Finally!!

Well, after many months we are nearing the end of this horrible deployment. I remember sitting in McDonalds at Norfolk Naval Base eating our final sad meal of mcmuffins and hashbrowns. I can honestly say that I had barely any appetite for it.. I could have done without a thing that morning. It was soooo bitterly cold that I drove over to the ship and gave hubs one final hug and he was gone.. I cried all the way to the front gate, I wondered how I would cope by myself, I felt like the world would end when he left.. well, for about 5 minutes anyways, then I told myself to stop being a wimp.

I drove back to the Navy Lodge where we had slept the night before and climbed back in bed with Emmy and watched cartoons for a few hours until we could drive back on base and wave the ship off. I can't say I wanted to go back initially, but I'm glad we did. It was soooo cold. I wrapped Emmy in all my spare clothes and we snuggled together on the pier. I was surprised how few people there were waving their loved ones off... I know there will be more for the homecoming. One of Dans co-workers let him use his cell, he stood at the back of the ship (sorry, can't remember it's official name) and waved to us. We waved until we couldn't see each other anymore and then began our sad little lonely journey home....

All I can say is thank goodness for friends and family (you know who you are), you took us out, went to the gym with us and called me up with words of encouragement. I can now say "we did it". It's almost over... Now I can look forward to homecoming day. I am looking forward to the hubs seeing how toned and svelt I've become, all the sweat and carrot sticks willl be worth that one smile. I'm looking forward to him seeing how big and beautiful his daughter has grown. I am most looking forward to cracking open a cold one in the evening and catching up. It was a tough few months, but it's almost done now!! YIPPEEEEEE!!!

p.s. The dress above is one of about 4 right now that I am debating on wearing to homecoming!!! lols.

One day..

For some reason I have always been drawn towards the South. When we moved from Connecticut to Virginia we did a road trip all the way down to Orlando, FL. I fell in love with coastal South Carolina and Savannah, GA. It's some thing about the plantations, the spanish moss and the Gone With the Wind days that captures my attention. I love the wide, wrap around porches, the columns and shutters. The houses all have such a dramatic and grand appearance.

Some years ago I stumbled upon a web page for Palmetto Bluff. It is a fairly new community, built at the edge of the saltwater marshes near Bluffton, South Carolina. All of the houses are built with Southern traditions in mind. On our way back from Florida, I talked Dan into letting us stop there so I could walk around and admire all the million dollar houses. The one in this picture is the one I fell in love with at first sight. I can just imagine sitting in that wicker furniture on the porch and having a glass of wine......

The whole community was just stunning. From the red herringbone brick walk ways to the real gas laterns that lit the bridge running over the pond. It was almost like stepping back in time. In the middle of the Village were the remains of an old plantation, just the foundations and part of the columns remained.. It sat overlooking the marshes, surrounded by ancient live oak trees... I could imagine living there, I think I must have in a previous life..

Keeping busy whilst the hubbys away.

So here we are, in Virginia Beach, VA. I can honestly say that I was more than upset when we found out we were moving here.. I had my heart set on Mayport, FL, but I guess the Navy had other plans for us. We have been here for about 7 months now and 5 of those have been without the hubby.. I told myself, when he left, that I wasn't allowed to sit in the house and wallow in my own self pity and I have done just that! I set myself three goals. The first was to save money and pay off the car loan, the second was to loose some weight and tone up and the third was to make new friends for me and Emily. So far all these goals are slowly becoming reality. I can honestly say that whilst Dan has been gone we have really worked hard at making the best of things. My attitude towards Virginia Beach has also turned a 180. I am loving it here. The beaches are picture perfect, the weather is mild and there is so much to do. We have been strawberry picking in Pungo, dolphin spotting in Sandbridge, seashell collecting in the Outer Banks and enjoying all the parks and recreational activities. I know that someone up above put us here for a reason, and I'm glad He did.

I have met some fantastic people, doors have seemed to open up for us with little effort. We make sure to get out everyday and enjoy what Virginia Beach has to offer. Emily loves the Virginia Aquarium (in fact I think I know the fishies each by name), the parks, storytime at the Library, swimming at the YMCA and building castles at the beach.

With only a few more months til the hubby comes home, I can truly say that our goals are almost achieved and we can stand proud on the pier to reunite with our missing piece of the puzzle.