Yes and everyone knows they're in love

by the way they dance.

ASHLEY, COMMANDING OFFICER.

...is a busy little ginger. There is so much to prepare for when you have a deployment on the horizon. Briefs to attend, supplies to gather and people to visit are just the start of that. Add a move back home...and you triple the amount of chores for yourself. So there's that, I've decided that it would be in my best interests to move back home. Now, some people may believe this decision makes me weak, so be it. Some people may believe that it means I love my husband less, because I'm not willing to stay in Jacksonville and wave a tissue and blot my eyes while staring at his picture and posting obnoxious military pride facebook statuses. Whatever. I need to do this for my mental well being. I need to be where my support system lies...and that is at home...with the people I love, not with the "military family" that I have here. That family for all intents and purposes, does not exist.

This decision does not come easy, as I love my job and feel that I have finally gotten somewhat a reputation of being a "knowledgeable and approachable nurse." I love being an ER nurse. I love the rush, I love the pace, I love my work family. However, it's on my days off that I sit around my house and wish that my sister were here, that my nephew were here...that my friends would come over randomly like they used to. I'll wish to be apart of the world that will be going on outside of this deployment. So, instead of wishing...I'm just going to be apart of it. Plain and simple.

This also opens some doors for me. I'll take my GRE and apply to graduate school where I've always wanted to go...USC, the same place I got my undergraduate degree. I like consistency. I'll be able to save money since I'll be living with my parents. Some people may think this is a crappy arrangement...and to them I say, you don't know my parents. I'll have all the privacy and freedom in the world. Zero will have other dogs to play with and I won't be alone, unless I wish to be alone...then I just lock the door.

Though, I tell you...I'll be happiest to lay out at the pool on the weekends with Sarah and Colin. This deployment is SO doable, especially around family and friends. Not to mention, Tomato is going to get so many stinking care packages. I'm going to miss the heck out of him, he's my hero.

Speaking of Tomato, yesterday was our one year anniversary. We started the day with me waking up at 0600 curled into a ball in the middle of the floor. I had a weird burning pain in my right upper quadrant and immediately thought....GALL BLADDER. Well, after downing a whole bottle of Pept0-Bismol, I attempted to go to the beach with Tomato and lay out for a few hours. I was fine unless I stood up. About 2000 last night, I finally sucked it up and went to the hospital. Have I ever told you how embarrassing it is for me to go to the ER?! I work there. I hate going to to ER, but I felt like something in my abdomen was literally about to burst. So I went, and of course...everything was normal. I just need to get a HIDA scan. So, I got today off work and I've been trying to take it easy. I'm going in to work tomorrow, just because I hate missing...and because I love Judi.

I love my husband.

TOMATO, THE HUBS.

...is deploying even SOONER than expected. Seriously Marine Corps?

We had to cancel our cruise, which was sad because we were both looking so forward to spending some uninterrupted time together. The whole weekend his unit/squadron/whatever kept calling him to get parts here and there and everywhere. So, while we're trying to enjoy each other...he is working. It makes me want to cry. I just want him all to myself.

He is a trooper though, he stayed by my bedside last night. He's been so optimistic about everything. That's what I'm going to miss most when he's gone. Tomato just has this unrelenting optimism that keeps me going. I freak out, he calms me down with "everything is going to work out" or "you got this" or "you're the best thing in my life."

He is even sending Becca, Jonathan and me to Disney World since we can't go on the cruise. He's my sweetheart. He's helping to make Becca and Jonathan's dreams come true. He's quite a man.

ZERO, THE DRAGON.

...has been a naughty naughty dragon. He found a weak spot in the fence yesterday and squirmed himself out. Tomato and I were watching a movie when all of a sudden I had this nagging urge to check on Zero. He was no where to be found. So naturally I start panicking to the point of no return. Timmy gets in the car and finds him almost immediately. That didn't stop me from shaking and crying. Zero knew he had done something bad though, he hung his tail and head and shame until I went to the hospital. Yesterday was epic, huh?

Anyway, sorry about the long update.

30 DAY PHOTO CHALLENGE

Day 8

(a picture that makes you laugh)

Song of the Day

By The Way They Dance by Jump, Little Children

(our first dance song)