HE'S HOME!!

Just wanted to update everyone...Blair is home!! His flight arrived on-time (actually even a little early!) yesterday at about 4 p.m. I am so excited to have my hubby back! It almost feels like he never left!

Hope everyone is having as good a day as I am!!

This was taken about a month before he left at a friends going away party.

Away too long!

Holy cow, y'all! It's been forever and three days since I last posted anything! I apologize for that and really hope there is someone out there that still feels the need to read my blog (Jennifer, if you're still reading this, thanks)! There has been a lot going on in the North Pohl household since my last post.

First of all, we made it all the way to Christmas (literally, December 25th) before we had our first blizzard of the year. For anyone who doesn't know, last year's winter here in North Dakota was, according to the locals, one of the worst in at least 10 years! Lucky us that we got here just in time to experience it! This year however, I didn't even need to break out the parka until December! I was super excited!

When January rolled around, Blair got news that he was up for a TDY to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was scheduled to leave for the two month TDY two days after my birthday, January 11. However, this being the TDY from hell (with explanation as to why to follow), it got indefinitely canceled. Two weeks passed with no word as to whether or not he was being rescheduled. Oh, let me not forget to mention that the length of stay was undetermined, but we were told at least 30 days, but it would end up being more like 60-90 days. Now, when he first told me about it, I was bummed of course, but I was essentially ok with the fact that he was leaving. I mean, heck, we made it through a 4 month TDY only 4 months after we got married. 30, or even 60 days, would be a breeze right? Well, some particulars that I'm not privy to got worked out and Blair got rescheduled to fly out about a week after we got the news. Ok, I thought, I can do this. Then, it got canceled again! To make a long story short, he got canceled one other time before he got the word that he was for real leaving. So as you read this, we are in our third week of separation. It's not been fun, but it's been ok. I definitely hate being away from my wonderful hubby, but I have to remind myself of the women that are dealing with husbands being deployed overseas, like one of the bloggers I follow, The Navy Wife. She is mucho grande strong! I will be so glad when Blair gets home. As of now, we don't have a firm "coming home" date, but that's the military for you. They definitely teach you patience and you kind of have to learn to roll with the flow.

Since Blair has been gone, I've tried to stay busy. The first weekend he was gone I had a purse party (at which I bought 3 purses!) on Friday night, went to lunch and shopping with a friend on Saturday, and had a "Lonely Valentine's Date" with some friends who's hubby/boyfriend's were away from them too (and a guy that doesn't have a gf! Yeah, he felt like the third wheel on a bicycle!). After that weekend I worked, and got in 16 hours of overtime. Can't wait for that check! This week has been a bit slower, but with still enough to do that I'm not constantly thinking about Blair being gone.

Since he's been gone, I've really been thinking about the future. A little background, a friend of mine up here just had a beautiful little girl. They are also military and her schedule is crazy like mine; working 12 hours here, 8 hours there, days, nights, always changing. Well, she's been pondering what she'll do when her maternity leave is up, which in turn made me wonder what I'd do in her situation, or rather when I'm in her situation. Also in this time, I've been doing some photography stuff. It feels like everyone is into photography, but I don't know if it's because I'm surrounding myself with it or it's becoming so popular that loads of people are delving into it. Either way, I've taken pictures of the new baby and been offered two "jobs." Since last March when Blair "forced" me to get my Nikon D90, I've been thinking about getting into the business of photography, not just dabbling in it. So far, the dream is just that, a dream. The ultimate would be to work part time at the hospital, just to keep my skills, and to be a photographer "full-time." Hopefully, that would allow more flexibility. Anyway, the point of my telling this is to request y'all keep me in your prayers that things will work out how they are supposed to.

Well, I have to admit when I sat down to write this it totally felt like more had gone on, but apparently I lead a very staid life, and I wouldn't change a thing about it! Again, thank you to anyone who still has interest in reading what paltry words I have to say! Hope this finds you well and safe and happy!

Pictures I've taken...

~~Hope you enjoyed 'em!~~

I Just Knew It!

You have all been waiting with bated breath for the update on my vacations haven't you? Oh, you haven't? Well, here it is anyway!! Haha!

First our trip to Louisiana. The trip down was fraught will delays, layovers, hunger, and crabbiness. But in the end, we got to the Shreveport airport and were eagerly awaiting parents. I can still remember seeing Mama's face as she peeked around the people between us to catch her first glimpse of Blair and me!

I'll give you a basic run-down of the stuff we did while we were there.

The first night, after being picked up at the airport, we met Ash and Nathan and Lacy, William, and sweet Riley at fabulous Outback. (Let me say this once for all the places we ate...YUM!) We had a wonderful time visiting and I got to hold my 'niece' for the longest time! Turns out I wasn't even hungry because I had that sweet girl in my arms! By the way, she is the cutest, most calm, lovable little thing! Anyway, I thought for sure after the trip down that we'd had, I'd sleep forever on Friday, but lo' and behold, my eyeballs popped open at 7 a.m. and I was rarin' to go. So I went and woke my parents up and we called the sis and went for a family breakfast at Southfield Grill. We dropped Mama and Ash at Ashlie's and Daddy and I returned home. I was tired again by this point and wanted a nap. However, after only an hour, I was thinking of all the stuff I could be doing and got up. The day was spent mainly visiting and being visited by old friends and neighbors. (Thanks Jen and Mrs. Linda for stopping by!) For dinner we went to Cane's!! So, so good.

Saturday arrived and Blair and I went to South Bossier to drive by our old house and remincse about when we lived there. We ate at El Mariachi and then went to WalMart for the goodies we were to being for the ribfest and fish fry that was to go on at Ashlie and Nathan's that night. While the boys cooked, Ash and I strolled around on the boardwalk. I missed that place. You can find such great deals! The dinner that night was superb. (Once again, Nathan, you have ruined me on anyones fish but yours, my brother! I love it!) Good food, good company, what else does one need?

Sunday we went to church and got to see lots of folks! Good times. That night Blair and I got to see my "other" family, the Rosiers. It was so good to spend time with them. Monday was a girls' day and Ashlie, Lay and I went and got a massage! It was so nice to be pampered! After the massage, we went to visit Martha and her new baby in the hospital. I hated that I didn't get to spend much time with my friend but her family comes first! Tuesday I had lunch with an old work friend and we went shoppin' for fabric. It was so good to visit with her. Wednesday Blair and I went to walk through our house we have rented out down there. I thought it would be hard to see someone elses stuff in my house, but our renter appears to take pride in what they have. They seemed very grateful and were very nice too! Wednesday night the family got together again and we played dominos until way into the night!

Thursday, Blair and I got up early (after about 3 hours of sleep) and headed to the airport. Thankfully all our flights were on time and we got to Minot without difficulty. It was a wonderful visit and we both had such a great time. I can't wait till next time!

So Much...

...to update y'all on!

Blair and I have been to Louisiana for a week, home for a week, then to Mexico for a week...

Yeah, it's been busy.

But we had a BLAST!!

I can't wait to tell you all about it (and of course show pictures)!

But it'll have to wait till later, cause I gots to bring home some bacon (aka, work) till Tuesday!

Till then...

He's home, he's home, he's home!!!!

Ok well to be honest, he's been home for about a week...yeah, I'm slow at updates!

On Friday, September 4th, he text me around 11 a.m. and said that the computers were acting up and he was waiting to take his last test. Then around 4 p.m., he text me and said that he was going to have to stay an extra day so that the computer tech guys could fix the computer in order for him to take the final test.

Let's just say, folks, I was not a happy camper! To say the least, I was ready for him to come home! Being alone is ok, in it's doses...not on and on and on! To my credit, though, I did keep busy while Blair was gone. Every night I wasn't at work, I had something to do...a Stampin' Up! party at a co-workers house, an interior design party at another co-workers house, dinner with a friend, and a house party. I was a busy bee!

However, all that served to do was keep me from thinkin' day and night about how much I wish Blair was with me. It definitely helped that I was able to talk to him on the phone everyday at least once and we text'd quite frequently. (What would I do without text messaging? Hello! I love it!!)

But now the wait is over and Blair and I are totally back in the groove of daily livin'. (He's made dinner twice this weekend so far because I've been working...how good is that? What a great man!)

Married life, it's a wonderful thing, good folks, I tell you what.

Not for anything would I give this man up. I love being married and can't wait to see what the next, oh, fifty years brings our way!

One down, two to go...

Well, week one has come and gone since Blair has been gone. Working and hanging out with friends has kept me sufficiently busy enough not to think every second of every day about him being gone. Mostly I sleep, work, go to the gym, sleep, and do it all over again.

We get to talk on the phone and let me tell you, that is what is keeping me sane! I think about these women who don't hear from their husbands for weeks or months (or in the old days, waited for letters!) and I feel very grateful that my husband is in no danger and that we're able to talk at least once a day. Sometimes twice.

So we've only got two weeks then he'll be home. Thank God. I can't wait to see him. Hold him in my arms. Kiss him. Just be with him.

Soon. Two weeks. I can do it. I know I can!