700 after picking up our friends Will and Jackie. Bucky had his ski equipment and I was on my way to lessons. I had intended to take ski lessons but I joined Jackie for snowboarding lessons instead. I wanted to do both so I just figured I'd join her so I'd know someone in the class. Well, the lessons were all good until those dreaded words "Now let's get on the lift and head up the mountain." I think my response was "I'm sorry...what?" and "I think I'm gonna throw up." I was able to get on the lift just perfectly after being hit by the chair in front because the guy had me too close to the lift but this was followed by me falling on my arse at the top of the mountain. The fall was only a small sign of things to come. I fell about 10-15 times on the first run and we were tempted not to go back for another run...but we did. We were assured this time we would fall forward rather than backward. What a lie!! I fell yet again when getting off the lift and landed directly on my tailbone, bruising it. I confirmed this a few times when I did, in fact, fall backwards a couple more times. Our instructor didn't want me to seriously injure myself so he pretty much held my hands the whole way down the mountain. We went inside for lunch and then Bucky fell asleep at the table. The AM skiing wore him out. I talked Buck into going back up for more runs after convincing him that I was done for the day since I could barely sit down. I did, in fact, bruise my tailbone and mildly injure my wrists/hands from falling too much. I got to see Bucky ski and everyone had a great time. Hopefully next time, I'll be able to stay vertical long enough to enjoy snowboarding :)

Ready to Go!

Snowboarding Lessons

Naptime and Watching for Daddy

Skiing down a small hill for the first time by himself.

Going Skiing with Daddy

Will and Buck very happy after final, and very fast run

Jackie on the way home