September 2009 Archives

My parents are here visiting and the week is flying by so quickly.  Mom and I have been shopping downtown and Dad's been enjoying my electric guitar.  I wish they didn't have to leave so soon. 

Although we've been busy with stuff like play rehearsals & daily schedules, they don't seem to mind just kicking back and relaxing. 

Tomorrow night we're all going to go to dinner at the Irish Pub.  They are celebrating Arthur Guinness Day and Kris would like to drink his three Guinness for a free t-shirt. 

Today we took Dad down for a Pils, while I had an Irish Coffee. 

I'm so glad they came to visit.  I miss them terribly.  They've both spent a good deal of time in Europe, but in 44 years of marriage, they've never been here together. 

I am so blessed to have such a big family.  I even have TWO moms!!!  While I may not always agree with them, I do love them. 

And now, without further ado...

Meet The Parental Units!

Welcome to the world of Quarantined Loki.  Sounds ominous, doesn't it?  Sounds like he's got some fatal disease that will kill you if he so much as looks at you! 

Not so much. 

I don't get people.  I really, really don't.  Loki is a part of our family.  On September 22nd, we were informed we might lose our family member. 

Let me explain. 

This morning, Morgan went to take Loki out before school.  We've recently gotten him working on the Gentle Leader and it makes it easy for all of us to walk him without his Huskian Sled Dog instincts kicking in and kicking our butts.  I can only assume that Morgan accidentally put it on wrong, but mistakes happen and sometimes he's gracious about putting it on and other times he's just not having it. 

Somehow or another, he got out of it.  It was a foggy morning and Morgan and her friends started running after him.  He's a husky.  A husky off a leash is a little nuts.  They like to run.  A lot.  And fast.  He kind of looks like a deer bounding through the grass. 

Now, once they got out of my sight, I'm not sure exactly what happened.  Morgan comes back and tells me that some lady was saying that the MPs would have our dog and we would never see him again.  Morgan, was devastated.  She felt horrible.  She went back out (at this point, late for school) to search for him.  She looked so sad with that leash in her hand. 

This isn't the first time Loki has broken free.  Actually, in THAT respect, he kind of reminds me of Marley from "Marley & Me".  I think people assume huskies are aggressive because they look a little like wolves.  Loki wouldn't hurt a fly.  He's a sweet dog and I wish people would learn that if you see a dog with its tail just a waggin', he probably isn't going to do anything but lick you to death. 

This doesn't mean that I want my dog off his leash.  It scares me to death.  He could be hit by a car or get off post.  It's like seeing one of my children dart out into the street.  Which, to be honest, is a big part of the reason we got the Gentle Leader.  He really can't get out of it if it is put on correctly. 

Anyhow, during this time, an MP shows up at my door.  Says Morgan has Loki and is on her way home with him.  He just needed some info from me and he gave Loki some love as he came home and I figured that was the last of it. 

At 2:45pm, I got a call that kinda made me go "Huh???".  It was my vet.  They needed me to get Loki in there before 3pm.  There was a hint of "or else" in her voice.  I called the school to cancel my Parent-Teacher conference and set off with the Puppers. 

Apparently, while Morgan watched, Loki and another dog were playing.  This same woman who had threatened her earlier, stops her car, gets out and goes over to the dogs.  She then walks back to her car. 

After that, she went to the clinic and reported a "dog bite from a husky".  She had no broken skin, not even any scratch marks from a paw.  Nothing.  BUT...if a dog bite is reported, it gets sent up to the MPs who send it up to the Vet. 

My dog is now in Quarantine for 10 days.  He can go right outside the door to go to the bathroom.  No one but his immediate family can touch him.  If he is approached by another dog or human during this time or gets off his leash and interacts with anyone, he will be put to sleep.  No ifs, ands or buts about it. 

My parents are visiting.  My mother is afraid of a dog's shadow.  She likes Loki.  She's amazed at how well behaved he is.  She said she's just fallen in love with him. 

Yet, here he is.  Quarantined.  QUARANTINED. 

So, Loki has decided to use an assumed name and wear a disguise.  "Not Loki" has been spotted sulking in the kitchen because he can't take his nightly long walk. 



We love you, Loki.  We won't let anything happen to you.  In the meantime, I am here for all the snuggles, face lickings and tasty treats you can handle. 

I have lived a long and full life.  It's been a wild ride and I'm quite certain it's got many loop-de-loops left to spin through.  I would not trade a moment of the life I've lived so far for anything.  I learned lessons, I taught lessons and I'm still learning yet today!!! 

Part of that life has been the "open-book" section.  Actually, all of it has been that way.  From the time I was a toddler walking up to strangers in the mall and scaring the life out of my poor mother to the present. 

The only secrets I keep are the ones given to me in absolute confidence.  You know, personal information about others that is not my business to share.  However, my own business has usually been right out there on the beautifully set dining room table for the whole world to see.  Or, in many cases, read about on the internet. 

I am absolutely who I am.  The good, the bad and the not-so-completely-attractive.  Let me be clear.  I LOVE me!!  The people who matter love me, too. 

In all the good things, there are admittedly some outstanding decisions on my part (please read that dipped heavily in sarcasm and served up on a rusty platter).  I have certainly made mistakes and learned many a hard lesson because of them. 

I spent years rebelling.  Well into adulthood even.  I will probably do so until the day I am unable to speak.  At my age it tends to take more creative forms like writing, acting and singing my heart out at random times. 

If you think for a second that those close to me don't know who I am, then you've made a terrible misjudgment and you might want to consider having your head checked. 

Love & Kisses,
Holly

I wish I had them.  Right now, I'm flying on a wing and a prayer and holding on for dear life.

You see, I have a daughter.  She is so much like me, it's unreal.  It's also heartbreaking. 

She's going through some things right now that I recognize.  It's like looking into the past and watching myself at that age.  I always thought "If only my mother understood."  It doesn't matter.  I *do* understand.  I still can't reach her.  I guess all 14 year old girls think their mothers don't know anything. 

Be strong, baby girl.  This, too, shall pass.  In the meantime, remember that I love you more than anything and even when I get frustrated at not being able to help, I am here.  Don't let go, baby.  Mommy will always be here.

Hoo boy!  It's been a while since I crawled quite so far into my own head.  *Digs out the cobwebs*

I'm not sure when it happened.  I'm not sure why it happened.  At some point in the last couple of weeks I decided I needed to get out.  Get up and moving.  The day the kids started school, my calendar started filling up, I started having to stop by the house to let the dog out and run out again. 

*note: I actually had to GET a calendar.  A large one.  In extreme visibility of me on a regular basis.

So, the current list looks something like this:

• Boys doing Scouts
• Me Volunteering for Scouts
• Joining the PWOC for once-weekly classes. 
  
• Madison doing 4-H
• Morgan and I auditioning for One-Act Plays
• Painting my house
• Involved in working for the FRG
• Possibly attending the German classes if I have time

There's more, but you get the idea.

So, I didn't REALIZE it was going to get quite so nuts so fast.  Last night I got home late and realized it had been that way for a couple of days. 

I'm also considering taking a friend up on the challenge of showing up at the gym at 0500 every morning. 

Now, here's where things get a little odd.  Today I don't have anything till this afternoon.  So I was taking the opportunity to clean some stuff up and give the walls a good once over before I paint them.  I was listening to music and I think I might actually have been "flitting" around the house.  I was singin' and dancin' and having a grande old time. 

It's been not completely unnoticable the last few days that I do find myself getting up and ready to go in the morning but still having thoughts of "I could just not do this" or "I'm really not feeling great.  I should stay home today".  But I've pushed them off and walked out the door anyway. 

I should mention that when I DO actually exit the building, I feel great.  It feels good to be outside, it feels great to be interacting with people.  I don't feel in the slightest like "I wanna go home".  Once I'm actually out there, I'm totally glad to be.  I live in Europe.  I'm surrounded by things to photograph.  There is a lot to do and see and experience. 

So.  Why?  WHY am I so happy in my house?? 

How many years did I wander the world, moving as often as possible?  My parents probably could write a small book with the addresses they've had for me.  Sure, it got less over the years.  When you have three small children, moving is - - - a challenge.  But part of that is why I joined the Army!  To see more of the world and give my KIDS the opportunity to do it early and perhaps avoid the nomadic existence I lived for so many years. 

And now.  While in Europe.  I - don't - want - to -go - anywhere.  What in the hell happened to me???  Uhm, where'd Holly go?? 

And I'm not complaining!  I love it.  I just kind of wonder what great cosmic joke is in play right now, ya know? 

However, I think I found the answer whilst "flitting" around my house.  I finally came *home*.  Not Europe.  Just MY home.  It's clean and beautiful and full of love.  They say the first year of marriage is the hardest.  It had it's moments.  But I'm home.  I cook.  I have occasional Family Game Night.  Dinners at the dining room table listening to stories of what the kids did today. 

I love my home.  Books & Movies on the shelves.  In their cases.  Recipes in my recipe box.  I occasionally have my shower curtain dry cleaned because of the hard water.  Wine in the wine cooler.  A plant that I've kept alive for many months blossoming.  My dog faithfully at my feet wherever I go in the house.  Amazing kids that LOVE me even though they are teens & pre-teens & HiI'mMax. 

Is everything perfect?  Hell no.  Nothing ever is.  But it's home.  It's my home.  And it makes me so happy to be in it and think that I finally made it. 

I saw on someone's door the other day - "Home Is Where The Army Moves Us".  And I think I got a little teary eyed.  I couldn't explain why at the time.  But I'm proud.  I'm proud to have been a soldier, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend. 

So, yeah, it's work to get up and leave it behind.  But it is Heaven on Earth to come home to at the end of the day.  With my teenager watching TV with me or my Madison talking about finding a sentence for the Bonus Words on his spelling assignment or my Max writing a play on the computer.  My darling husband's unexpected phone call and always his return from far away.   

Of COURSE I'd want to come home to that.  What insane person wouldn't want to hide in that wonderful place? 

- "Dear Prudence,

            Won't you come out and play?  Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day! The sun is up, the sky is blue.  It's beautiful and so are you."

                                                                                      The Beatles